Slovakia is a relatively young state. Until recently, it was part of socialist Czechoslovakia. Today it is a sovereign country, a member of the European Union and showing stability in the growth of the economy.
Life here is a bit like our realities, and the language is similar to Russian, and anyone who came from Ukraine and Belarus can even understand it without an interpreter. It is the mental affinity, the similarity of cultures, as well as the commonality of a significant period of history that makes immigration to Slovakia as attractive as possible for residents of the countries of the former USSR. However, one decision made to move is clearly not enough. To immigrate to Slovakia, as well as to other countries, you will first need to apply for a residence permit.
Prospects for Relocation
For those who decide to address immigration to Slovakia, is it really worth considering this country as their permanent place of residence?
If we study the statistics, then on their basis we can conclude that the state is included in the list of twenty best for investment in the world. The country is a full member of the EU, a member of the Schengen zone. But is immigration to Slovakia so good? Cons and pros of living in this country should be studied before submitting documents. So, the status of its resident will allow:
- live permanently in Slovakia and travel to all the countries of the “Schengen” without applying for a visa;
- take loans and open bank accounts in any EU country;
- to get an education in a Slovak university, where upon graduation diplomas of international standard are issued, recognized and quoted in any country in the world;
- acquire and register commercial and residential real estate or a car;
- receive in a simplified manner visas to Canada or the United States;
- conduct business in any of the countries of the Eurozone;
- use the services of Slovak health care, which is considered one of the best in Europe;
- eventually obtain permanent residence, and then Slovakia citizenship.
That is why Russians and residents of the states of the former USSR often choose this country for their future residence. What do they expect from moving to Slovakia? Responses of immigrants say that they consider this country to be very promising not only for themselves, but also for their children. Another important factor: since 2005, a professional army has been created in Slovakia. In this regard, there are no calls for military service here.
But immigration to this country has its drawbacks. These include:
- low standard of living when compared with other EU countries;
- the inability to obtain a residence permit when buying real estate in the state.
Slovak migration law
How to enter the country? Due to the fact that the Slovak Republic is located on the territory of the Schengen Agreement, all CIS citizens (except Ukrainians) will need to apply for a visa. What should it be? To enter the country, you need either an ordinary Schengen visa or a long-term national category D. The latter is given if the guest wants to stay in Slovakia for more than 3 months.
To obtain such permission, you must contact the Embassy of the Slovak Republic. It is located in the Russian Federation or in the country of which the applicant is a citizen. The conditions for obtaining a visa, as well as a list of necessary documents, can be found by going to the embassy's official website.
Arriving in Slovakia and wanting to stay in this country, you will need to contact the appropriate authorities to apply for a residence permit. The immigration legislation of this state provides for foreigners a five-year period of residence in the status of residence permit. And only after the specified period, foreigners are given the right to apply for permanent residence. After another five-year period, immigrants can become citizens of Slovakia. Thus, 10 years must pass between the date of arrival in the country and the receipt of a full-fledged passport in it.
Slovak immigration law allows for a second citizenship. The only condition for this is the permission of the state where the person came from.
Grounds for issuing a residence permit
Immigration to Slovakia is not always possible. There must be certain reasons for obtaining a residence permit in this country. Among them:
- participation in a family reunification program;
- studies in Slovak universities;
- official employment with one of the employers in the country;
- participation in the business immigration program subject to the registration of one's own enterprise in Slovakia.
In addition , a residence permit is issued by the country's immigration services to representatives of sports, scientific and cultural activities whose activities are related to this country, as well as to refugees, volunteers and ethnic residents of the state. Thus, immigration to Slovakia becomes possible only if one of the above reasons exists.
Obtaining a residence permit
How to immigrate to Slovakia from Russia? The reviews of our fellow citizens who have already gone this way confirm that first of all it will be necessary to choose a suitable foundation. According to experts, there is no single rule on the validity period of a residence permit issued for the first time in the republic. For each type it is different.
How to arrange for someone who is already in the country, immigration to Slovakia? Feedback from experts suggests that this becomes possible by submitting documents to the police department located at the temporary residence of the person who moved. The Ministry of the Interior is also considering these issues.
Immigration to Slovakia from Russia can also be carried out. Reviews from those who have already gone this way say they will need to collect all the necessary documents. Next, they will need to contact the diplomatic mission of the country.
It will be possible to receive assistance in St. Petersburg or in Moscow when immigrating to Slovakia. One has only to keep in mind that obtaining a residence permit in Russia will cost more and take more time. The fact is that the submitted documents will be considered all the same only in Slovakia.
The embassy located in the Northern capital accepts a residence permit application from residents of St. Petersburg itself, as well as the Leningrad, Pskov, Novgorod, Arkhangelsk and Murmansk regions, Karelia and the Nenets Autonomous Okrug. Immigration to Slovakia from Russia with paperwork without leaving the country is also possible in Moscow. Residents of all other cities and towns may apply to the embassy located on its territory.
The submitted application is subject to review by the relevant body of Slovakia. In addition, they are interviewing a person who has decided to move. At the same time, the applicant must explain what he has grounds for obtaining a residence permit and submitted documents.
Based on the results of the review, an appropriate decision is made. It is reported to the applicant. If a person was refused, then a note about this will be put in his passport. Immigration officials can sometimes explain the reasons for the negative results. If the circumstances that served as an obstacle to a positive decision are eliminated, the application can be submitted again.
The final answer to those who decided to move to Slovakia from Russia is given within three months after the submission of the corresponding package of documents. In the case of obtaining a residence permit, experts warn that it will be necessary to enter the country immediately. Upon arrival, within three days a person needs to contact the police in order to register with the migration office. During the same time, a contract for the provision of medical care will be required. It will be necessary to obtain a card confirming the status of a resident of Slovakia. The police will need to include a medical examination certificate. For this, the immigrant is given one month.
Documents for obtaining a residence permit
Moving to permanent residence in Slovakia will require the applicant:
- a passport valid for at least a year on the date of entry into the state, as well as a photocopy of its pages containing personal data;
- a statement requesting a residence permit;
- two color passport-format photos without corners with an image on a white background;
- confirmation of the presence of housing located in the territory of Slovakia (long-term lease agreement, document on the right to own real estate or permission from the owner, which is certified by a notary);
- certificate that there is no criminal record in the homeland issued by the regional departments of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to citizens over 14 years of age;
- bank statement with a minimum of 2,300 euros;
- evidence of financial viability;
- certificate from the place of work, where the size of the salary is indicated;
- letter of the sponsor, as well as confirmation of its solvency;
- medical certificate of health status (you will have to pay about 250 euros for it).
Residence permit with family reunion
To obtain a residence permit in Slovakia on these grounds, you will need to marry a citizen of this country. And already after 3 years it will be possible to register the status of permanent residence.
In addition to the package of papers listed above, a marriage certificate will be required as a supporting document for obtaining a residence permit.
Under the family reunification program, it will also be possible to move to close relatives - residents of Slovakia. These are:
- minors or children financially dependent on the applicant (up to 25 years old);
- elderly parents;
- other dependent relatives.
Both parents must apply for a minor residence permit. If one of them is absent, then the reason for this should be explained in documents (for example, imprisonment, death, deprivation of parental rights, etc.).
Business immigration
Judging by the reviews of those who moved to live in Slovakia, the tax legislation adopted in the country is quite liberal. It contributes to the creation of an enabling environment for the development of private enterprise. That is why business people choose for themselves business immigration to Slovakia. After all, there is minimal tax pressure, and a lending scheme for medium and small businesses also works great. Such conditions make the republic attractive for real entrepreneurs seeking to implement their startups at a high European level. Immigration to this country allows you to develop and conduct your business without constant stress.
For business immigration to Slovakia, you will need to be the director of a company registered in the country, or an individual entrepreneur. When you start your own business, its authorized capital should be at least 19 thousand euros. A private entrepreneur will need to have 3800 euros in the account in a Slovak bank. This is in addition to the 2,300 euros that are in his personal account. Registration of your own business will also require the preparation of a business plan that would convince Slovak officials of the prospects and usefulness of the proposed project in the form of creating jobs and contributing revenue to the state treasury.
Together with the businessman, his family members are also entitled to obtain a residence permit. However, they will receive this status on a different basis. It is family reunion.
Employment
A document for a residence permit upon receipt of a workplace is valid in Slovakia for two years. Further it is allowed to renew. A resident with this type of residence permit can receive education at universities in the country.
A residence permit of this kind is issued only in cases where there is an invitation from the Slovak employer. And for this the last should be submitted to the employment office. If within a month none of the citizens of Slovakia or other EU states responds to it, then a candidate from a third state can be considered for this vacancy.
Subsequently, only the tenant is engaged in obtaining a residence permit for his foreign employee.
Training
A foreign student is given the right to enter Slovak educational institutions at any level. In order to obtain a residence permit, he will need to provide a document, which is an official invitation issued by the administration of the educational institution. This will be a confirmation of the fact that the applicant was included in the number of full-time students. The official invitation will indicate the duration of study, the name of the faculty, as well as data on the payment of the first year.
Residence permit for students is issued for a period of up to six years. Initially, this is one year, followed by an extension. Duration of consideration of the application - up to 1 month.
Student residence permits are also issued during training in courses of the Slovak language. In this case, the validity of the document is 1-2 years.
Residence permit for refugees
The right to obtain a residence permit is granted to people who fall under the international program providing for the protection of people forced to leave their homeland. In this case, refugees are recognized as persons who were persecuted at the place of their previous residence on racial or national grounds, by profession, on political convictions or on religious grounds. A person will need to confirm a similar fact, proving it reasonably.
The status of a residence permit for refugees has a term of up to five years. Its initial issue is carried out only for one year.
Paperwork Services
Today, there are companies that, for a fee, produce highly professional design and preparation of all documents required to obtain and extend the residence permit in accordance with Slovak law. Everyone can contact such organizations, which will allow without delay and in a short time to achieve a positive result.