Slovakia is a member state of the European Union as well as one of the member states of the Schengen zone. Within the Schengen zone there is free movement of individuals, meaning that persons may freely cross borders anywhere within the member states without having to undergo border checks. Inner borders have been eliminated in the Schengen zone, while on the other hand, enforcement of the outer borders has increased. A common approach to visa policies has been brought into effect. In practice this should mean that all member states of the Schengen zone are to enforce uniform rules for issuing visas.
Member states of the Schengen zone are: Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Holland, Iceland, Lithuania, Latvia, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Germany, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Austria, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, and Italy.
From the list of countries given, it is clear that not all states which are members of the Schengen zone are member states of the European Union and vice versa. Therefore varied border regimens have emerged. For example, at the borders of Switzerland there is a customs check, but not a border control, but then on the border between Romania and Bulgaria is the reverse, they have a passport control but there is no customs inspection.
Nationals of third countries which have a visa obligation, require for entry to the Schengen zone a valid visa. This requirement applies to the citizens of Ukraine. In the event where they are without a visa, they must submit their request for a visa to be issued at the appropriate local embassy or consulate general. For the citizens of Ukraine, these are:
- Consular department of the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Kiev (Ukrajina, 010 34, Kyjev, ul. Patoržinského 14; tel.: +38 (044) 220 12 03, +38 (044) 220 12 04).
- General consulate of the Slovak Republic in Uzhhorod (Ukrajina, 88000, Užhorod, ul. Lokoty 4; tel.: +38 (0312) 613495)
A visa request may be submitted by citizens of Ukraine directly at the above presented consular offices, or by means of the visa centers in Kiev (for the consular department of the Embassy in Kiev), or in Uzhhorod (for the general consulate in Uzhhorod, and visa centers administrated by the company PONY-EXPRESS (www.pony-visa.com.ua). At the consular offices, citizens of Ukraine may submit their visa request after registration by means of the page: https://ezov.mzv.sk.
Visa
Slovakia issues applicants visas in the form of a visa sticker. This visa authorizes the foreigner to enter the Schengen area, or to stay within it for the duration of visa validity. That time period, as well as the period of residency (number of days residing) is marked within the visa sticker. Within the framework of applying a common approach, member countries of the Schengen zone issue a visa which is valid for all countries of the Schengen zone.
Visas are issued by the embassies and general consulates abroad or in exceptional cases (e.g. humanitarian reasons) by police in the SR at the border crossing. The visa authorizes the foreigner to pass through or to remain in the Schengen area for the duration of the validity of the visa. Period of residency and validity of visa is marked on the visa sticker. Within the framework of Schengen cooperation, countries which are part of the Schengen area issue visas which are generally uniform and valid for all Schengen states.
Types of visa
The type of visa depends on the purpose and duration of the trip. As to what kind of visa and time limit the consular office shall decide, the one at which you have sumitted your request. According to the purpose and duration, the visas issued may be divided into several categories:
- Schengen visa type A – Airport transit visa
- Schengen visa type C – Entry visa
- Long-term visa D
Schengen visa type A, the so-called airport transit visa, is a visa given to a foreigner travelling from one third state to another third state, passing through the international transit areas of an airport of one of the member states of the Schengen zone. Length of the stay reflects the time required for the purposes of transit.
Schengen visa type C, or the so-called entry visa is a visa which enables a national from a third country to enter the territory of the countries of the Schengen zone on one or perhaps a few trips (single- or multiple-entry). This visa is issued for a certain period and there is a set number of days which the foreigner may stay within the Schengen zone. It is issued for a stay up to a maximum of 90 days within 6 consecutive months from the date of the first entry into the Schengen zone. The number of days the foreigner has spent, or may yet spend within the Schengen zone may be ascertained with the aid of the Schengen calculator (https://ec.europa.eu/assets/home/visa-calculator/calculator.htm?lang=en).
Long-term visa D – is often granted in connection with the issuance of a residency permit in Slovakia. This visa also authorizes the holder to travel to other countries of the Schengen zone, although residency in other states of the Schengen zone may not exceed 90 days over a period of 6 consecutive months from the first day of entry into the Schengen zone.
Depending on the type of visa, there may be differences in the length of time during which the consular office must decide concerning its issuance. In the visa codex there is a stipulated period of 15 days. In rare cases this time period can be extended, and therefore it is neccessary for the applicant to request his visa with sufficient advance time. In the case of Ukraine, this time has shortened to 10 days, for between Ukraine and the European community an agreement has been signed as to simplifying the procedure for issuing visas.
To obtain a visa a set of documents must be prepared, which are submitted together with the application. In general terms, it is a requirement along with the application to provide the following documents:
- completed forms – Requst for issuance of a Schengen visa – In the case of Ukrainian citizens, the application must be filled out electronically on the page: https://ezov.mzv.sk. After completing the form on this page, it can be regenerated in PDF format and then printed out,
- colour photograph (for the visa),
- valid travel document, whose validity must be at least 3 months longer than the visa requested,
- documents confirming the purpose of the visit,
- documents confirming the provision of accommodation,
- documents confirming financial support,
- documents confirming international insurance for medical expenses valid within the territory of the Schengen zone with insurance coverage of 30 000,- EUR,
- other documents which confirm the identity of the individual and other factual matters.
Regarding the fact that the list of documents can change, we recommend that you verify it before submitting your application at the embassy or consulate. A specific list of documents which are required to submit a visa application at consular offices in Ukraine can be found at the page of the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Ukraine (www.slovakia.kiev.ua).
As already mentioned, there exists an agreement between the European community and Ukraine as to simplifying the procedure for visa issuance, which has made easier the acquisition of visas for the citizens of Ukraine. As pursuant to this agreement, for example, the fee for a visa has lowered from 60 EUR to 35 EUR. There has also been defined a group of applicants who have been completely exempted from visa charges. Named within the agreement are the groups of applicants and conditions by which a visa for a longer time period may be obtained – up to five years.
After the visa has been issued, the applicant may enter the territory of the Slovak Republic by one of the following border crossings with Ukraine:
- Čierna nad Tisou – Čop (railway),
- Ubľa – Malyj Bereznyj – road – personal transport and freight transport up to 3.5 tonnes, pedestrian crossing,
- Veľké Slemence – Mali Selmenici – pedestrian crossing,
- Vyšné Nemecké – Užhorod – road – personal transport and freight transport,
- Airport Bratislava,
- Airport Košice,
- Airport Poprad.
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