President Signs into Law New Rules for Accepting Foreigners

Bratislava, 26 June (TASR) - Rules for accepting foreigners in Slovakia will change, as some of the administrative obligations will be cancelled altogether while other procedures simplified, according to the amendment to the legislation on the residence of foreigners, signed into law by the President Peter Pellegrini on Thursday. Part of the adjustment is, for example, the cancellation of the obligation to attach proof of financial security for the stay of foreigners. „Everything is always in accordance with European legislation. In this case, it's a condition that can be verified even after granting or renewing residence, for example, as part of the obligation for foreigners to have financial security for each month of the remaining stay during the granted residence," the Interior Ministry, which sponsored the legislative adjustment, explained. The amendment also cancels the obligation to attach photographs to the residence application of third-country nationals. „At the police departments concerned with foreigners, biometric data including facial photographs are collected," the ministry noted. The validity of national visas granted for the purpose of obtaining a residence permit is also extended from the current 90 to 120 days. The ministry justified the changes by aiming to simplify the system and the duties of the police departments concerned with foreigners. The amendment will come into effect as of July 1, 2025. mf/mcs