How to Apply for a Slovakia Schengen Visa for UK Residents
A land of magnificent cities and majestic castles, Slovakia is one of European's most spectacular countries, even though many people outside the region might struggle to place it on a map.
Often overlooked by tourists, this modest-sized destination is more sedate than the neighbouring Czech Republic but equally rich in architectural grandeur.
Known for its national parks, scenic hiking trails, and hundreds of caves — some of which are UNESCO-protected sites — Slovakia is a dream destination for outdoor lovers. History buffs and foodies will be equally pleased to visit, however, as there's a wealth of opportunities to jump right into exploring and tasting delicacies.
Slovakia's open-air museums offer a unique chance to discover the folk traditions of the country, while a visit to Bratislava will give you a chance to experience a vibrant city touched by a dark history.
Slovakia Entry Restrictions in Response to Coronavirus
Fully vaccinated travellers may visit the country without a need to quarantine or self isolate, as well as do not need to submit any RT-PCR or rapid antigen test.
Fully vaccinated persons are those who can fulfil the following criteria:
- If vaccinated with a 2-dose vaccine: 14 days after the administration (day 15) of the second dose,
- If vaccinated with a single dose vaccine: 21 days after the administration (day 22) of the vaccine;
- If recovered from COVID-19: 14 days after receiving the first dose of the vaccine if it was administered within 180 days since COVID-19 recovery,
- Children up to 12 years and 2 months of age
All unvaccinated persons entering Slovakia are considered extremely high risk and will be required to self-isolate and undertake an RT-PCR test regardless of the country in which they have stayed for the last 14 days and may only enter if they meet the following conditions:
- are a resident of Slovakia
- are a close relative of a Slovakian resident or citizen (i.e. spouse, minor child or parent of a minor child)
- are commercial transport personnel
- are a student studying in Slovakia
- fall under limited exemptions
All travellers entering the country must register their arrival online. Travellers arriving by air are also required to fill in the passenger locator form.
Slovakia, like other Schengen countries, updates its restrictions regularly depending on the current situation so it’s best to check with the restrictions close to your travel date to know the updated measures and requirements before you travel. You should check on the latest news regarding restrictions, quarantine or whether a test will be required either from reliable news sources, the Slovakian government website, or the UK government website one to two weeks before your trip.
EU Digital COVID Certificate
The EU Digital COVID Certificate was available starting 1 July 2021, provides proof that a person has either:
- been vaccinated against COVID-19
- received a negative test result, PCR or rapid antigen,
- or has recovered from COVID-19
The EU Digital COVID Certificate grants travellers the same rights as vaccinated, tested or recovered citizens of the EU Member State they are visiting and allows travel into the EU. EU citizens and residents can have their Digital COVID Certificates issued and verified across the EU.
Who needs a visa to travel to Slovakia from the UK?
Travelling to Slovakia for EU/EEA Citizens
Slovakia is a Schengen country, which allows for free movement between the 26 EU and EFTA states (Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland). A uniform Schengen visa issued by one of the Schengen states is valid for travel within the whole Schengen area.
Travelling to Slovakia Post-Brexit for UK Citizens
The rules for travelling or working in European countries changed on 1 January 2021:
- you can travel to countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa as a tourist, to visit family or friends, to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events, or for short-term studies or training
- if you are travelling to Switzerland and other Schengen countries without a visa, make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day limit. Visits to Schengen countries within the previous 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days
- for long-stay visits, to work or study, for business or for other reasons, you will need to meet the German government’s entry requirements.
- if you stay in Slovakia with a residence permit or long-stay visa, this does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit
Any time you spent in Slovakia or other Schengen countries before 1 January 2021 does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit. At Slovakian border control, you may need to use separate lanes from EU, EEA and Swiss citizens when queueing. Your passport may be stamped on entry and exit. You may also need to:
- show a return or onward ticket
- show you have enough money for your stay
If you are a resident of Slovakia, you should carry proof of your residence when travelling. Read more on the UK government website.
Travelling to Slovakia Post-Brexit for Other Third Country Citizens
Citizens of the following countries residing in the UK and planning to visit Slovakia are required to get a Slovakian visa in order to be able to enter Slovakia.
| Afghanistan | Algeria | Angola |
| Armenia | Azerbaijan | Bahrain |
| Bangladesh | Belarus | Belize |
| Benin | Bhutan | Bolivia |
| Botswana | Burkina Faso | Burma/Myanmar |
| Burundi | Cambodia | Cameroon |
| Cape Verde | Central African Republic | Chad |
| China | Comoros | Congo |
| Cote D'iviore | Cuba |
| Dem. Rep. Of Congo | Djibouti | Dominican Republic |
| Ecuador | Egypt | Equatorial Guinea |
| Eritrea | Ethiopia | Fiji |
| Gabon | Gambia | Ghana |
| Guinea | Guinea-Bissau | Guyana |
| Haiti | India | Indonesia |
| Iran | Iraq |
| Jamaica | Jordan | Kazakhstan |
| Kenya | Kosova | Kuwait |
| Kyrgyzstan | Laos | Lebanon |
| Lesotho | Liberia | Libya |
| Madagascar | Malawi | Maldives |
| Mali | Mauritania | Mongolia |
| Morocco | Mozambique | Namibia |
| Nepal | Niger | Nigeria |
| North Korea | Northern Mariana's | Oman |
| Pakistan | Papua New Guinea | Philippines |
| Qatar | Russia | Rwanda |
| Sao Tome And Principe | Saudi Arabia | Senegal |
| Sierra Leone | Somalia | South Africa |
| Sri Lanka | Sudan | Suriname |
| Swaziland | Syria | Tajikistan |
| Tanzania | Thailand | Timor-Leste |
| Togo | Tonga | Tunisia |
| Turkey | Turkmenistan | Uganda |
| Uzbekistan |
| Vietnam | Yemen | Zambia |
| Zimbabwe |
The main requirement is that you must have a UK residence permit valid for at least another three more months beyond the date you plan to leave Slovakia/ the Schengen Area.
Before starting a visa application, or getting a flight to Slovakia, make sure to check whether you need a visa to Slovakia or not.
If you have a 3-month UK visa you can extend it for three more months in order to be eligible to apply for a Slovakia Schengen visa from within the UK. You must apply for an extension before your visa expires and while you’re still in the UK.
Note: You can stay in the UK until the decision about the extension is taken, but only if you have applied within the visa period.
You should apply for a Slovakia visa at the appropriate Slovakia Embassy/Consulate or Slovakia visa application centre in the UK if:
- Slovakia is the only Schengen country you plan on visiting
- Slovakia is your main destination (the country you will be staying the longest in)
- Slovakia is the first Schengen country you are visiting (when spending an equal amount of days in Slovakia and another Schengen country)
In case you plan on staying in Slovakia for more than 90 days you must apply for a residency permit, not a Slovakia Schengen visa.
Please, note that if you are not a resident in the United Kingdom you should apply at the Slovakia Embassy/Consulate/VAC in your home country of residence.
Steps to Applying for Slovakia Schengen Visa from the UK
Step 1: Know Your Visa Type and Validity
To apply for a Schengen visa to Slovakia in the UK, you first need to know the type of visa you require and how long the visa will be valid. There are different Slovakia Schengen visa types depending on your purpose of travelling from the UK to Slovakia.
- Short-stay (Schengen) Visa – valid for up to 90 days (in a 180-day period) for the purposes of tourism, business, visiting family/friends, conference, EEA/EU national family member
- Residence and work permits (Long stays) – you should apply for this kind of visa if you want to live in France for more than 90 days for employment, family reunification, study, research etc.
To find out more about Schengen visa types and how to choose the correct one to apply for based on your purpose for visiting Slovakia, check out our blog post!
Step 2: Identify where to make application and book an appointment
To apply for a Slovakia visa, you must book an appointment with the Slovakia Embassy in London. You can do this through one of two ways:
- through VFS global or
- through services like IAM, that will make sure that your application has the best chance of being approved
Slovakia Embassy in London
ADDRESS: 25 Kensington Palace Gardens, London, W8 4QY, United Kingdom
EMAIL: [email protected]
FAX: +44 (0) 20 7313 6481
PHONE: +44 (0) 20 7313 6470
SCHEDULE:
- Monday-Thursday: 9am–12pm, 1–4pm
- Friday: 9am–12pm, 1–3pm
WEBSITE: http://www.mzv.sk/london
Step 3: Complete your application form
The Schengen Visa application form contains questions about you including:
- Name and surname
- Date and place of birth
- Nationality
- Sex and marital status
- National Identity number
- Passport number
- Home address and email
- Purpose of trip
- Question regarding previous trips to Schengen, if any
- Intended date of arrival in Schengen area you are visiting, and the intended period of stay
- Cost of traveling and remaining in Schengen area you are visiting, who will cover them, etc.
Make sure your answers are correct and that they comply with the information in the rest of the documents. Complete the form, print it twice, and sign both copies at the end.
Find out more about how to complete a Schengen vis application form in this blog post.
Step 4: Prepare your documents
The following list of documents are required in order to obtain a visa to Slovakia in the UK:
- A valid passport or Travel document. Please make sure:
- Your passport has been issued within the previous 10 years,
- Your passport has 2 full blank pages, one for the visa stamp and an additional spare page,
- Your passport will be valid for at least three (3) months after the date you exit the Schengen Area.
- A valid UK residence permit or other form of Identity Card.
- The UK residency permit must be endorsed in the actual passport (or on a new biometric ID card)
- The UK residence permit must be valid for at least another three more months beyond the date you plan to leave Slovakia.
- One Slovakia Schengen visa application form filled out completely and signed by the applicant.
- One recently taken passport format photo with a blank background and where all your facial features are clear, which must be glued to the application form. Applications with stapled photographs will be rejected.
- A cover letter explaining the purpose of the visit to Slovakia
- Biometric data (Applies only if you haven’t provided biometric data within the last 59 months):
- Fingerprints
- A copy of the passport bio page where the photo is included.
Note: Children under the age of 12 are exempted from providing fingerprints.
- Proof of travel arrangements:
- Round trip flight/travel reservations or
- other proof of intended transport and complete itinerary of your visit to Slovakia (if several Schengen States will be visited or if the trip covers several Schengen States and non-Schengen countries).
- Travel Insurance stating that you are covered in case of a medical emergency and repatriation not just in Slovakia but in the whole Schengen zone (minimum coverage of € 30,000).
- Note: Holders of diplomatic passports and family members of EU/EEA citizens are exempted from providing proof of travel medical insurance
- Proof of accommodation in Slovakia:
- Evidence of a hotel booking or rental agreement, or
- Invitation from your Slovakia host (family member, friend) with a copy of their passport
- Proof of financial subsistence. You need to show to the Slovakia embassy in the UK that you have enough money to maintain yourself during your stay in Slovakia (According to the information provided by the European Commission, a foreign national who wants to enter the territory of Slovakia, while applying for a Slovakia Visa it needs to attest owning 56€/day for the period of stay in Slovakia). This could be a:
- Original recent Bank Statement (covering the last 3 calendar months. The last transaction must be no more than 1 month old)
- Traveller’s Cheques
Note: Cash is not considered proof of financial subsistence.
- Certificate of criminal record of the home country– showing that candidate has no open crime case involvement
- Proof of paid Slovakia visa fee.
Note: Photocopies of the original documents should also be submitted and documents should not be more than one month old.
The documents listed above are documents required in all cases, regardless of the purpose of your visit in Slovakia.
Additional documents required for Slovakia visa application depending on employment status
For employees:
- Employment contract
- Current bank statement of the latest 6 months
- Leave permission from the employer
- Income Tax Return (ITR) form or Certificate of Income Tax deducted at the source of salary
For the self-employed:
- A copy of your business license
- Company bank statement of the latest 6 months
- Income Tax Return (ITR)
For foreign students in the UK:
- Proof of enrollment
- No-objection certificate from school or university
For retirees:
- Pension statement of the latest 6 months
If unemployed and married to an EU citizen:
- A recent (less than 3 months old) Confirmation of Employment letter from their spouse’s employer stating the position held within the company as well as the starting date,
- Spouse’s valid passport
- An officially translated marriage certificate. The translation must be in English or Slovakia and must be certified as a true copy by the Embassy of the country where the marriage took place or by the Legalization Bureau of the Foreign Office in UK
Requirements for children under the age of 18:
Parents or an adult guardian are required to accompany their underage children at the application centre at the Embassy of Slovakia in London. Also, minors who are granted a Slovakia visa are not allowed to travel to Slovakia by themselves. They should be accompanied by an adult during their stay in Slovakia.
Apart from the general documentation required, accompanying should be other additional documents depending on the purpose of your Slovakia Visa application.
Additional documents required for the most frequent purposes of Slovakia visa application
Slovakia Tourist/Visitor Visa:
- Invitation letter from your family or friends in Slovakia with the address and phone number – if applicable
- Bank statement of the last 6 months
- Passport copies
Slovakia Visa for Business Purposes:
- Invitation letter from the Slovakian company you will be visiting and their detailed address accompanied with the dates of your visit
- A certificate from your employer stating/allowing your business travel
- If there were previous trade relations between the two companies, proof of such events must be provided
- Business bank statement of the latest 6 months
- Memorandum and Article of Association in original certified copy (registered with joint stock companies) Trade License (first issued and present renewal), Proprietorship/Partnership documents
- Regarding the applicant’s expenses during stay in the Schengen zone, either the employer or the partner company must state coverage of expenses on the letter or invitation.
Slovakia Visa for Medical Purposes:
- A local medical report
- A medical attestation from the hospital or doctor in Slovakia, confirming the date of your appointment as well as your medical situation
- Payment receipt of medical fees
Slovakia Visa for Cultural, Sports, Film Crew or Religious Purposes:
- Invitation letter from the above-mentioned authorities with details upon the nature of events or activities – purpose of visit, expense coverage
- Names of the applicants (crew members)
- Duration of stay
- Travel itinerary
Slovakia Visa for Members of Official Delegations:
- The official invitation copy
- Identity of applicant
- Purpose of journey (negotiations, meetings, event by intergovernmental organizations, consultations)
- Duration of stay
- Place of accommodation
Slovakia Visa for Study, Training, Research, or other types of Internship Purposes:
- An enrollment certificate allowing attendance of courses
- Certificate of completion or courses attended
- Financial sustenance
Slovakia Airport Transit Visa:
- Visa or other type of entry permit in the transit country
- Copy of your valid visa for your final destination
Required documents for visa application for underage children
- Birth certificate
- Slovakia Schengen Visa application form should be signed by both parents.
- Family court order, in cases where only one parent has full custody over the child.
- Certified copies of ID / passport of both parents
- A notarized parental authorization to travel to Slovakia, signed by both parents / guardians, if the minor will be travelling alone with another person.
All documents provided should be legalized.
Step 5: Attend your appointment
The visa interview is a meeting between you and the consular officer/interviewer. During this interview, the consular officer will ask you several questions about you and your intended trip. You will also be submitting the required documents throughout the meeting, to the interviewer.
Slovakia Visa Fees for UK Residents
The fee must be paid upon submitting the Slovakia visa application. After you complete this payment, you will receive a receipt, which shows that payment has been made, which must be offered amongst other documents of the application dossier. You will have to pay a Slovakia visa fee in order for your application to be processed.
Since Slovakia is a Schengen state, visa fees are the same as any other Schengen visa. Find out about the Schengen visa fee in our blog post: Schengen Visa Fees – How Much Does a Schengen Visa Cost?
Step 6: Receive your visa
Slovakia Visa Application Processing Time in UK
You can apply for a Slovakia Schengen Visa 6 months before your planned trip. Depending on the nationality of the applicant, the processing time may take at least 15 days from the day of application. In some cases when required documents are missing from the application, this process may take longer.
Therefore, to avoid unwanted complications, the Slovakia Consulate General in London advises that you provide all required documents and submit your application at least 20 workdays (4 weeks) before the day you leave for Slovakia.
Slovakia Schengen Visa Application Decision
- Approved – Once your visa is approved, it will be stamped in your passport. Make sure to carefully check the visa sticker to make sure everything is correct and exactly how you need it.
- Rejected – if your visa has been rejected, it would have been for a specific reason and you have the right to appeal.
Common Slovakia Schengen visa rejection reasons
- Marriage certificate missing – if you are applying for a visa for family reasons, you may have to prove family ties. This is why you must provide a marriage certificate
- You applied for the wrong visa – it is your responsibility to apply for the correct visa depending on how long you are going to Slovakia for and your reason for travelling there
- It is not clear that you plan to return to the UK – it must be clear that you intend to return to the UK before the visa expires. If the visa staff have doubts about this, your visa will be rejected
- The purpose of your trip cannot be established – the reason why you are planning to go to Slovakia must be made clear. You can do this by providing specific documents like a full itinerary, work contract or invitation letter, etc.
What If My Slovakia Schengen Visa Is Rejected?
If you receive a negative answer in your Slovakia Schengen visa application, this does not mean you cannot ever travel to Slovakia. You have two options.
- File an appeal for Slovakia Schengen visa rejection if you believe that the decision to deny you a visa is unjust. You should have a strong basis for your complaint. You can appeal this decision by writing an appeal letter for a Slovakia Schengen visa rejection.
- Reapply by correcting the mistakes you did in your previous application. Or improve your situation to comply with the eligibility criteria for a Slovakia Schengen Visa.
To find out more about common reasons why visa applications get rejected and how to avoid a visa rejection: Visa Refused: 9 Common Reasons Why Visas Get Rejected.
Slovakia Schengen Visa Extension
A person visiting Slovakia on a Schengen visa is allowed by law to extend their visa if they have legitimate reasons. This could be either personal, professional, medical, emergency, or any other. The decisions to approve a Schengen visa extension request are handled case by case.
The duration you are allowed to stay in the country is stated in your Schengen visa sticker. It is important not to overstay during your trip to Slovakia or the rest of the Schengen Zone or risk facing penalties like a fine, deportation, being banned from travelling back to the Schengen Zone and having difficulties in your future Schengen applications.
There are also cases when people do not get any penalties for overstaying, for example, a child or a person that cannot travel without a caretaker because of an illness or disability or an unforeseen event that prevents you from leaving the country, like COVID-19.
Find out more about overstaying in the Schengen visa in our blog post.
Slovakia Schengen Visa Extension Process
The overall process of extending your Slovakian Schengen visa will involve:
- Determining whether you have a justified reason to request for an extension
- Submitting all the necessary documents. These include a valid passport that has the Schengen Visa used to get in the Schengen area stamped in it, one passport-sized photo, proof of financial subsistence, Schengen Visa Insurance that covers the extension duration, and all the documents that justify your reason for an extension
- Paying visa fees where applicable
- Attending a visa interview if necessary
- Waiting for the approval
If your visa extension request is approved, you can extend your stay in the Schengen Area until the visa validity.
If your visa extension application is rejected, you will have to leave the Schengen area in a day or two.
Slovakia Schengen Visa Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Slovakia Schengen visa easy to get?
Yes! You can apply for the visa online or use immigration services like IaM to make the process even simpler for you and have a higher chance of your application being accepted.
How long does a Slovakia Schengen visa take to process?
You can apply for a Slovakia Schengen visa up to 180 days before your trip. The Slovakia visa application process takes a minimum of 5 working days, but can take up to 2 weeks. We advise you to make your application 3 weeks before your trip to make up for any possible delays in processing.
How much is a Schengen visa for Slovakia?
The fee for a Slovakia Schengen visa is 80€ for adults, 40€ for children between 6-12 years of age, and free for children younger than 6 years of age. Keep in mind that these fees may change depending on currency fluctuations and can be paid only in UK Pounds. Payments can be made in cash and by credit or debit card. Find out about the Schengen visa fee in our blog post: Schengen Visa Fees – How Much Does a Schengen Visa Cost?
How can I get Slovakia Schengen visa fast?
You can get IaM's premium Schengen visa service to get your Slovakia Schengen visa within 24 to 48 hours, which includes personalised advice from an expert immigration adviser.
What currency does Slovakia use?
Slovakia joined the European Union in 2004, and adopted the Euro in 2009.
How much money do I need to show in my bank account for a Slovakia Schengen visa?
You will need 56€ per person per day spent in Slovakia.
What other countries can I travel to on a Slovakia Schengen visa?
You can travel to any of the 26 countries in the Schengen area, as well as 18 other countries.
Are you ready to apply for your Slovakia Schengen visa? Is there anything we missed or anything you need clarification on? Comment below.
IaM can help with your visa application to the United States, the UK & other countries
If you need help with a US visa, a UK Visa, or visa to Europe, including help with appointment booking obligations, IaM can help. For more information and advice on US immigration, UK immigration law and US visa applications or if you need any help or assistance please, reach out to your Visa Coordinator at IaM.
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