The Balkan state of Slovenia is renowned for its gorgeous coastline on the Adriatic Sea. Stunningly picturesque, tourists can ski and hike throughout its mountainous countryside, swim in its many lakes, and marvel at well preserved Ljubljana; its historic capital.
You may need a visa to travel to Slovenia, depending on where you are from (nationality), the length of your trip (duration of stay), and your reason for travel (type of visa needed).
There are numerous types of visas for Slovenia, which are valid for travel for specific purposes and times. Different Slovenia visas have different Slovenia visa requirements and validity periods.
In general, Slovenia visas can be divided into two main categories: short stay visas and long stay visas (a long stay visa for Slovenia is required for those looking to spend more than 90 days in the country).
Another main distinction relates to allowed entries: a single entry will allow you just one entry into the country; a multiple entry visa for Slovenia will let you enter and exit as many times as needed.
A long stay visa for Slovenia will allow you to stay in the country for up to one year. Long term visas are available for the following purposes:
The following documents are typically required for all visas to Slovenia:
Official, government-issued document, not older than 10 years, with the correct validity length (a minimum three months past the intended day of exit from Slovenia)
Your Slovenia visa fee will depend on the type of visa you are applying for, and possibly other factors, such as your age. Schengen visa fees are €80 for most applicants; the national Slovenia visa fee is €77
Two recently taken photos of the applicant. Photos should be passport style (and have passport dimensions).
You will almost certainly have to submit additional documents on your Slovenia visa application. Requested documents are typically those which help visa authorities confirm your identity, determine the truthfulness of your stated purpose of travel, and assess your financial state. The type of Slovenia visa you apply for will determine your supplemental documents, which may include the following:
Identity documents, such as your birth certificate
Documents showing your finances, such as your bank balance
Information about where you will stay in Slovenia
Proof of university education, etc.
Please note that all documents will likely need to be written in Slovenian or English (or accompanied by official translations into either).
Applicants for Slovenia visas should follow these general steps, which may vary slightly depending on numerous factors, including visa type and application destination.
Choose your visa duration
Determine how long you intend to be in Slovenia i.e. what type of Slovenian visa you need: long, short, or airport. This will determine how you proceed with the subsequent application steps.
Select your Slovenia visa purpose
Choose your reason for travel (tourism, business, etc.)
Select your entry category
Your selection of the single-entry visa for Slovenia or the multiple entry visa for Slovenia will determine whether or not you may travel in and out of the country/Schengen area throughout your visa period. Consider that holders of the single-entry visa for Slovenia cannot return to the country after exiting.
Determine where to apply
Find your physical application destination (place where you will submit your visa application). This is typically the Slovenian Embassy/Consulate or associated visa-application center where you live. For more information, see “where to apply.”
Access your main application form
Apply for the Slovenian Schengen visa by downloading the universal Schengen visa form.
The national Slovenian visa form is also available for download.
Gather the rest of your documents
Gather your required documents as well as the supplemental ones required for your specific Slovenia visa type.
Almost all Slovenia visa applicants must attend a visa appointment at their application destination (local Slovenia embassy/consulate/visa application center). Scheduling a Slovenia visa interview can take days, weeks, or even months. Contact your application destination directly (via email/phone) to make an appointment.
This is where you will submit your biometric information, be interviewed, pay your Slovenia visa fees, and meet other requirements pertaining to your visa type. This is typically the final stage of the Slovenia visa application process; you will either be granted a visa upon the conclusion of your appointment, receive a rejection, or leave to await a decision.
Please note that certain visas may require subsequent steps (for example, if you are applying for a long term Slovenia Working visa you may need to apply for Slovenia Work Permit—other long term visas (such as the Slovenia Business visa) may require you to apply for a residence permit for Slovenia. For more information about whether your visa application will subsequently require you to seek a Slovenia Work Permit or a residence permit for Slovenia, make sure to research the specific visa requirements for your specific visa type.
Slovenia visa application processing occurs at Slovenian embassies and consulates (and their associated visa application centers) around the world. Depending on the type of Slovenia visa you seek, you may be able to apply online (the Slovenia Schengen visa application, for example, is online). However, even online applicants must fulfill the in-person Slovenia visa requirements, which can only be fulfilled at physical Slovenia embassies/consulates and visa application centers. If you are outside of Slovenia and are applying for a Slovenia visa, you will apply through the Slovenia embassy/consulate or visa application center where you live.
Applicants for short-stay visas to Slovenia are advised to submit their application a minimum of fourteen days before their intended trip. And while applying well in advance is recommended, applying too early (i.e. over six months before departure) is discouraged.
The Slovenia visa application processing time varies. Factors which determine how long it will take to get your visa include the following:
Depending on all of these factors, you could expect to receive a visa in days, weeks, or even months after you apply.
Depending on where you are from, you may need a visa to enter the country, regardless of how long you intend to stay. Some nationalities do not need a visa to travel to Slovenia. Regardless of your nationality, however, you will need a visa if you intend to stay in the country longer than 90 days and you are not an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen.
Get a travel document for Slovenia (visa) by submitting an application to your local Slovenia embassy/consulate/visa application center, meeting the visa requirements, and paying your visa fee.
The amount of money you need depends on the Schengen country you are visiting. You will likely need to show several months proof of salary/bank statements in order to meet the Schengen proof of funds requirement.
Choose from among the various types of Slovenia visa you need to apply for by considering your reason for travel and how long you want to stay in the country. These factors will determine the type of visa you need. In addition to visa type, you should also determine how many entries you need—i.e. whether you need a multiple entry visa for Slovenia or a single entry visa for Slovenia.
Rejected Schengen visa applicants can appeal the decision, reapply, or apply for another travel document for Slovenia (different Slovenia visa, such as a Slovenia Working visa or a Slovenia Business visa).