The assembly of new Kia vehicles took place in the production hall of Kia Slovakia in Teplička nad Váhom near Žilina on Tuesday, January 9, 2024. (source: Daniel Stehlik)
The number of so-called national visas will increase from a maximum of 2,000 to a maximum of 10,000 per year. This is intended to streamline the admission of nationals from selected third countries, particularly those with professions in the industrial sector, focusing on the auto industry, which is critical to Slovakia but is facing a workforce shortfall.
The government approved a regulation presented by Labour Minister Erik Tomáš (Hlas) on Thursday.
The regulation will also expand the list of source countries to include India. The minimum settlement period for employers is adjusted from four years to three years.
"The regulation proposal suggests considering a temporary employment agency as an employer, with the condition of verifying the list of third-country nationals by the end-user employer," the regulation states.
Visa reforms and streamlined procedures
The maximum processing time granted to the Central Office of Labour, Social Affairs and Family to assess third-country nationals for the purpose of granting a national visa is extended from five to ten working days.
According to the explanatory report, the regulation proposal aims to streamline the admission process during the coming months, until an amendment to the Foreigners Residence Act becomes effective.
National visas for drivers
Visa numbers will also increase in transportation professions. Specifically, the regulation will raise the number of national visas for bus drivers from a maximum of 200 to a maximum of 2,000 per year.
Similarly, in the profession of heavy-goods vehicle drivers, the limit will increase from 2,000 to a maximum of 5,000 per year.
Source countries will henceforth include India, Indonesia, Nepal and the Philippines.
