SlovakiaStudy and training

Slovakia language course visa (national visa)

National visa (type D) for a language school course

In short

Slovakia grants a national visa to people over 15 who are admitted to a language school course of at least 25 lessons a week. It covers stays longer than three months, lasts for the length of the course but no longer than 31 July of the school year, and never more than one year.

checked 24 October 2026

Key facts

Maximum stay
Length of the course, until 31 July of the school year at the latest; never more than one year.
Validity
National visa D for more than three months.
Work
The visa is issued for language study; employment needs separate authorisation under the employment-services rules.
Family
Each family member needs their own basis of stay.
Where to apply
Slovak mission abroad.

Conditions

Under § 15 of the Act on Residence of Foreigners a national visa can be granted to a third-country national who is older than 15 and has been admitted to language education at a language school in a scope of at least 25 lessons per week. The school must be a language school within the meaning of the Slovak education rules; evening courses of a few hours a week do not qualify. If you plan to study at a Slovak university afterwards and the university itself organises your language preparation, the correct route is temporary residence for study instead.

Documents

The Ministry of Interior lists the papers for every national visa: the application on the official form, a passport valid at least 90 days after you leave Slovakia, a colour photo of 3 x 3.5 cm showing your current appearance, a document confirming the purpose of the stay (here the language school’s confirmation of admission to a course of at least 25 lessons a week) and proof of health insurance covering at least the validity of the visa. The mission may ask for further supporting documents.

Required documents

Identity

  • Application for a national visa on the official form.
  • One colour photo, 3 x 3.5 cm.

Travel

  • Passport valid at least 90 days after leaving Slovakia.

Study

  • Language school confirmation of admission to at least 25 lessons per week.

Insurance

  • Health insurance valid at least for the period of the visa.

Supporting documents (where they apply)

Money

  • Proof of tuition payment and means of support, if the mission asks for it.

Fee

The consular fee schedule (item 240 of Act 145/1995, in force from 1 September 2026) sets EUR 90 for a national visa linked to a residence application, EUR 50 for a visa in Slovakia’s interest or under an international treaty, and EUR 15 for a visa to collect a granted residence permit. It does not name a separate rate for language-school visas, so confirm the amount with the mission when you book.

How to apply

National visa applications are lodged at a Slovak embassy or consulate abroad. The foreign police in Slovakia accept national visa applications only in cases of Slovakia’s interest defined by government regulations, so a student coming for a language course applies from abroad. Plan early: the visa cannot run beyond 31 July of the school year, so a late start shortens the period you receive.

  1. Enrol in a course of at least 25 lessons a week at a Slovak language school.
  2. Ask the school for a written confirmation of admission.
  3. Buy health insurance covering the visa period.
  4. Book an appointment at the Slovak embassy or consulate abroad and lodge the national visa application in person.
  5. After arrival, report a private address within three working days.

Forms

In Slovakia

Report your residence within three working days if you live privately; student dormitories and hotels report for you. Keep health insurance for the whole stay. The Act lets holders of a national visa file a temporary residence application at the foreign police in Slovakia, except for business, so a student who is admitted to a university during the course can apply for study residence without leaving Slovakia. A national visa cannot be turned into a permanent status by itself.

Frequently asked questions

How many lessons must the course have?

At least 25 lessons per week at a language school.

Is there an age limit?

Yes. You must be older than 15.

How long is the visa valid?

For the length of the course, but no later than 31 July of the school year, and never longer than one year.

Can I switch to a student permit in Slovakia?

The Act allows national visa holders to file a temporary residence application at the foreign police in Slovakia, except for business purposes.

Official sources

Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.

Other visa types for Slovakia

Visits and short stays

Business and self-employment

Study and training

Work

  • Job seeker visa Maximum stay: Nine months.
  • Work visa Maximum stay: Expected length of employment, at most five years per grant under § 23(3) as in force from 1 October 2026.
  • Seasonal work visa Maximum stay: 240 days in any 12 consecutive months in total; up to 90 days on a work permit and Schengen visa.
  • EU Blue Card Maximum stay: Five years, or the term of the confirmation plus 90 days if shorter.
  • Intra-company transfer visa Maximum stay: Up to three years for managers and specialists, one year for trainees.

Family

Residence

Protection

Slovakia visa guide