Travel to Slovakia, Good Idea

SLOVAKIA

Slovakia is a landlocked country in Central Europe, known for its medieval towns and picturesque landscapes, including the Tatra Mountains.

Capital

Bratislava

Continent

Europe

Currency

Euro (EUR)

Language

Slovak

Time-Zone

GST -3hrs (Winter)
GST -2hrs (Summer)

Flight Time

6-7hrs

Did you know… Slovakia has more than 100 castles and chateaux, making it one of the most castle-dense countries in Europe.

THE ESSENTIAL INFORMATION

Let the journey begin.

Europe, the world’s second-smallest continent, is situated entirely in the Northern Hemisphere and mostly in the Eastern Hemisphere. It is bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and the Mediterranean Sea to the south.

Europe is home to 44 countries, each offering a rich tapestry of cultures, histories, and landscapes, from the snow-capped peaks of the Alps to the sun-drenched beaches of the Mediterranean.

Slovakia’s climate is characterised by a temperate continental pattern, with warm summers and cold winters, while the mountainous regions, such as the Tatra Mountains, tend to be cooler and receive more snowfall. The country experiences moderate rainfall throughout the year, which contributes to its lush landscapes.

The currency used in Slovakia is the Euro (€), which has been the official currency since its adoption on January 1, 2002.

Before the Euro, Slovakia used the Slovak Koruna (SKK) as its currency. The transition from the Koruna to the Euro was part of the European Union’s currency integration process, known as the “Eurozone.”

Parents should ensure that their child’s documents are eligible to travel to Slovakia and match the criteria below. 

If your child needs a visa to travel to Slovakia, you must apply for it using the same passport that holds their UAE residency visa.

Please check all sample documents below, and relevant official checklists to ensure specific criteria are met.

Passport Validity (Minimum):
3 months after expected return to UAE

UAE Residency Validity (Minimum):
90 days after expected return to UAE

School/College NOC Required:
Yes

Parent/Guardian NOC Required:
Yes

Schengen Visa

-----------------------------
Visa Classification: Type C
Visa Type: Single/Multiple Entry
Visa Fee (Aged 6-12): EUR 45
Visa Fee (Aged 12+): EUR 90
Validity: Varies depending on travel history

The Slovakian Embassy outsource their consular services to BLS International.

During the visa application process, including scheduling the mandatory appointment, you will therefore be required to liaise directly with BLS International.

Please kindly note, that it is the Slovak Embassy that ultimately make the final decision as to whether or not to approve or deny any visa to Slovakia.

All steps have been outlined below for your reference:  

  1. Schedule the mandatory visa appointment 
  2. Collect and collate all required paperwork
  3. Attend the visa appointment in-person
  4. On average, the visa process takes 15 working days
  5. Collect/receive passport with attached visa
  6. All set – we hope your child has a great trip!

The earliest you can apply is 6 months before departure.

Due to the high demand for visa appointments, we would recommend that you schedule your child’s visa appointment as soon as the trip has been confirmed.

If you are fortunate to receive a prompt appointment, please ensure you have enough time to request the supporting documents from both the school and trip provider.

Parent/Guardian to provide:

  • Slovakia visa application checklist
  • Slovakia visa application form
  • 1 x studio-quality passport photograph (<6 months old)
  • Photocopy of child’s passport
  • Photocopy of child’s UAE residency visa
  • Photocopy of child’s Emirates ID
  • Photocopy of all child’s previous visas
  • Photocopy of child’s birth certificate (English)
  • Parental no objection certificate (NOC), stamped by MoFA
  • Photocopy of parent/guardian(s) passport
  • Photocopy of parent/guardian(s) UAE residency visa
  • Salary certificate (From the child’s UAE sponsors employer)
  • Trade licence (If child’s UAE sponsor is self-employed)
  • Bank statements (Last 3 months, original, stamped by the bank, in the name of the child’s UAE sponsor). Foreign accounts will not be considered.
  • Pay slips (Last 3 months, in the name of the child’s UAE sponsor)
  • Divorce certificate (If applicable)

Parent/Guardian to request from school:

  • School no objection certificate – the NOC should include the child’s full name as per their passport, along with the details and ID copy of the accompanying teacher(s).
  • Enrolment certificate issued by the Ministry of Education – KHDA, ADEK, SPEA, ADEK, UAQ-ED, FEZ, RAK-EZ)

Parent/Guardian to request from trip provider:

  • Invitation letter
  • Flight confirmation
  • Proof of accommodation 
  • Full day-to-day itinerary
  • Travel insurance (EUR 30,000 minimum coverage & repatriation)

Unless extenuating circumstances, it is mandatory for both parent/guardian(s) to attend the biometric appointment with the travelling student. This requirement is of utmost importance.

On average, visa applications take 15 working days.

Yes, the Slovak Embassy/Consulate will keep your child’s passport whilst their application is being processed. 

If you cannot secure an appointment with BLS International, you will need to contact the Embassy directly to request an appointment. This is not guaranteed, but on occasion they will manually release an appointment for students travelling with their school. 

Please note, BLS International cannot simply facilitate an additional appointment, or ‘squeeze one more person in.’ All appointments are pre-approved and released by the relevant authority.