CZECH REPUBLIC – Labour Registration Required for Non EU Nationals
As noted in our previous alert (available here), an amendment to the Czech Labour Code and Employment Law has been passed by the Czech Parliament and approved by the President. The amendment took effect on 1 January 2012. Since the publication of our last alert, it has become clear that the amendment will mean an additional step in the work authorization process for most employees/assignees from outside the European Economic Area (EEA).
Labour Office Registration
Paragraph 87 of the new labour code (act 435/2004 as amended) requires that employees/assignees who have obtained a work permit be registered with the labour office. Previously, this was only a requirement for employees who were work permit exempt for example, European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) nationals. The labour office registration is a one day process and must be done, at the latest, on the day the employee commences work (as is the case for EU nationals). Personal appearance by the employee is not generally required.
Other Impact on Immigration Applications
For more details on other potential implications, see our previous alert on this subject here.
Action Items
- Note that, effective immediately, the employment of non EU nationals in the Czech Republic should be registered with the labour office, as was already the case for EEA nationals.
- Note that immigration applications in early 2012 may be delayed, due to the amendment of the labour code.
- Bear in mind that immigration application procedures may be subject to further change in 2012.
