Foreign workers can now reach Slovakia more quickly for employment, thanks to new rules introduced to expedite the process.
These rules aim to speed up the employment procedure for foreigners in Slovakia and address the labor shortages in several sectors across the country, as reported by Schengen.News.
Previously, foreigners applying for a residence permit to work in Slovakia faced a lengthy procedure that included obtaining a positive opinion from the labor office after submitting a request to the police.
Under the new rules, the process will be significantly accelerated, with applications processed within two to three months instead of the previous one-and-a-half years. Employers in Slovakia will still need to receive an opinion from the labor office. However, this will occur before the foreign worker applies for a residence permit, allowing for faster entry into Slovakia.
Milan Kurota, Head of Slovakia Invest Group, praised the change, emphasizing the importance of foreign workers knowing in advance whether the labor office has approved their employment, preventing unnecessary expenses if the application is rejected. If the labor office denies the application, it will do so at the first step, sparing the foreign worker the costs of applying for a residence permit.
Additionally, Slovakia eased its national visa rules for non-EU workers on July 15, 2024. National visas for foreign workers in sectors facing shortages will be issued for one year. Professions eligible for easier access include cooks, agronomists, bakers, breeders, equipment operators, kitchen workers, learners, and assembly workers, among others.
However, the simplified national visa process will only be available to nationals from select countries.