Visa information of the Consulate General Cleveland

Rules of jurisdiction – where to apply?

You can enter and leave the Schengen zone through any country; HOWEVER you have to apply for your visa at the correct embassy or consulate and not simply at an embassy or consulate of your convenience.

1. If you are planning to visit ONLY ONE COUNTRY you need to apply at that Member State's embassy or consulate.
2. If you are planning to visit MORE COUNTRIES, or carry out several separate visits within a period of two months, you need to apply at the Member State's embassy whose territory constitutes the main destination of your planned visit(s): either the one where you are going to stay longest or the one where the main purpose of your visit(s) lies.
3. If no main destination can be determined (because you are travelling to several countries for the same periods of time or for various purposes), the MEMBER STATE WHOSE EXTERNAL BORDER YOU INTEND TO CROSS FIRST for entering the Schengen zone (e.g. the first airport) is responsible for your visa application.

If it is determined, you are not applying at the correct embassy or consulate the application WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. If you manage to get the visa issued nonetheless, there is a serious risk that you will be refused entry at the border.

Please note the following information regarding your proof of legal residence in the USA and re-entry document for the application for a visa to the Schengen States (European Commission Schengen Law):

• Original of valid US alien registration card (residence permit aka. Green Card) or valid US residence visa (e.g. type A, E, F plus endorsed I-20 by competent authority, G: H; I; J; plus J1 documents, L, O, R) must be presented. The US residence permit or visa should be valid at least three months beyond the intended departure from the territory of the Schengen Member States.
• Please observe that visa applications cannot be submitted if you stay in the US as a visitor (within a visa waiver program or hold visitor visa e.g. B1/B2-visa) and you must apply for the visa in your country of residence.
  

Diplomatic Missions/Consular Posts Authorized to Issue Schengen Visas for Slovenia

Applicants from the following states should apply with the Consulate General in Cleveland: Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin.

Applicants from all other States, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Mexico should apply at:

West coast (representation)

Aliens residing in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Pacific Islands (under administration of United States of America) can on the basis of the agreement between the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Austria and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia apply for an entry visa for the Republic of Slovenia at the Consulate General of the Republic of Austria in Los Angeles.

Please note that the representing country is completely independent in the visa procedure. We will not intervene under any circumstances, including scheduling.

Visa application centers

US residents traveling to Slovenia may submit applications for a Schengen visa also at the Visa Application Centers.

Applicants from the following states may apply at the Chicago Visa Application Center: Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin. Visa applications will be sent to the Consulate General of the Republic of Slovenia in Cleveland for decision making.

Applicants from all other States and District of Columbia may apply at the Visa Application Centers in Washington D.C., New York, Houston, Miami and San Francisco. Visa applications will be sent to the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Washington, D.C., for decision making.

Chicago VFS Services USA Inc.
142 E Ontario St., 17th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611
Submission of Applications: 09:00 – 15:00 (Monday – Friday except declared holidays)
Collection of Passports: 09.00 – 16.00 (Monday-Friday except declared holidays)

Washington DC VFS Services USA Inc.
1025 Vermont Ave NW, Floor 2, Washington, DC 20005
Submission of Applications: 09:00 – 15:00 (Monday – Friday except declared holidays)
Collection of Passports: 09.00 – 16.00 (Monday-Friday except declared holidays)

New York VFS Services USA Inc.
145 West 45th St, Floor 4, New York, NY 10036
Submission of Applications: 09:00 – 15:00 (Monday – Friday except declared holidays)
Collection of Passports: 09.00 – 16.00 (Monday-Friday except declared holidays)

Houston VFS Services USA Inc.
2425 West Loop S, Suite #330, Houston, TX 77002
Submission of Applications: 09:00 – 15:00 (Monday – Friday except declared holidays)
Collection of Passports: 09.00 – 16.00 (Monday-Friday except declared holidays)

Miami VFS Services USA Inc.
2655 S LE JEUNE ROAD PENTHOUSE 1A CORAL GABLES FL 33134
Submission of Applications: 09:00 – 15:00 (Monday – Friday except declared holidays)
Collection of Passports: 09.00 – 16.00 (Monday-Friday except declared holidays)

San Francisco VFS Services USA Inc.
110 Sutter Street, Floor 05, San Francisco, CA 94104
Submission of Applications: 09:00 – 15:00 (Monday – Friday except declared holidays)
Collection of Passports: 09.00 – 16.00 (Monday-Friday except declared holidays)  

For information on visa submission procedure at the Visa Application Centers visit the VFSGlobal website.

Duration of Visa Procedure

Please, start your visa procedure on time – no more than six months and no less than 15 calendar days before the start of the intended visit. We recommend you submit your application about 3 - 4 weeks before the day of departure.

Application submitted less than 15 calendar days before the travel date will not be accepted.

The visa procedure at the Consulate General in Cleveland takes up to 15 calendar days after the submission of a complete application.

Please note that visa processing time for some nationals is longer than 15 but not longer than 60 calendar days. Inquiries about the status will not be answered earlier than 10 days from the submission of a complete application.

Visa Fees

A single visa fee is currently 90 USD. Before applying please contact us for the exact fees. This is applied for all types of visas regardless of the duration and/or number of entries. Payment is due with the application; there is no refund in case of a negative decision. 

A lower visa fee in the amount of 45 USD applies to children from the age of 6 and below the age of 12.

There is a lower fee of 39 USD for citizens of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia and Ukraine.

The visa procedure is free of charge for:

• children up to 6 years old,
• diplomatic and official passport holders.

If you are a direct family member of an EU citizen please verify with the Consular office if you are eligible for a visa fee waiver.

Passport Requirements

In order to apply for a visa:

1. The passport must be valid at least 3 months longer than the intended stay.
2. Passport issued more than 10 years ago cannot be considered for the application (regardless if the passport is still valid/was prolonged).
3. At least two pages must be empty in the visa section of the passport.

Medical Travel Insurance Requirements

Applicants must submit a letter from the insurance company stating that:

1. you will be covered outside the United States, for a coverage of at least 30.000 EUR,
2. valid in Europe/Schengen countries
3. includes medical emergencies, urgent care, medical evacuation and repatriation of remains
4. valid for the entire period of the applicant's intended stay or transit within the validity of the visa, i.e. the insurance must only cover the period of effective stay, not the validity of the visa (in cases of multiple entry visas, the insurance must be bought for each trip to the Schengen area – failure to provide proof of insurance at the border is grounds for denial of entry into the Schengen area countries).

We suggest the insurance coverage is a couple of days longer than the intended stay, for cases of delayed flights or similar.

Make sure that your insurance coverage letter will meet ALL the requirements and all information clearly shown. Photocopy of your insurance card is not sufficient enough to meet the above requirements.

Full policies will not be studied.

If you don’t succeed to get the required coverage letter from your insurance company, you must purchase an international medical insurance for the trip.

PLEASE NOTE: the insurance coverage letter is a compulsory document (this does not apply to holders of diplomatic passports). If the Medical insurance document is missing, the visa will be denied.

Required documents

Please note: if there are any documents missing from the application, the Embassy will base its decision on the existing documentation, which may lead to a refusal of the visa.

Documents required for ALL APPLICATIONS:

1. Filled out and signed visa application form. All sections must be filled out. State that an item is not applicable with N/A. Please indicate your e-mail address and a contact phone number. Please note that the application form must be signed in two places, the first refers to the application (No. 37) and the second is the Schengen consent that follows.
2. Valid national passport. Please see section Passport Requirements above.
3. One recent color photo, US passport size. The photo cannot be older than 6 months.
4. Proof of legal residence in the USA and re-entry document for the application for a visa to the Schengen States (European Commission Schengen Law): Original of valid US alien registration card (residence permit aka. Green Card) or valid US residence visa (e.g. type A, E, F plus endorsed I-20 by competent authority, G: H; I; J; plus J1 documents, L, O, R) must be presented. The US residence permit or visa should be valid at least three months beyond the intended departure from the territory of the Schengen Member States.
5. Proof of travel arrangements: Detailed travel itinerary from departure to return. Confirmed accommodation if different than hotel, stating name, address and telephone number of the lodging place.
6. Proof of accommodation: Confirmed hotel reservations, stating name, address and telephone number of the hotel; For groups – certificate of the travel agency stating same information OR other proof of accommodation (i.e. rental agreement).
7. Signed permission to copy documents
8. Signed permission to return the passport by mail, if you want the passport return by mail.
9. Prepaid express courier envelope (i.e. US Postal Service, UPS, etc.; must have tracking number) addressed from the Embassy to your address in order to receive the passport back by mail. If the prepaid express courier envelope or the permission form are not provided with the application, the passport must be collected in person at the Embassy. No exceptions!

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS by category:

Tourism

1. Proof of employment / Proof of student status: Reference letter from employer stating your position and salary. / Certificate from home university on enrolment (student cards are not sufficient).
2. Medical travel insurance document: Please see section Medical Travel Insurance Requirements above.
3. Proof of sufficient financial means for the intended journey:
   • Bank account statements during the last three months: Bank statements must show the name and address of owner(s). Electronic printouts are accepted.;
   • If self-employed: Also tax return from previous fiscal year or proof of previous economic activity and of an income during previous fiscal year;
   • If retired: Also copy of pension certificate or a letter of previous employer or a pension check stub or confirmation from the responsible authority about the amount of pension;

Additional documents may be required.

Business or Conference

1. Proof of employment / Proof of student status: Reference letter from employer stating your position and salary. / Certificate from home university on enrolment (student cards are not sufficient).
2. Medical travel insurance document: Please see section Medical Travel Insurance Requirements above (point 4).
3. Proof of sufficient financial means for the intended journey:
   • Bank account statements during the last three months: Bank statements must show the name and address of owner(s). Electronic printouts are accepted.;
   • If self-employed: Tax return from previous fiscal year or proof of previous economic activity and of an income during previous fiscal year.
   • If retired: Copy of pension certificate or a letter of previous employer or a pension check stub or confirmation from the responsible authority about the amount of pension.
   • Student / Researchers: Letter stating that all expenses are fully covered by (if applicable).
4. Letter of guarantee for business visits signed by the person/organization inviting you to Slovenia and notarized by the Administrative unit in Slovenia (called Upravna enota)
5. For Conference: Letter of Invitation from the organizer of the Conference

Additional documents may be required. 

Personal Visit - Applicant is not a spouse/child of an EU Citizen

1. Proof of employment / Proof of student status: Reference letter from employer stating your position and salary. / Certificate from home university on enrolment (student cards are not sufficient).
2. Medical travel insurance document: Please note important regulations above (point 4).
3. Proof of sufficient financial means for the intended journey:
   • Bank account statements during the last three months: Bank statements must show the name and address of owner(s). Electronic printouts are accepted;
   • If self-employed: Also tax return from previous fiscal year or proof of previous economic activity and of an income during previous fiscal year.
   • If retired: Also copy of pension certificate or a letter of previous employer or a pension check stub or confirmation from the responsible authority about the amount of pension. Bank account statements during the last three months.
4. Letter of guarantee for personal visit signed by the person inviting you to Slovenia and notarized only by the administrative unit in Slovenia (called Upravna enota).

Additional documents may be required. 

Personal visit - Applicant is a spouse/child of an EU Citizen

1. Marriage / Birth certificate of applicant and proof of citizenship of family member with EU citizenship.

Additional documents may be required.

If the applicant is minor (under 18) and travels without parents or with one parent

Submit all requested documents depending on the purpose of the visit as listed above, and:

1. Birth Certificate of minor.
2. If traveling alone, a notarized parental authorization signed by both parents or legal guardian. In the case of guardianship please present the court documents naming the guardian.
3. If the minor travels with one parent, a notarized parental authorization signed by the 2nd parent.

Additional documents may be required.

Refusal of Visa and Possibility to Appeal

In case of a negative decision on application, the applicant is notified in written form including statement of grounds for refusal.

Applicants refused a visa have the right to appeal. The person concerned can appeal the decision within 8 days from the receipt of the notification of refusal/annulment/revocation of the visa.

The appeal must be lodged in written form in Slovene language. Consular fee for appeal is 179 USD. During the appeals procedure a new visa application cannot be processed.

The appeal must be filed at the Consulate General of Slovenian in Cleveland and is decided upon by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia.

Additional Information

The possession of a valid Schengen visa enables the holder to enter one of the Schengen Member States and travel within Schengen area. Check any limitations on the territorial validity of the issued visa prior to travel – if the visa is limited to one country or group of countries, the movement is limited to those countries.

A mere possession of a visa does not confer an automatic right of entry into the country.

The holder of visa can be requested to present proof that he/she fulfils the entry conditions at the external border (such as medical insurance). If the circumstances under which a visa was issued have changed, border authorities may refuse entry and revoke the visa. A visa may also be revoked if it is subsequently established that the data submitted during the visa issuing procedure was incorrect or that important facts were concealed.

Third Countries Whose Nationals or Specific Categories of Such Third Country Nationals Who are Subject to Prior Consultation

A Member State may require the central authorities of other Member States to consult its central authorities during the examination of visa applications lodged by nationals of specific third countries or specific categories of nationals.

Please note that visa processing time for such nationals is longer than 15 calendar days but not longer than 60 calendar days.

Visa fees

Consular fee for the visa "D" is 77 EUR, which is calculated into USD on a monthly basis. 

If you are a direct family member of a Slovenian or EU citizen please verify with the Consular office, if you are eligible for a visa fee waiver.

Background checks

The visa also serves as a basis for application for the residency permit in Slovenia; in this case, the FBI background check or country-specific equivalent is required with the visa application.

Please note: if you are applying for a RESIDENCY PERMIT on the basis of visa D, the background check can only be 3 months old on the date of the application for the residency permit and in needs to have an Apostille.