🇸🇰Slovakia Visa for Saudi Citizens2026 Requirements, Fees & Documents

National Long-Stay Visa (Type D)

Authorises stays exceeding three months in Slovakia for specific purposes such as awaiting residence permit, language studies, national interest, or international treaty obligations. Serves as a bridge to a residence permit.

Maximum validity one year. Eligible categories include: persons with approved residence permit awaiting card issuance; language students aged 15+ enrolled in minimum 25 weekly hours; persons serving Slovakia's national interest; persons fulfilling international treaty obligations; family members of asylum seekers or persons under supplementary protection. Applications at Slovak diplomatic missions abroad, or at Border and Foreign Police in specific circumstances. Governed by Act No. 404/2011 on Residence of Foreigners. Online appointment booking mandatory via the national booking system since December 2022.

Temporary Residence for Employment

Allows third-country nationals to reside and work in Slovakia under a specific employment contract. Includes regular employment, seasonal work, and intra-company transfers.

Permit valid up to 3 years, renewable. Standard processing 90 days; expedited (30 days) for certain categories. Applicant must have an employment contract or binding job offer. Labour market test may apply unless employer holds a labour shortage exemption. Applications at Slovak diplomatic missions abroad (as of July 2025 for new applications). Governed by Act No. 404/2011. Digital application platform operational since December 2024. After 5 years continuous legal residence, permanent residence may be sought.

EU Blue Card (Modrá karta EÚ)

Temporary residence and work permit for highly qualified third-country nationals employed in a skilled occupation requiring at least a university degree, with a salary of at least 1.2x the average monthly wage in Slovakia.

Valid up to 5 years (or contract duration + 90 days if shorter). Fee EUR 250 initial (~USD 272), EUR 140 renewal. 30-day processing from complete application. No labour market test required as of 15 July 2024. Employment contract minimum 6 months. Salary threshold approximately EUR 1,716/month (1.2x 2023 average; updated annually). Employer must notify Labour Office. Blue Card holders may apply for long-term/permanent residence after 5 consecutive years. Governed by Act No. 404/2011 as amended.

Temporary Residence for Study (Štúdium)

Allows third-country nationals to reside in Slovakia for the purpose of studying at an accredited Slovak educational institution, including universities, secondary schools, and language courses.

Permit valid up to 6 years. Processing 30 days from complete application. Administrative fees may be waived for students. Applicant must provide proof of admission to accredited institution, financial means, and accommodation. Governed by Act No. 404/2011. Digital application platform available since December 2024. Language students (15+ years) enrolled in minimum 25 weekly instruction hours may qualify for a National Visa (Type D) rather than a residence permit for shorter stays.

Temporary Residence for Research and Development

Allows third-country national researchers and scientists to reside in Slovakia to conduct research or development activities at accredited research organisations.

Permit valid up to 2 years. Processing 30 days. Applicant must hold a hosting agreement with an accredited research organisation in Slovakia. Governed by Act No. 404/2011. Implements EU Directive 2016/801 on students and researchers.

Temporary Residence for Family Reunification (Zlúčenie rodiny)

Allows family members of legally residing third-country nationals or Slovak citizens to join and reside with them in Slovakia.

Permit valid up to 3 years, tied to sponsor's permit duration. Standard processing 90 days. Family members of EU Blue Card holders and highly qualified workers may benefit from expedited 30-day processing. Administrative fee exemptions apply for minor children. Sponsor must demonstrate stable income, health insurance, and adequate accommodation. Governed by Act No. 404/2011.

Temporary Residence for Special Activities (Špeciálna činnosť)

Covers third-country nationals engaged in specific temporary activities in Slovakia not falling under standard employment, such as artists, athletes, journalists, or trainees on structured programmes.

Permit valid up to 3 years. Governed by Act No. 404/2011. Applicant must provide documentation of the specific activity and sponsor/organiser in Slovakia.

Tolerated Residence (Tolerovaný pobyt)

Granted to third-country nationals who cannot be removed from Slovakia due to legal or humanitarian obstacles, and to victims of trafficking in persons, pending regularisation or removal.

Issued by the Border and Foreign Police as a protection status rather than a typical visa or permit application. Valid in 6-month increments. Not a pathway to regular immigration status. Governed by Act No. 404/2011.

Permanent Residence – 5-Year (Trvalý pobyt na 5 rokov)

Grants long-term settlement rights in Slovakia to third-country nationals who have resided legally in the country for a qualifying period (generally 5 years of continuous temporary residence).

Valid for 5 years, renewable. Standard processing 90 days; 30 days for families of significant investors. Requires proof of 5 years continuous legal residence, stable income, health insurance, and accommodation. After holding the 5-year permit for 4 years (total 9+ years legal residence), unlimited permanent residence may be sought. Governed by Act No. 404/2011.

Permanent Residence – Unlimited (Trvalý pobyt na neurčitý čas)

Grants indefinite settlement rights in Slovakia to qualifying long-term residents.

Eligible after 4 years of holding a 5-year permanent residence permit, or for minor children of permanent residents. Standard processing 90 days; 30 days for investor category. Permit becomes invalid if holder is outside Slovakia for 180+ consecutive days without authorisation. Governed by Act No. 404/2011. Pathway to citizenship after total 8 years continuous legal residence.

Diplomatic / Official Visa

Issued to diplomatic and official passport holders of countries requiring visas for Slovakia, for the purpose of official government business, postings, or assignments.

Diplomatic and service/official passport holders of many countries benefit from visa exemptions under bilateral agreements (separate from ordinary passport exemptions). NATO and Partnership for Peace military/civilian personnel are exempt from visa requirements on official assignment using military ID or movement orders. The full bilateral diplomatic passport table is published at www.minv.sk/?bezvizovy-rezim; the page was not fully machine-readable during June 2026 validation.

Working Holiday National Visa (Type D)

Young people from countries with a bilateral working holiday / youth mobility agreement to spend up to one year in Slovakia, funding an extended holiday through incidental temporary work.

Issued as a Slovak national (Type D) long-stay visa under bilateral Working Holiday / Youth Mobility agreements. Slovakia has agreements with Australia (age 18-30), New Zealand (18-35), Canada (18-35, Youth Mobility Program), Japan and Taiwan. Valid up to 1 year; permits residence plus incidental/temporary work in Slovakia and travel in the rest of the Schengen Area up to 90 days per 180. Annual quotas and reciprocal age/eligibility conditions apply per country. Applied for at a Slovak embassy or consulate abroad. Governed by the respective bilateral agreement and Act No. 404/2011.

Temporary Residence for Seasonal Employment

Third-country nationals performing season-dependent work (e.g. agriculture, tourism, hospitality) in Slovakia for more than 90 days.

Seasonal employment exceeding 90 days requires temporary residence for the purpose of seasonal employment; total seasonal work may not exceed 180 days in any 12 consecutive months. The employer must first report the vacancy to the Office of Labour, Social Affairs and Family (at least 20 working days before). Decision within 90 days, reduced to 30 days if the applicant performed seasonal work or held this residence within the previous 5 years. Administrative fee EUR 33 (Foreign Police) or EUR 35 (Slovak embassy) plus EUR 4.50 for the residence card. Governed by Act No. 404/2011 implementing EU Directive 2014/36/EU on seasonal workers.

Temporary Residence for Employment - Intra-Corporate Transfer (ICT)

Managers, specialists, or trainee employees of a company established outside the EU temporarily seconded (more than 90 days) to a Slovak branch or group company.

Implements EU Directive 2014/66/EU on intra-corporate transfers. The worker must have been employed by the non-EU company for at least 6 months (managers/specialists) or 3 months (trainees) before transfer. Valid a maximum of 3 years for managers and specialists, and a maximum of 1 year for trainee employees. No separate work permit is required; the employer reports the posting to the Office of Labour, Social Affairs and Family. Application is made in person at a Slovak embassy abroad; the Foreign Police decide within 90 days (30 days for significant foreign investors or OECD nationals). Fee EUR 170 for the residence application plus EUR 4.50 for the residence card. Permits intra-EU mobility to other member states under the ICT scheme. Governed by Act No. 404/2011.

Long-term Residence (Dlhodoby pobyt) - EU Long-Term Resident Status

Third-country nationals who have resided legally and continuously in Slovakia for 5 years, granting EU long-term resident status with enhanced rights and intra-EU mobility.

EU long-term resident status under Council Directive 2003/109/EC, legally distinct from national permanent residence (trvaly pobyt). Granted after 5 years of continuous lawful residence immediately preceding the application, with proof of stable and regular income, accommodation, and - since 15 July 2025 - Slovak language knowledge at A2 level verified by examination. Confers rights close to those of nationals and the possibility to relocate to other EU member states. Application submitted in person at the Border and Foreign Police Department. Governed by Act No. 404/2011.