Slovakia visa - Definitive Guide

Nationals of Schengen countries and other countries that have a visa-exemption agreement with Slovakia can simply enter the country and stay there for up to 90 days for free. What about the others? Well, the Slovakia visa lets you do this. It is an endorsement that permits you to enter Slovakia for various purposes and stay in the country for particular periods of time. 

The Slovakia visa application has been outsourced to the Visa Application Centres (VAC) by the Slovakian Embassy. As of now, there is an online visa application for Slovakia from India. As a result, the application is done offline. Before starting the application, you must ensure that you meet all the eligibility conditions for the particular type of visa. After this, you may proceed to make the application as follows - 

1. The first step is to obtain all the documents you would need for the particular visa type. 
2. After this, you must visit the website of the Slovakian embassy in India and download the application form.
3. Fill in the form with all the relevant details including the purpose of your visit, 
4. Proceed to book your appointment at one of the VACs located across India. Note that if you are applying for the long term National visa, you must book your appointment directly at the embassy. 
5. Attend the visa appointment with the completed application form, appointment confirmation, documents and fees in person. You will also have to submit your biometrics here. 

Note that if you have submitted your biometrics for the application for a Schengen visa in the past 5 years, you do not have to submit them again. Also, ensure that you provide only genuine documents and correct information. Providing false information or forged documents are grounds for automatic visa rejection.

Based on the purpose of the stay and the duration of the stay, the Slovakian permits can be classified as the following - 

• Slovakia Schengen visa - Also known as the short term permit, this is the Schengen C type, and is issued for a duration of up to 90 days in a 180-day period. Based on the purpose of visit, these can further be classified as - 
• Tourist - These are issued to people who are visiting Slovakia for the sole purpose of taking part in tourism activities such as sightseeing, adventure sports, etc. 
• Business - This specific type is issued for businessmen who are travelling to the country for engaging in business-related activities such as meetings, conferences, etc.
• Visitor - This category is for people entering the Slovak Republic for the purpose of visiting their family members or friends residing in the country.
• Cultural/Religious/Events - This specific category lets individuals enter the country and take part in cultural, religious, or sporting event in Slovakia. 
• Study - These are issued for individuals entering the country for taking part in short term studies. 
• Slovakia national visa - Also known as the long term D type, these are required when your stay is for more than 90 days. Based on the purpose, these can be divided in many ways. The common purposes are - 

• Study - For studies lasting longer than 90 days. 

• Work - Issued for taking part in work and other employment activities in Slovakia.
• Family reunification - This is issued for people who are visiting to unite with their family members and live in the country. 

As per the requirements, the following are the list of general documents you would need for applying for a Slovakia visa from India. Based on the individual types, there are specific additional documentation required. 

• A valid passport- 

• 1. It must contain at least 2 blank pages.
  2. It should not be older than 10 years.
  3. It should be valid for at least 6 months from the date of travel.
  4. Old passports, if any, are to be attached.
• A covering letter - 
  1. This must include the applicant's details.
  2. It should clearly mention the source of funds.
  3. It should clearly state the purpose and duration of the visit.
  4. It should be signed by the applicant and addressed to the Embassy of the Slovak Republic.
• Flight reservation for round trip
• Proof of accommodation - hotel bookings/invitation to stay/residence bookings, etc 
• Medical travel insurance coverage up to at least 30000 Euros
• Proof of occupation -

Proof of occupation such as employment letter, Copy of business license, etc

• Financial documents -

Financial documents such as bank statements of the past 3 months, Passbook copy, ITR, etc.

• Dimensions: 35mm X 45mm
• Colour: Coloured
• Head must occupy the central position
• Must be captured within the last 3 months
• Background: Solid, plain white or grey
• 80% face coverage
• Neutral expression
• Glasses: Non-thick framed and prescription glasses
• Headgears - only for religious reasons
• Facial hair - permitted

The time for the processing of the Slovakian permit is dependent on the exact type of the permit, the validity of the visa, the volume of applications at the embassy, as well as your previous travel history. Normally it takes around 15 working days to process the application. However, this can even take up to 30 days in certain cases and 60 days in certain extreme cases. 

The Slovakia Schengen visa fees for Indian citizens is dependent on the category of the permit, as well as the embassy. Apart from the application fee, there will be biometric charges, delivery charges, as well as other service charges levied by the VAC. As a result, you must check the exact amount before starting the application. 

You can perform the Slovakia visa status check online by clicking here and entering your reference number and date of birth. Alternately, you can check your Slovakia visa application status by contacting your travel agency and have them track it for you.

The applications for the Schengen type of the Slovakian visa has to be made through one of the VACs located in Mumbai, New Delhi, and Bangalore. The applications for the National visa have to be made mandatorily directly to the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in New Delhi.