The National D-visa for 120 days for the purpose of submitting a temporary residence permit application is one of the least utilized, yet most effective tools available to employers in Slovakia when recruiting workers from abroad. While the classic process of obtaining a temporary residence permit through an embassy can take four to six months, this type of visa can shorten the time until the worker starts to a fraction of that period. Despite this, most companies are completely unaware of it.
The problem faced by HR managers and business owners seems insurmountable: a third-country worker has been selected, interviewed, and practically assessed — and now they have to wait months for a residence permit before they can start work. Every week without a filled position means a tangible loss. This is where the National D-visa comes into play as a legal and recognized way to get a worker to their desk, machine, or behind the wheel significantly sooner.
In this article, we will explain exactly what this visa is, what its purpose is, who can use it, what the application process is, and what pitfalls to watch out for. The information is relevant for all professions — welders, mechanics, CNC operators, drivers, warehouse workers, electricians, and other technical and manual positions.
What is a National D-visa and what is its purpose
The National D-visa for 120 days for the purpose of submitting a temporary residence permit application (also referred to in practice as "D/residence" or "120-day visa") is a special type of national visa that allows a third-country national to enter the territory of the Slovak Republic and, while there — directly at the Foreign Police Department — submit an application for a temporary residence permit for the purpose of employment.
The purpose of the visa is clear: it does not directly permit work, but serves as a bridge — it brings the worker physically to Slovakia so that they can submit the residence permit application in person here, rather than through an embassy abroad. This significantly speeds up and simplifies the entire administrative process.
Slovak legislation enshrines this institute in Act No. 404/2011 Coll. on the Residence of Foreigners. The purpose is for the foreigner to be physically available for communication with authorities, to be able to submit documents continuously, and to eliminate lengthy communication through embassies.
For employers, one fact is crucial: after submitting a complete temporary residence permit application, the worker can legally start working even before the decision itself is issued — provided that the legal conditions are met. This means that the company does not have to wait for the final decision from the authority — the worker can start while the application is being processed.
Who can apply for this visa — conditions for the worker and the company
Not every applicant from a third country automatically meets the conditions for this type of visa. Specific requirements must be met even before submitting the application to the embassy.
Basic conditions for the worker
- Valid travel document (passport) with sufficient validity (min. 3 months after the planned end of stay)
- Employment contract or promise of employment from the employer
- Criminal record extract from the country of origin — not older than 90 days, apostilled, and officially translated into Slovak
- Criminal record extract from every country where the worker resided for more than 90 days in the last 3 years — also apostilled or superlegalized and officially translated
- Proof of health insurance for the duration of stay
- Proof of accommodation in the Slovak Republic
- Photos according to embassy requirements
- Completed visa application form
What the employer must meet
- Have a vacant job position reported to the relevant Labor Office (UPSVaR)
- Possess a confirmation of the possibility of filling the vacant job position — colloquially called "work permit" — issued by the relevant Labor Office according to § 21 of Act No. 5/2004 Coll. on Employment Services. This confirmation proves that the vacant position could not be filled by an applicant from the EU/EEA market
- Have an concluded employment contract or a future employment contract
- Provide proof of accommodation for the worker
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Contact Ergasia →Documents required for submitting a temporary residence permit application
Upon arrival in the Slovak Republic based on a D-visa, it is necessary to submit a complete application for a temporary residence permit for employment purposes to the Foreign Police. The completeness of the documentation is crucial — a missing or incorrectly verified document can halt the entire process.
| Document | Requirements | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport | Validity min. 3 months after the end of stay | Original + copy |
| Temporary residence permit application | Completed on the prescribed form | Submitted in person at the Foreign Police |
| Confirmation of the possibility of filling VPM | Issued by the relevant labor office (§ 21 of Act No. 5/2004 Coll.) | Colloquially "work permit" — issued by UPSVaR, not the employer |
| Employment contract | Signed by both parties | Must comply with the Slovak Labor Code |
| Criminal record extract (home country) | Not older than 90 days, apostilled, officially translated into SK | Apostille verifies the authenticity of the signature and seal of the issuing authority |
| Criminal record extract (countries of residence over 90 days in the last 3 years) | Apostilled or superlegalized, officially translated into SK | Applies to each country separately — e.g., if the worker lived in Germany and Poland |
| Proof of accommodation | Lease agreement or confirmation from the employer | Must be at an address in the Slovak Republic |
| Photographs | 2 pcs, passport format | According to current Foreign Police requirements |
| Proof of health insurance | Valid for the entire duration of stay | Commercial insurance or employer-provided insurance |
Important note on apostille and superlegalization: Apostille is a simplified form of verification of a public document for countries that have signed the Hague Convention (1961). For countries outside this convention (e.g., some Central Asian countries), superlegalization is required — verification through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country of origin and then through the Slovak consulate. Ergasia Recruitment coordinates this entire process for you.
D-visa and temporary residence permit application process — step by step
The process takes place in several phases and involves cooperation between the employer, the worker, and the agency. Thorough preparation of documentation is key to ensuring that the entire process runs smoothly without unnecessary delays.
- Candidate selection — Online interview, qualification verification, and practical assessment (in person or via video for candidates from India, Uzbekistan, the Philippines, and other countries).
- Reporting the vacant job position to UPSVaR — This must be done first, even before starting the visa process. Without reporting, it is not possible to obtain confirmation of the possibility of filling the VPM.
- Obtaining confirmation of the possibility of filling VPM — The labor office will issue this confirmation after verifying that the position could not be filled by an applicant from the EU/EEA. This is a legal requirement according to § 21 of Act No. 5/2004 Coll.
- Preparation of the employment contract and employer documentation — Employment contract or future employment contract, proof of accommodation.
- Collection of the worker's personal documents — Passport, criminal record extract (apostilled + translated), photographs, visa application form.
- Submission of the D-visa application to the Slovak Embassy — In the worker's country of origin or in the country of their current legal residence. Appointments at consulates must be booked in advance.
- Issuance of the D-visa — The standard period is 15 working days from the submission of a complete application. After issuance, the worker has 120 days to enter the Slovak Republic.
- Arrival in the Slovak Republic and submission of the temporary residence permit application — The worker arrives in Slovakia and, together with the agency, appears at the Foreign Police Department, where they submit a complete application for a temporary residence permit for employment purposes.
- Commencement of employment — After submitting a complete temporary residence permit application, the worker may, subject to legal conditions, legally start working even before the residence permit decision itself is issued.
D-visa vs. classic temporary residence permit — comparison
| Parameter | National D-visa (120 days) | Classic temporary residence permit from embassy |
|---|---|---|
| Overall process duration | 2–4 months | 4–6 months (or more) |
| Where the residence permit application is submitted | Directly in the Slovak Republic (Foreign Police) | At the Slovak Embassy abroad |
| Possibility to start work | After submitting a complete residence permit application in the Slovak Republic | Only after the residence permit decision is issued |
| Physical presence in the Slovak Republic | Yes — the worker is available to authorities | No — the entire process takes place through the embassy |
| Administrative complexity | Medium (visa + residence permit application) | High (everything through the embassy) |
| Suitability for workers with EU documents | Ideal | Less efficient |
| Suitability for workers without EU documents | Yes, with proper documentation preparation | Yes, longer process |
Most common pitfalls and how to avoid them
Incomplete or incorrectly verified documentation
The most common reason for rejecting a visa or residence permit application. Criminal record extracts must be not older than 90 days at the time of application submission — not at the time of their issuance. They must be apostilled (or superlegalized for countries outside the Hague Convention) and officially translated into Slovak. Likewise, the passport's validity must be at least 3 months after the planned end of stay.
Criminal record extracts from multiple countries
The worker must provide a criminal record extract not only from their home country but also from every country where they resided for more than 90 days in the last 3 years. For example, welders from India who previously worked in Germany or the United Arab Emirates are directly affected by this condition. Each extract must be apostilled and officially translated separately.
Waiting times at consulates
Appointment slots for submitting visa applications at Slovak embassies in some countries (India, Uzbekistan, the Philippines) are significantly overloaded. Appointment reservations must be secured several weeks, sometimes even months, in advance. This is a factor that the agency cannot influence — but it can anticipate and plan the process with sufficient lead time.
Unreported vacant job position
The law requires that the vacant job position be reported to the relevant labor office before the visa process begins. Companies often forget this — and it is precisely this formal step that blocks the entire process, as without it, it is not possible to obtain confirmation of the possibility of filling the VPM.
Missing proof of accommodation
The worker must prove where they will live in the Slovak Republic. Accommodation provided by the employer is the simplest solution — a contract or confirmation of accommodation is sufficient. A problem arises when the company does not have accommodation, and the worker has to arrange it themselves before arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a worker with a D-visa start work immediately?
Not immediately after the visa is issued — the worker must first come to the Slovak Republic and personally submit a complete application for a temporary residence permit to the Foreign Police. After submitting this complete application, and if all legal conditions are met (valid employment contract, confirmation of the possibility of filling VPM, etc.), they may, under certain conditions, start working even before the residence permit decision itself is issued. Each case is individual — we recommend consulting with an expert.
How long does it take to issue a D-visa at the Slovak Embassy?
The standard period for issuing a National D-visa is 15 working days from the submission of a complete application. In practice, this period must be added to the waiting time for an interview appointment at the embassy, which in some countries ranges from several weeks to several months. The total time from the start of the process to visa issuance is typically 4–8 weeks.
What is a confirmation of the possibility of filling a vacant job position?
It is an official document issued by the relevant labor office (UPSVaR) according to § 21 of Act No. 5/2004 Coll. on Employment Services. It proves that the employer attempted to fill the vacant position with an applicant from the EU/EEA market and was unsuccessful. Colloquially, it is called a "work permit," although formally it is not a permit for the worker but an approval from the labor office for the employer. Without this document, it is not possible to submit an application for a temporary residence permit for employment purposes.
What is an apostille and when is superlegalization necessary?
An apostille is a verification of the authenticity of a signature and seal on a public document (e.g., a criminal record extract) for countries that have signed the Hague Convention of 1961. Most countries in the world have signed it — including India, the Philippines, Georgia, and others. For countries outside this convention (e.g., some Central Asian countries), superlegalization is required — a multi-stage verification through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country of origin and then through the Slovak consulate. Ergasia Recruitment coordinates this entire process for you.
What is the difference between a D-visa and a temporary residence permit?
A D-visa is not a residence permit — it is an entry visa that allows a foreigner to come to the Slovak Republic and apply for a temporary residence permit there. A temporary residence permit is the actual permit for long-term legal residence and employment in the Slovak Republic. The visa is therefore the first step, the residence permit is the target state.
For which professions is this procedure suitable?
The D-visa procedure is suitable for all professions where an employer in Slovakia is looking for a third-country worker — welders, mechanics, CNC operators, electricians, warehouse workers, assembly workers, truck drivers, and other technical and manual positions. The conditions are the same regardless of the profession — only the specific professional qualifications and certificates that the worker must provide differ.
What if the worker does not receive a temporary residence permit?
In the event of rejection of the temporary residence permit application, the worker must leave the territory of the Slovak Republic after the expiration of the visa's validity. The employer is not directly sanctioned by law for the rejection itself, provided they acted in good faith and in accordance with the law. A reputable agency will promptly offer you a replacement candidate in such a case.
What should be your next step
The National D-visa for 120 days for the purpose of submitting a temporary residence permit application is a specific, legal, and practice-proven tool to bring a skilled foreign worker — regardless of profession — significantly faster than a standard embassy procedure would allow. The key to success is proper documentation preparation, an experienced recruitment agency, and knowledge of current deadlines at authorities. Ergasia Recruitment coordinates the entire process — from reporting the vacant position to UPSVaR, obtaining confirmation of the possibility of filling VPM, preparing apostilled documents, to submitting the residence permit application to the Foreign Police.
Contact us today — the first consultation is free and without obligation. Write to us at zemla@ergasia.group or fill out the contact form at ergasia.group/sk/kontakt.