Were you expelled from university? Don't panic — there are options

188801/06/2025

In short

If you are expelled from a university in Slovakia, do not panic. You can appeal within 7–14 days, get a "medziročník" (interim student status) to finish your studies, re-enroll in your current or another faculty, change your residence permit (pobyt) status to a work or business permit, or get temporary protection ("dočasné útočisko") until April 2026. It is important to act quickly to keep your options for studying or legally staying in the country.

1. Filing an Appeal
2. Option to Take a Medziročník (Extra Year)
3. Re-enrolling in Your or Another Faculty
4. Changing VNJ Status from Study to Work or Business
5. Switching to Temporary Protection Status (Dočasné Útočisko)

Don't panic – it's stressful, of course, but definitely not the end of the world! There are several ways in Slovakia to fix the situation. You can keep your chance for education and legally stay in the country. The sooner you start acting, the more options you will have. We will look at several options to help you move forward.

Filing an Appeal

If the expulsion decision is not yet final, file an appeal. The expulsion notice usually states a deadline – often 7–14 days from the date you receive the letter. You need to submit the appeal to the dean's office (študijné oddelenie) or the dean of the faculty. Some universities provide a ready-made application form where you fill in your details. If there isn't one, write it yourself. In the application, state the official title (e.g., "Žiadosť o preskúmanie rozhodnutia o vylúčení zo štúdia"), the recipient (Dean of Faculty XYZ of XYZ University), your details (name, surname, study program). Then describe the reason for the appeal (the expulsion decision from a specific date) and the cause (e.g., illness or a teacher's mistake). Add evidence (e.g., a doctor's note), and be sure to state your request (review the decision, allow a retake of the exam) and sign with the date. After submission, the appeal is reviewed by an academic commission, the dean, or the rector. This takes 1–2 weeks, but the time frame depends on the university. You may be invited for an interview with the commission to clarify details.

Option to Take a Medziročník (Extra Year)

If you are in your final years (3rd year of bachelor's or 2nd year of master's), you can take a medziročník. This is a chance to remain a full-time student, keep your temporary residence permit (VNJ), and calmly clear your academic debts. During this year, you can finish your thesis or retake exams. We talked about the medziročník, its benefits, and how to arrange it in another article – be sure to read it.

Re-enrolling in Your or Another Faculty

Another option is to re-enroll in the university. Get a transcript of passed subjects from the študijné oddelenie – it will be your advantage. Submit an application for admission (dates are usually from January to May). Thanks to the transcript, you won't have to retake subjects you've already passed. You will only need to complete new courses. You can re-enroll in a different faculty, major, or even a different university. But remember: A temporary residence permit (VNJ) for study purposes can only be obtained if you are studying full-time. Switching to part-time study will not work if you want to keep this type of VNJ.

Changing VNJ Status from Study to Work or Business

Don't want to continue studying? Change your VNJ status from study to work or business. If you find an employer, apply for a work VNJ. You can look for vacancies through the Labor Office (Úrad práce) or other websites. Important: the job offer must be registered with the Labor, Social Affairs and Family Office (Úrad práce, sociálnych vecí a rodiny) at least 30 days before submitting the application. Another way is to get a živnosť (Slovak sole-trader licence). This gives you the right to officially work as an entrepreneur, providing services according to your skills. To do this, you need to prove you have €5,500 in your bank account (amount as of July 2024, may change) and arrange health insurance. A detailed list of documents is available on the IOM website.

Switching to Temporary Protection Status (Dočasné Útočisko)

Slovakia has currently extended the possibility of obtaining temporary protection status (dočasné útočisko) until April 2026. Therefore, if you have lost or might lose your student VNJ, you need to submit an official application to the migration police stating that you wish to obtain this status. However, this status may be canceled in the future, so it is not the most reliable option. We recommend it as a last resort. Expulsion from university is not the end of your story in Slovakia! Appeal the decision, take a medziročník, re-enroll, look for a job, or start your own business – you have several ways to stay in the country and continue your education or career. Act quickly, because the sooner you start, the more options you will have.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

How to appeal a dismissal from university?+

An appeal must be submitted to the dean's office or the faculty dean within 7–14 days of receiving the decision. In the application, state the reason for the appeal, add evidence, and formulate a request for a review of the decision.

What is medziročník and who is it available to?+

Medziročník is an opportunity for students in their final years (3rd year of bachelor's or 2nd year of master's) to take an additional year to complete their studies, retake exams, and write their thesis, while maintaining student status and residence permit (VŠP).

Can I re-enroll in university after being dismissed?+

Yes, you can re-enroll in your own or another faculty by submitting an application from January to May. A transcript of passed subjects will allow you to skip subjects you have already passed.

How to change residence permit (VŠP) status if I don't want to continue studying?+

You can change your residence permit (VŠP) status from study to work by finding an employer with a vacancy registered with the Úrad práce (Labor Office) at least 30 days before submitting the application, or by obtaining self-employed status (živnosť) with confirmation of €5500 in your account and health insurance.

What is temporary protection status (dočasné útočisko) and when should I get it?+

The temporary protection status (dočasné útočisko) allows you to legally stay in Slovakia until April 2026. You can obtain it by applying at the migration police if you lose your student residence permit (VŠP). However, this status can be canceled, so it is recommended as a last resort.

Updated 29 July 2026