u/Tasty-Enthusiasm-398

I'm a NZ citizen heading to Prague for a university exchange. I need to submit my passport to the Czech Consulate General in Sydney for a long-stay student visa, which takes 60 days to process. I have confirmed international travel departing NZ on 24 July so I won't have my passport back in time.

I'm looking at applying for an additional NZ passport under the DIA policy ground of "need to travel while primary passport is with a visa issuing authority."

Has anyone successfully applied for an additional NZ passport in this situation? Did DIA approve it? How long did it take and what documentation did they ask for?

Heading to Prague for a university exchange semester 2 2026. Need a Czech long-stay student visa as a non-EU citizen.

Situation: Sydney consulate has confirmed 60 day processing time and that my passport must be submitted with the application. I'm anticipating lodging my application around 9 June, which means my passport won't be returned until around 9 August. I have confirmed international travel departing NZ on 24 July.

Has anyone been through a similar situation with the Sydney Czech consulate? Specifically:

1. Did you manage to temporarily retrieve your passport mid-application to travel, then send it back?
2. Did you apply for an additional NZ passport while your primary was with the consulate?
3. Did you enter Czech Republic on Schengen visa-free 90 days while your long-stay visa was still being processed — and did this cause any issues with your visa application or with Czech foreign police?

Any advice from people who've navigated this appreciated.

I am a New Zealand citizen. I am heading to Prague for a university exchange semester 2 2026. Need a Czech long-stay student visa as a non-EU citizen.

Situation: Sydney consulate has confirmed a 60 day processing time and that my passport must be submitted with the application. I'm anticipating lodging my application around 9 June (as I'm waiting for my confirmation of study and binding preliminary agreement on accommodation from VSE University to come in the post), which means my passport won't be returned until around 9 August. I have confirmed international travel departing NZ on 24 July.

Has anyone been through a similar situation with the Sydney Czech consulate? Specifically:

1. Did you manage to temporarily retrieve your passport mid-application to travel, then send it back?
2. Did you apply for an additional NZ passport while your primary was with the consulate?
3. Did you enter Czech Republic on Schengen visa-free 90 days while your long-stay visa was still being processed — and did this cause any issues with your visa application or with Czech foreign police?

Any advice from people who've navigated this appreciated.