The Ministry of the Interior of the Slovak Republic proposes allowing foreigners, after their temporary protection ends, to apply for temporary residence. However, they would need to provide documents proving the purpose of their stay and proof of accommodation. This follows a draft amendment to the Foreigners’ Residence Act prepared by the ministry and approved by the government on Wednesday during an off-site meeting in the village of Veľké Zálužie in the Nitra district.
“If temporary protection ends and no proper solution for their subsequent situation in our territory is provided, its beneficiaries would gradually fall into the position of third-country nationals illegally staying in Slovakia, unless they could otherwise prove the legality of their stay. The vast majority of temporary protection beneficiaries would, due to the inability to prove the legality of their stay (for example, missing documentation required to apply for residence), be forced to leave Slovakia en masse,” the ministry justified the change.
If foreigners did not apply for residence, the amendment would allow them to remain in Slovakia for one more year after their temporary protection status ends, but only for the purpose of voluntary return to their home country. Their stay in Slovakia would automatically end once they leave the country, and they would have to return home no later than the last day of the permitted stay.
The amendment also proposes that foreigners with temporary residence who run businesses in Slovakia must not have outstanding debts to other entities throughout the entire duration of their stay. Currently, this requirement applies only when renewing residence permits.
The Interior Ministry also plans to establish a regional central visa authority at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which would decide on visa applications in the same way as diplomatic missions.
The law is expected to come into force on July 15.
Source: TASR
