VFS Global to handle visa applications for Slovakia from India and 82 additional nations.

VFS Global has secured a five-year global contract to oversee visa applications for Slovakia, as the Central European country experiences continuous growth in international visitor numbers. The agreement, issued by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic, encompasses both short-stay (C) visas—valid for trips up to 90 days within Slovakia or the broader Schengen area—and long-stay (D) visas for durations exceeding 90 days, generally for work or study.

With this new contract, VFS Global will provide visa services in 83 countries, including India, through 159 visa application centres. To meet the increasing demand for travel to Slovakia, 87 additional centres in 41 countries are planned to open in January 2026, with another 72 centres in 42 countries set to debut later during the contract term.

The expanded network arrives amidst steady growth in inbound tourism. Slovakia welcomed over 2.16 million international visitors in the year leading to December 2024—a 3.9% rise from the previous year. The highest volume of visa applications over the next five years is anticipated to come from India, Turkey, Uzbekistan, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, and the United Arab Emirates, which collectively are expected to constitute roughly 70% of total applications. Slovakia’s charm continues to be fueled by its cultural heritage, mountain and spa tourism, along with opportunities for extended stays linked to work and education.

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Jiten Vyas, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Business Development at VFS Global, remarked, “We are thrilled to resume our collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic. With the surge in international travel to Slovakia, our expanded centre network will enhance the accessibility, efficiency, and user-friendliness of the application process.”

Applicants will also gain access to a variety of optional premium services at all centres, including “document authenticity verification to ensure the validity of supporting documents, enhanced authentication of foreign public documents, translation services, courier return services, and other additional offerings such as Premium Lounges.” The company emphasized that choosing these services “will not influence the decision-making process or timeline of visa applications.”

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VFS Global’s responsibilities are strictly confined to front-end administrative functions, which include collecting applications, supporting documents, and biometric enrolment. All visa decisions will remain exclusively within the purview of the Embassy of the Slovak Republic or other authorized Schengen bodies.