Life situations for which foreigners do not need to make an appointment. (source: Peter Dlhopolec - The Slovak Spectator)
Plans for the Foreigners’ Police office in Bratislava to open its doors to foreigners on Saturday, January 25, have been scrapped, with the opening now postponed to a later date.
The decision comes just days after the government stirred controversy by accusing several NGOs, allegedly backed by foreign activists and the opposition, of plotting a coup in Slovakia. However, the Foreigners’ Police have cited a different reason for the change, pointing to “enormous interest” in the service and unspecified “information about potential misuse of the system allowing visits without prior reservations for specific times and dates.”
A few years ago, foreigners would queue overnight outside the Foreigners’ Police office in Bratislava, hoping to submit their applications. Back then, it was widely known that organised groups of foreigners were creating unofficial waiting lists, exploiting the system to make a profit. Later on, the police launched a reservation system on its website to help foreigners. The situation has improved, but the booking system remains under fire for its flaws.
On Thursday, in a bid to address demand, the police announced an alternative plan to extend office hours at locations across Slovakia on select days in February. During these extended hours, foreigners will be able to visit without needing to book a reservation in advance.
On Tuesday, February 4, and Tuesday, February 11, as well as Thursday, February 6, and Thursday, February 13, it will be possible to address the following matters without prior appointment, between 7:40 and 11:40:
Tuesdays:
Applications for permanent residence
Applications for granting/renewing temporary residence for the purpose of study
Thursdays:
Applications for issuing a residence permit document
Applications for granting/renewing temporary residence as a Slovak living abroad
However, even the police acknowledge that this measure will do little to address the bureaucratic challenges faced by many foreigners, given the acute shortage of police officers and a growing number of foreigners coming to Slovakia.
“We ask all foreigners to understand that the Foreigners’ Police departments can only process as many applications as their workplace capacity allows,” the statement reads.
On Monday, the police admitted that the booking system continues to be overwhelmed. The planned Saturday opening of the Bratislava office was meant to ease the strain and help stabilise the system.
