Services: Expatriate Services

View this page in: Srpski

Important information about immigration issues (residence permits, work permits, visas, etc.) can be found here.

This guide is not intended to be a comprehensive or exhaustive study of Serbian immigration and labour law. It should be used as a guide as you prepare for your assignment in Serbia. We advise you against making any decisions without first seeking professional advice, as laws and interpretations in Serbia are still subject to relatively frequent changes without much prior notice.


BUSINESS TRIP

Business Visas
Formally, business visas (not residence/work permits) are required for foreigners coming to Serbia for business purposes (e.g. meetings) and for expatriates who intend to be employed by corporate entities registered locally.
Diplomatic and Consular Departments of Serbia (Embassies) should issue a visa for a business trip.
In practice, the immigration authorities permit business visitors to enter the country without a business visa. It is probable that the basis is that, effective as of 31 May 2003, citizens of the following countries do not require visas when entering and staying in Serbia for non-business purposes of up to 90 days:

Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, The Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, The Netherlands, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the USA and Vatican.

Concessions
No nationalities will face unusual difficulties entering the country for business purposes. No nationalities will enjoy favourable treatment for business trips.



APPLICATION FOR RESIDENCE OR BUSINESS PERMIT

White Card
As soon as an expatriate enters the country (within 24 hours), he / she is required to register with the Ministry of Interior, Municipal police station:

  • When staying in a hotel, an expatriate will automatically be registered by that hotel
  • When renting an apartment or staying with someone, the landlord / person who he is staying with should accompany the expatriate to the Municipal police station and start the registration process (obtaining the so-called “White Card”)

Relevant permits
Within 3 days of arrival in the country the applicant must apply for a residence or business permit with the Police Office for expatriates. The following documents are required at this time:

  • Application form
  • Valid passport
  • Registration of the apartment where the foreigner is staying (“The White Card”) issued by the Municipal police station

After the request has been submitted, it takes the Police Office for expatriates a month to bring a decision on the expatriate’s eligibility for the permits. Within this period the applicant is required to complete the adequate documentation. The procedures for obtaining specific permits are described under separate headings.
The residence / business permit is usually issued by the Police office within about 3 days after the decision is brought.
The permit is usually issued for 6 months.

Business Permit or Residence Permit
Certain people are eligible for a business permit. If this is not the case, a residence permit is required.

Business Permit
Expatriates with a right to a business permit are:

  • The Company’s Founders (shareholders)
  • Directors of companies with foreign shareholders, as stated in Commercial Court’s decision
  • Directors of (foreign) representative offices
  • Directors of (foreign) banks, (foreign) banks’ representative offices, (foreign) insurance companies, and (foreign) insurance companies’ representative offices

The documentation required is:

  • Valid passport
  • Registration of the apartment where the foreigner is staying (“The White Card”) issued by the Municipal police station
  • Two photographs (dimensions 40 mm x 30 mm)
  • The Decision from the Commercial Court showing up-to-date statutory information about the Company. Changes. If the entity is a Representative office, similar information from the Federal Ministry of International Economic Relations stating the changes
  • Proof of possession of €3,500 EUR in Serbia (confirmation from a local bank)
  • Quarterly calculation of sales tax

Residence Permit

To obtain a residence permit, an expatriate should submit the following documents to the Police Office for expatriates:

  • Valid passport
  • Registration of the apartment where the foreigner is staying (“The White Card”) issued by the Municipal police station
  • Two photographs (dimensions 40 mm x 30 mm)
  • Employment contract (in Serbian language, stating that employment is starting after obtaining residence in Serbia)
  • Explanatory letter on the company's letterhead of their need for the expatriate's employment (in Serbian language stating that employment is starting after obtaining residence in Serbia and how long it will last, the expatriate’s job description, whether the expatriate is receiving the salary locally or abroad)
  • The Decision from the Commercial Court showing up-to-date statutory information about the Company changes. If the entity is a Representative office, similar up to date information from the Federal Ministry of International Economic Relations.
  • Quarterly calculation of sales tax

Work permit

After obtaining the residence / business permit, the expatriate needs a work permit.
The following documents should be submitted to the Labour Authorities of Serbia and the process usually takes about seven days:

  • Application form
  • Company Explanation of the need for this profile of employee
  • Extract (copy) from a valid passport (pages with photograph and approved residence / business permit)

Renewal

Once the initial 6 months expires, an expatriate has the right to renew his/her business / residence and work permit. The renewal process takes approximately two weeks.



OTHER MATTERS

Is a birth certificate required?

For children only. *Please refer below to “Separate application for family members”.

Are academic certificates required?

Not necessary.

Is police clearance required?

Yes, for the residence/ business permit.

Are separate applications necessary for family members?

Yes, for each family member.

The necessary documents are:

  • Valid passport(s)
  • Registration of the apartment where the foreigner is staying (“The White Card”) issued by the Municipal police station (for each family member)
  • Marriage certificate (for the spouse) and birth certificate (for each child)
  • Translation of the marriage certificate and the birth certificate (translated from the original) certified by a court translator
  • Two photographs for each applicant (dimensions 40 mm x 30 mm)

Spouse work rights

If a spouse of a work-permit holder wishes to work during the stay in Serbia, a separate residence/ work permit is necessary.

Penalties for non- compliance

Penalties for any non-compliance are fines.