TEMPORARY RESIDENCE

A foreigner may work in Montenegro only in the positions for which a permit for temporary residence and work or a work registration certificate has been issued, and only with the employer who employs them. This permit may be issued for: employment of a foreigner, seasonal employment of a foreigner, posted worker employment - covering the provision of contracted services and movement within a foreign company. A permit for temporary residence and work for employing a foreigner is issued with a validity period of up to one year and may be extended for up to two years. A permit for temporary residence and work for seasonal employment is issued with a validity period of up to six months within a one-year period; exceptionally, if the performance of seasonal work requires it, the permit may be extended for an additional two months with the same or a different employer, with the total validity period of the permit not exceeding eight months within a one-year period. A permit for temporary residence and work for providing contracted services is issued with a validity period of up to one year and may be extended until the completion of the contracted services, or up to a maximum of two years. A permit for temporary residence and work for movement within a foreign company is issued with a validity period of up to one year and may be extended until the completion of the work, or up to a maximum of two years.

A permit for temporary residence and work may be issued to a foreigner if they:

1. Have means of subsistence;
2. Have secured accommodation;
3. Have health insurance;
4. Have a valid foreign travel document or identity card issued by the competent authority of another state, with a validity period at least three months longer than the approved residence period, or a travel document for a stateless person;
5. Are not subject to entry and stay bans in Montenegro;
6. Have not been finally sentenced to imprisonment for more than six months for a criminal offense prosecuted ex officio or the legal consequences of the conviction have ceased, both in Montenegro and in their country of origin;
7. There are no obstacles due to reasons of national security, internal security, or public health;
8. Submit evidence justifying the request for the issuance of the permit, with the evidence varying depending on the basis of residence:

• Employment and seasonal employment: a written job offer from the employer for employing the foreigner in a specific position, proof of acquired level of education and qualification, proof of health fitness, an extract from the employer's organizational chart.
• Provision of contracted services: a contract for providing contracted services, proof of employment with a foreign company, proof of at least two years of work experience in the specific field covered by the service contract, proof of professional qualifications, proof from the competent authority of social insurance.
• Movement within a foreign company: proof of temporary assignment, proof from the competent authority of social insurance, proof that the foreign company is the founder of the company in Montenegro or part of a foreign company to which the individual is assigned; proof that after the temporary assignment, the foreigner will return to work in the foreign company from which they were temporarily assigned.
• Family reunification: a permit for temporary residence for family reunification is issued to a foreigner who is a member of the immediate family of a Montenegrin citizen or a member of the immediate family of a foreigner granted permanent or temporary residence in Montenegro. Immediate family members include: spouses, their minor children born in or out of wedlock, children of one of the spouses and adopted children, until they reach the age of 18, or parents or adopters of minor children. Note: A permit for temporary residence for family reunification is issued with a validity period of up to one year, or until the expiration of the validity period of the temporary residence permit of the foreigner with whom the reunification is sought. A permit for temporary residence for family reunification will not be issued to a foreigner if the marriage is found to be a sham;
• Education: a confirmation of enrollment. A permit for temporary residence for completing education may be extended for a maximum of two years after the expiration of the prescribed period for completing education.
• Participation in international student exchange programs and other youth programs: a confirmation from the competent state administration authority responsible for implementing international agreements on student or youth exchange, confirming the foreigner's participation in international exchange (after completing studies, a permit for temporary residence may be issued to the foreigner in Montenegro, valid for nine months for the purpose of seeking employment);
• Specialization, professional training, or practical training of foreigners: confirmation from the competent authority, institution, or other legal entity in Montenegro that specialization, professional training, or practical training has been approved, as well as the program of specialization, professional training, or practical training specifying their duration.
• Scientific research work: a contract concluded with a scientific research institution or institution of higher education or other legal and natural persons. After completing the research, a permit for temporary residence in Montenegro may be issued to the researcher, valid for nine months for the purpose of seeking employment;
• Medical treatment: Confirmation issued by a healthcare institution where the treatment will be provided, including the time required for treatment. A permit for temporary residence for medical treatment may be extended for the duration necessary for the treatment of the foreigner;
• Humanitarian reasons: evidence from an international organization, non-governmental organization, or state administration authority providing assistance and protection to the foreigner, or evidence from the competent state authority confirming the foreigner's cooperation in investigating criminal offenses. A permit for temporary residence for humanitarian reasons is issued with a validity period of up to one year and may be extended as long as humanitarian reasons exist;
• Use and disposal of property rights: land registry extract or other evidence confirming ownership of the property;
• Religious service in Montenegro: confirmation that the religious community in which they intend to perform religious rites and services has registered its activities and headquarters in Montenegro;

Voluntary work within the European Voluntary Service: a contract concluded for voluntary work for participation in a volunteer program.

First Step: Submission of Request

The foreigner personally submits the request for the issuance of a temporary residence permit to the Ministry of Internal Affairs in their place of residence, on the prescribed form, for which a confirmation is issued. Along with the request, the aforementioned evidence is attached. A foreigner who submits a complete request for the issuance of a temporary residence permit before the expiration of the 90-day stay may remain in Montenegro until the executive decision is made. The request for the extension of the temporary residence and work permit is submitted by the foreigner or the employer to the Ministry at the foreigner's place of residence, the employer's headquarters in Montenegro, or the foreigner's workplace, no later than 30 days before the expiration of the validity period of the temporary residence and work permit.

Second Step: Decision on the Request

The temporary residence permit is issued with a validity period of up to one year. The permit is issued by the Ministry, with the prior opinion of the Agency and the police (no later than ten days from the date of receipt of the request for opinion) regarding the existence of obstacles due to reasons of national security or internal security. The decision on the request for the issuance of a temporary residence permit is made within 40 days from the date of submission of the complete request. A decision on the refusal of the request for the issuance of a temporary residence permit is made, against which an appeal to the Ministry can be filed within eight days from the date of receipt of the decision.