VISA & PERMIT

There are things you just can't avoid when you are moving to a new country.

Just remember: patience and preparedness will get you a long way! And generally, do not try to tackle Slovenian administration on your own. Visit with a tutor or a buddy.

The processes you need to go through depend on your personal circumstances and expectations. Generally, your country of origin will determine the procedures to a great extent, but you will have to make some decisions. Below is an overview of processes needed to be undertaken:

All: once you are in Slovenia you will have to register your address, get a tax number and open a bank account
EU & EEA citizens: need to obtain residence registration certificate if you are staying here for more than three months
Swiss nationals: need to obtain residence permit if you are staying here for more than three months
Non-EU, EEA or Swiss citizens: need to obtain a long-term visa (type D) or a temporary residence permit

Specific processes are described below, just jump to the relevant section.

At the link below you will find some answers related to obtaining visas and residence permits. Senior Advisor to the Rector of University of Primorska Aleš Oven answers the questions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sxqyh44McW0

GOOD LUCK!

Who needs it?

EU & EEA citizens

How can you get it?

File an application at the Administrative Unit in Koper.

Supply the following documents:

1. FIRST APPLICATION:

Application form: available here (example application)
Annex 3 - signature (example)
Biometric colour photograph
Copy of Passport (page with biographic data) / ID
Certificate of enrolment
Proof of sufficient means of subsistence (statement provided by the student is enough)
Proof of health insurance (blue card)

2. PERMIT PROLONGATION:

Application form: available here (example application)
Annex 3 - signature (example)
Biometric colour photograph
Copy of Passport (page with biographic data) / ID
Certificate of enrolment
Proof of sufficient means of subsistence (statement provided by the student is enough)
Proof of health insurance (blue card)

THE APPLICATION AND COMPLETE DOCUMENTATION MUST BE DELIVERED TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT UNTIL 30 SEPTEMBER 2022.

How soon should you arrange it?

Within three months after arriving to Slovenia.

Time needed

Couple of months

Cost

EUR 21.92 € + documents and translations

Where?

At the administrative unit, where you live:

Administrative Unit Koper:

NEW ADDRESS: Piranska cesta 2 6000 Koper-Capodistria (NEAR ARENA BONIFIKA)

Administrative Unit Piran:

Lucija, Obala 114a, 6320 Portorož

Administrative Unit Izola:

Cesta v Pregavor 3a, 6310 Izola

Office hours:
Monday: 8 am – 12 noon and 1 pm – 3 pm
Tuesday: 8 am – 12 noon and 1 pm – 3 pm
Wednesday: 8 am – 12 noon and 1 pm – 6 pm
Friday: 8 am – 1 pm

Important information to know

About visiting the Administrative Unit:

They might speak only Slovene, so visit with a tutor or a buddy
Leave your telephone number and a telephone number of the person speaking Slovene (tutor, buddy)
Pick up the certificate when they call you

More info: Website info tujci

Who needs it?

All who cannot enter Slovenia without a visa. Check here (choose your region and country and you will be able to see if you can enter Slovenia without a visa or not).

How can you get it?

Ask for a short-term visa aka VISA C aka Schengen visa at the relevant embassy. Supply the following documents:

Application form for visa C: available here
Passport (valid at least 3 months longer than the intended stay)
Copy of the passport - page with biographic data, page with entry stamp and visa
Biometric colour photograph –
Proof of accommodation, or proof of sufficient funds to cover the applicant's accommodation;
Proof of sufficient funds for the stay and return to home country;
Medical travel insurance:
- coverage of at least EUR 30,000
- valid in Europe / Schengen countries
- includes medical emergencies, urgent care, medical evacuation and repatriation of remains
- valid for the entire period of applicant's intended stay
Proof of sufficient financial means
Documents describing the purpose of the journey - Studies:
- Letter of acceptance or letter of enrollment
Documents describing the purpose of the journey - Business:
- Invitation letter
- Guarantee letter
Documents describing the purpose of the journey - Tourism:
- Accommodation reservation (invitation from host; accommodation reservations);
- Bookings of activities.
Information enabling an assessment of the applicant's intention to leave the EU:
- Return ticket or a reservation;
- Proof of financial means in the country of residence;
- Proof of employment; bank statements;
- Proof of real estate ownership;
- Proof of integration into the country of residence: family ties, professional status.
Prepaid express courier envelope (some embassies will send the passport with a visa to you via snail mail. You can thus avoid one visit to the embassy, but be sure to submit an envelope with your application).

How soon should you arrange it?

Between 3 weeks and 3 months before arrival in Slovenia.

Time needed

2 weeks

Cost

EUR 60

EUR 35 for citizens of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia and Ukraine.

Where?

At the embassy of the Republic of Slovenia or one of its collaborating embassies. Check here to find the closest embassy.

Important information to know

Check the embassy's webpage before launching an application. Contact your closest embassy to learn about the specific process at that embassy and schedule an interview if needed.

More info

WEBSITE OF THE SLOVENIAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Who needs it?

Non-EU, EEA or Swiss citizens

More specifically, all who cannot enter Slovenia without a visa. Check here (choose your region and country and you will be able to see if you can enter Slovenia without a visa or not).

How can you get it?

Ask for a longterm visa aka VISA D at the Slovenian embassy. Supply the following documents:

Application form for visa D: available here
Passport (valid at least 3 months longer than the intended stay)
Copy of the passport - page with biographic data, page with entry stamp and visa
Biometric colour photograph – see requirements
Medical travel insurance
- coverage of at least EUR 30,000
- valid in Europe / Schengen countries
- includes medical emergencies, urgent care, medical evacuation and repatriation of remains
- valid for the entire period of applicant's intended stay
Proof of sufficient financial means
Letter of acceptance or letter of enrollment
prepaid express courier envelope (some embassies will send the passport with a visa to you via snail mail. You can thus avoid one visit to the embassy, but be sure to submit an envelope with your application)

The visa also serves as a basis for application for the residency permit in Slovenia; in this case, the FBI background check or country-specific equivalent is required with the visa application.

Please note: if you are applying for a RESIDENCY PERMIT on the basis of visa D, the background check can only be 3 months old on the date of the issue of the residency permit and it needs to have an Apostille, so be sure to bring an Apostilled background check and submit the application for residency permit immediately after your arrival to Slovenia.

NEW!! From May 2021 Visa D can be issued in Slovenia for a period shorter than 90 days (if it gets lost or stolen).

How soon should you arrange it?

Between 3 weeks and 3 months before arrival in Slovenia.

Time needed

2 weeks

Cost

EUR 77

Where?

At the embassy of the Republic of Slovenia.

Be aware that a long-term visa (visa D) can be issued only by the Slovenian embassy, while tourist visas can also be issued by other embassies of the EU. Check here to find the closest embassy.

Important information to know

Check the embassy's webpage before launching an application. Contact your closest embassy to learn about the specific process at that embassy and schedule an interview if needed.

More info

WEBSITE OF THE SLOVENIAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

If you can enter Slovenia without a visa, you can, as a student, ask for the temporary residence permit once you are already here. Be sure to bring the documents you will need with you!

Who needs it?

Non-EU, EEA or Swiss citizens

How can you get it?

File an application for a temporary residence permit for the purpose of studies.

Supply the following documents:

Application form (permit for studies): pdf and here you can also find a example application
Passport (valid at least 3 months longer than the intended stay)
Passport copy - page with biographic data, page with entry stamp and visa
Biometric colour photograph - 3,5 x 4,5cm + Annex 4 - signature
Health insurance, covering at least emergency medical services
- for countries with which Slovenia has an agreement, you bring the proof from your home country's health institute
Proof of sufficient financial means (currently EUR 421.89 per month) - options:

if by the law of the country where you are coming from, your parents have to support you during your studies, you can prove your financial means with a statement from your parents, supported by a birth certificate on an international form not older than 3 months. The statement must be notarized If by the law your parents don't have to support you financially, then you have to provide also:
Employment contract + bank statement
Scholarship contract
sufficient funds available on your bank account - provide bank statements for the last 6 months (proving long-term availability of funds, or regular income - sudden bank transfers are not always accepted by Slovene administration)
Any combination of the above
- Amendment to the foreigners act sufficient means of subsistence

Police clearance certificate from home country, not older than 3 months and with Apostille (or properly legalised, if your country does not issue Apostilles - exception: citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Serbia and Russia do not need to legalise document);
Two fingerprints (taken at the administrative unit or the embassy);
Certificate of enrolment
Transcript of records (only students enroled in higher year, not freshman)
Statement that the person is not supporting anyone in Slovenia and does not have any family members in Slovenia (form).

All documents have to be translated into Slovene by a court-appointed translator!

BRING YOUR COMPLETE DOCUMENTATION WITH YOU AT THE ORIENTATION DAYS, WE WILL CHECK IT TOGETHER. DO NET SEND IT TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT AS WE WILL TAKE IT THERE ON YOUR BEHALF.

How soon should you arrange it?

If applying abroad: at least three to six months before your intended arrival to Slovenia.

If applying in Slovenia: before your lawful stay in Slovenia ends (usually three months / 90 days or shorter if you have a visa).

Time needed

Up to six months in Koper, elsewhere less.

Cost

EUR 69,97 + documents and translations

Where?

At the embassy of the Republic of Slovenia abroad or at the Administrative Unit where you live.

Be aware that you can ask for the residence permit at the Slovenian embassy, but not in other EU embassies. Check here to find the closest embassy and working time.

Administrative Unit Koper:

Piranska cesta 2 6000 Koper-Capodistria (NEAR ARENA BONIFIKA)

Administrative Unit Piran:

Lucija, Obala 114a, 6320 Portorož

Administrative Unit Izola:

Cesta v Pregavor 3a, 6310 Izola

Office hours:
Monday: 8 am – 12 noon and 1 pm – 3 pm
Tuesday: 8 am – 12 noon and 1 pm – 3 pm
Wednesday: 8 am – 12 noon and 1 pm – 6 pm
Friday: 8 am – 1 pm

Important information to know

If you can enter Slovenia without a visa, we recommend you launch an application once you are already here! Be sure to bring the required documents with you (especially police clearance).

About visiting the Administrative Unit:

They might speak only Slovene, so visit with a tutor or a buddy;
Leave your telephone number and a telephone number of the person speaking Slovene (tutor, buddy);
Pick up the permit when they call you.

WHEN YOU PICK UP THE TEMPORARY RESIDENCE PERMIT, ALSO BRING THE DOCUMENTS NEEDED TO REGISTER A TEMPORARY ADDRESS

If you apply for the permit at the embassy abroad, check the embassy's webpage before launching an application. Contact your closest embassy to learn about the specific process at that embassy and schedule an interview if needed.

More info

Website info tujci

PhD students are also considered researchers and can request for a permit for the purpose of work in research and higher education.

If you can enter Slovenia without a visa, you can, as a researcher, ask for the temporary residence permit once you are already here. Be sure to bring the documents you will need with you!

Who needs it?

PhD students who are Non-EU, EEA or Swiss citizens

How can you get it?

File an application for a temporary residence permit for the purpose of work in research and higher education.

Supply the following documents:

Application form (permit for studies): pdf and here you can also find a example application
Passport (valid at least 3 months longer than the intended stay)
Passport copy - page with biographic data, page with entry stamp and visa
Biometric colour photograph - 3,5 x 4,5cm + Annex 4 - signature
Health insurance, covering at least emergency medical services
- for countries with which Slovenia has an agreement, you bring the proof from your home country's health institute
Proof of sufficient financial means (currently EUR 421.89 per month) - options:

if by the law of the country where you are coming from, your parents have to support you during your studies, you can bring the notirized statement from your parents stating the sum of support and international birth certificate
bank statements for the last six months (proving long-term availability of funds, or regular income - sudden bank transfers are not always accepted by Slovene administration);
Employment contract;
Scholarship contract or similar.

Police clearance certificate from home country, not older than 3 months and with Apostille (or properly legalised, if your country does not issue Apostilles - exception: citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Serbia and Russia do not need to legalise document);
Two fingerprints (taken at the administrative unit or the embassy);
Research agreement established between you and UP - example.
Statement that the person is not supporting anyone in Slovenia and does not have any family members in Slovenia (form) - example.

All documents have to be translated into Slovene by a court-appointed translator!

How soon should you arrange it?

Time needed

Up to six months in Koper, elsewhere less.

Cost

EUR 69.97 + documents and translations

Where?

At the embassy of the Republic of Slovenia abroad or at the Administrative Unit in Koper.

Be aware that you can ask for the residence permit at the Slovenian embassy, but not in other EU embassies. Check here to find the closest embassy and working time.

Administrative Unit Koper:

NEW ADDRESS: Piranska cesta 2 6000 Koper-Capodistria (NEAR ARENA BONIFIKA)

Office hours:
Monday: 8 am – 12 noon and 1 pm – 3 pm
Tuesday: 8 am – 12 noon and 1 pm – 3 pm
Wednesday: 8 am – 12 noon and 1 pm – 6 pm
Friday: 8 am – 1 pm

Important information to know

You have to pick up the permit where you filed an application. Be careful! If you can enter Slovenia without a visa and you launched an application at the embassy abroad, and you arrive in Slovenia before the permit was issued, you will have to go back to your country to pick it up.

Therefore, if you can enter Slovenia without a visa, we recommend you launch an application once you are already here! Be sure to bring the required documents with you (especially police clearance).

About visiting the Administrative Unit:

They might speak only Slovene, so visit with a tutor or a buddy;
Leave your telephone number and a telephone number of the person speaking Slovene (tutor, buddy);
Pick up the permit when they call you.

More info

Website info tujci

If you are a regularly enrolled student, you will have to apply for a temporary residence.

If you are coming for an exchange, you can choose whether you will apply for a visa D, or temporary residence permit.

Main differences:

Visa is processed much faster (2 weeks instead of three months)
Health insurance for visa can be more expensive

Generally, we advise:

If you can enter Slovenia without a visa: apply for the permit once you are already in Slovenia.
If you need a visa to enter Slovenia: apply immediately for a long-term visa (visa D), unless you believe that this would be much more expensive than first getting a short-term visa (visa C) and then also launching a temporary residence permit request once already in Slovenia, due to the visit to the Slovenian embassy. In either case, check with the embassy before the final decision. Some embassies allow you to file a longterm visa application without a personal visit to the embassy, so you can arrange everything via mail! This significantly reduces the costs of your visa application.

Who needs it?

Non-EU, EEA or Swiss citizens, who have their family members abroad and would like to live with them in Slovenia.

Majority of people can request for their family to join them only after a year after the issue of their temporary residence card. This unfortunately includes all people, who were granted temporary residence permits on the basis of their studies.

There are some exceptions, who can immediately request for the unification of their family:

People whose permits were issued for the purpose of work in research and higher education;
Blue card holders;
EU citizens.

Therefore we advise, especially to PhD students, to request for a permit for the purpose of work in research and higher education. In this case, the applicant is the PhD student, who submits the application with the supporting documentation.

How can you get it?

File an application for a temporary residence permit for the purpose of family unification. Applicant is the person who is unifying his/her family.

Supply the following documents:

Application form (permit for studies): doc or pdf
Passport (valid at least 3 months longer than the intended stay)
Passport copy - page with biographic data, page with entry stamp and visa
Biometric colour photograph - 3,5 x 4,5cm + Annex 4 - signature
Health insurance
- Health insurance, covering at least emergency medical services
  - for countries with which Slovenia has an agreement, you bring the proof from your home country's health institute
- Proof of sufficient financial means (currently EUR 421.89 per month per person) - options:
1. Own funds of the family member (bank statement, employment contract, etc.);
2. Statement that you will financially support your family members (form).
- Police clearance certificate from home country, not older than 3 months and with Apostille (or properly legalised, if your country does not issue Apostilles - exception: citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Serbia and Russia do not need to legalise document);
- Two fingerprints (taken at the administrative unit or the embassy);
- Proof of relationship status (marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.) with Apostille (or properly legalised, if your country does not issue Apostilles - exception: citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Serbia and Russia do not need to legalise document).
All documents have to be translated into Slovene by a court-appointed translator!

How soon should you arrange it?

As soon as you receive your temporary residence permit.

Time needed

Up to six months in Koper, elsewhere less.

Cost

EUR 69.97 + documents and translations

Where?

At the Administrative Unit in Koper or Administrative Unit in your place of living.

Be aware that you can ask for the residence permit at the Slovenian embassy, but not in other EU embassies. Check here to find the closest embassy and working time.

Administrative Unit Koper:
NEW ADDRESS: Piranska cesta 2 6000 Koper-Capodistria (NEAR ARENA BONIFIKA)
Office hours:
Monday: 8 am – 12 noon and 1 pm – 3 pm
Tuesday: 8 am – 12 noon and 1 pm – 3 pm
Wednesday: 8 am – 12 noon and 1 pm – 6 pm
Friday: 8 am – 1 pm

Important information to know

About visiting the Administrative Unit:
- They might speak only Slovene, so visit with a tutor or a buddy;
- Leave your telephone number and a telephone number of the person speaking Slovene (tutor, buddy);
- Pick up the permit when they call you.
WHEN YOU PICK UP THE TEMPORARY RESIDENCE PERMIT, ALSO BRING THE DOCUMENTS NEEDED TO REGISTER A TEMPORARY ADDRESS

If you apply for the permit at the embassy abroad, check the embassy's webpage before launching an application. Contact your closest embassy to learn about the specific process at that embassy and schedule an interview if needed.

More info

Website info tujci

Swiss nationals can reside in Slovenia for up to 3 months without any special permit. If they stay longer than 3 months, they have to obtain a residence permit.

Who needs it?

Swiss citizens

How can you get it?

ile an application for a temporary residence permit.

Supply the following documents:

Application form: available here
Valid Swiss travel document
Biometric colour photograph - see requirements
Health insurance
- coverage of at least EUR 30,000
- valid in Europe / Schengen countries
Proof of sufficient financial means (EUR 402.18 per month - statement suffices)
Certificate of enrolment
Transcript of records
All documents have to be translated into Slovene by a court-appointed translator!

How soon should you arrange it?

Within three months after your arrival to Slovenia.

Time needed

Few of months

Cost

EUR 66.50 + documents and translations

Where?

At the administrative unit.

Administrative Unit Koper:

NEW ADDRESS: Piranska cesta 2 6000 Koper-Capodistria (NEAR ARENA BONIFIKA)

Office hours:
Monday: 8 am – 12 noon and 1 pm – 3 pm
Tuesday: 8 am – 12 noon and 1 pm – 3 pm
Wednesday: 8 am – 12 noon and 1 pm – 6 pm
Friday: 8 am – 1 pm

Important information to know

About visiting the Administrative Unit:

They might speak only Slovene, so visit with a tutor or a buddy
Leave your telephone number and a telephone number of the person speaking Slovene (tutor, buddy)
Pick up the certificate when they call you

More info:

Website info tujci