AMENDMENT TO THE ACT ON THE RESIDENCE OF FOREIGNERS

#137Amendment to the Act on the Residence of Foreigners

An amendment to the Act on the Residence of Foreigners has been approved, effective from 15th December, 2024, which introduces the electronicization of the registration processes of foreigners within the framework of the residence agenda. The newly introduced changes will have an impact on the method of submitting certain types of applications by foreigners living in the Slovak Republic as a result of this electronicization of the registration processes of foreigners.

According to the explanatory report to the approved amendment to the law, the primary objective of the bill is to adopt legislative measures in connection with the modification of the residence agenda of foreigners and the introduction of electronic registration processes for foreigners. As a result of the proposed changes, foreigners are to be able to use electronic services in various life situations.

As a result of the introduction of electronic registration processes for foreigners within the residence agenda, the following is to be implemented:

1. to speed up and, in particular, simplify communication between the administrative authority and the recipient of the electronic service – a foreigner;
2. to speed up the administrative proceedings themselves and the decision-making of administrative bodies regarding the residence of foreigners in the territory of the Slovak Republic;
3. speed up residence registration for European Union citizens;
4. simplify the submission of electronic applications for a residence permit for a foreigner or a foreign passport;
5. reduce the administrative burden on the part of administrative authorities and foreigners, which should also contribute to reducing the risk of corruption.

In the future, the introduced electronic registration of foreigners should address the following life situations of foreigners:

1. applications for renewal of temporary residence;
2. Blue Card renewal;
3. granting permanent residence for an unlimited period of time;
4. granting of long-term residence;
5. registration of residence of a citizen of the European Union;
6. application for a residence permit and application for a foreign passport.

The introduced changes are also intended to contribute to reducing the administrative burden for foreign police departments and for entrepreneurs in cases of invitations of workers from a third country by a legal entity for the purpose of business activities. Now, it will be sufficient to attach only a document proving the balance on the account in a bank or a branch of a foreign bank to the request for verification of the invitation.