How to Apply for a Slovenia Schengen Visa for UK Residents

How to Apply for a Slovenia Schengen Visa for UK Residents

Slovenia is home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites and European Destinations of Excellence (EDEN). Its great cities of art, like Ljubljana, Maribor, Koper, and Piran are famous and have been attracting visitors for centuries. Besides its art treasures, Slovenia also features beautiful coasts, alpine lakes and mountains. No wonder it is often named as one of the greenest and smallest countries with a big heart.

You can apply for the Slovenian Schengen visa since 2007 when Slovenia as an EU Member State also became a member state of the Schengen Area.

Slovenia Entry Restrictions in Response to Coronavirus

In early 2020, Slovenia joined its Schengen country neighbours in closing its borders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The country has since re-opened its borders to allow travel, applying the same rules for visitors from EU Member States and Schengen Associated countries to third country visitors.

On 16 August 2021, Slovenia introduced the European Digital Passenger Locator Form (dPLF) to ensure rapid and easy contact tracing for passengers travelling by plane or ship who become exposed to a person with confirmed COVID-19 during their travels.

Slovenia, 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 Slovenian 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.

white and brown concrete buildings beside river during daytime

Who needs a visa to travel to Slovenia from the UK?

Travelling to Slovenia for EU/EEA Citizens

Slovenia 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 Slovenia 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 Slovenia with a residence permit or long-stay visa, this does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit

Any time you spent in Slovenia or other Schengen countries before 1 January 2021 does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit. At Slovenian 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 Slovenia, you should carry proof of your residence when travelling. Read more on the UK government website.

Travelling to Slovenia Post-Brexit for Other Third Country Citizens

Citizens of the following countries residing in the UK and planning to visit Slovenia are required to get a Slovenian visa in order to be able to enter Slovenia.

A-CD-FG-IJ-LM-OP-RS-UV-Z
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 Slovenia or the Schengen Area.

Before starting a visa application, or getting a flight to Slovenia, make sure to check whether you need a visa to Slovenia 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 Slovenia 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 Slovenia visa at the appropriate Slovenia Embassy/Consulate or Slovenia visa application centre in the UK if:

  • Slovenia is the only Schengen country you plan on visiting
  • Slovenia is your main destination (the country you will be staying the longest in)
  • Slovenia is the first Schengen country you are visiting (when spending an equal amount of days in The Slovenia and another Schengen country)

In case you plan on staying in Slovenia for more than 90 days you must apply for a residency permit, not a Slovenia Schengen visa.

Please, note that if you are not a resident in the United Kingdom you should apply at the Slovenia Embassy/Consulate/VAC in your home country of residence.

boat parked on dock

Steps to Applying for a Slovenia Schengen Visa from the UK

Step 1: Know your visa type and validity

To apply for a Schengen visa to Slovenia 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 Slovenia Schengen visa types depending on your purpose of travelling from the UK to Slovenia.

  1. 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
  2. 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 Slovenia, check out our blog post!

Step 2: Identify where to make application and book an appointment

To apply for a Slovenia visa, you must book an appointment with the Slovenia Embassy in London. You can do this in two ways:

  • through VFS global or
  • through services like IAM, that will make sure that your application has the best chance of being approved

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 Slovenia in the UK:

  • A valid passport or travel document. Please make sure that:
    • 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 forms of Identity Card. The UK residency permit must be endorsed in the actual passport (or on a new biometric ID card)
  • One application form.  The form should be fully, honestly, and correctly completed, printed, and signed at the end.
  • One passport format photo that has a light background, is brightly coloured and shows full face features. The photo must be less than six months old and be glued to the application form. Applications with stapled photographs will be rejected.
  • 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.
  • A cover letter that explains the purpose of the visit to Slovenia
  • Proof of travel arrangements: Round trip flight/travel reservations or other proof of intended transport and complete itinerary of your visit to Slovenia (if several Schengen States will be visited or if the trip covers the several Schengen States and non-Schengen countries).
  • Travel health insurance which covers at least 30,000 Euros and is valid for all Schengen countries
  • Proof of accommodation in Slovenia:
    • Evidence of a hotel booking or rental agreement, or
    • Invitation from your Slovenian host (family member, friend) with a copy of their passport (proof of sponsorship)
  • Proof of financial subsistence:
    • A recent statement of UK bank account for the last three months that show funds of at least 70€ per person per day spent in Slovenia or
    • 3 most recent payslips, or
    • Online statements with the applicant’s name
      NoteCash is not considered proof of financial subsistence.

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 to Slovenia.

Additional documents required for Slovenia 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 Slovenia 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 Slovenia in London. Also, minors who are granted a Slovenia visa are not allowed to travel to Slovenia by themselves. They should be accompanied by an adult during their stay in Slovenia.

Additional documents required for the most frequent purposes of Slovenia visa application

Slovenia Tourist/Visitor Visa:

  • Invitation letter from your family or friends in the Slovenia with the address and phone number – if applicable
  • Bank statement of the last 6 months
  • Passport copies

Slovenia Visa for Business Purposes:

  • Invitation letter from the Slovenia 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.

Slovenia Visa for Medical Purposes:

  • A local medical report
  • A medical attestation from the hospital or doctor in Slovenia, confirming the date of your appointment as well as your medical situation
  • Payment receipt of medical fees

Slovenia 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

Slovenia 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

Slovenia 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

Slovenia 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
  • Slovenia 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 Slovenia, 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.

Find out more about how to ace your Schengen visa interview in our blog post: Schengen Visa Interview Questions and Answers and How to Prepare for it!

Visa Fees for UK Residents

The fee must be paid upon submitting the Slovenia 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 Slovenia visa fee in order for your application to be processed.

Since Slovenia 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

Visa Application Processing Time in UK

You can apply for a Slovenia 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 Slovenia 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 Slovenia.

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 Slovenia 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 Slovenia 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 Slovenia 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 Slovenia Schengen Visa Is Rejected?

If you receive a negative answer in your Slovenia Schengen visa application, this does not mean you cannot ever travel to Slovenia. You have two options.

  • File an appeal for Slovenia 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 Slovenia 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 Slovenia Schengen Visa.

Slovenia Schengen Visa Extension

A person visiting Slovenia 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 Slovenia 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.

Slovenia Schengen Visa Extension Process

The overall process of extending your Slovenian 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

You must apply for a Schengen visa extension before it expires. It may take a few days to a month for the authorities to process your visa extension request, during which you are legally permitted to stay in the country where you applied for the Schengen Visa but cannot travel to other Schengen Countries.

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.

faq

Slovenia Schengen Visa Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Slovenia 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 Slovenia Schengen visa take to process?

You can apply for a Slovenia Schengen visa up to 180 days before your trip. The Slovenia 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 Slovenia?

The fee for a Slovenia 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 Slovenia Schengen visa fast?

You can get IaM's premium Schengen visa service to get your Slovenia Schengen visa within 24 to 48 hours, which includes personalised advice from an expert immigration adviser.


What currency does Slovenia use?

Slovenia joined the European Union in 2004, and adopted the Euro as their sole currency in 2007.


How much money do I need to show in my bank account for a Slovenia Schengen visa?

You will need 70€ per person per day spent in Slovenia.


What other countries can I travel to on a Slovenia 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 make your Slovenia Schengen visa application? 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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