2.1.1. Introduction

This metadata information is provided by Country's authorities to ensure compliance with the requirements of Article 6 of Regulation 862/2007 on Community Statistics on Migration and International Protection.

As required by Article 9 of the Regulation 862/2007, Member States must report to Eurostat on the data sources used, the reasons for the selection of these sources and the effects of the selected data on the quality of the statistics. Member States shall provide it with all the information necessary to evaluate the quality, comparability and completeness of the statistical information.

The reference terms for the assessment of quality compliance are provided by Eurostat in the Residence permit statistics technical guidelines applied for the reference period (See section 3.4 Statistical concepts and definitions from the Residence permits statistics ESMS file).

2.1.2. General description of the statistical domain at national level

National system for compilation of residence permits statistics (level of development, main changes that affected the system in the last years and further development)

RESPER statistics are produced based on outputs of the "Registry of Aliens permitted to stay in Slovak Republic" Information System (hereinafter reffered to as "ECU IS"). ECU IS is a single administrative source for the creation of European, National or other statistics. ECU IS collects, preserves and provides information on aliens, who are permitted to stay in Slovak Republic, information on residence permission procedure, their personal data, documentation on residence permits and penalties. Basic units of the Border and Alien Police service are responsible for inputs of data on aliens to the ECU IS (in accordance with provisions of Act No. 404/2011 on stay of aliens). Alien Police Units of the Police Force record application for residence permit with biometric data of each alien. Police officers record every change regarding the alien, whether related to person or the application for residence permit. The record remains in the ECU IS also after the residence permit has been cancelled or the alien has acquired the Slovak citizenship. The Alien Police Units are authorized to perform minor changes, mostly regarded to personal data or adress. Important data on stay of alien can be changen exclusively by the ECU IS gestor - Department of Alien Police of the BBAP. The ECU IS is connected with the Information System "Registry of Citizens", which contains data on all citizens of the Slovak Republic. This allows to register the family ties with citizens of the Slovak Republic or to perform the automatic change of status to Citizen of the Slovak Republic. For the purpose of police services activities, it is possible to perform the check of personal data of aliens in the ECU IS and also to compile statistics. Statistics are created by defined reports, through which ECU IS generates requested statistical outputs based on the input parameters. Statistical outputs are produced in MS Excel format. ECU IS is a "live registry", it means that every single change is immediately reflected in the statistics.

2.1.3. European and national legal framework relevant for Residence permits statistics

Include information on Applicable/Not applicable European legal acts at national level

Authorization to collect data on the European statistics is, in addition to European legislation (Regulation (EC) 862/2007 on Community statistics on migration and international protection), declared in the national legislation:

- Act Nr. 404/2011 of Collection of laws on stay of aliens and on amendment of certain acts as amended (§ 76)

(hyperlink: http://www.zbierka.sk/sk/predpisy/404-2011-z-z.p-34368.pdf )

2.1.4. Institutional infrastructure

List of the institutions involved in managing the registers related to Residence permits statistics and the institutions involved in the compilation of the Residence permits statistics

Bureau of Border and Alien Police of Presidium of the Police Force:

- Input of data is carried out by Alien Police Units of the Police force (BBAP)

- Compilation of Resident permits statistics is within the competence of Risk Analysis and Statistics Unit of Department of Risk Analysis and Coordination of BBAP

2.1.5. General procedure for issuing first residence permits at National level

National legislation does not recognize the term "first permit", at national level, it is possible to grant, extend or renew the residence permit.

The first residence permit (in accordance with EUROSTAT) is defined only in the statistical outputs from the ECU IS, which are tailored to individual tables for the first permit (RP1 - RP4).

2.1.6. General procedure for recording change of status or reason to stay of the permit (reason)

National legislation does not recognize the term "change of status", at national level, it is possible to grant, extend or renew the residence permit.

The change of status (in accordance with EUROSTAT) is defined only in the statistical outputs from the ECU IS, which are tailored to individual table for the change of status (RP5).

2.1.7. General procedure for recording all valid residence permits at the end of the year

Include information on all permits valid in the end of the year and long term permits

All valid residence permits at the end of the year are recorded in ECU IS, which is able to produce statistical output in compliance with RESPER technical guidelines for data collection.

2.1.8. General procedure for recording residence permits for Highly Skilled Workers and EU Blue Cards

Include information for first permit data collection and EU Blue Cards data collection

At national level, it is an individual purpose of stay (EU Blue card), that is recorded in ECU IS, which is able to produce statistical output in compliance with RESPER technical guidelines for data collection (first permit - see 2.5). (National legislative does not recognize the term "Highly skilled workers").

2.1.9. General procedure for recording single permits

Currently, the ECU information system does not specify the output to the identification of the “Single permits”. For purposes of calculation of “Single permits“ for requested table, from the group of all residence permits granted during the reference period (including first permit, renewed and change of status) there were:

1. selected individual residence purposes that are considered as “Single permits” according article 3 (1) of the Directive 2011/98/EU,
2. at the same time there were excluded those purposes that are in accordance with article 3 (2) of the Directive, i.e. nationals to whom the Directive does not apply,
3. excluded permitted residences of which the length of validity was less than 3 months and  
4. then from this way filtered out group of residence permits there were individual purposes disaggregate into 4 categories in accordance with Eurostat definition: Family, Education, Occupation and Other.

2.1.10. Type of residence permits counted for Residence permits statistics (e.g. residence permits, long-term visas, authorisation to stay, work permit, education permit, etc) referirng to all applicable tables

2.1.11. Main problems that affect the quality of the data and what tables are concerned including the compliance status with the definitions from Residence permits statistics Technical Guideline

In general, we can say that the implementation of any changes without compromising data consistency is quite complicated. The overall situation is complicated by the fact that we do not have enough funds, which is also related to the fact that the supplier of ECU IS is an external company. Due to aforementioned, implementation of changes in ECU IS based on new European legislative is difficult, since the ECU IS is older information system (2004). This regards, in particular, Single Permits tables and disaggregation by age and sex in other tables.

Quality policy is not formally treated in a separate document, but is being fulfilled. The quality policy arises from the very high quality data processing needs for evidence, statistical and analytical purposes (national and international), as apparent from the national legislation and the fulfillment of commitments of the Slovak Republic to the European Union and Schengen. In addition, there are personal (obligations of employees), technical (within the registry systems) and legislative measures. The quality of statistical processes and outputs is guaranteed by methodical and user manuals and other internal regulations regarding the functioning of the ECU IS.

First permits issued for remunerated activities

5.1.1. General aspects

Include information on main users of Residence permits statistics at national level, European and International level.

The statistics collected under the Regulation 862/2007 are widely used in official publications and by a wide range of users at national, European and International level. The Residence permits statistics produced are regularly used by national administrations, academic researchers and civil society groups working on a wide range of topics including the integration of immigrants, the development and monitoring of national asylum and immigration procedures, and the projection of the future population and labour force.

At European level, the main users of Residence permits statistics are Eurostat and DG Migration and Home Affairs. These statistics are used in several publications of the Commission, as well as in the preparation of regular reports, policy proposals and analysis.  The statistics also provide an input to the European Migration Network (EMN) studies and reports that address specific issues of current policy importance.

5.1.2. Residence permits statistics data publication at national level

Include information on residence permits statistics published at national level and differences between the data provided to Eurostat and the data published at national level (first permits, all valid permits at the end of the year, long term permits at the end of the year, single permits, single permits and EU Blue Cards)

At national level, the Department of Risk Analysis and Coordination compiles own statistics and overviews of legal and illegal migration, that are published (on the website of the Ministry of Interior) and are in the same time accessible by public. The BBAP produces basic statistical overviews on annual and semi-annual basis, that are accessible by public on the website of the MInistry of interior (link: http://www.minv.sk/?rocenky). The European statistics are compiled based on administrative sources, but we are not obliged to publish it on national level. The EU statistics are accessible to other subjects (state authorities, NGOs, legal entities and natural persons) on demand.

Fully Compliance. No exceptions involved.

Statistical outputs for RP data are produced in line with article 6 of Regulation 862/2007 on Community Statistics on Migration and International Protection. We are using actual Technical Guidelines for the data collection under art. 6 of Regulation 862/2007 for filling out RP data and verification of required level of data quality.

Provide information if the residence permit can be issued for the principal applicant only and if all the family members are counted for residence permits statistics

List of categories of permits included in the "Other remunerated activities" subcategory

• Business
  
• Employment
  
• Specific activity: Lecturing
• Specific activity: Artistic activities
• Specific activity: Sport
• Specific activity: accredited journalist
• Slovak living abroad with category remunerated activity, which is stated in application for residence permit. 
• permanent residence for five years in the interest of the Slovak Republic
• EEA (not EU) + EFTA (not EEA) with category remunerated activity, which is stated in application for residence permit
• Temporary residence for a third country national who has the status of a person with long term residence in another member state who is conducting business activities in the Slovak Republic territory or is employed in the Slovak Republic territory.
  

List of categories of permits included in the "Other" subcategory

• Armed Forces member
• Medical treatment
• Art.46/2/b) of Act 404/2011 Coll. (stateless person)
• Art.46/2/c) of Act 404/2011 Coll. (for reasons of particular concern)
• Art.46/2/d) of Act 404/2011 Coll. (upon a proposal of the Slovak Information Service due to safety interests of the Slovak Republic)
• Art.58/3 of Act 404/2011 Coll. (upon the request of a prosecuting authority)
• Art.58/4/a) of Act 404/2011 Coll. (provision of institutional care)
• Art.58/4/b) of Act 404/2011 Coll. (duration of quarantine measures)
• Slovak living abroad with category other, which is stated in application for residence permit
  
• EEA (not EU) + EFTA (not EEA) with category other, which is stated in application for residence permit

List of categories of permits included in the "Other" subcategory

 - Humanitarian reasons

- Unaccompanied minors

- Victims of trafficking in human beings

- Residence only

- Residual categories

Please list the categories of long-term permits available at national level (under national legal framework).

- Art.46/1/a) of Act 404/2011 Coll. (spouse or dependent relative in direct line of the Slovak citizen)

- EU national relative - permanent

- EU national - permanent

- National long-term residence

- Residence durating longer than 5 years

Please indicate if "comparable definition" was applied.

Please provide details on national programmes facilitating the admission of highly-skilled workers counted for the data sent to Eurostat for this category. Include also details on 'Highly skilled workers' category reported in another main table from first permits data collection than the table related to occupation reasons (“family reason”, “education reason” or “other reasons”)

Currently, the ECU information system does not specify the output to the identification of the Single Permits. For purposes of calculation of “single permits“ for requested table, from the group of all residence permits granted during reference period(including first permit, renewed and change of status) there were:

1. selected individual residence purposes that are considered as single permits according article 3 (1) of the Directive 2011/98/EU,
2. at the same time there were excluded those purposes that are in accordance with article 3 (2) of the Directive, i.e. nationals to whom the Directive does not apply,
3. excluded permitted residences of which the length of validity was less than 3 months and  

Coverage of specific subcategories relate to the "reason" of issuing the residence permit

see definitions from Eurostat Statistics Explained glosary: http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Glossary:Coverage

Coverage of specific subcategories relate to EU Blue Cards data collection

see definitions from Eurostat Statistics Explained glosary: http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Glossary:Coverage

Coverage of specific subcategories relate to the "length of validity" of the residence permit

see definitions from Eurostat Statistics Explained glosary: http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Glossary:Coverage

8.3.1 Links between the Residence permits statistics and Asylum statistics and details related to the asylum applicant(s) case(s) included in Residence permits statistics in First residence permits

Please cover the differences between the Residence permits statistics and Asylum statistics reported to Eurostat

8.3.2 Links between the Residence permits statistics and special short-term study on "trafficking in human beings" collected by Eurostat for statistics on crime and criminal justice.

Please cover the differences between the Residence permits statistics and the statistics reported for short-term study on "trafficking in human beings"

Such information is not available to BBAP.