Visas and student residence in Slovakia
General information, reviewed 29 September 2026. The correct route depends on your nationality, current residence, study programme and the Slovak embassy responsible for your country. For exact requirements and appointments, contact your university and the responsible Slovak embassy or Foreign Police department before you apply. EduSlovakia can help you prepare, but only the competent authorities decide visa and residence applications.
EU, EEA and Swiss students
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens do not need a visa to enter Slovakia. They should check the current registration and reporting duties with the Slovak authorities and their accommodation provider.
Students from outside the EU
A student whose main purpose is university study and who needs to live in Slovakia longer term will generally apply for temporary residence for the purpose of study. Depending on the circumstances, an application may be lodged at a Slovak embassy accredited for the applicant’s country of citizenship or residence, or at the competent Foreign Police department in Slovakia if the applicant qualifies to apply there. Holding a valid residence permit from another EU member state is one of the circumstances addressed in the official guidance; the precise conditions should be checked before travel.
A Slovak national visa (type D) and a temporary residence permit are different permissions. A national visa may be available to enable entry and, in certain cases, submission of a residence application in Slovakia. Its validity and required documents depend on the legal basis and the responsible embassy. A type D visa should not be described as residence for the whole degree programme.
Documents and timing
The authorities may request a valid passport, proof of admission or study, criminal record documents, financial evidence and other supporting documents depending on the route. Legalisation, translation, document age, fees and appointment rules vary. Confirm the exact checklist with the responsible embassy or Foreign Police and ask your university which admission or enrolment documents it will issue.
Study residence can be granted for the expected duration of studies, up to the statutory maximum. Renewal is needed only when the granted residence will expire while the student still needs it. Apply for renewal by the last day of validity and check the latest submission rules. Processing periods can change; the July 2026 amendment is reflected in the IOM update linked below.
Official sources
- Slovak Ministry of Foreign Affairs: foreign students in Slovakia
- Slovak Ministry of Foreign Affairs: national visa
- Slovak Ministry of Interior: information for foreigners
- IOM Migration Information Centre: changes effective 15 July 2026
Important: This page provides general information only. For exact and current rules for your case, contact the university and the responsible Slovak embassy or Foreign Police department.
4 Responses
I’m interested in pursuing my BSc nursing program in Slovakia but I will be 39yrs old in the next 3months.Do you have age limit for undergraduate nursing or do i stand a chances to be admitted if i applied?
Hello, thank you for your question!
In Slovakia there is no strict upper age limit for undergraduate programs like BSc Nursing. Being 39 years old does not automatically reduce your chances. Admission is mainly based on your education documents, entrance requirements, and sometimes health/medical fitness, not on age.
So yes – you can apply and you do stand a chance to be admitted if you meet the academic and other requirements.
If you’d like us to check suitable universities for you, you can contact us at [email protected]
i am interested in further education in Slovakia. embassy of Slovakia are not available. Where are submit the visa application
Thank you for your interest to study in Slovakia. Please find the list of Slovak embassies in the link below. If you cannot find your country in that list, then you need to check for Slovak embassy in your neighbor countries. For Example the Slovak embassy in Cairo (Egypt) is also responsible for the citizens of Morocco and Tunisia as well.