Slovakia Visitor Visa Guide
Slovakia, renowned for its high standard of living, well-developed infrastructure, and even free education and train travel for many of its residents, is an inviting destination to visit friends and family. With the Slovakia visitor visa, Indian nationals can now enter the country to reunite with their loved ones.
What is Slovakia Visitor Visa? Commonly referred to as the Slovakia Schengen visitor visa, this visa category allows entry into Slovakia when you are invited by a family member or friend residing in the country. As a short-term Schengen visa, it permits a stay of fewer than 90 days within a 180-day period. The type of visa issued (single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry) depends on your planned entries and exits within the Schengen zone.
How to Apply for Slovakia Visitor Visa? The application process for the Slovakian visitor visa for Indian citizens is conducted offline. Before initiating your application, ensure that you meet all the eligibility criteria for this category. Then, follow these steps:
- Gather all the required documents for the visitor visa.
- Visit the official website of the Slovakian embassy in India to download the Schengen visa application form.
- Complete the form with accurate details, specifying the purpose of your visit as ‘visiting family/friends.’
- Schedule an appointment at one of the Visa Application Centres (VACs) conveniently located across India.
- Attend the visa appointment in person, armed with the completed application form, appointment confirmation, necessary documents, and fees. Biometric data will be collected during this appointment.
Eligibility for Slovakia Visitor Visa To be eligible for the visitor permit, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Reside in the country where you are submitting the application. If you reside in a foreign nation under a residence permit, you may apply through the corresponding visa authority in that country.
- Possess a valid passport that complies with all regulations.
- The primary purpose of your visit should be to reunite with relatives or friends residing in Slovakia.
- You must have received an invitation from them to visit.
- Have sufficient funds to cover all expenses throughout your stay in Slovakia.
- Apply for the permit only if Slovakia is:
- Your sole destination, or
- One of your multiple Schengen destinations, with the majority of your time spent in Slovakia, or
- Your port of entry into the Schengen region.
Documents Required for Slovakia Visitor Visa To complete your Slovakia visitor visa application, you must provide the following documents:
- A valid passport with at least 2 blank pages, not older than 10 years, and valid for at least 6 months from the date of travel. Include any old passports, if applicable.
- An invitation letter from your relative/friend residing in Slovakia, along with proof of sponsorship (if applicable).
- Proof of your sponsor in Slovakia, if applicable, such as rental agreements or salary payslips.
- A covering letter that includes your basic details and the source of funds. It should clearly state the purpose and duration of the visit and be addressed to the Embassy of the Slovak Republic.
- Proof of accommodation, including hotel bookings, an invitation to stay, or residence bookings.
- Round-trip flight bookings.
- Medical travel insurance with coverage of at least 30,000 Euros.
- Proof of occupation, such as an employment letter or a copy of a business license.
- Financial documents, including bank statements from the past 3 months, passbook copies, and Income Tax Returns (ITR).
Slovakia Visitor Visa Photo Specifications Photographs submitted for a Slovakia visitor visa application must adhere to specific specifications:
- Dimensions: 35mm X 45mm.
- Colored photographs taken within the last 3 months.
- The head must occupy the central position.
- Background: Solid, plain white, or grey.
- 80% face coverage.
- Neutral expression.
- Non-thick framed and prescription glasses are allowed.
- Headgear is permitted only for religious reasons.
- Facial hair is allowed.
Processing Time for Slovakia Visitor Visa The processing time for the Slovakian visitor permit depends on various factors, including the validity, number of entries, volume of visa applications at the embassy, and your previous travel history. Typically, processing takes approximately 15 working days. However, in exceptional cases, it may extend to 30 or 60 days. Therefore, it is advisable to apply well in advance of your intended travel date.
Slovakia Visitor Visa Fees The application fees for the Slovakia visitor visa are subject to currency exchange rates and embassy policies. The embassy reserves the right to change the fees without prior notice. In addition to the application fee, there may be biometric charges, delivery fees, and service charges imposed by the VAC. Ensure to verify the exact fee amount before commencing the application process.
After Submission After submitting your visitor visa application at one of the VACs, it is forwarded to the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in New Delhi for processing. It’s important to note that the processing is solely within the embassy’s jurisdiction, even though you submit the application at a VAC. The VAC has no control over the processing.
If your visa is approved, you can collect your passport directly from the VAC or opt for delivery to your location for an additional charge.
How to Check Visa Status? To track the status of your visitor visa application, you can visit the official website and enter your reference number and date of birth. Alternatively, you can contact your travel agency for updates.
When You Have This Visa After successfully obtaining the permit, keep the following points in mind to ensure a smooth journey:
Check the expiry date, duration of stay, and number of entries specified on the visa sticker, and strictly adhere to these conditions.
Carry all your travel documents while traveling to Slovakia; entry is not allowed without them.
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 becomes invalid.
While traveling within the country, always have copies of your travel documents on hand.
While visiting friends or family, refrain from engaging in paid work in Slovakia. You may be allowed to participate in unpaid volunteer or charity work.
The visitor visa cannot be extended under normal circumstances.
You can move freely within the Schengen zone with the visitor visa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Slovakian Visitor permits, being Schengen short-term visas, cannot be extended under normal circumstances. Extensions may be granted only in exceptional cases, such as Force Majeure or humanitarian reasons. In all other cases, you must depart the country before the visa expiry.
Overstaying a Slovakian Visitor Visa is a violation of immigration laws. You must leave the country before the visa expiry date. Staying beyond this period is considered illegal and may result in deportation or a ban from entering the Schengen zone.
Short-term Slovakian Visitor Visas (less than 90 days) typically do not require mandatory medical tests. However, long-term categories and residence permits may have specific medical requirements. It is advisable to undergo a health checkup before traveling abroad.
Slovakian Schengen short-term permits, including the Visitor Visa, cannot be converted into other visa types. Additionally, engaging in paid work while holding this permit is not allowed. Unpaid volunteer or charity work may be permitted. If you intend to work, you must apply for a work permit in your home country.
Yes, you are permitted to travel to other Schengen countries with a Slovakian Visitor Visa. Despite having friends or family in Slovakia, you have the freedom to move within the Schengen zone. Slovakia, as a Schengen member, has visa-free agreements with other Schengen nations. However, your travel is limited to European countries within the Schengen area. Some non-European countries, like Croatia, also accept Schengen visas for entry.
The typical processing time for a Slovakian Visitor Visa is around 15 working days, excluding transit time. To ensure timely processing, it is advisable to apply at least 15 days before your planned travel date. However, you cannot apply more than 3 months in advance of your travel date.
