How to Apply for a Slovakia Schengen Visa?

How to Apply for a Slovakia visa: Steps

• Step 1: Determine your Purpose for travelling to Slovakia, which will determine the Type of visa you should apply for.
• Step 2: Determine how many Entries to Slovakia/the Schengen area you need.
• Step 3: Gather your Required Documents.
• Step 4: Schedule a Slovakian Schengen visa appointment (if applicable).
  • Depending on the location of the consulate/visa center you are applying through, you may have to schedule an appointment in order to submit your visa. In other cases, you may simply be able to drop your application off during normal operating hours. Contact your Slovakian Consulate/visa center directly to find out if you need to schedule an appointment in order to submit your visa.
• Step 5: Fill out your application.
  • Different Slovakian Consulates/visa processing centers provide different ways of accessing applications-depending on where you are applying from, you may have to apply online through the Slovakian Electronic Visa Request. Access the online portal here once completed, the application will be sent to your email and you can print it out.
  • Alternatively, you may have to download, complete, and print out an online form, available here. Once completed, print out and sign your application. You will submit this paper copy to whichever Slovakian Consulate you are applying through.
• Step 6: Pay the application fee.
• Step 7: Submit your Slovakian Schengen visa application (at least 15 days prior to travelling, not before 6 months).
  • Different Slovakian consulates/visa application centers have different procedures for submitting applications. Applications must be submitted in person to the consulate/center you are applying through (in rare circumstances, the consulate will waive the in-person requirement). Applications for children must be submitted in person by the child’s parent/guardian.
  • When you submit your application, you will likely also be asked to submit biometric data (fingerprints). Children younger than 12 years are likely exempt from having their fingerprints collected. However, facial photo capture is required for all applicants nevertheless of their age.
  • Please note, after submitting your application, you may be asked to return at a later date for a personal interview to provide further information/materials related to your trip.

When to Apply

Submit your application at least 15 days prior to the day you intend to travel, and no earlier than 6 months before you leave.

Where to Apply

Applications for Schengen visas to Slovakia should be submitted at either a Slovakian Consulate/Embassy or a visa application center that has a relationship with Slovakia.

Ideally, you will lodge your application in the country where you legally reside/hold a residence permit for.

If you must apply through a consulate/center located in a country where you are currently legally present, but where you do not legally reside, you must have a valid reason for doing so, as well as the permission of the consulate, who must consent to processing your application.

In countries where there is no Slovakian consular presence, applications may be lodged via the consulate of a Schengen state representing Slovakian consular interests.

Processing Time for Slovakia Schengen Visa

The Slovakian Schengen visa processing time is generally 15 days, although it can take up to 60 days in certain cases.

If your Slovakia visa was approved:

Collect your Slovakia Schengen visa and make sure the information it contains is valid and complete.

If your Slovakia visa was denied:

If you receive a visa rejection for Slovakia, you have a right to an appeal within 15 days of receiving your rejection.

Begin this process by picking up your standard issued-visa refusal form, which describes why your request was denied, and explains the detailed steps of the appeal process.

The appeal should be written in Slovak or contain a translation into Slovak and should explain why you believe the refusal was unlawful/invalid.

The appeal must be lodged with the consulate which issued the original refusal.

You will have to pay an appeal fee of 30 EUR, which will be reimbursed to you in the event that your appeal is successful. If your appeal is rejected, your fee will not be returned to you. Failure to pay the fee will result in the appeal process being put on hold until payment is rendered.

Finally, once you obtain your Schengen Visa for Slovakia, please note the following:

Your visa may be revoked if you do not notify the Slovakian Consulate/visa application center of any changes to your trip itinerary that occur after you have submitted your application.

Being approved for a Slovakian visa does not guarantee you entry to either Slovakia or the general Schengen area – you can still be refused entry to both places upon arrival.

Alternatively, you may have to show additional documents regarding your finances or accommodation in order to enter Slovakia/the Schengen area.