Temporary Residence

 
 
A foreigner from a third country (i.e. non-EU resident), who plans to work, do business or study in Slovakia may be granted a permit for a temporary residence provided that he/she meets the relevant legal conditions.

A temporary residence permit can be granted for one of the following specific purposes:

Slovak authorities may decide NOT to grant the temporary residence permit, there is no legal entitlement to it. 

A foreigner must always apply for the temporary residence in person, except when the applicant is immobile. The application is usually submitted abroad at a Slovak embassy or consulate. In some cases it is possible to submit the application at the Alien Police department locally competent according to the applicant's future residence in the Slovak republic. The application may be submitted at an Alien Police department, if it is stipulated by an international treaty or if the applicant:  
  1. is nor required to have a visa to enter the Slovak territory
  2. is applying for the temporary residence permit for the purpose of employment for which a work permit is granted regardless of the situation on the labour market
  3. is applying for the temporary residence permit for the purpose of study
  4. is applying for the temporary residence permit for the purpose of special activities
  5. is applying for the temporary residence permit for the purpose of family reunion, because he/she is
    • a single child younger than 18 years of a foreign national with a temporary residence permit or a person granted asylum
    • a direct relative of a person granted asylum younger than 18 years
    • a dependent person pursuant to an international treaty
    • a spouse of a person granted asylum
  6. is applying for the temporary residence permit for the purpose of meeting work obligation within the civilian sectors of the armed forces
  7. is a foreign national with a long-term residence permit in EU/EEA
  8. represents or works for a foreign investor in the Slovak republic and is currently a citizen of a member state of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development
  9. represents or works for an important foreign investor in the Slovak republic (and spouse or child younger than 18 years of such a foreign national). 
The temporary residence permit is granted in the form of a sticker in the foreigner's passport. It allows the foreigner to stay in Slovakia and travel abroad and back during the period for which the permit was granted.

The first temporary residence permit may be granted for the maximum period of two years. In case of a foreign national, who is applying for a temporary residence permit for the purpose of study or he/she is a foreign national with the long-term residence permit in EU/EEA, temporary residence permit can be granted up to five years. The permit is always granted for one specific purpose, which must be documented in the application. The permit may be renewed at the end of its validity for up to 3 further years (up to 5 years in case of foreign national with the long-term residence permit in EU/EEA) if the purpose for which the residence was granted, still applies. If the purpose of residence changes, the foreign national must apply for a new permit.
 
How to Apply?

 An application for a temporary residence permit consists of an official form and all required attachments.

  The temporary residence permit application must be submitted in person to a diplomatic mission of the Slovak Republic in the country, where your passport was issued or in the country of your residence. (If it is not possible and the case is worth special attention, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Interior may empower other diplomatic mission of the Slovak Republic to accept and process the application.)
 Only the following persons may submit the temporary residence permit application at an alien police department in Slovakia:
  • a foreign national that does not need visa in order to enter Slovakia
  • a foreign national that is applying for the temporary residence permit for the purpose of employment and in his case the Labour Office issues a work permit without considering the situation on the Slovak labour market (see the section on Work and Employment)
  • a foreign national that is applying for the temporary residence permit for the purpose of special activities (e. g. lecturing, arts, sports)
  • a foreign national under age of 18 that is a child of a foreigner or his/her spouse with a valid temporary residence permit; or a child of a foreigner or his/her spouse, who has been granted asylum (depending on who has a legal custody over the child)
  • a foreign national that is a parent or a grandparent of a minor foreigner who has been granted asylum
  • a foreign national that is a dependent person according to an international treaty
  • a foreign national that is a spouse of a foreigner who has been granted asylum
  • a foreign national that is applying for a temporary residence permit for the purpose of fulfilment of the official duties by the civilian units of the Armed forces
  • a foreign national that has long-term residence (continuous residence in EU/EEA for at least 5 yrs)
  • a foreign national that is exempted from applying abroad based on an international treaty
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR THE TEMPORARY RESIDENCE PERMIT APPLICATION 
  1. Filled in form of the application
  2. 2 identical color pictures
  3. Duty stamp as required per the relevant type of residence
  4. Valid passport
  5. Documents about the purpose of residence
  6. Documents regarding clear criminal registry
  7. Documents about accommodation
  8. Documents proving sufficient finances
Within 30 days of being granted the temporary residence permit or after the entry to Slovakia, it is necessary to submit a proof of health insurance in Slovakia and a medical certificate proving that the foreign national does not suffer from any infectious disease which might endanger public health.

 

How can I prove the purpose of residence?

In order to prove the purpose of your residence in Slovakia you should submit a certain set of documents with your application to the Alien Police Department.
You will have to present some of the following documents – please check this according to the type of activity and/or reasons for your staying in Slovakia:

BUSINESS:

  • Slovak Business Registry Extract
  • Articles of Association of the company signed by all the founders (the signatures of the founders must be verified by a public notary) where the applicant is listed as an authorised representative
  • Act on Incorporation of the company and By-laws of the company where the applicant is listed as an authorised representative
  • Slovak Commercial Registry Extract and a notarial deed about a change in the company where the applicant is listed as an authorised representative
  • other document proving your ability and intention to conduct a business in Slovakia (e.g. extract from the Register of self-employed farmers, medical license of a self-employed doctor, a self-employed attorney's license, etc.)

EMPLOYMENT:

  • Work permit
  • Confirmation letter from the employer stating that the foreign national will perform work for which a work permit is not required;
  • A copy of an international treaty according to which a foreign national is not required to have a work permit in order to work in the territory of the Slovak Republic

STUDY:

  • Confirmation of the Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic or a letter of admission to a school or other educational institution (e.g. language school) issued by an authorized representative of the school (e.g. director, deputy director, dean of the faculty, vice-dean).