Slovenia Visitor Visa - Definitive Guide

More commonly known as the Slovenia Schengen visitor visa, this permit allows you to enter Slovenia 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 a multiple-entry type.

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

At Embassy

1. Obtain all the documents required for the visitor 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 ‘visiting friends/family’.
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 visitor 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 of your visit as ‘visiting friends/family’. 
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 the permit, you must meet the eligibility criteria as follows -

• You should 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 your relatives or friends living in Slovenia, and you must be invited by them. 
• You must have 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.

According to the embassy, you must produce the following list of documents for the visitor visa 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 Slovenia
• Proof of sponsorship, (if any)
• 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 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 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 certain extreme cases. As a result, it is suggested that you apply well in advance.

The application fees for the Slovenian visitor visa is dependent upon the currency exchange rates and the embassy decision. 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 confirm 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 Republic of Slovenia in New Delhi for processing. Note that even if you have submitted the application at a VAC directly, the processing is in the hands of the embassy alone. The VAC has no decision making power over the processing. 

If your visa has been approved, you can collect your passport directly from the VAC/embassy, 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 check your status by contacting your travel agency and have them track it for you

Once you have successfully received your visa, you must keep in mind the following points to have a pleasant stay - 

• Check the expiry date, the stay duration, 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 Slovenia without this. 
• Ensure that you travel to Slovenia within 6 months of the visa issue date, or as mentioned in the Schengen visa sticker. After this date, your permit will become void and you will not be able to enter the country. 
• While you are travelling within Slovenia, 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 Slovenia. 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.