Slovenia Business Visa - Definitive Guide

Also known as the Slovenia Schengen business visa, this is issued for people entering Slovenia for the purpose of engaging in business-related activities. The permit is issued for a maximum stay duration of 90 days in a 180-day period. The granted stay duration and validity depends on the decision of the consular officer processing your application. The permit can be issued as single-entry, double-entry, or even multiple-entries. 

The process of applying for a Slovenia business visa from India can be done directly at the Embassy of Slovenia in New Delhi, or you can apply at one of the VACs (Visa Application Center) situated across India. However, before starting the application, you must ensure that you check if you are eligible for the business category. After that, you can proceed to make the application as follows - 

At Embassy

1. Obtain all the documents required for the business permit. 
2. Visit the website of the Slovenian embassy and download the Schengen application form. 
3. Fill in the application form with all the details. Mention your purpose of visit as ‘business’.
4. Visit the portal of the online application of the Slovenian embassy and fill in the form.
5. Proceed to schedule an appointment at the embassy. 
6. With the completed application form, documents, and fees visit the Embassy in New Delhi and submit the application. You will also have to submit your biometrics at the centre.

At VAC

1. Obtain all the documents required for the business category.
2. Download the Schengen application form from the website of the VAC, or the embassy.
3. Fill in all the necessary details. You must mention the purpose as ‘business’. 
4. Proceed to schedule an appointment for the application submission at a VAC. You can do this by using the VAC’s online facility. 
5. Visit the respective VAC with all the documents, application form, as well as a booking confirmation. You must pay the fees and biometrics here as well. 

Please note that if you have submitted your biometrics to a Schengen permit in the past 5 years, you do not have to submit them again. You must ensure that you provide only genuine documents and true information. Failure to follow this can lead to visa rejection.

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

• You must be living in the country 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 must be to take part in business-related activities such as meetings, conferences, etc in Slovenia.
• You must possess sufficient funds to cover all your expenses during the entire stay period in Slovenia.
• You must apply for the permit only if Slovenia -

• 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 embassy requirements, the following are the list of documents you would need for a business visa - 

• 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 the Slovenian organisation/company stating complete details of the visit.
• A covering letter from the sending Indian company - 
  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 must be on the company letterhead and must contain the seal. 
  4. It should be addressed to the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia.
• 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 Slovenian business 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 30 days to 60 days in extreme cases. As a result, it is suggested that you apply well in advance.

The application fees for the Slovenian business visa is dependent upon the currency exchange rates, as well as the embassy. The embassy has the right to change the exact fees without prior notice. Apart from the application fee, there are 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 business visa application at one of the VACs, it is then forwarded to the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in New Delhi for processing. Note that even if you have submitted the application at a VAC, the processing is in the hands of the embassy alone. The VAC has no influence on the processing. 

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

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

Once you have this permit, you must keep in mind the following points before and during your travel to make sure that you have a pleasant stay. 

• Keep note of the expiry date, the duration of stay, as well as the number of entries mentioned on the visa sticker. You must strictly follow these.
• Ensure that you carry all your travel documents while travelling. You will be denied entry into Slovenia without this. 
• Ensure that you travel to Slovenia within 6 months of the visa issue date, or as mentioned in the Schengen 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, ensure that you always carry a copy of your travel documents on you. 
• While you are under the business category, you cannot take part in paid work for a Slovenian company or establishment. You may, however, be allowed to do unpaid voluntary work.  
• You will not be able to extend this type of visa under any normal conditions.
• You can move freely within the Schengen zone with the business visa.