Postview: For a new generation, the dream is over

Early in his historic speech before the gates of Prague Castle, President Barack Obama noted the improbability of the event. Not many years ago, the idea of a Western leader, much less a black president of the United States, giving a major address in an Eastern bloc country was unthinkable.

"Those ideas would have been dismissed as dreams," Obama said.

While those dreams have come true, another has died: that of many Americans to come to one of the most beautiful cities in Europe to find work, perhaps a new home and, most of all, a fresh perspective outside the consumer culture. Even after the initial allure of a once-closed country wore off, adventuresome expats found satisfaction in helping with the transformation of the Czech Republic to an open society, and new life experiences in the country's traditions and culture.

Those days are over. Foreigners who want to come here now will find themselves beset by the visa problems that continue to plague many individuals and businesses, most prominently language schools. Our story on this situation only scrapes the surface; there have also been reports of teachers being deported and even jailed.

This page has spoken out in the past about the snarl of regulations that make it impossible for law-abiding expats to live and work here. While there have been some positive changes, the crux of the problem remains. Schengen rules prohibit staying in any member country more than 90 days without a long-term visa, and require a 90-day stay outside the Schengen zone before you can return. But the Czech government either cannot or will not issue visas within 90 days.

There are ways to circumvent this, none legal and all risky. Because enforcement has been spotty, sometimes they work. But no business should encourage that behavior, and those that employ foreigners without fully informing them of the country's visa restrictions are as culpable as any individual violators.

Realistically speaking, none of this is going to change anytime soon. Despite the pronouncements against protectionist measures at last week's G20 meeting, countries are going to do everything they can to protect and employ their native workers, especially in the wake of the global financial crisis. Language schools that live on the edge will continue to do so. And anyone who trusts the schools or the government will pay a steep price.

President Obama also spoke about the great friendship between the United States and the Czech Republic, which in recent years has been defined mostly by the Czechs' willingness to host a dubious and controversial radar base. In our dreams, that friendship is fostered instead by free travel between the two countries, talent exchanges ranging from language teachers to touring orchestras, and openness and transparency on both sides.

Unthinkable? With a new administration in Washington, maybe not. But the Czechs have to reciprocate. In the meantime, a word of warning to anyone following their dreams to Prague: Be aware of the legalities here, or you could wind up giving a historic speech of your own behind bars.