It has now become easier to move to Slovenia, an EU and Schengen Area member, for third-country nationals, who wish to live and work or study there, or simply join their family members already living in this country.
On Thursday, April 27, the government has published new changes to the Aliens Act in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, eliminating several obstacles for getting a residence permit for non-EU nationals, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
The amendments to this act, also make it possible to get a residence permit through quicker procedures, while the government has extended Slovenian language available for free as well.
“We are extending the free Slovenian language and introduction to Slovenian society courses for all categories of foreigners,” the government has stated in a press release announcing the publication of the new changes in the Official Gazette of the Republic.
At the same time, the amendments establish that family members of third-country nationals living in Slovenia, wishing to move to there to join them, will need to show proof of language knowledge at an entry level of A1.
Whereas basic level A2 is required for those obtaining permanent residence permits.
However, in both cases, the requirement of language knowledge will not become immediately effective, as until October 27, 2023, this condition does not have to be met.
“From October 28, 2023 to November 1, 2024, a certificate of participation in the program of learning the Slovenian language and getting to know Slovenian society at the entry level in cases of extending the residence permit due to family reunification,” the government explains.
Starting from November 1, 2024 and on, proof of Slovenian language knowledge at the required level will be required for all those extending a temporary residence permit due to family reunification and those applying for a permanent residence permit.
The changes are part of an attempt of the Slovenian government to lure more foreign workers to move into this country, in a bid to tackle the shortage of workers, which in the recent years has hit Slovenia and the rest of the European Union.
“We are aware of the need for foreign labour in Slovenia,” the government had noted in mid-March this year, announcing the changes.
Amongst other measures that the government is working to introduce is making it possible to send residence permits and extensions by mail to applicants, as well as permitting foreigners with expired temporary protection status to apply for a temporary residence permit in eight days.
Regarding employment facilitations, the government will scrap the obligation to submit a written confirmation by the administrative unit when changing employers, for those already in the country, while also easing the procedures for hiring foreigners in healthcare and social services to tackle the shortage of workers in these fields.
Source : Schengen Visa Info