Practical Information

The MAE Study and Support Office takes care of students' practical issues, including assistance with obtaining and prolongation of visa, search and reservation of accommodation, and support of students upon their arrival to Prague and during studies at CERGE-EI.

MAE Study and Support Office                                                          This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            +420 224 005 181

Visa

The MAE Study and Support Office will guide you through each step of the visa application process. Since getting a student visa can be time-consuming, we provide personalized assistance in obtaining a visa. CERGE-EI has long experience negotiating with officials and guiding students through both the official procedure and the unwritten realities of obtaining a visa. Please be diligent in keeping in close communication with the MAE Study and Support Office about your visa application.

Soon after you receive your admissions offer, MAE staff will be in contact with you about applying for your visa. Contact the program if you have any questions or concerns about the visa procedure. 

EU citizens

Students from the European Union do not need any kind of visa to enter and stay in the Czech Republic.

Non-EU citizens not subject to visa requirement  

Students from countries whose citizens are exempt from visa requirement (for example Albania, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Japan, Macedonia/FYROM, Montenegro, Serbia, USA, and others) can stay in the Czech Republic for a period of up to 90 days. This can be useful for the beginning of the MAE program in September, but students from these countries still have to apply for a long-term visa and later for a long-term permit in order to stay in the Czech Republic for the whole study program.

Non-EU citizens required to get visa

Students from non-EU countries are required to possess visa to stay in the Czech Republic. You might get one of the following visa types to start the MAE program:

Long-term visa – over 90 days, up to 6 months

This is the main visa when coming to the Czech Republic to study. The long-term visa is valid up to 6 months, and it is not possible to prolong. The SSO will provide MAE students and applicants with detailed instructions on how to apply for the long-term visa.

Long-term residence permit

When the long-term visa validity is coming to an end, you have to apply for a long-term residence permit to cover the rest of your stay in the MAE program. It is not possible to apply for the long-term permit without obtaining the long-term visa first.

Detailed and up-to-date information about visa matters may be found at the web page of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Interior of the Czech Republic:

http://www.mzv.cz/jnp/en/information_for_aliens/index.html

http://www.mvcr.cz/mvcren/article/immigration.aspx

Accommodation  

MAE students have the right to a university dorm room at subsidized prices. The dormitories are generally located outside the city center (30–45 minutes from CERGE-EI by public transport). Prices depend on the dorm and number of people sharing the room.

Most MAE student live in Hostivar dormitory.

Prices for private accommodation in Prague vary greatly depending on quality and location. CERGE-EI will assist you with finding a flat to rent, according to your preferences.

Living Expenses

Prague is a moderate city in terms of living expenses. It is much less expensive than Western European capitals such as London or Paris or larger former Soviet cities such as Moscow or St. Petersburg. Prices are, however, higher than in Eastern European cities such as Kiev or Central Asian cities such as Tashkent. Of course, how much you spend on living essentials also depends on your personal standards, and Prague offers a wide range of spending options.

Exchange rate of Czech Crowns (CZK) as of September 2013:

Public transport in Prague is said to be one of the best systems in Europe. The metro, trams and buses cover the majority of the city center and suburbs. A monthly pass costs 550 CZK. More details here.