Slovakia to Launch New Digital Immigration Platform
Overview
Slovakia is preparing to introduce a new, centralized digital immigration platform that will modernize how visa applications, residence permits, and related immigration services are managed. The initiative is intended to bring key procedures into a single online environment, replacing many traditional paper-based and in-person processes with streamlined, digitally driven workflows for foreign nationals, employers, and their advisers.
The forthcoming system aims to significantly improve user experience, speed up application handling, enhance transparency at each processing stage, and reduce the administrative burden for both individual applicants and organisations. By replacing many paper-based interactions with a centralised digital portal, it is intended to simplify how users submit, monitor, and update their cases, minimise repetitive data entry and document requests, and provide clearer, more predictable communication with the Slovak authorities throughout the entire immigration procedure.
What Is the New Digital Immigration Platform?
The upcoming system will be an online portal that consolidates key immigration services, enabling users to:
Submit visa and residence permit applications electronically
Upload supporting documents securely online
Track application progress in real time
Receive updates and correspondence through a unified digital account
This aligns Slovakia with global trends toward e-government and digital transformation in immigration management.
Who Will Be Affected
The digital platform is expected to serve:
Foreign nationals applying for short-stay visas (e.g., Schengen visits)
Individuals seeking long-term stays (e.g., residence permits)
Employers and mobility teams sponsoring or assisting foreign hires
Legal representatives and immigration advisers supporting clients
Once implemented, almost all categories of immigration applicants will interact with the platform, rather than relying on paper or in-person submissions.
What Changes Will Applicants See?
Under the digital system, applicants can expect:
A shift from paper and embassy deliveries to online submissions
Reduced need for physical appointments in some cases
Faster acknowledgment of applications and status updates
More portable application records accessible from anywhere
Enhanced transparency on application stage and processing milestones
The platform is expected to reduce processing times and make tracking easier for applicants.
What This Means for Employers
Employers that hire or sponsor foreign nationals should prepare to:
Familiarise themselves with the new online portal
Update internal workflows and checklists
Train HR and mobility staff on digital submissions
Coordinate with applicants on electronic document submissions
Build digital submission timelines into mobility planning
Moving to an entirely digital process will streamline many steps once users adapt to the system.
Implementation Timeline
Slovak authorities have announced that the digital immigration platform is forthcoming, but an exact launch date has not yet been published. At this stage, only high-level parameters of the reform have been communicated, and detailed operational guidance including transitional rules from paper-based to digital procedures is still pending. Stakeholders should therefore monitor official updates from the Ministry of Interior, the Foreign Police, and Slovak consular posts, as these channels are expected to clarify the implementation timeline, the scope of the first release, and any immediate compliance obligations as the launch date approaches.
Once live, the system will be rolled out in phases to include various immigration categories and services. Initial phases are likely to prioritise high-volume procedures, such as residence permits for employment and family reunification, followed by a gradual extension to other permit types, renewals, notifications, and ancillary services. During this period, some processes may temporarily run in parallel on both digital and legacy channels, and requirements for in-person visits or original document submission may vary by category and by phase. Employers and mobility teams should plan for a staged transition, review their internal checklists regularly, and be ready to adapt workflows as each new functionality is introduced on the platform.
Considerations For The Digital Platform
Applicants should watch for announcements regarding launch dates and user guides
Employers should begin assessing how current processes will transition online
Digital readiness (e.g., scanned documents, email accounts and authentication) will be essential
Users unfamiliar with government digital systems may require support or training
Key Takeaway
Slovakia’s new digital immigration platform represents a major step toward modernising and centralising the country’s immigration processes. Beyond a simple move to online forms, it is expected to transform how foreign nationals, employers, and advisers interact with the authorities by bringing most key procedures into a single, integrated portal.
While details and launch timelines are still emerging, stakeholders can anticipate a gradual transition away from paper-based and in-person processes toward a primarily digital journey. Applicants and employers should prepare for online application submission, secure document upload, and the ability to monitor case progress in real time. In practice, this should mean clearer visibility into each stage of an application, fewer administrative back-and-forths, and more predictable processing.
For HR and mobility teams, the platform is likely to enable better planning of start dates and assignments, as information will be centralised and more readily accessible. Over time, the reform should support increased transparency, improved compliance, and more streamlined end-to-end processing for both individual applicants and organisations managing larger mobility programmes.
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About Anywr
Anywr is a French international group specializing in global mobility solutions.
Founded in 2012, Anywr operates in 12 countries across 4 continents. Our mission is to support companies in addressing their Human Resources challenges. We respond to your needs in terms of international mobility, particularly in terms of immigration policies, relocation, the implementation of mobility policies and EOR.
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