Short Term Stay
Short term stay in the Schengen area is a stay for tourism, study or business (strictly non paid/no labor) purposes not exceeding total of 90 days in any 180-day period. The date of entry shall be considered as the first day of stay on the Schengen territory and the date of exit shall be considered as the last day of stay on the Schengen territory.
„Any 180-day period“ implies the application of a „moving“ 180-day reference period, looking backwards at each day of the stay during the last 180-day period, in order to verify that the „90 days/180-day period“ requirement is fulfilled. Among others it means that only absence of uninterrupted period of 90 days allows the third country national´s new stay for up to 90 days. The third country national himself is responsible to calculate the number of days spend on the Schengen territory so that the rule „90 days in any 180-day period“ is respected. Otherwise he/she will not be allowed to enter the Schengen territory. A short stay calculator has been created for public and can be used in order to apply the rule of „90 days in any 180-day period“ correctly. To find out more please visit the following link: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/what-we-do/policies/borders-and-visas/border-crossing/index_en.htm
Types of Visas
Schengen visa type A (airport transit visa)
Authorizes the holder to enter the international zone of the airport and to remain there until the time of the departure of the flight to the destination country.
Schengen visa type C (short stay visa)
The visa entitles its holder to enter and stay in the Schengen area for not more than a total of 90 days in any 180-day period. This visa may be issued for one, two or multiple entries.
National visa type D (long-stay)
The visa may be issued in relation to the granted residence permit or in connection with Slovakia´s commitments under international treaties or for the benefit of the Slovak Republic (e.g. Youth Mobility programme). It is allowed for long-term visa holders to travel to other Schengen area member states, however the total length of stay cannot exceed 90 days in any six month period.
Where to Apply for a Visa
Visa-required country nationals legally residing in Canada who want to enter the Schengen area (Slovakia) may apply for visa at the Slovak Embassy in Ottawa. The application must be submitted in person. Please, contact us at cons.ottawa@mzv.sk to set up an appointment.
Please be informed that the Slovak Embassy in Ottawa is the only authority where the application for Schengen visa to Slovakia can be submitted. You cannot submit the application at any of our honorary consulates across Canada.
If you intend to visit several Schengen states, visa application must be submitted at the Embassy or Consulate of the Schengen state of your main destination (the one in which you plan to spend the longest period of time).
If you intend to visit several Schengen states and do not have a main destination as described above, visa application must be submitted at the Embassy or Consulate of the Schengen state of first point of entry into the Schengen area.
When and How to Apply for a Visa:
The visa application procedure may be lengthy in some cases. Therefore, you should file your application well in advance, but not sooner than six months prior to your planned trip!
Personal appearance and biometric data
Personal appearance while submitting the application is required. All applicants are asked to arrange their appointment in advance. There is an exception for application submitted by professional, cultural, sport or educational associations/institutions for their members.
The applicants for Schengen visa are required to provide biometric data (fingerprints) when submitting the application. The biometric data of persons applying for a Schengen visa will be stored in a new Visa Information System (VIS). Certain categories of applicants are exempted from the requirement to give fingerprints, including
a) children under the age of 12 (must still appear in person but no fingerprints are taken),
b) persons from whom fingerprinting is physically impossible,
c) heads of state or government and members of national government with accompanying spouses, and the members of their official delegation when they are invited by Member States’ governments or by international organizations for an official purpose,
d) sovereigns and other senior members of a royal family, when they are invited by Member States’ governments or by international organizations for an official purpose.
More information and a list of FAQ
Decision on the application
Applications shall be decided on within 15 calendar days of the date of the lodging of an admissible application. The period may be extended up to a maximum of 45 calendar days. Exemptions apply to the nationals of third countries, which have signed Community-level visa facilitation agreements. Such countries include Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Moldova, the Russian Federation, Serbia and Ukraine. With respect to the nationals of mentioned countries, the decision must be delivered within 10 calendar days.
Schengen visa for multiple entries should be issued:
- for a validity period of one year, provided that the applicant has obtained and lawfully used three visas within the previous two years
- for a validity period of two years, provided that the applicant has obtained and lawfully used a previous multiple-entry visa valid for one year within the previous two years
- for a validity period of five years, provided that the applicant has obtained and lawfully used a previous multiple-entry visa valid for two years within the previous three years.
Validity of issued Schengen visa should not be longer than validity of the passport into which the
Schengen visa should be issued.
Airport transit visas and visas with limited territorial validity shall not be taken into account for the issuing of multiple-entry visas.
Application for Schengen Visa / Documents
1. Visa Application Form
Application for Schengen Visa (PDF 99.2kB)
The application must be signed by the applicant in presence of the visa officer. In the case of minors or persons lacking legal capacity, the application must be signed by their legal guardian who is required to attach a copy of the document identifying him/her as the applicant’s legal guardian.
2. Photo
One recent colour passport-size photograph (minimal size 3 x 3,5 cm/1,2 x 1,4 inch)
3. Travel Document
Passport or official travel document issued not earlier than in 10 years recognized by the Schengen countries with a validity that exceeds intended stay in Schengen area by at least 3 months. Please make sure that the passport has at least 2 blank pages. Handwritten travel documents and travel documents which are not machine readable will not be accepted.
4. Proof of Legal Residence in The Canada
Original of valid residence permit or valid Canadian visa. The residence permit or visa should be valid at least 3 months beyond the intended departure from the territory of Schengen area.
5. Proof of Accommodation
Evidence of hotel bookings or travel plans for the entire stay in the Schengen area (e.g. confirmed hotel reservations showing name, address and telephone number of the hotel, including confirmation number or voucher issued by a travel agency verifying payment of services in the Slovak Republic; the voucher must include information on the services paid, not just the reservation or a partial payment for the services).
6. Supporting Documents
Visits (family/friends)
Invitation letter (original) with a signature of the inviting person authenticated by Slovak public notary or a letter of invitation authenticated by Foreign Police in the Slovak Republic. (Note: The Embassy reserves the right to decide what type of document will be required for the verification of the purpose of stay. An invitation authenticated by the Alien Police may be requested from visa applicants of any nationality. Copy of Slovak ID or residence permit in Slovakia of the inviting friend/relative must also be submitted).
Business
Invitation letter (original) from a business partner (corporation or institution) in the Slovak Republic specifying the purpose of the trip / Reference letter from the employer or Invitation letter (original) from an individual businessman specifying the nature of the business and authenticated by Slovak public notary or a letter of invitation authenticated by Alien Police in the Slovak Republic specifying the nature of the business and trip.
International conferences, seminars, workshops, cultural and sport events
Invitation letter issued by organizer of the event or official letter issued by employment company of the visa applicant verifying continued employment and purpose of journey to the Slovak Republic / Invitation letter from organizer of the event in the Slovak Republic verified by Foreign Police in the Slovak Republic (Note: The Embassy/Consulate reserve its right to decide what type of document will be required for the verification of the purpose of stay).
Other purposes
Other documents demonstrating the purpose of travel and stay in the Slovak Republic (e.g. medical treatment, study visits or special activities shorter than 90 days, etc.).
7. Proof of Sufficient Financial Means for the Intended Stay
Personal bank account statement(s) from the last 3 months. The statements must show the name and address of the owner / Proof of regular income such as pay slips of the last 3 months / In case of business, if applicable, letter stating that all expenses are fully covered, e.g. a written proof from the inviting company or from the sending employer (Note: Personal bank account statement of the visa applicant may still be required) / or in case of students/researchers, if applicable, letter stating that all expenses are fully covered sending or inviting organizations or person (Note: Personal bank account statement of the visa applicant may still be required).
8. Means of Transport – Travel Arrangements
Flight (roundtrip)/travel reservations or other proof of intended transport and full itinerary (if several Schengen states are to be visited or if the trips covers several Schengen states as well as non-Schengen countries).
9. Travel Insurance
Confirmation of travel medical insurance issued by the insurance company covering all costs that may arise during stay in Schengen area in connection with any urgent medical care and/or emergency treatment in the hospital including potential medical repatriation or death. The travel insurance must be valid for all Schengen member states and the entire length of the applicant’s stay. A minimum insurance coverage of 30,000 EUR is required.
Business journeys - the company travel medical insurance may be accepted in some exceptional cases (contact the Embassy for further details). Confirmation letter from the company AND the Declaration page of the company insurance indicated minimum insurance coverage and its validity in all Schengen states must be submitted.
Applicants for a multiple Schengen (short-term) visa submit a proof of travel health insurance according to the given requirements only for the first trip. For the purposes of subsequent trips, they are required to sign a statement of understanding that they are obliged to conclude a travel medical insurance for the subsequent trips.
10. Consent for Minors Traveling without Parents
For minors (children under the age of 18) travelling without parents or with only one parent a written consent from the parent or legal guardian who is not traveling with the minor (certified by a Notary public) is required. If there is only one custodian, document confirming this fact is required (e.g. a birth certificate, death certificate, court decision on sole custody, etc.).
11. Visa Fee
For processing of the visa application a fee in the amount of 80 EUR is charged /40 EUR for a child of age from 6 to 12 years. Visa fees are paid in Canadian dollars and vary depending on the current exchange rate between the Euro and CAD. The fee is payable by money order, certified check or cash only, personal, business checks and credit cards are NOT ACCEPTED. Visa fees are not-refundable. In the case of a visa refusal the fee will not be reimbursed.
For processing of the visa application submitted by citizens of the Republic of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Republic of Moldova, Republic of Montenegro , Republic of Serbia, Russian Federation and Ukraine, fee in the amount of 35 EUR (in CAD according to actual exchange rate) is charged. In the case of a visa refusal the fee will not be reimbursed.
The visa fee is waived for:
- spouses and children of EU citizens/nationals. The spouse must present a marriage certificate /duly translated into English language if necessary/ and valid EU citizen’s passport. For accompanying minors, birth certificates must be presented.
- students, postgraduate students and accompanying teachers who undertake stays for the purpose of study or educational training;
- researchers, as defined in point (2) of Article 3 of Directive (EU) 2016/801 of the European Parliament and of the Council (*4), travelling for the purpose of carrying out scientific research or participating in a scientific seminar or conference
- representatives of non-profit organizations aged 25 years or less participating in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural or educational events.
12. Pre-Addressed Return Envelope with Prepaid Postage
In case the applicant requests the Embassy to mail the passport including the visa back to the applicant.
Declaration of Waiver and Hold Harmless
The Slovak Embassy and its employees, as well as the Slovak Foreign Ministry, is released and held harmless from any and all damage claims resulting from a possible loss or damage of the documents while in custody or during transport.
Decision on the Visa Application
Under the applicable law, the visa application procedure shall not take longer than 15 days, in exceptional cases the decision may take up to 60 days. Exemptions apply to the nationals of third countries which have signed Community-level visa facilitation agreements. Such countries include Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Moldova, the Russian Federation, Serbia and Ukraine. With respect to the nationals of the aforementioned countries, the decision must be delivered within 10 calendar days.
The reason for refusal is notified by the consular office using the established refusal form in Slovak and English language.
A visa shall be annulled where it becomes evident that the conditions for issuing it were not met at the time when it was issued, in particular if there are serious grounds for believing that the visa was fraudulently obtained.
A visa shall be revoked where it becomes evident that the conditions for issuing it are no longer met.
Appeal Procedure
Applicant can appeal against the decision on the refusal of the application for granting of the Schengen visa or on cancelling or revoking granted Schengen visa. Appeal against the decision on the refusal of the application can be submitted at the Slovak Embassy (that refused the visa application) within 15 days from the date of receiving the decision on refusal. Fee in the amount of 30 EUR (payment in CAD according to actual exchange rate) is charged and will not be reimbursed, not even in case of a positive decision. A written decision of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak republic on the appeal shall be delivered to the Applicant within 60 days from the date of filing of the appeal.
Family member of Slovak citizen living in other member state of the European Union, family member of citizen of member state of the European Union and family member of citizen of Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
Family member of Slovak citizen living in other member state, family member of citizen of member state and family member of citizen of Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein does not need Schengen visa in case that he is holder of document of residence of family member of European citizen or residence permit under Regulation (EU) 2016/399 of The European Parliament and of The Council of 9 March 2016 on a Union Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders (Schengen Borders Code).
Requirement that passport or official travel document must be issued not earlier than in 10 years is not in force.
