Slovenia job seeker permit for graduates and researchers

The permit is for third-country nationals who completed studies at a Slovenian higher vocational or higher-education institution in the last two years, obtained at least a higher vocational or higher-education degree, and want to stay to look for work or to become self-employed, for example by setting up as a sole trader.

A parallel permit exists for researchers who want to stay in Slovenia after their hosting agreement ends, to look for work or self-employment; members of the researcher’s family can obtain a related permit. People living abroad without a Slovenian degree or research stay cannot use this route and need a job offer and a single permit instead.

You meet the general conditions for temporary residence: a valid passport, health insurance, sufficient means of subsistence for the stay and no grounds for refusal such as security reasons. The specific condition is proof that you successfully completed studies in Slovenia within the last two years.

If the faculty has not yet issued the certificate of completion when you apply, but you meet the other conditions, the administrative unit accepts the application and sets a deadline for submitting the missing document.

Lodge the form in person at any administrative unit, or through an authorised person. When it accepts the application, the unit issues a receipt that counts as a temporary residence permit until the decision becomes final. If the permit is granted, you collect a card on which the type of permit is shown as job seeker (iskalec zaposlitve). The procedure is subject to an administrative fee and the card cost.

The permit is limited to 9 months and cannot be extended. You may not work with it, only search. When you find a job or become self-employed, lodge an application for the appropriate new permit, such as a single permit for employment or for self-employment, before this permit expires. If you do not obtain another legal basis for residence, you must leave Slovenia when it ends.