In a major update for travellers, students, and professionals planning to visit Slovakia, the Slovak government has officially announced that VFS Global will take over the processing of Slovakia visa applications worldwide starting in 2026. This new partnership is expected to significantly streamline the visa experience for applicants across 83 countries, including India.
The move marks a major step toward modernizing Slovakia’s visa system, improving accessibility, and ensuring a more efficient and secure application process for millions of travellers around the globe.
What Does This Change Mean?
Until now, Slovakia’s visa services were handled through various embassies, consulates, and select outsourcing partners. Beginning in 2026, VFS Global—one of the world’s largest outsourcing and technology services specialists—will officially manage visa application centers for Slovakia in numerous regions.
This transition aims to:
Standardize visa procedures
Improve processing efficiency
Reduce appointment bottlenecks
Enhance customer experience with digital tools
Increase global accessibility
Countries Affected by the Change
Slovakia has approved VFS Global to operate visa application centers across 83 countries, making it easier for applicants to access services without relying solely on consulate offices.
These regions include:
India
South Asia
Middle East
Africa
Europe (selected countries)
Asia-Pacific
North & South America
For applicants in these regions, all Slovakia visa submissions—tourist, student, work, business, and long-stay visas—will now be routed through VFS Global centers.
Benefits for Visa Applicants
1. More Visa Centers, Easier Access
Applicants will be able to file Slovakia visa applications in more cities and countries, reducing travel time and long waits at embassies.
2. Streamlined Appointment Booking
VFS Global’s digital appointment system makes scheduling easier and faster.
3. Better Customer Support
Dedicated helplines, chat support, and multilingual assistance will be available.
4. Optional Premium Services
Applicants can choose additional paid services such as:
Courier return
SMS updates
Application form assistance
Premium lounge
Document digitization
5. Improved Transparency
Real-time status tracking and secure document handling ensure a smoother visa journey.
When Will the New System Begin?
The transition to VFS Global is expected to begin in early 2026, with full implementation across all approved countries by mid-2026.
Applicants are advised to check for updates from:
VFS Global official website
Slovakia Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Local embassy announcements
Types of Slovakia Visas VFS Global Will Handle
From 2026 onward, VFS Global will process the following visa categories:
Short-Stay Schengen Visa (Type C)
Tourist Visa
Business Visa
Student Visa
Work Visa
Family Reunification Visa
Long-Stay National Visa (Type D)
The supporting documents, processing time, and eligibility criteria will remain under the authority of the Slovak government.
How This Change Affects Indian Applicants
For Indian travellers—students, tourists, skilled workers, and business visitors—this update is particularly significant.
India is included among the 83 countries partnering with VFS Global for Slovakia visa submissions.
Key Advantages for Indian Applicants:
More VFS centers across major Indian cities
Faster appointment availability
Smoother document submission
Enhanced customer support
Reduced dependency on embassy slots
This makes Slovakia a more accessible destination for Indian travellers, especially students and professionals exploring opportunities in Europe.
Conclusion
The decision to allow VFS Global to manage Slovakia visa applications worldwide from 2026 is a major step forward in simplifying and modernizing the visa process. With improved accessibility, digital support, and globally standardized services, applicants can expect a smoother, more reliable, and more convenient visa experience.