SLOVAKIA Issuing Authorities The Embassy of Slovakia 930 Arcadia Street, Arcadia 0083 P O Box 12736, Hatfield 0028 Tel: (012) 342-2051/2 Fax: (012) 342-3688 E-mail: cons.pretoria@mzv.sk or emb.pretoria@mzv.sk Web: www.mzv.sk/pretoria Consular Hours : ONLY Tue & Thur 0930-1300 If applying through the Embassy, an appointment has to be made through: www.pretoria.sk Please note that citizens of SA with residence in the Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and Western Cape provinces MAY apply in Cape Town at the TLScontact Centre, their applications will then be handled by the Consulate General of Switzerland in Cape Town. Applicants can still choose to apply for their visas directly through the Embassy. TLScontact Media Quarter Upper Ground Floor 2 De Smit Street, De Waterkant Cape Town Tel: 021 4017501 Web: www.tlscontact.com/zacpt2ch/login.php Hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1630 http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2679-slovakia-country-guide&print=1 Page 1 of 8
Visa Requirements Visas are required by SA passport holders and must be obtained PRIOR to arrival in Slovakia. Visas CANNOT be obtained at the border. Applicants are to apply for their visa in person as fingerprints are now required. PLEASE NOTE: The consular reserves the right to request further documentation. REQUIREMENTS: See "General Schengen visa requirements" For Business Travel : In addition to General Schengen Visa Requirements, the following is to be submitted : *Documents confirming purpose of stay and invitation letter from the company in Slovakia * Letter from Company in SA, confirming employment NOTES: Foreigners visiting Slovakia must register with the local immigration within 3 working days upon arrival. Where their accommodations are in a hotel, this obligation is assumed by the hotel`s administration. There is no guarantee that the Schengen visa will be issued and no right can be derived from the info obtained in the visa requirements. Visa applications will be rejected if application forms are not fully completed and signed and are not accompanied by the required documents. It is the responsibility of the applicant to take note of the visa requirements and to apply in time, before making the travel arrangements. Organised group applications - arrangements should be made well in advance The border police at your arrival in the Schengen area may request the presentation of sufficient funds, a letter of invitation, hotel reservation and proof of medical insurance. Failure to present said funds/documents may result in entry being refused. The possession of a Schengen visa is only one of the prerequisites for entry into the territory of the Schengen State. Should the Schengen State`s border authority refuse entry, no claim to reimbursement of the visa can be submitted. http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2679-slovakia-country-guide&print=1 Page 2 of 8
Visa Processing Time Up to 14 working days. http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2679-slovakia-country-guide&print=1 Page 3 of 8
Visa Cost 60 EURO paid in the equivalent amount of ZAR. (contact Embassy for exact amount) Fee to be paid in CASH only. Visa fee is not refundable if a visa is rejected. http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2679-slovakia-country-guide&print=1 Page 4 of 8
SA Representative SA Honorary Consulate Revova 27, SK-811 02 Bratislava Tel: 00 421 2 207 710 25 E-mail: rsa.consulate.sk@mail.t-com.sk http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2679-slovakia-country-guide&print=1 Page 5 of 8
Travel Health Compulsory: Recommended Travel Vaccines: None Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Polio Slovakia stretches from the mighty Tatra Mountains through lowlands, canyons, caves and meadows. There are year-round activities, from hiking in the summer to skiing in the winter, and its capital, Bratislava, is a highlight amongst the fairly small number of appealing towns and cities. Visit the famous ruined castle, Devín, 9km northwest from Bratislava, and Nitra, the country's agricultural capital. Walk up to the ruined hrad (castle). The gothic katedrála (cathedral) at the castle contains the remains of two 10th-century saints; next door is the baroque Palace of the Bishop of Nitra. Enjoy the folk festivals that liven up most towns and cities, with dancing, local costumes and food. These tend to be in the summer months leading up to the harvest festivals in September. Visitors can go fishing, canoeing, boating and swimming at the lakes and rivers, which nestle amidst the glacial landscape. The best locations are at Liptovská Mara, Orava, Sl'nava and Zemplínska Sírava. Rafting is popular on the Dunajec River in the Pieniny National Park. Capital: Currency: Language: Bratislava (BTS) Euro (EUR) Slovak. Hungarian, Ruthenian, Ukrainian and German are spoken by ethnic minorities. English may be spoken in the capital. Dialling code from SA: + 421 Time Zones: Daylight Savings Time: Public Holidays 2018: UTC / GMT +1 (1 hour behind South Africa) From last Sunday March to last Sunday October: UTC / GMT +2 (same time as South Africa) Jan 1, 6; Mar 30; Apr 2; May 1, 8; Jul 5; Aug 29; Sep 1, 15; Nov 1, 17; Dec 24, 25, 26 http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2679-slovakia-country-guide&print=1 Page 6 of 8
Side of the Road: Best Time to Go: Best for: Plugs: Drinking Water: Health: Customs: Local Offences / Law: Right. Most hire companies require a valid international driving licence. If you are stopped by police you will also need to produce your passport or ID card and your car hire documents, including proof of valid insurance. May October. December March for ski season. Folk Architecture, UNESCO World Heritage Sites Generally 230 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin plugs are in use. Mains water in hotels and towns is safe to drink. There are adequate and well-equipped medical facilities, however visitors are required to pay for these services. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended, including mountain evacuation. Normal social courtesies Tourists should carry their passports at all times. Loud noises are not allowed between 10om and 6am. http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2679-slovakia-country-guide&print=1 Page 7 of 8
Duty Free: If you are travelling from within the EU, there is no limit on the amount or value of goods you may import, providing your goods are for personal consumption. Goods imported for commercial purposes are subject to duty and the following guideline amounts are in place to determine whether this is the case: 800 cigarettes or 400 cigarillos or 200 cigars or 1kg of tobacco. 10L of spirits over 22% volume, 20L of alcoholic beverages less than 22% volume, 90L of wine (no more than 60L of sparkling wine) and 110L of beer. If you are arriving from a non-eu country, the following goods may be imported into Slovakia by persons over 17 years of age without incurring customs duty: 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco (if arriving by air). 40 cigarettes or 20 cigarillos or 10 cigars or 50g of tobacco (if arriving by road or rail). 4L of wine and 16L of beer and 1L of spirits over 22% volume or 2L of alcoholic beverages less than 22% volume. Other goods up to the value of 430 for air travellers and 300 for other travellers (reduced to 150 for children under 15). Prohibited Imports: Prohibited Exports: Unlicensed firearms and ammunition, meat and dairy products from outside the EEA, and endangered species (unless you have a permit). Endangered species without a permit. http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2679-slovakia-country-guide&print=1 Page 8 of 8