Impressive natural wonders, eclectic cities, and a distinctive heritage are just some of the facets that will greet you in Serbia. The European country is a haven for history buffs with its old towns and castles, too.
Aside from tourism, you’ll find career opportunities in major industries, including automotive, food processing, pharmaceuticals, machinery, information and communications technology, and clothing.
To live and work in Serbia, however, you may need to complete certain procedures as a foreign national. While Serbia is in Europe, it is not a member of the European Union. Serbia has been an EU candidate country since March 2012, and EU accession negotiations began in January 2014. For short visits, many foreign nationals may stay in Serbia for up to 90 days within a 180-day period, but the rule depends on nationality and visa status.
Foreign nationals who plan to stay longer and work in Serbia generally need the proper work authorization, such as a Visa D issued for employment or a temporary residence and work permit, also called a single permit. The correct option depends on your nationality, passport, intended length of stay, and type of work. You can use this link for country-specific information. This article explains what you need to know about getting authorization to work in Serbia.
Steps to Apply for a Serbian Work Visa
The process now depends on whether you need a Visa D before entering Serbia or whether you can apply directly for a single permit. A Visa D based on employment allows you to stay and work in Serbia for up to 180 days. If you plan to stay and work longer, you must apply for a single temporary residence and work permit.
You or your employer can apply for a Visa D and, in many cases, a temporary residence permit. However, a single permit must be submitted electronically through Serbia’s official Welcome to Serbia portal. You will need documents that match your employment basis and the type of application you submit.
Here’s a more detailed guide on getting authorization to work in Serbia:
Step 1. Find Employment in Serbia
Foreign workers in Serbia are regulated under Serbia’s rules on the employment of foreign citizens, and the National Employment Service (NES) is involved in labor market testing and employment assessments for many single permit applications.
For employment-based single permit applications, the employer generally initiates the labor market test by submitting the Vacancy Registration Form, also called the PPZ form. The NES checks whether there are suitable candidates in its records who meet the employer’s job requirements. The employer, or a person authorized by the employer, can submit this request as part of the online single permit process.
When applying for a position in Serbia, make sure your employer is a legal Serbian company or a multinational company with a legitimate registered branch or representative office in Serbia.
Step 2. Apply for a Residence Permit
If you need a visa to enter Serbia, you generally apply first for a Visa D on the basis of employment. If you are from a visa-free country and plan to work in Serbia for longer than a short stay, you may be able to apply for a single work and residence permit through the Welcome to Serbia portal. A temporary residence permit or single permit may be issued for up to three years, depending on the basis of stay.
Serbia’s current fee information lists the Visa D fee as 50 EUR, or about 59 USD. For a temporary residence or single permit, the listed fees include a 420 RSD submission fee and a 22,700 RSD temporary residence or single permit fee, or about 230 USD in total. Fees may be paid in Serbian dinars at the applicable official exchange rate, and some exemptions may apply.
Important documents for a residence or single permit may include the following, depending on the basis of your stay:
- Proof of health insurance, if required for your application basis
- Proof of sufficient means of subsistence, if required for your application basis
- Employment documents, such as an employment contract, draft employment contract, temporary work contract, or another contract proving employment in Serbia
- Proof of accommodation or a landlord statement confirming your registered residential address in Serbia
If you choose to apply online, use the official Welcome to Serbia portal. If your employer applies on your behalf, you may need to provide a signed authorization or power of attorney.
Step 3. Get a Work Permit
In most current cases, separate residence and work permits have been replaced by the single permit for temporary residence and work. Employment on the basis of a Visa D can also allow you to work in Serbia during the validity of that visa, up to a maximum of 180 days.
A properly completed single permit request is generally resolved within 15 days from the date of submission. If approved, the temporary residence or single permit is issued as a biometric card.
If your Visa D application is approved, you may need to contact the Serbian diplomatic or consular mission that handled your application to arrange the delivery of your travel document for insertion of the visa sticker, unless you qualify for Serbia’s digital travel authorization service. Visit Serbia’s Welcome to Serbia help page for further information.
As mentioned, a Visa D allows you to stay and work in Serbia for 90 to 180 days. If you plan to stay longer for the same employment, you should apply for a single temporary residence and work permit while your stay is still lawful. You may be eligible to apply for permanent residence after three years of continuous lawful temporary residence or temporary residence and work in Serbia, subject to the official conditions.
Documents Needed for a Serbian Work Visa
Foreign nationals who plan to work in Serbia may need either a Visa D based on employment or a single temporary residence and work permit. A Visa D is a long-stay visa that allows you to enter Serbia, stay for 90 to 180 days, and work if it is issued on the basis of employment. A single permit can allow temporary residence and work for up to three years, depending on the basis of stay.
General Requirements:
- Completed visa application form or online application form
- Valid passport issued within the last 10 years, valid for at least 90 days after the intended departure from Serbia, and containing at least two consecutive blank pages for a Visa D application
- Photo taken in the last six months, with dimensions 3.5 x 4.5 cm
- Proof of payment of the applicable visa, temporary residence, or single permit fee
- Invitation letter, if required for your application basis
- Registration certificate of the Serbian legal entity, business association, sports association, entrepreneur, or employer, as applicable
- Employment contract, draft employment contract, temporary work contract, or another contract proving employment in Serbia, as applicable
- Employer’s job-rulebook excerpt or employer statement describing the job, required qualifications, education, and special job conditions, if required
- Diploma, certificate, or other public document proving the required qualification or education, with a certified Serbian translation when required
- Authorization or power of attorney if the employer submits the application on your behalf
- Landlord statement, lease contract, or other accommodation document showing your residential address in Serbia
- Proof of health insurance and sufficient funds, when required for your specific visa or residence basis. For general entry purposes, sufficient funds are considered 50 EUR per day, or about 59 USD per day.
Additional Requirements for Special Occupations, As Applicable:
- If applying for religious service, a certificate of registration of the church or religious community in Serbia and an employment contract or letter confirming your role as a priest or religious official
- If applying as a volunteer, proof that the volunteering organizer is registered, a volunteering contract, and, when required, proof of health insurance and sufficient funds
- If applying as an accredited foreign journalist, accreditation from the Serbian ministry responsible for culture and information
- If engaged in a project with Serbian state authorities, a letter from the competent state authority, local self-government unit, organization, or association confirming the need for your engagement, your function, and the period of engagement
- If applying for training and development, a relevant diploma or certificate, a contract on training, internship, professional practice, work practice, or professional development, and the registration certificate of the Serbian employer organizing the program
Additional Requirements for Self-Employment
- Registration decision or certificate showing registration with the Serbian Business Registers Agency, when applicable
- Invitation letter, if required for your application basis
- Proof of a registered residential address in Serbia, such as a landlord statement, lease contract, or accommodation document
- Authorization or power of attorney if another person submits the application on your behalf
Note that diplomatic missions of the Republic of Serbia may request additional documentation as needed. Certain foreign documents must be translated into Serbian by a certified translator.
We hope this article on how to get a work visa in Serbia was helpful! If you’re interested in studying in Europe, make sure to check out the Available Programs in Europe for International Students!
