Time to extend temporary protection only until 31.3.2023

Last year, citizens of Ukraine fleeing the war conflict had the opportunity to apply for temporary protection in EU countries, which allowed them to stay in these countries until 31.3.2023. Due to the continuation of the war, in accordance with the opinion of the EU Commission, temporary protection has been extended in the Czech Republic until 31.3.2024.

The statutory regulations provide for the following procedure for the extension of temporary protection:

1. Register for the extension of temporary protection online here

• online registration can be done until 31.3.2023 at the latest - if the registration is not done by the end of March, the temporary protection will expire
• by registering and reserving a date, the temporary protection is automatically extended until 30.9.2023
• the holder of the temporary protection will receive a confirmation e-mail about the successful registration

2. Appear at the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic to have the visa (temporary protection) affixed to the travel document

• the visa must be affixed by 30.9.2023 at the latest, the appointment date is already selected in the online registration under point 1 above
• you must take the following with you to the appointment:
  • a valid travel document
  • proof of accommodation (only if the foreigner has applied for temporary protection before 27.6.2022 or lives at the different address than given in the original application)
• by affixing the visa, the temporary protection will be extended until 31.3.2024

The extension of the temporary protection should also lead to an extension of the holders' free access to the labour market and therefore their continued employment will be possible. However, for this to happen, the extension of the effectiveness of Act No. 66/2022 Coll. must be approved by 31.3.2023 (approved on 24.2.2023 in the Chamber of Deputies under File No. 374).

In the context of the extension of temporary protection, the employer shall be advised to take the following steps:

• by 31.3.2023, request the employee to submit an e-mail from the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic on the successful registration extending the temporary protection until 30.9.2023 (ideally, a copy of the e-mail should be placed in the employee's file)
• by 30.9.2023, request the employee to produce a travel document with a visa extending temporary protection until 31.3.2024 and make a copy of it

If the employee (holder of temporary protection) is unable to produce the requested document within these deadlines, he/she may not be allowed to further perform work - the employer could be liable for allowing illegal work with a penalty of up to CZK 10,000,000.

In case of any questions or uncertainties, please contact our specialist on the employment of foreigners, Mr Matěj Daněk, at matej.danek@prkpartners.com.