Slovakia researcher visa and research residence permit

The permit is for third-country nationals who carry out research or development on the basis of a hosting agreement concluded with a research organisation or scientific institution in Slovakia under the act on state support of research. The hosting agreement also replaces an invitation for short research visits. University teachers and researchers employed by a Slovak institution can alternatively use the employment route, where the labour office skips the labour-market test for scientific and teaching staff.

Submit the official form, a valid passport, the hosting agreement and criminal record extracts not older than 90 days with an apostille and an official Slovak translation. Researchers do not have to prove accommodation and the Act does not ask them for proof of funds. Within 30 days of collecting the residence card you hand in proof of health insurance and a medical report from an infectious disease specialist.

A temporary residence application filed abroad is lodged in person at the Slovak mission accredited for the country that issued your passport or where you live. The mission conducts a short interview, records it, translates the record into Slovak and sends it with its recommendation to the foreign police department that decides. Once the permit is granted, a visa-required applicant obtains a national visa for collecting the permit (fee EUR 15) and picks up the residence card in Slovakia; the card costs EUR 10, or EUR 39 for delivery within two working days.

If you are already in Slovakia lawfully, on a residence permit, a national visa or as a visa-free traveller, you can file at the foreign police; after filing a complete application and reporting your residence you may start the research while the decision is pending. The police decide within 30 days.

Renewal is requested at the foreign police no later than the last day of the permit. After the research ends, you can ask for a nine-month renewal to look for a job or start a business in Slovakia. Five years of lawful residence in the EU as a researcher, Blue Card holder or similar, with at least two years in Slovakia, opens EU long-term residence under the Act, subject to an A2 Slovak language exam.

Spouses and minor children apply for temporary residence for family reunification (EUR 200 for adults; children under 18 free). They do not have to prove accommodation when joining a researcher, and family members of researchers may be employed without a work permit or vacancy confirmation from the start.