Slovakia is gearing up to welcome more international visitors, and there’s a major development for anyone planning a trip—including travellers from India. VFS Global, the world’s largest visa outsourcing company, has signed a five-year global contract with the Slovak government to manage visa applications from 83 countries.
This partnership will significantly expand access for applicants, with 159 new visa application centres planned worldwide. Of these, 87 centres across 41 countries are scheduled to open in January 2026, helping streamline the process for millions of travellers.
What’s Changing for Slovak Visa Applicants?
Previously, BLS International handled Slovakia visa applications in most regions after winning the contract in December 2023. From 2026 onward, VFS Global will take over, bringing with it a broader international network and more convenient locations.
Here’s what the expansion includes:
159 new visa centres globally
87 centres launching in 41 countries starting January 2026
72 additional centres to open in 42 more countries over the contract period
This rollout comes at a time when Slovakia’s tourism numbers are rising. By December 2024, the country recorded over 2.16 million international visitors, marking a 3.9% growth year-over-year.
Countries Expected to Generate the Highest Visa Demand
Around 70% of applications are expected to come from travellers in:
India
Turkey
Uzbekistan
China
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan
Nepal
Azerbaijan
Indonesia
UAE
Where Will the New Centres Be Located?
The complete list of the 41 initial countries has not been publicly released. However, VFS Global’s presence spans Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas—so the new centres will be distributed across all major regions.
For Indian applicants, this expansion means more local centres, shorter queues, and greater accessibility.
What Services Will the New VFS Centres Provide?
VFS Global aims to make the Slovak visa process more organised and user-friendly. Travellers can choose between standard and optional premium services.
Basic Services
Acceptance of visa application forms
Document completeness check
Collection of biometrics (fingerprints and photos)
Premium Optional Services
Document verification assistance
Translation support
Courier passport return
Access to a Premium Lounge for additional comfort
Premium add-ons are entirely optional and do not influence processing speed or visa decisions, which remain under the authority of Slovak embassies and Schengen officials.
Why This Matters for Indian Travellers
India is one of the fastest-growing outbound travel markets. With Slovakia becoming increasingly popular among Indian tourists, the demand for visas is expected to surge.
The new VFS centres will help:
Reduce long waiting times
Improve appointment availability
Offer a smoother application experience
Key Things to Know Before Applying
VFS Global handles administrative tasks only.
The Slovak Embassy or authorised Schengen officials make the final decision on visa approval.
New visa centres will open from January 2026.
Premium services are for convenience—not for faster processing or better outcomes.
The Bigger Picture
VFS Global currently partners with 69 governments and operates nearly 4,000 centres in 165 countries. Since 2001, it has processed over 500 million visa applications.
Its new agreement with Slovakia highlights the ongoing global trend of modernising and expanding visa services—particularly in high-demand regions like India.
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