PHOTO GUIDE
Applying for a Slovakia short-stay visa from Japan
This guide covers the Schengen visa (Type C) application process for residents of Japan visiting Slovakia for a short stay, centred on direct reception at the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Tokyo. The photograph requirement is a full-face colour photo conforming to ICAO standards; millimetre dimensions are not published, so confirming with the consular section comes first.
Last Updated: 2026-08-15
Quick requirements
- Who this is for: residents of Japan who need a Schengen visa (Type C) for a short stay in Slovakia (up to 90 days in any 180-day period). Long-stay national visas (Type D) are out of scope.
- Where to apply: the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Tokyo receives applications directly. Japan is not on Slovakia's list of external visa-centre countries, so the embassy is the only route from Japan.
- Appointment: a consular-section appointment is required (book via [email protected]). Document details are referred to the competent mission.
- Photo: a full-face colour photograph conforming to ICAO standards (per the shared mzv.sk text). Millimetre dimensions are not published (3×3.5 cm applies to Type D national visas only).
- Timing: applications cannot be lodged more than 6 months before the start of the intended visit (common rule).
Where to apply and booking
Slovakia short-stay Schengen visa applications from Japan are received by the consular section of the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Tokyo. Slovakia's list of countries with external visa centres (VFS Global / BLS International) does not include Japan, so there is no visa-centre route from Japan.
A consular-section appointment is required. Contact the embassy at [email protected] to book, and confirm the document details for your case — the shared MFA text refers specific requirements to the competent mission.
If Slovakia is the main destination (the country of longest stay or the main purpose of the trip) on a multi-country Schengen itinerary, you apply for the Slovak visa.
Preparing the photograph (dimensions not officially published)
The Slovak MFA's Schengen visa page (the Tokyo embassy's page serves the same central text) requires "a full-face colour photo, conform to ICAO standards" among the supporting documents. Millimetre dimensions are not published.
The "3×3.5 cm" figure on the national-visa (Type D) page is specific to long-stay national visas and does not apply to Schengen short-stay visas. Before preparing a photo for a Type C application, confirm the size with the consular section of the embassy in Tokyo.
The ICAO photograph guidelines (35-40mm width, face 70-80% of the photo, plain light background) serve as the reference quality standard. At lodgement, fingerprints and a digital facial image are captured as biometrics (with exemptions).
Common mistakes and cautions
Slovakia-specific risks: applying the long-stay "3×3.5 cm" figure to a short-stay visa, or preparing a photo on generic assumptions before confirming the size with the consular section.
Under the common rules, lodging by post or through a representative with a written authorisation is allowed in principle, but whether the Tokyo embassy accepts these is something to confirm with the consular section ([email protected]).
Where to apply for a Slovakia short-stay Schengen visa from Japan
Authoritative sources: the Slovak MFA (mzv.sk) Schengen visa page (the Tokyo embassy's tokio-en page carries the same text: full-face colour photo conforming to ICAO standards, no published dimension, no lodgement more than 6 months before travel), the embassy's homepage (consular section by appointment, [email protected]), and the visa-centres list (Japan not included). Re-check these official pages before you submit.
shoumei.org helps users prepare photo files based on publicly available requirements. It does not submit visa applications, and it is not an official government service, Schengen authority, embassy, consulate, VFS Global, TLScontact, or BLS International service. Please verify the latest requirements with the official embassy, consulate, or visa application center before submitting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What photo size is required for the Slovakia visa?
No dimension is officially published. mzv.sk (the Tokyo embassy's page carries the same text) specifies only "a full-face colour photo, conform to ICAO standards". Note that 3×3.5 cm applies to national long-stay visas (Type D); for Type C, we recommend confirming with the consular section.
Where and how do I book?
At the consular section of the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Tokyo. An appointment is required — book via [email protected]. There is no Slovak visa centre in Japan.
When can I apply?
Under the common rules, applications cannot be lodged more than 6 months before the start of the intended visit. Once your travel is fixed, contact the consular section early.
Can a representative submit my application?
Lodging through a representative with a written authorisation, or by post, is allowed under the common rules, but confirm with the Tokyo consular section ([email protected]) whether they accept these.
Official and submission sources
- 駐日スロバキア大使館 — Schengen Visa（mzv.sk tokio-en・2026-08-15 再取得: 本省と同一の中央本文を配信〔"present a full-face colour photo, conform to ICAO standards"・mm なし〕。"the applications cannot be lodged more than 6 months before the start of the intended visit"・詳細は管轄公館への照会を案内） (used for: photo requirements, application channel, processing time) Checked: 2026-08-15
- 駐日スロバキア大使館（mzv.sk tokio-en ホーム・2026-08-15 再取得: 領事部訪問には予約が必要 "It is necessary to book an appointment to visit the consular section."・連絡先 [email protected]） (used for: application channel, appointment system, submission offices) Checked: 2026-08-15
- スロバキア外務・欧州問題省（mzv.sk）— Visa centres（外部ビザセンター設置国一覧〔VFS Global / BLS International〕。日本の記載なし = 日本routeは大使館直接受領） (used for: application channel, jurisdiction notes) Checked: 2026-08-15
- スロバキア外務・欧州問題省（mzv.sk）— National visa（Type D: 3×3.5cm は長期ビザ専用で Schengen C とは別手続〔scope 分離の出典〕） (used for: photo requirements) Checked: 2026-08-15
shoumei.org helps users prepare photo files based on publicly available requirements. It does not submit visa applications, and it is not an official government service, Schengen authority, embassy, consulate, VFS Global, TLScontact, or BLS International service. Please verify the latest requirements with the official embassy, consulate, or visa application center before submitting.
All guides
Confirm the size with the consular section, then prepare See the Slovakia photo rules