VISA INFORMATION
In addition to a valid travel document, third-country nationals must hold a visa in order to enter the Republic of Slovenia. A visa is a permit issued by a relevant diplomatic mission or consular post of the Republic of Slovenia to a third-country national. If the circumstances under which a visa was issued have changed, border authorities may refuse entry and cancel the visa. On our web pages you will find online visa applications, a detailed description of the circumstances under which a visa is required, and a description of different visa types. For additional information on visas, please contact us via e-mail or telephone. For information on a country’s visa regime, we advise that you directly contact its representation.
THE INTRODUCTION OF BIOMETRICS FOR VISA PROCEDURES AT SLOVENIAN EMBASSIES
The Visa Information System (VIS) was launched on 11 October 2011 at the diplomatic missions and consular posts of all Member States in North Africa. The system is primarily intended to make visa procedures faster and more secure and prevent identity theft and the unauthorised use of information.
When submitting their applications, applicants have their fingerprints taken. The process is fast, discrete and does not delay the procedure. The fingerprints are kept in the central VIS register for five years.
As of 10 October 2011, the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Cairo started using VIS and collecting fingerprints; the Embassy in Tel Aviv followed shortly after. VIS is being rolled out on a regional basis; next in line are the Middle East and the Gulf states.
Within two years, all the diplomatic missions and consular posts of all Schengen countries around the world will have implemented the system. The legal basis for introducing VIS and biometrics (fingerprints) are the following instruments:
Regulation (EC) No 767/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 July 2008 concerning the Visa Information System and the exchange of data between Member States on short-stay visas, OJ EU L 218, 13 August 2008, p. 60.
Commission Decision 2010/49/EC of 30 November 2009 determining the first regions for the start of operations of the Visa Information System, OJ EU L 23, 27 January 2010, p. 62.
Commission Implementing Decision 2011/636/EU of 21 September 2011 determining the date from which the Visa Information System is to start operations in the first region, OJ EU L 249, 27 September 2011, p. 18.