How to apply for a Slovakia Schengen Visa

How to apply for a Slovakia Schengen Visa

Last updated: April 2024

Explore the captivating blend of medieval castles, dramatic mountain scenery, and traditional folklore of Slovakia with the Slovakia Schengen Visa!

With this visa, you can also conveniently visit all other Schengen countries for tourism or business. Let us unpack everything you need to know to get your visa and enjoy your Slovakia adventure.

What is the Slovakia Schengen Visa?

The Slovakia Schengen Visa streamlines your European journey, granting seamless access to 27 Schengen countries with a single visa requirement.

Besides Slovakia, these countries include Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Iceland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

This makes for easier planning and stress-free travel around Europe.

Remember that Slovakia must be the first country you enter in the Schengen Zone or where you’ll spend the most time during your trip in the Schengen area.

What can I do with the Slovakia Schengen Visa?

With this visa, you can:

• Explore Slovakia and the rest of the Schengen Zone as a tourist.

• Business-related activities such as attending meetings or business-related events.

• Visit family and friends.

• Engage in short-term studies and professional training.

• Transit through the Schengen Zone.

What can I not do with the Slovakia Schengen Visa?

Keep in mind that you can’t:

• Reside in the country and the Schengen area.

• Establish a business.

• Work or work-related activities like looking for a job while in the country.

Who is eligible to apply for the Slovakia Schengen Visa?

To apply, you'll need to meet the following criteria:

• Non-Schengen/EU/EEA nationality: You must be a passport holder of a country without visa-free travel to the Schengen area.

• Purpose of travel: Your reason for visiting must be clear and legitimate, such as tourism or business.

• Intention to leave the Schengen area: You must be able to show that you’ll leave the Schengen area within the validity period of your visa.

• Enough funds: You must have sufficient money to cover your entire trip.

• Travel insurance: You must have medical insurance that covers emergency medical expenses and repatriation costs of at least €30,000 during your stay.

• Clean record: You should not have a history of overstaying visas or have been previously deported or flagged in the Schengen Information System for any reason.

Who needs to apply for the Slovakia Schengen Visa?

Most visitors from non-Schengen and non-EU countries must apply for a Slovakia Schengen Visa before they travel and usually undergo a pre-departure interview.

To check if you must apply for a Slovakia Schengen Visa with us, use our Visa Checker Tool.

Do children need a Slovakia Schengen Visa?

Yes, children must have a Schengen Visa to visit Slovakia and the Schengen Zone if they are citizens of an eligible country.

Parents or legal guardians must sign the application form and include the minor's birth certificate during the application process.

Who doesn’t need a visa for Slovakia?

Residents of EU and Schengen countries can visit Slovakia visa-free.

Nationals from the following countries can also visit Slovakia without a visa, according to the Schengen rules:

• United States

• Canada

• United Kingdom

• Australia

• New Zealand

How long is the Slovakia Schengen Visa valid?

With this visa, you're allowed a 90 days per entry stay within any 180 days in the Schengen Zone, offering the freedom to cross internal Schengen borders as frequently as you wish, provided your total stay does not surpass 90 days.

However, the final decision on the visa type and validity is at the discretion of the Slovakian authorities.

Can I extend my Slovakia Schengen Visa?

Extending a Slovakia Schengen Visa is not easy. Approvals require strong justification and supporting documentation, for example, in a medical emergency or force majeure.

To extend your Slovakia Schengen Visa, contact the Slovakian Immigration Service before your visa expires.

Slovakia Schengen Visa: Required documents

You will need the following documents :

• Application form

• Two passport photos

• Valid passport: With at least 6 months validity after arrival and two blank pages for visa stickers and entry stamps.

• Travel itinerary: Including a copy of your return or onward flight ticket.

• Proof of accommodation: Provide hotel confirmations or a letter from relatives in Slovakia to prove where you're staying during your trip.

• Proof of enough funds: Bank statements or salary slips to prove you have enough money to cover your entire trip in the Schengen Zone.

• Biometric info: If you have not registered your fingerprints in the past 59 months, you’ll need to provide your biometric data during your visa appointment.

• Medical/travel insurance: With a minimum coverage of €30,000 for emergency medical treatment and repatriation in the entire Schengen Zone.

• Documents for accompanying children: When you’re applying on behalf of your child or a minor, their birth certificates and parental consent must be submitted too.

How to apply for the Slovakia Schengen Visa

The general steps to apply are:

1. Choose the Schengen visa type based on your travel purpose.
2. Fill out the Schengen Visa application form accurately.
3. Collect all necessary documents, including passport, photos, travel itinerary, proof of accommodation, travel insurance, and financial means.
4. Book a visa interview appointment at the Estonian embassy/consulate or visa application center.
5. Present your application and documents at the appointment.
6. Pay the visa application fee as per the current rates.
7. Monitor the status of your visa application online or through the embassy/consulate.

You can find more detailed information about the application process on the Slovakian Government Website.

We currently don't offer this visa, but you can join our waitlist to be notified when we do:

Slovakia Schengen Visa fees and processing time

The government fee is about US$85.00 (half-price for children between the ages of 6 and 12 and free for kids under 6 years old). This must be paid separately during the process, for which you’ll receive full instructions.

Fee exemptions: children under 6, students, scholars, teachers, researchers, non-profit event participants under 25, those attending international meetings in Slovakia, family members of Slovakian citizens, government-invited individuals, diplomatic and service passport holders, and family members of EU, EEA, Swiss Confederation, or EFTA citizens.

The government processing can take up to 45 days, so consider this when planning your trip.

Do I need the Slovakia Schengen Visa to transit through the country?

Citizens of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Cuba, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, and Sri Lanka will need a Transit Visa.

Please contact your local embassy or airline for info on how to apply for the Slovakia Airport Transit Visa.

Where can I learn more about the Slovakia Schengen Visa?

Need more info about the Slovakia Schengen Visa application or other travel documents? Contact our customer support team. We are happy to assist!