Visa Application

For the WRO Open European Championship Slovenia 2025 (2–5 September in Ljubljana) the decisive factor is citizenship, not place of residence. Because Slovenia is a full member of the Schengen area, it follows the common EU visa-policy. Nationals of EU/EEA countries, Switzerland and the micro-states may enter with a valid ID card or passport and stay freely. A further ~60 third-country nationalities (including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Georgia, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, the United Kingdom, the United States and most Central- and South-American states) are visa-exempt for short stays: they can spend up to 90 days in any 180-day period in Slovenia or any other Schengen country without applying in advance. From mid-2025 these travellers will simply request an online ETIAS travel authorisation (fee €7; valid three years) before boarding.

All other nationalities must obtain a Schengen C-visa in advance. Common examples for WRO delegations are China, India, Indonesia, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Türkiye, most countries in Africa and the Middle East, and several Caribbean and Pacific states. Holders of diplomatic or service passports from a few of these states may still be exempt, so coaches should double-check passport type.

C-Visa_Embassy of Ankara

Portal Slovenian Embassies

Securing visas for your participants

Step	What to do	Key details & tips
Determine jurisdiction	Apply at the Slovenian embassy/consulate in the country where the applicant legally resides. Where Slovenia has no mission, it is usually represented by another Schengen state (e.g., Austria, Hungary, France) or by a VFS Global centre. Check the “Representations” section of gov.si for the correct office. Portal Slovenian Embassies
Timing	Earliest submission: 6 months before travel; latest, 15 calendar days. Demand is high in summer—book an appointment 8–10 weeks early and aim to file by 10 July 2025 to meet WRO arrival on 31 Aug–1 Sep.
Documents	Standard Schengen set: completed form, photo, passport valid 3 months beyond exit, travel medical insurance (min. €30 000), proof of accommodation & funds, itinerary or WRO invitation letter, and proof of ties to home country (employment, study, etc.). Finger-prints are taken unless already in the VIS system.
Fees & processing	- Regular fee €80 (children 6–12 yrs €40). Processing time is usually 15 calendar days, but may reach 45 days when extra checks are required. - €35 - In accordance with Visa Facilitation Agreements, citizens of Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, BIH, Georgia, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia, and Ukraine qualify for this lower visa fee.
Collecting the visa	Passports are normally returned in person or via the appointment centre’s courier service. Verify that the visa’s validity (dates and number of entries) matches the delegation’s itinerary before travel.

Securing visas for your participants

Prepare a template “Invitation & Guarantee Letter” on official WRO Slovenia 2025 letterhead confirming each person’s role, accommodation, and that costs are covered.
Keep a spreadsheet of application dates and tracking numbers so you can chase any delays.
Remind teams that border officers may still ask for proofs of purpose, funds and insurance—carry printed copies while travelling.

With timely appointments, complete documents and the official invitation, short-stay visas for sports/academic events are routinely granted. Start early and your teams should arrive in Ljubljana stress-free and ready to compete!