If you want to stay in the Czech Republic for a longer period of time, you need to obtain long term visa/residency. Every type of visa has its own purpose of stay. There are different types of the purpose of stay.
1. Studies
You can apply for this purpose of stay if your university is accredited or if you are participating in official language course preparations for Studying in the Czech language. You will get a long-term visa for one year. After the first extension, you will upgrade it to long-term residency which is valid for 2 years.
2. Others
you apply to visa type Others if you are studying in an unaccredited study program at a public or private higher education institution. This long term visa is issued for 365 days and before the expiration, you can upgrade to long term residency which can be issued for 1 year or for 2 years depending on your university confirmation.
3. Scientific research
If you are working for the government or any nongovernmental science organization or educational institution, you should apply for a Czech visa for the purpose of scientific research. The long-term Czech visa for scientific research can be issued for 365 days and can be extended for another 2 years, depending on the upcoming cooperation agreement between you and the organization.
4. Employment
If you will work in the Czech Republic your purpose of stay is employment and you will get a long-term residency for two years. There are types of residencies with the purpose of staying Employment and it is officially called Employee Card.
An Employee Card is a long-term residency with classic employment at least with a minimum salary without any job type qualifications.
Blue Card is The higher equivalent of a Czech employee card. Higher requirements such as specific degree and monthly salary.
5. Business
If you want to open a company in the Czech Republic or be self-employed (freelancer), your purpose of stay will be business. You will get a long-term visa for one year. After the first extension, you can upgrade it to long-term residency which is valid for 2 years.
6. Family reunification
For this type of visa, you need to present proof of relationship (marriage or birth certificate)
7. Job seeker visa
A job seeker visa is a long-term residency with the purpose of starting a business or finding full-time employment.
Residency permit valid for up to 9 months. All students graduating through accredited programs can apply for this permit. This permit can be converted to any other long-term residence permit including the business one.
Changing the purpose of the stay
It is not possible to change the purpose of stay to the business unless you have been staying for more than 5 years in the Czech Republic.
An exception is a family reunification visa, after 3 years of holding this type of residency you can change your purpose of stay. Also Joob seeker visa is only the option for changing purpose of stay to to business before 5 years.