Visa
Important links:
Schengen visa
Slovakia is part of the Schengen Area – territory of 23 countries of the European Union + 2 associated countries of the European Economic Area, which agreed on the abolition of border controls between themselves and on common visa regulations.
By applying for Slovak Visa, a foreigner applies for so-called Schengen Visa which allows him/her to travel inside of the Schengen Area without any restrictions. Schengen Visa holders do not need aditional special visa for Slovakia.
Citizens of which countries need visa to Slovakia?
Citizens of the following countries need visa to Slovakia: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Ivory Coast, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Korea (North), Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Micronesia, Midway Islands, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar (Burma), Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Northern Mariana Islands, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Christopher and NevisnoSaint Helena and Dependencies, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, São Tomé and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste (East Timor), Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Western Samoa, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
For up to 90 days of stay, there are no Slovakia visa requirements for US citizens (USA), Australians, Canadians or UK citizens.
Visa types
Which type of visa the foreigner needs depends on the length and purpose of the stay in Slovakia. There are 4 types:
- Schengen visa type A = Airport transit visa
- Schengen visa type B = Transit visa
- Schengen visa type C = Entry visa
- Long-term visa D
Schengen visa type A: Airport transit visa
Under normal circumstances, for a layover or transfer between two international flights the foreigner can remain in the international transit zone at the airport without any visa. However, some nationalities are subject to visa requirements, even if they do not leave the international transit zone. Airport transit visas entitle the foreigner only to pass through the international transit area of airports.
Schengen visa type B: Transit visa
This visa entitles foreigners who are traveling from one non-schengen country to another non-schengen country to pass through the Schengen States. The transit cannot exceed 5 days.
Schengen visa type C: Entry visa (Travel visa or Tourist visa)
This visa entitles foreigners to enter the Schengen countries for a visit or several visits, but the duration of the stay cannot exceed 90 days within a period of 6 months from the date of the first entry. A visa can be granted for one or more entries.
Long-term visa D (Residence visa, Student visa or Business visa)
Long term visa can be given for the purpose of granting a residence permit in the Slovak Republic or for the purpose of fulfilling obligations arising from international agreements or where it is in the interest of the Slovak Republic.
With this visa the foreigner is allowed to stay on the territory of Slovakia during the period of its validity and it allows him/her to travel accross Schengen countries, but the duration of the stay cannot exceed 90 days in any period of 6 months.
How to apply for Slovak visa?
Foreigners who are subject to visa requirements and who wish to enter the Schengen Area with the primary purpose of staying in Slovakia, are required to submit an application for visa at the local Slovak Embassy or Consulate-General. If the foreigner has a residence permit in other country than the country of his nationality, he/she can apply for visa at the Embassy / Consulate-General in the country of his current residence.
In some cases, the decision about granting a visa can take time. Foreigners should apply for visa as soon as possible, but not earlier than 3 months before the planned trip. The statutory deadline for granting visas is 30 days after the date of application receipt.
Citizens of countries with which there are signed agreements by the European Community on easier and faster granting of visas are exceptions. In these cases, the deadline for a decision is set at 10 days after the receipt of a complete visa application. The following countries have such an agreement with European Community: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Moldova, Russia, Serbia, Ukraine.
Application form & other documents needed
The following must be attached if applying for Schengen visa:
- Completed application form for Schengen (PDF download) or Slovak national visa (PDF download) – It must be signed by the applicant. For legal representation of a child or legally incompetent person, applications must be signed by the legal representative, attached with a copy of a document certifying that he/she is the legal representative of the applicant.
- Color facial image – 3 cm x 3.5 cm
- Valid travel document (Passport) – Validity must be at least 3 months longer than the expected validity of the visa.
- Documents indicating the purpose and conditions of the planned visit – Invitation letter or a Voucher if it is an organized tour.
- Documents of transport – It has to be a return ticket (not open ticket!) – flight ticket, bus ticket or train ticket. If traveling by car (or other vehicle for roads), transport documents are: international driving license, vehicle insurance for damage caused to other road-users, green card, cash for petrol.
- Documents relating to accommodation – Voucher showing the payment for a hotel and its services, or private invitation which confirms that the inviting person will accommodate the invited foreigner, or other documents.
- Documents regarding finances and solvency * – Cash in convertible currency, or traveler’s checks, or bank statement showing regular income (salary, pension) for the last 6-12 months, or other documents that guarantee funds in convertible currency.
- International travel insurance – It must cover any expenses which might arise from transporting the foreigner back to his/her country for health reasons, urgent medical reasons or emergency hospital treatments. The insurance must be valid throughout the Schengen member states and for the entire period of the stay. Minimum coverage shall be 30000,-EUR. Family members of EU or EEA nationals (except family members of Slovak citizens) do not need to submit a travel medical insurance.
- Other documents – The embassy or the Consulate-General is allowed to request any other documents to verify the declared purpose of travel and the applicant’s intention to return to the home country or country of residence.
* The amount of money a foreigner has to prove, must be appropriate to the length and purpose of stay and cost of living in the destination country or countries of the Schengen Area. On the borders of Slovakia, a foreigner can be called to demonstrate sufficient funds for the whole stay (as stated in visa), which is 57,-EUR per person per day.
Documents proving the purpose of stay
These are considered as a proof of declared purpose of stay:
Organized / individual tourism
- Voucher issued by travel agency – Voucher must contain information about paid services, not just a reservation or partial payment of services.
- Invitation letter – For private visit (visiting family or friends), an invitation issued by the inviting party with officially certified signature by notary, or certified by the Foreign Police Department is required. Invitation verified by the Foreign Police Department may be required for visa applicants of any nationality.
Commercial / Business trip
- Invitation issued by a business partner or institution.
- Invitation issued by the Foreign Police Department. – It may be required for visa applicants of any nationality. Embassy or Consulate General will decide what documents will be required to prove the purpose of stay. For repeated business trips, a cooperation agreement with a Slovak company/companies and further documents may be required.
International conferences, seminars, symposiums, cultural and sport events
- Invitation issued by the organizer.
- Official letter from the organization requesting visas for its staff.
- Invitation verified by the Foreign Police Department.
Other purposes
Other documents confirming the purpose of travel and stay in the Slovak Republic (wellness or spa treatments, studies, etc.).
Invitation letter
Invitation letter should contain:
- Details of the inviting person – name, address, phone number.
- Date and place, where the letter was written.
- Details of invited person – name, address, phone number.
- Naming the invited person and the reason of inviting.
- Purpose of the visit (if traveling around Slovakia then it should specified where the invited person will stay and who will pay the costs – inviting person or the invited).
- The invitation letter should be signed by the inviting person.
Visa costs & fees
Type of visa | Fee |
---|---|
Schengen Visa:
|
60,-EUR |
Long-term Visa (D) | 99,50 EUR |
Long-term Visa issued for granting a residence permit in Slovakia | 9,50 EUR |
Long-term visa granted for the purpose of fulfilling obligations arising from international agreements or it is in the interest of the Slovak Republic | 33,-EUR |
Visa for nationals of countries with which there are signed agreements by the European Community on easier and faster granting of visas:
|
35,-EUR |
Fees shall be paid in convertible currency or in national currency of the country where the application was made. There are no fees for the applicants who are family members of EU or EEA citizen, and who are exercising their right to free movement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to submit the visa application personally?
Yes, you have to submit the visa application personally on the embassy or consulate and you need to explain the purpose and circumstances of your trip. The visa for children is applied by their legal representative (usually parents).
In certain rare cases the foreigner does not have to be personally on the embassy when applying for a visa. For getting such an exception, it is necessary to contact the Embassy or Consulate General.
What happens if my visa application is rejected?
Visa isn’t legally eligible and the foreigner is not informed about the reason if the visa was rejected, except when he/she is a family member of a EEA citizen, a refugee or a foreigner whom has been given subsidiary protection (it does not apply if he/she is a family member of a Slovak citizen).
Can I appeal against the refusal of a visa?
If a visa application was rejected to a family member of the European Economic Area, to a refugee or a foreigner whom has been given subsidiary protection, the Embassy / Consulate-General of the Slovak Republic is required to issue a document about the decision. Options about how to appeal against the refusal are mentioned in the operative part of the decision document.
Is my visa valid only for the Slovak Republic?
Territorial validity of visas are specified on the visa sticker in the line “Platné pre/Valid for”. Visa may be granted with effect for all Schengen Member States. In this case, the visa sticker says “Platí pre: Schengenské štáty” (Valid for: Schengen states) and the holder of such visa is allowed to move freely throughout the Schengen Area within the validity period.
If the territorial validity is limited, the visa sticker will say “Platí pre: Slovenská republika” (meaning that the visa is only valid for the territory of the Slovak Republic) or “Schengenské štáty – GR” (meaning that the visa is valid for all Schengen states except Greece).
With my visa, can I travel outside the Schengen Area and then enter it again?
Short-term Schengen visa can be granted for one or more entries. If you hold a visa for only one entry and you leave the Schengen Area, your visa is no longer valid for the re-entry. Multiple-entry visa entitles you to multiple entries and exits from the Schengen Area within the validity period.
If I got Schengen visa from the Slovak Embassy, am I allowed to enter Slovakia through an airport which is located outside of the Slovak Republic?
Yes, with a valid Schengen visa you can enter Slovakia through any border crossing – through any airport in the Schengen Area.
What should I do after the arrival in Slovakia?
A foreigner, who holds short-term visa, long-term visa or his/her entry is not subject to a visa, is required to inform a police office within three working days about the location and expected length of stay. EEA nationals must meet this obligation within ten working days of the entry. If he/she is staying at a hotel or other accommodation, the owner of the accommodation facility is required to do that instead of the foreigner.
Can I extend the visa when I am in Slovakia?
Since 1st of December 2008, in rare cases the visa may be extended to 90 days in 6 months. Visa is extended by the Ministry of Interior, only if the foreigner cannot leave the Slovak Republic due to natural disasters, humanitarian grounds or serious personal reasons. Other cases (tourism, family visits, etc.) do not justify the extension of the visa.
July 7th, 2010 at 4:54 pm
Yes viscky, you can travel without visa and you can apply for permanent residence.
July 7th, 2010 at 4:55 pm
Well, then ask for the accommodation and provide the embassy with the confirmation you get from the university.
July 7th, 2010 at 5:11 pm
Dear Sonam, there has been a change in the law, you are allowed to travel to Schengen countries, pls. read above in the article:
“With this visa the foreigner is allowed to stay on the territory of Slovakia during the period of its validity and it allows him/her to travel accross Schengen countries, but the duration of the stay cannot exceed 90 days in any period of 6 months.”
July 8th, 2010 at 4:10 pm
thank you very much.I would like to know how imigration will allow me to go without visa at airport?is it slovakian marriage certificate enought for entry to slovakia with my wife?
thank you
July 8th, 2010 at 6:31 pm
Dear Vicky, I just re-checked the statement and it seems there has been a change in the law. You don’t need visa IF you already have the EEA family member card. Otherwise you will need visa.
July 12th, 2010 at 1:54 am
dir sir/madam
i leave in uae and i need to applay visa to travel slovakia ?
where is the location of empassy slovakia in uae ? if there is no any empassy in uae where i applay visa for slovakia?
thank you
wedebe
July 16th, 2010 at 4:09 pm
hi
i am a Pr holder in slovakia but if i want to visit India my country of birth, do i need visa to return back to slovakia or is my PR card enough for that like i am confused but i dont know wat to do can u help me pls.. as i have to leave sooner can u guide me
July 20th, 2010 at 4:36 pm
Accredited embassy for UAE is in Egypt: http://www.slovak-republic.org/visa-embassies/of-slovakia/#egypt
July 20th, 2010 at 4:52 pm
Richie, if you have permanent residence for Slovakia, you should also have a Visa type D, which allows you to freely travel. http://www.slovak-republic.org/visa-embassies/#type
July 24th, 2010 at 11:57 pm
Dear Sir/Madam,
My name is Bhimabol. I am Thai student who is studying in Bratislava, Slovakia.
I have a plan to go to Paris on September 2010 for traveling by airplane that will depart from Vienna airport.
Actually, I held a resident permit of slovakia (Povolenie na pobyt) that is valid until October 31, 2010 (please see attached file).
I would like to ask you that Can I visit Paris with this resident permit sticker?
If I can not, could you please let me know, how I can apply the visa for entering France from Bratislava?
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Thank you in advances.
Bhimabol
August 6th, 2010 at 12:08 pm
Please send me the New visa application and visa requirements for the Sri Lankan Nationals.
August 7th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
Priya, you need to contact the embassy in India: http://www.slovak-republic.org/visa-embassies/of-slovakia/#india
August 7th, 2010 at 1:05 pm
Dear Bhimabol, if you have residency in Slovakia, you are also a long term visa holder and you can freely travel to any Schengen country.
August 9th, 2010 at 1:36 am
hi actully i want to know that how much is the passport fee in slovakia for slovakia citizens.
thank you
August 10th, 2010 at 5:06 pm
if i visit Slovakia for shopping what documents are required for applying short term single/multiple visa? do i really need an invitation letter?
August 11th, 2010 at 9:20 am
Well, yes… you need travel visa (C type).
August 11th, 2010 at 9:36 am
Ali, if you can wait 30 days, it is 33 euro for the passport. But you can get the passport in 2 days, the price is 132 euro then.
August 12th, 2010 at 11:27 am
I have applied for Slovak Resident Permit in India and hope to get it stamped in 2 weeks from now. We wanted to book our tickets to Kosice and found that from India, bookings till Budapest are cheaper than to kosice and we can take Malev buses from Budapest to reach Kosice. Just wanted to know if our travel from Budapest to Kosice is allowed if we hold a Visa Type D for Slovakia?
August 16th, 2010 at 12:00 am
Respected Sir,
i am form Pakistan i need Slovakia visa for meeting a friend , i need short term visa , am in Pakistan there is no embassy if there is located in Pakistan please tell me about it and i think Slovakia embassy located in Iran and , how can i apply for visa , for this purpose i should go to Iran or send application for visa by Mail ?
i will wait your reply thanks
August 19th, 2010 at 9:29 am
We are two Australians travelling by train from Prague to Budapest in September. The train travels through Slovakia but we will not be getting off. I presume we do not need a visa, do we?
August 27th, 2010 at 8:29 am
Dear Sir,
I am an Ethiopian.I have a three months programme which I will participate in Slovakia.I tried to search Slovakian Embassy or counsulate in Ethiopia which I can’t find.Please give me information from where I can find the Visa to enter in your country.
Best Regards
August 27th, 2010 at 11:40 am
Dear Yohannes, there is no embassy in Ethiopia, you should contact the embassy in Kenya: http://www.slovak-republic.org/visa-embassies/of-slovakia/#kenya
August 27th, 2010 at 12:29 pm
Australians do not need visa to enter Slovakia.
August 27th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
Please, read the article carefully. All the information is there.
August 27th, 2010 at 1:29 pm
Sure, there is no problem with it.
September 5th, 2010 at 2:57 am
Hello
I am a South African citizen married to a Slovak Citizen and we live in Australia. We will be visiting Slovakia in December for 3 weeks in total. We will fly into Vienna and stay there for 4 days before taking the train to Bratislava.
I had a few questions which I hoped you could answer:
1 – Do I require travel insurance despite being married to an EU national?
2 – What will the schengen visa cost us in my situation?
3 – We will be staying with our family. Do we need to go to the Police station to inform they of my stay?
Many thanks
David
September 11th, 2010 at 5:56 pm
Hello,
I have friend from Morocco and he’d like to visit Slovakia but the problem is that there is no slovak embassy in Morocco. Is it possible to get visa for him for example to other european country and then he would be able to come also to Slovakia? He is also thinking about study in Slovakia. But I don’t know what proccess would be if he was accepted in slovak university.
I hope you can give me some information.
Best Regards
September 15th, 2010 at 11:31 am
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am an Indian working in Rwanda. I have been invited to present as Guest Speaker in a conference at Patince in Slovakia. As I am residing in Rwanda, there is no embassy or consulate here. I have to apply through Kenya. But I didnt get an official email or phone number or even a website for the same so that I will know how and where to send my documents to the embassy. Could you please help me in getting the right information and contact address and phone and email address.
I have been to Germany in May and would like to know if this will make it easier for getting visa to slovakia. What all I have to show.
Thanks
September 16th, 2010 at 6:24 pm
Here is the contact info: http://www.mzv.sk/nairobi
September 22nd, 2010 at 4:07 pm
Hi David,
1. No, but it is very recommended.
2. Same as for anybody else.
3. Yes, you should.
September 22nd, 2010 at 4:15 pm
Hi Janka, no, that wouldn’t work because there are things which you have to prove such as accommodation in Slovakia (you won’t get visa in Austria if you state that you are planning to travel to Slovakia). He should contact the embassy in Spain: http://www.slovak-republic.org/visa-embassies/of-slovakia/#spain
October 3rd, 2010 at 2:00 am
Dear,
I’m sudanese,I live in UAE & I hold a valid residency,I wish to
study in Slovakia ,can u please tell me how & where shall I apply for a visa ?& what kind of visa I must apply for?
Thanx,
October 4th, 2010 at 8:34 am
Sir, I need a visit(tourist) visa of slovakia. I have a valid visa of USA B1/B2 of 5 years and a valid visa of Mexico for ten years.
Where I shell apply, I am living in Pakistan and I am senior citizen, my age is 74years
Pls give me address where I can drop my application/ application forms /
rgds
October 5th, 2010 at 2:16 pm
Dear Sir/Madam,
after reading the article and previous comments I hope you will be able to give me an advice and also be able to help me to answer some questions.I am Slovakian and my husband is Colombian. We got married 30.July 2010 in Colombia. After I returned back to Slovakia I sent all the papers to be registered, such as civil de matrimonio. The problem is that waiting time is 4 months and our baby is due on 18.December 2010. My husband is in Colombia, because we are waiting for the papers to be legalized. I am on my own and we are not sure how he can travel to Slovakia, because it is his first time to enter the country. Can my husband travel to Slovakia, even he doesn’t have registered papers of the marriage certificate in Slovakian? Or can he use the original which is in Spanish? We do not want any problems at the airport, just because of this. Also will he need a visa? If so, what type and what should be the next step for him to travel to Slovakia? He would be changing the plane somewhere in Europe,either in Paris or Vienna. Not sure what the possibilities are, but I would love him to be with me and the baby. Thank you for your understanding and all your help.
Best regards
October 19th, 2010 at 12:13 pm
Hi Amr,
as you are a Sudanese passport holder, you should contact the Slovak Embassy in Egypt. For the contacts please see http://www.slovak-republic.org/visa-embassies/of-slovakia/#egypt. For the rest of the information please read the article above.
October 19th, 2010 at 12:17 pm
Dear Muhammad,
are you a Pakistani passport holder? In case you are, please contact the Slovak embassy in Iran. For the contacts please see http://www.slovak-republic.org/visa-embassies/of-slovakia/#iran
October 25th, 2010 at 12:48 pm
Hi Beata,
yes, if he doesn’t have the EEA family member card yet, he needs visa (C type or D type) to Slovakia, but it will be granted quite fast. He should contact the embassy in Mexico: http://www.slovak-republic.org/visa-embassies/of-slovakia/#mexico
November 4th, 2010 at 1:26 am
I am slovakian married in UK to mongolian with EEA family member sticker in the passport. We are going to visit for 2 weeks slovakia, austria and czech republic. do we need to apply for any visa for my mongolian wife? thanks
November 5th, 2010 at 4:20 pm
Dear Sir/Madam,
Im an Egyptian citizen who is living in Egypt and want to apply for tourism visa, i have been with a slovak dancing group in egypt and they would like to send to me an official invitation to visit the group in Slovak Republic, but when they went to the foreign police in Slovak the police told the group that they have nothing to do with the invitation in the foreign police and just the group has to contact the Slovak Embassy here in Cairo.
so what exactly the group has to do???
just to send to me the invitation letter and i take it with my documents to the embassy or should they go back to the foreign police again and ask ???
November 9th, 2010 at 8:20 pm
Hi Sir/Madam.
I am Indian citizen and my wife is from Slovakia, we have work visa in USA. We do have slovak marriage certificate and we are planing to visit her parents in Slovakia. I saw in web that I need invitation letter, can my wife write it for me or her parents need to write it? Does the letter needs to be notarized? I know I need to visit Slovak embassy in USA, do I need an appointment for visa? If yes how I schedule it?
Thank you for your reply.
Philip
November 11th, 2010 at 9:41 pm
Im from Indonesia my whife from Slovakia, I allready have shengen visa to Finnland from december, and want to come to Slovakia in november. Can I have 2 shengen visa with different date ?
November 15th, 2010 at 10:41 am
Yes, you can. You’ll get another visa from Slovak embassy for November.
November 15th, 2010 at 10:56 am
Hi Philip, if your wife has a permanent residence in Slovakia then she can write it for you. The invitation letter should be verified by the Slovak foreign police. Yes, pls, contact the embassy in USA beforehand and ask for the needed documents, so everything goes smooth.
November 15th, 2010 at 10:58 am
In that case, contact the embassy in Cairo and ask them what to do.
November 15th, 2010 at 11:00 am
If your wife has EEA family member sticker, then she doesn’t need visa.
December 2nd, 2010 at 5:29 pm
Hi,
I’m a abroad Education consultant and want details with regards to student visa formalities.Please give me additional details so that i can counsel students accordingly.
Thanx & Regards.
M.Isaac Pramod
December 5th, 2010 at 4:53 pm
Dear Pramod, everything needed is written in the article above!
December 14th, 2010 at 12:38 am
hello
my wife is from Slovakia we been married for about 6 years(we got married in UK ) .
and we have 3 years old boy . both my wife and my son are Slovak citizen , only me i hold UK residency of EEA family member .
please can you help or advice me if i can have Slovak citizenship?
December 16th, 2010 at 11:24 am
Hi there,
I am a non EU national planning to apply for work permit for Slovakia with a company registered in Slovakia. I wanted to know what procedures are involved in case something goes wrong with the job and I need to change company in few months. Can I change company from Slovakia itself? How long does it take and what are the requirements?
I looked around for this information but could not find anywhere online.
Many thanks in advance.
Regards
Shaz
December 21st, 2010 at 10:57 pm
Hi,
my partner is Algerian citizen. He holds UK residence permit as a family member of EEA national – me. I am Slovakian citizen. We are however not married. He was issued the residence permit under the condition that he is considered as my family member as we have lived in the same household for more than 5 years.
Does he need to apply for visa if he wants to visit Slovakia?
Thank you very much for you advice.
Zuzana