Slovakia Strengthens Ties with China Through Visa Facilitation and Cultural Exchange

During his second in-person meeting with the Chinese President in just six months, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico unveiled plans to open a Slovak cultural institute in Beijing by the end of the year. In a reciprocal gesture, he also invited China to establish a similar cultural center in Bratislava, signaling a deepening of diplomatic and cultural relations between the two countries.

Visa-Free Access for Slovaks to China Requested

Prime Minister Fico also formally requested that visa-free access for Slovak citizens to China be extended beyond 2025, allowing for up to 30 days of travel. This comes as China continues to ease travel restrictions for selected countries. The meeting also touched on ongoing trade tensions involving China, the United States, and the European Union.

Slovakia to Issue 1,000 National Visas Annually to Chinese Nationals

The Slovak government has confirmed that it will issue 1,000 national employment visas each year to Chinese citizens, as part of efforts to support foreign investment and fill labor market gaps. These visas will be available to employees of selected Chinese investors, with a maximum employment duration of one year.

“The regulation outlines the purpose and criteria under which Slovakia will issue national visas to Chinese nationals employed by key investors,” stated the Slovak Ministry of Labor.

Spike in Residence Permits and Chinese Interest in Schengen Visas

According to Eurostat, Slovakia issued 642,710 residence permits in 2023, with 225,237 (35%) granted for employment purposes—a clear indicator of rising labor migration.

Meanwhile, Chinese nationals remained the largest group of Schengen visa applicants in 2023, submitting over 1.1 million applications. France led the list, receiving 271,111 applications, followed by Germany (160,479) and Spain (148,533). Slovakia received only 895 applications from Chinese citizens, but 91% (819 visas) were approved, reflecting a high approval rate.