Moscow (source: Pexels)
Slovakia has been reported as resuming the processing of tourist visas for Russian citizens, more than three years after suspending them in response to Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. However, the Slovak Foreign Ministry has clarified that a complete halt in visa issuance never actually occurred.
The ministry, led by Smer politician Juraj Blanár, told Denník N that Slovakia has consistently complied with EU rules.
“From the EU’s position, there was never a clear decision to suspend the issuance of tourist visas. At the EU level, only the so-called visa facilitation agreement, which simplified procedures, was suspended,” the ministry explained.
“As an EU member state, Slovakia observes European legislation and follows EU regulations, which are binding. Therefore, tourist visa issuance for citizens of the Russian Federation could not have been abolished by Slovakia,” the ministry added.
The clarification comes after Russian media reported that visa service company BLS International had begun accepting Slovak tourist visa applications again this summer, with offices in Moscow and St Petersburg. Applications can also be made directly through Slovakia’s embassy in Moscow. A notice on the company’s website states simply that Slovakia “is again accepting tourist visa applications”.
Statistics confirm that Slovakia did not stop issuing visas even after the invasion. According to data compiled by the the Slovak Border and Immigration Police, nearly 3,500 Russian citizens applied for Slovak visas in 2022 — more than from any other country — with about 80 percent of applications approved. In subsequent years, Russian demand declined, but approval rates rose further, reports Denník N.
Slovakia offers both C-type visas, which allow short-term stays of up to 90 days in the Schengen Area for tourism, and D-type national visas, which permit longer stays in Slovakia along with Schengen-wide travel.
