Slovakia

Slovakia is a member of the European Union (EU), so anyone from EU or European Economic Area (EEA) countries does not need a visa to live and work there. However, any foreigners from outside the EU/EEA will need both a work visa and a work permit.

The requirements for Slovakian work permits and visas vary depending on the type of document and the person applying, but some of the basic requirements include:

• A valid passport and passport-sized photos
• Application forms
• Application fees
• Proof of funds
• Health insurance
• Contract of employment from a Slovakia-based employer
• Proof of work experience/qualifications

Types of Slovakia work visas

As a member of the EU, Slovakia has standard Schengen visas. Of the various options available, the short-stay (C) and long-stay (D) visas are the most suitable for foreign employees.

In addition to a visa, foreign workers will also need a work permit and to apply for temporary residence for the purpose of employment.

How to get a Slovakian work visa and work permit

Before applying for a work permit or visa, the employer must check whether a Slovakian is available to fill the role. This can be done via the Labour Office. Once completed, either the employee or employer can start the application for the work permit at their local embassy/consulate or the Central Office of Labour, Social Affairs, and Family respectively.

As well as the work permit, the employee may need a visa, which they can apply for online in advance of entering Slovakia. Finally, the employee will need to obtain temporary residence for the purpose of employment. The application for this must be done after obtaining a work permit and in person at the individual’s local Slovakian embassy/consulate.

Other considerations

All documents submitted as part of visa/residency applications must be written in the Slovakian language, so and your employees will need to have them translated. It is also important to note that EU/EEA nationals planning to work in Slovakia do still need to register their presence with the government when they arrive in the country.

STUDENT VISA

Nationals of the EU, the EEA and Switzerland can freely move to Slovakia and stay for as long as they like. If you’re not from one of these countries, then you’ll probably need a visa to enter Slovakia. Slovakia is part of Schengen, the EU’s border control-free area, meaning that you’re free to travel around as a tourist once you’re in Slovakia. To get a Slovak student visa, Long-term Visa D, you’ll generally need the following:

• Passport
• Two travel-sized photos
• Letter of acceptance from your school
• Evidence of financial self-sufficiency in the form of bank statements
• Return ticket for after your studies
• Proof of accommodation - your school can help you with this
• Medical insurance
• Visa fee payment. This is €33 (US$40).

You’ll need to submit these documents at the nearest embassy or consulate. They’ll need to be presented with a notarized translation. Once you’re in Slovakia, you’ll need a temporary residence permit. This costs €4.50. You’ll need to submit the above documents again, alongside the application form found here. Once you have your permit, you can freely enter and leave the country without a problem. It can take a couple of weeks for your permit to be processed.

RESIDENCY BY INVESTMENT

The most popular way is immigration on the grounds of entrepreneurial activity. You can choose between two types of enterprises – LLC (s.r.o.) and Individual Entrepreneur (živnosť). In case of setting up IE (Individual Entrepreneur), the application documents for the

residence permit in Slovakia are filed immediately after the IE registration. In case of LLC, you choose the way of conducting activity – what you like more: buying readymade business or setting up your own – this will define the time of submitting documents for residence permit.

Business immigration allows not only secure your own business but also take care of yourself and your loved ones. Given that doing business, which is of benefit to the society of Slovakia, is a valid ground for obtaining residence permit, many foreigners prefer this particular option. Our company offers assistance in processing and obtaining this type of residence permit. You just choose between the types of enterprises LLC (s.r.o.) and Individual Entrepreneur (živnosť). So why is doing business the ground for getting residence permit in Slovakia? According to the current legislation of Slovakia, a citizen of Slovakia/EU or a foreigner can hold positions of the company director and do business. A foreigner must have at least residence permit in the country. Your family can submit documents the same day you do.

The procedure for obtaining residence permit on the grounds of company or IE:

1. First of all, a special package of documents is prepared that will be submitted to the consulate/police. This includes a certificate of no criminal record. An accredited sworn translator translates it, together with all other documents in other languages (except for Czech), into Slovak.
2. Then the constitutional documents should be notarized.
3. Obligatory payment of the state duty.
4. One of the most important stages is opening private and corporate bank accounts.
5. Address, at which you reside in Slovakia, must be confirmed.
6. Then the whole package of documents must be submitted to the police. After having considered your case and upon positive decision, a card will be given to you.
7. A mandatory condition is to undergo medical examination. You also must get health insurance.
8. Medical board certificate together with the confirmation of availability of health insurance are submitted to the police.
9. Alterations made in the Trade register are confirmed by the extract, which is submitted to the police as well.