Government Approves Changes in Slovakia's Alien Policy

Government Approves Changes in Slovakia's Alien Policy

Bratislava, January 10 (TASR) – Slovakia is changing the conditions for the entry and residence of foreigners in Slovakia for a period longer than 90 days by adjusting them on the basis of a 2016 EU directive, after an amendment to the law on foreigners’ stay was greenlighted by the Government on Wednesday.

The rights of third-country nationals for the purposes of research, study, professional training or voluntary service in the European Voluntary Service and for researchers and their family members were also laid down.

The amendment to the law, drafted by the Interior Ministry, also stipulates the conditions for the mobility of students, researchers and their family members who have been previously granted a residence permit by another EU member state on the basis of the EU directive. Until now, the rules were mandatory only for students and researchers, while they were optional for pupils, unpaid interns and volunteers.

“Basically, it’s about adopting the EU rules, but above all it’s about simplifying access to our market for scientists and students, so the exchange of brains is easier within Europe and so we can reduce to a certain extent or completely remove the barriers that have hindered such exchanges,” Robert Kalinak (Smer-SD) told reporters.

Ultimately, these groups of foreigners can contribute to improving the education process and also to make the Slovak economy more focused on research and development. These foreigners should also expect to see in Slovakia a simplification of rules in practice, particularly in the area of temporary stay. Kalinak further said that the ministry will probably present comprehensive adjustments related to this new approach to foreigners at the beginning of February.