AKMV 
In accordance with Slovak Government Regulation No. 520/2021 Coll., it was possible to grant a national D visa to selected groups of third-country nationals, such as bus drivers, heavy truck drivers, and truck drivers in both international and domestic transport. In such cases, the employer could hire a third-country national through a simplified procedure (pursuant to § 23a(1)(ag), third point of the Employment Services Act).
This regulation was repealed by the newer Regulation No. 113/2023 Coll. on the interest of the Slovak Republic in granting national visas to selected groups of third-country nationals.
Which countries’ citizens can be granted a national visa?
According to Regulation No. 113/2023 Coll., nationals of the following third countries are eligible for a D visa:
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Belarus
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Montenegro
- Philippines
- Georgia
- India
- Indonesia
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Moldova
- Nepal
- North Macedonia
- Serbia
- Tajikistan
- Turkmenistan
- Ukraine
- Uzbekistan
Under § 1 of Regulation No. 113/2023 Coll., “It is in the interest of the Slovak Republic to grant national visas in 2025 to third-country nationals who are citizens of the above-mentioned countries and who are included in the list under § 2(2), provided that they will be employed in the following occupations according to the Statistical Classification of Occupations:
- 8331001 – Bus driver
- 8332006 – Heavy truck driver (international transport)“
How many visas can be granted?
The number of visas is limited to 5,000 national visas per calendar year.
According to § 1(2): “A maximum of 5,000 national visas may be granted in a calendar year.”
Which employers can hire foreign workers?
A national visa may be granted for employment under § 1 of the regulation only if the employer:
- a) Is a transport company established in Slovakia for at least ten years.
- b) Has had no personal or financial connections in the last ten years to an individual who is not a Slovak citizen or to a legal entity established outside Slovakia.
- c) Is not undergoing bankruptcy, liquidation, or restructuring.
- d) Has fulfilled all tax and insurance obligations, including advance payments for public health insurance, social insurance, and pension contributions.
- e) Has not been fined for illegal employment in the past five years before submitting the application.
Who cannot be granted a D visa?
A national visa cannot be granted to a third-country national if:
- They already hold a temporary residence permit under § 23 of the Foreigners’ Residence Act at the time of application.
- They have already applied for a temporary residence permit under § 23 of the Foreigners’ Residence Act.
For how long is the D visa granted?
The national visa is issued for the duration of employment, but for a maximum of 180 days. It cannot be renewed or reissued. The foreign worker cannot be employed by another employer or in a different profession than specified in the visa.
Process of obtaining a national visa
The employer must first submit a list of third-country nationals to the Ministry of Transport of the Slovak Republic electronically through the central portal.
After approval by the Ministry of Transport, the application is reviewed by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and the Ministry of the Interior.
The foreign national proves the purpose of stay with an employment contract and the appropriate authorization to operate a motor vehicle.
