“A national visa will be issued for the period for which the scholarship was awarded, plus 14 days before the start and 30 days after the end, but for no more than one year,” explained the Ministry of Education, Science, Research, and Youth of the Slovak Republic. These changes will take effect on September 1, 2026, and will apply to foreign nationals from third countries who come to Slovakia to study at universities or engage in research and development.
At its meeting, the Slovak government approved a resolution introducing new rules for issuing national visas. In this way, the government aims to support the internationalization of higher education and attract more foreign students, faculty, and researchers to the country.
Who is affected by these changes?
The new rules will apply to third-country nationals arriving in Slovakia on scholarships. This includes programs funded by the government, implemented under international agreements, or forming part of European Union programs in education, youth, and sports (such as Erasmus+).
These steps are part of the “Strategy for the Internationalization of Higher Education by 2030” (Stratégia internacionalizácie vysokého školstva do roku 2030), which the Slovak government approved on December 8, 2021. The main goal of the strategy is to make Slovak higher education more attractive and competitive on the international stage.
Validity Period and Renewal of Visas
A national visa will be issued for the duration of the scholarship, plus 14 days before it begins and 30 days after it ends. In total, the validity period may not exceed one year. This additional time allows foreign nationals to prepare for their studies or work and to take care of organizational matters before departure.
It will be possible to renew a national visa. This is possible if you are coming to Slovakia under a different program, and at least 15 days have passed between the expiration of your previous visa and the issuance of the new one.
Additional Changes and Context
These changes are part of broader immigration reforms that took effect on July 15, 2026. Among other things, the validity period of the national visa (Type D) has been extended from 90 to 120 days for those entering Slovakia to apply for a residence permit. This provides applicants with greater flexibility and legal certainty.
The processing times for applications have also changed: it now takes 41–43 calendar days to process a national visa application submitted through a consulate, and up to 90 days for a temporary residence permit for study purposes.
