Slovakia Visitor Visa - Definitive Guide

More commonly known as the Slovakia Schengen visitor visa, this permit allows you to enter Slovakia if you are being invited by a family member or friend living in the country. Being a type of the Schengen short term permit, this is issued for a short stay duration of fewer than 90 days in a 180-day period. Depending on the number of times you would have to exit and enter the Schengen zone, you can get it as single-entry, double-entry, or even multiple-entries. 

The application for the Slovakian visitor permit is made offline. Before starting the application, you must ensure that you meet all the eligibility conditions for the category. 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 visitor permit.
2. After this, you must visit the website of the Slovakian embassy in India and download the Schengen application form.
3. Fill in the form with all the relevant details including the purpose of your visit as ‘visiting family/friends’. 
4. Proceed to book your appointment at one of the VACs located across India. 
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 any of the Schengen visas 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 Schengen visa rejection.

To be able to apply for the visitor permit, you must meet the following eligibility criteria - 

• You should be living in the nation you are lodging the application. If you are residing in a residence permit in any foreign nation, you may apply it to the corresponding visa authority in that country.
• You must possess a valid passport meeting all the regulations.
• The sole purpose of your visit your relatives or friends living in the country.
• You must be invited by them to visit you.
• You must have sufficient funds to cover all your expenses during the entire stay period in Slovakia.
• You must apply for the permit only if Slovakia -

• 1. Is your only destination, or
  2. Is one of your multiple Schengen destinations, in which case you will be spending the majority of the time here, or, 
  3. Is your port of entry into the Schengen region.

As per the requirements, the following are the list of documents you must produce to complete the application - 

• 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.
• Invitation letter from your relative/friend living in Slovakia, as well as proof of sponsorship (if any)
• Proof of sponsor in Slovakia, if applicable - rent copy, salary payslips, etc.
• A covering letter - 
  1. This should include the visitor’s basic details and source of funds. 
  2. It should clearly state the purpose and duration of the visit. 
  3. It should be addressed to the Embassy of the Slovak Republic.
• Proof of accommodation -  hotel bookings/invitation to stay/residence bookings, etc 
• Round flight trip bookings
• 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 processing time for the Slovakian visitor permit is dependent on the validity, the number of entries, the volume of visa applications at the embassy, as well as your previous travel history. Normally, you can expect a processing time of about 15 working days. However, this can even take up to 30 days or 60 days in extreme cases. As a result, it is suggested that you apply well in advance. 

The application fees for the Slovakian visitor visa is dependent upon the currency exchange rates and the embassy. The embassy has the right to change the fees without any prior notice. Apart from the application fee, there will be biometric charges, delivery charges, as well as any service charges levied by the VAC. As a result, you must check the exact amount before starting the application. 

Once you have submitted the visitor visa application at one of the VACs, it is then forwarded to the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in New Delhi for processing. Note that even though you have submitted the application at a VAC, the processing is in the hands of the embassy alone. The VAC has no control over the processing. 

If your visa has been approved, you can collect your passport directly from the VAC, or have it delivered to you for an additional charge.

You can check the status of your visitor visa application by clicking here and entering your reference number and date of birth. Alternately, you can contact your travel agency to know the status. 

Once you have successfully received the permit, you must keep in mind the following points - 

• Check the expiry date, the duration of stay, as well as the number of entries mentioned on the visa sticker. Your travel and stay must be according to these.
• Ensure that you carry all your travel documents while travelling to the country. You will be denied entry into Slovakia without this. 
• Ensure that you travel to Slovakia within 6 months of the visa issue date, or as mentioned in the Schengen visa sticker. After this date, your permit will become invalid and you will not be able to enter the country. 
• While you are travelling within the country, you must ensure that you always have a copy of your travel documents on you. 
• While you are on a friends/family visit, you cannot take part in paid work in Slovakia. You may be allowed to do unpaid volunteer or charity work.  
• You will not be able to extend this permit under any normal conditions
• You can move freely within the Schengen zone with the visitor visa.