Long-term stay of the foreigner – citizen of a third country in Slovakia
While citizens of European Union countries obtain permanent residence immediately (without requiring several years of temporary residence), the condition for obtaining permanent residence for a a third country citizen is at least five years of temporary residence in Slovakia. Another condition is that the long-term stay will immediately follow a five-year temporary residence permit. Therefore it is not possible to have temporary residence for five years and then after a few months or years, to apply for a long-term stay. Also a Blue Card holder may apply for a long-term stay when he meets the above mentioned criteria. Certain specifics regarding the five-year period are mentioned in § 52 of the Aliens act.
Please note that if a long-term residence in another Member State is granted, the residence permit in Slovakia expires. Also if the foreigner is not present in the Slovak Republic for some time, long-term residence will be canceled.
An application for long-term residence permit is submitted to the competent Alien Police Department. It requires that the application is submitted by the foreigner in person. The only exception is the case of the foreigners immobility.
Attached to the application are:
- a valid travel document, otherwise the application will not be accepted at all
- two photographs measuring 3 x 3.5 cm showing current foreigners image
- proof of stable and regular resources for him and for his family members, as not to become a burden on the social system of the Slovak Republic
- proof of having accommodation
- proof of health insurance in Slovakia
The stable and regular resources can be proved particularly by employment contract, the employers confirmation of the amount of wages paid, confirmation of the bank account balance at the foreigners bank account or proof of receiving pension benefits. For example, a family member who was granted temporary residence for the purpose of family reunification, can demonstrate compliance with this condition by an affidavit of spouse, parent or person to whom he is entrusted to the care, that they will provide the third-country national financial and material support during his residence in the Slovak Republic, together with the proof mentioned in the previous sentence. Thus, the application of wife or children, shall be accompanied by an affidavit from her husband and confirmation of the balance on his personal account.
Deadline for deciding on the long stay of foreigners
In this case the police department has 90 days to decide (as in granting the temporary residence).