Understanding Visa Types and Regulations in the Republic of Serbia

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on the various types of visas and visa regulations in the Republic of Serbia. Navigating the visa requirements of any country can be a complex task, and Serbia is no exception. Whether you’re planning a short visit, considering a long-term stay, or simply want to understand the intricacies of Serbian visa regulations, this guide aims to provide you with valuable insights and practical information. Join us as we explore the different visa categories, application processes, and the essential conditions you need to know before traveling to Serbia.

Types of Visas

A visa is issued in two main forms:
  1. In the form of a stamp or sticker in the passport.
  2. In the form of a separate document that needs to be presented upon entry into the country.

The visa’s validity period is indicated on the document itself and depends on the visa issuance policies of different countries. Some countries require a visa for entry, while others allow short stays without a visa but may require a visa for longer stays.

The most common types of visas recognized by the visa regimes of most countries include:

  1. Tourist Visa – for short tourist or business trips to a foreign country.
  2. Residence Visa – for the purpose of working in a specific country, often for periods exceeding 90 days without interruption but not more than 180 days in a calendar year.
  3. Transit Visa – Travelers from all countries are required to inquire about the visa requirements of the country they are traveling to and the countries they are transiting through.
  4. Group Visa – a type of visa issued for a group of individuals rather than individual applicants.
  5. Diplomatic and Official Visa – issued only to holders of diplomatic passports, official passports, and United Nations passports.

Visa Regime in the Republic of Serbia:

For anyone wishing to visit or stay in Serbia, the first question is whether a visa is required and, if so, which type.

The answer to this question is provided by the Law on Foreigners (“Official Gazette of RS,” No. 24/2018, 31/2019, and 62/2023), which specifies three types of visas:

A Visa (Airport Transit Visa) C Visa (Short Stay Visa) D Visa (Long Stay Visa)

A Visa (Airport Transit Visa):

A foreigner who, during a layover at an airport in the Republic of Serbia, does not exit the international transit area of the airport or aircraft is not required to have a visa. Therefore, a foreigner who does not exit the international transit area of the airport or aircraft during a layover between two flights does not need this type of visa.

The Government of the Republic of Serbia may decide that citizens of certain countries, for reasons of security of the Republic of Serbia and its citizens, must have an airport transit visa.

An airport transit visa is not required for foreigners who do not need a visa to enter the Republic of Serbia, foreigners holding a valid visa to enter the Republic of Serbia, or those with residence permits. Additionally, it is not required for family members of Serbian citizens, holders of diplomatic and official passports, and aircraft crew members, in accordance with the Convention on International Civil Aviation.

An airport transit visa is issued with a validity period of up to six months and allows one or more transits through the international transit area of the airport without the possibility of entering the territory of the Republic of Serbia.

C Visa (Short Stay Visa):

A short-stay visa is permission to enter the Republic of Serbia, transit through the territory of the Republic of Serbia, or stay on the territory of the Republic of Serbia for up to 90 days within any 180-day period, counting from the date of first entry.

A short-stay visa is issued for all travel purposes (e.g., for business trips or conferences), except for those for which a long-stay visa is issued or temporary residence is granted.

A short-stay visa cannot serve as the basis for applying for temporary residence in the Republic of Serbia, except in exceptional cases.

A short-stay visa is issued for one, two, or multiple entries into the Republic of Serbia.

The validity period of a short-stay visa cannot exceed five years.

With the recent changes to the Law on Foreigners, the transit visa (visa B), which was issued for one, two, or multiple journeys through the Republic of Serbia with a validity period of up to six months, while the stay for one transit could not exceed five days, has been abolished. This type of visa now falls under visa C, i.e., a short-stay visa.

When applying for this visa, it is necessary to provide evidence of the following:

The purpose of the trip. Sufficient financial means to cover accommodation and other expenses or any other proof related to accommodation. Sufficient financial means available during the intended stay and return to the country of origin or habitual residence. Other facts that can demonstrate the applicant’s intention to leave Serbia before the expiry of the requested visa.

D Visa (Long Stay Visa):

A long-stay visa is permission to enter and stay in the territory of the Republic of Serbia for a period of 90 to 180 days.

A foreigner who, in accordance with the visa regime for entry into the Republic of Serbia, requires a visa and intends to apply for temporary residence in the Republic of Serbia, must obtain a long-stay visa. This also applies to a foreigner intending to apply for a single permit.

A foreigner who has been issued a long-stay visa based on employment is entitled to work in accordance with the regulations governing the employment of foreigners.

It should also be noted that the basis for applying for a long-stay visa must be identical to the basis for issuing a temporary residence permit. For example, if a D visa is issued based on employment with a Serbian employer, it is not possible to apply for the temporary residence of foreigners in Serbia based on family reunification.

General Conditions for Obtaining a Visa in the Republic of Serbia:

When applying for a visa, a foreigner must provide:

  1. A completed visa application form.
  2. A travel document – passport, with the passport being valid for at least 90 days from the date of visa issuance.
  3. A photograph (dimensions 3.5×4.5cm).
  4. Proof of paid visa fee.
  5. Proof of the purpose and reasons for staying in the Republic of Serbia.
  6. An invitation letter:

a) For a private visit – the invitation letter must be certified by a notary public in the Republic of Serbia. b) For a business visit – the invitation letter is sent by a company established in the Republic of Serbia. c) For a tourist visit – a confirmation from a tourist agency of a paid arrangement (e.g., a voucher).

  1. Appropriate and valid travel health insurance – The visa applicant must provide evidence that they have adequate travel health insurance covering costs that may arise in connection with emergency medical assistance, emergency hospital treatment, repatriation for medical reasons, or in the event of death during their stay.

When applying for a short-stay visa, the applicant must provide evidence of:

  1. The purpose of the trip.
  2. Sufficient financial means for accommodation costs or other evidence related to accommodation.
  3. The amount of available funds for maintenance during the intended stay and return to the country of origin or habitual residence.
  4. Other evidence that can verify the applicant’s intention to leave the Republic of Serbia before the expiry of the requested visa.

Submission of a visa application and the decision on the application:

Visas are issued by diplomatic and consular missions. The visa application is usually considered and decided upon by the diplomatic and consular mission in whose consular district the applicant legally resides (embassy, consulate, etc.).

Exceptionally, a diplomatic and consular mission considers and decides on an application submitted by a foreigner who is legally present in its consular district but does not have residence there, in cases where the applicant provides evidence of the urgency of travel to the Republic of Serbia, requiring a visa (e.g., the need for medical treatment in Serbia).

In countries where the Republic of Serbia does not have diplomatic and consular missions, an international treaty may provide for mutual representation in the visa issuance process.

A decision on a visa application is made within 15 days from the date of application, and this period may be extended to 30 days if there are justified reasons.

The validity period of visas and the duration of stay specified in the visa must not be exceeded and can only be extended due to professional reasons or force majeure.

In conclusion, understanding the visa landscape in the Republic of Serbia is essential for anyone planning to visit or stay in this beautiful country. We’ve covered the key visa types, their specific purposes, and the general application requirements. By arming yourself with knowledge about Serbia’s visa regulations, you can make your travel preparations smoother and more efficient. Whether you’re a tourist, business traveler, or considering long-term residence, Serbia welcomes you, and we hope this guide has been a helpful resource on your journey. Safe travels!

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