The Slovak Republic is gaining popularity from people around the world – not just as a tourist destination – but as a promising destination to start a career. This article outlines the things you need to know when coming to Slovakia to work.
Do I need a work visa in Slovakia?
The Slovak Republic has been a member of the European Union (EU) since 2004, and as such, is expected to abide by the same rules and regulations for foreign labor with fellow member states.
If you’re coming to Slovakia for long-term employment, you do not need a work visa if you are:
- a citizen of an EU member state
- a citizen of a European Economic Area (EEA) member state
- a Swiss national
- a legitimate family member of a citizen meeting the qualifications above
If you meet the qualifications above, you can immediately seek employment in Slovakia and have the same labor rights as its local citizens. However, you must register your residence with local authorities if you’re planning to stay in the country for more than three months.
If you do not belong to any category above, meaning you are a third-country national, you must apply for a Slovakian work visa before you can enter its borders for work purposes. This applies to:
- Contractual work
- Self-employed work
- Intra-company transfers from a UK-based company to Slovakia
- Academic, cultural, sports, or journalism work
Certain activities are exempted from a visa for up to 90 days only according to the Schengen visa waiver.
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What are the requirements to apply for a work visa in Slovakia?
There are several categories of Slovak work visas available, but the most appropriate for foreign employment are the Short-Stay (Visa Type C) and Long-Stay/National (Visa Type D) visas. The former is valid for up to 90 days, while the latter is issued for stays longer than 90 days and a maximum of one year.
Other less common visa types are the Airport Transit Visa and the Limited Territorial Validity Visa (LTV).
Aside from a work visa, you also need a work permit and residence permit to participate in a paid activity and reside legally in Slovakia.
When applying for a Type C or Type D Visa, prepare the requirements listed below.
General Requirements:
- Fully accomplished and signed visa application form
- Travel document or passport, which must be valid for three months after the visa expiration date
- One colored passport-sized photograph, measuring 3 x 3.5 cm
- Proof of documents or statement of purpose of your travel, i.e.:
- Employment contract with job description and salary information
- Invitation letter from a legal organization in Slovakia
- Invitation verified by the Foreign Police Department of Slovakia
- Proof of accommodation e.g., apartment lease contract, invitation of host explicitly stating accommodation conditions
- Proof of sufficient financial means, which must amount to at least 56 EUR per day of residence, e.g., traveler’s cheques, verified bank statements for the last six months, proof of regular income
- Travel health insurance policy, which must have a minimum coverage of 30000 EUR and cover any medical-related expenses
- Visa fee payment/receipt
- Proof of educational and professional qualifications
The following are additional documents to the general requirements, depending on specific occupations or cases:
If employed by a company in Slovakia
- No objection certificate from your employer (a document stating contractual obligations or valid reasons to return to your home country)
- Income Tax Return (ITR) form
If self-employed
- Business license or similar document if practicing a profession
- Income Tax Return (ITR) form
For sports, cultural, or religious purposes
- Invitation letter from authorities of the particular field
All documents listed must be submitted in the Slovak language, so you must have them translated if necessary.
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Steps on Applying for a Work Visa in Slovakia
The whole Slovakian work visa application process varies per region, but it is advised to start your petition not earlier than six months before your intended arrival in Slovakia.
Slovak visas are closely tied with work and residence permits. Be guided by the following steps:
1. Obtain a work permit from your employer
Unless you’re applying for a labor shortage position, you must already have an employer before you can apply for a work visa in Slovakia. Your employer processes your work permit on your behalf, which makes a strong case for your visa application as well as your residence permit petition.
Once you’ve signed an agreement with a legal Slovak employer, you can proceed with the next step.
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2. Accomplish the application form
Access the temporary residence application form and fill it out mindfully. It typically includes your personal information, work history, details of your employment, available accommodation, and other pertinent information about your trip. Once you are finished with the form, don’t forget to affix your signature.
3. Submit your application to the embassy
You must submit your applications in person at a Slovak embassy in your country of residence. Depending on the abroad embassy’s regulations, you may have to book an appointment in advance using electronic platforms or through visiting in person. Contact the embassy nearest you for more accurate information.
On the day you visit the embassy, bring with you the original and at least one copy of the requirements listed above. Consular officers have the right to request additional documents that will move your application forward, as well as a short interview regarding the purpose of your travel. You will also have your photograph taken at the embassy and submit digital scans of fingerprints.
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4. Pay visa fees
The consular officers will acknowledge the receipt of your Slovakian work application. You will pay the visa processing fee of EUR 80 or USD 93 or n equivalent foreign currency. From this point, your visa application is under review, and the processing time is 15 calendar days to a maximum of 45 calendar days.
For nationals of the Russian Federation, you are eligible for a simplified visa issuing process. This case only takes ten calendar days and a visa fee of 35 EUR or 2908 RUB.
5. Collect your residence permit
Visas are granted in the form of a sticker on your passport. Once you receive this, you are now allowed to travel to and stay in Slovakia for the duration of your Slovakian work visa. You can also travel to other Schengen countries, but your stay should not exceed 90 days within 180 days.
National visas, however, are issued only within a timeframe to obtain a temporary residence permit. Within three days of your arrival, register with the local authorities and collect your temporary residence permit from the Slovak Foreign Police Office.
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Slovakia offers a great opportunity for anyone looking to work in Europe. The process for obtaining a work visa above is straightforward, whether you are looking for contractual work or self-employed work. If you are also looking to work and study in Slovakia, you can check out the Slovakia government scholarships and other scholarships in Slovakia listed on our page to help fund your studies.
We hope this article on how to get a work visa in Slovakia was informative and insightful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs in Europe!
