Slovakia: Foreign Police office experiencing delays

Foreign nationals seeking to apply for Residence Permits or Single Permits with the Foreign Police office in Bratislava have been experiencing long waits and significant delays due to an increased volume of Residence Permit applications and the modified hours the office is open for submission of such applications.

As of October 1, Residence Permit applications, Single Permit applications and biometrics can be submitted on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays, however Tuesday is reserved for biometrics only.

Due to the delays, lines have been forming the night before appointments are scheduled, and the office is not able to honour all scheduled appointments.

What This Means for Foreign Nationals

Foreign nationals in Slovakia should contact their immigration professional to discuss options for submitting their Residence or Single Permit applications to avoid the long waits. Some have arranged with a third party to stand in line the night before the appointment on behalf of the applicant, with the applicant replacing the third party at the time of the appointment.

The delays are expected to pass by November, but may reappear in late December through early January.