Visa in Serbia - detailed guide for 2026
Are you planning a trip to Serbia, but you are not sure which visa you need and what is the procedure for obtaining a Visa in Serbia in 2026? Visa regulations change frequently, and unclear and outdated information can lead to complications when entering the country. Whether you are coming for tourism, business activities, study or work, it is important to know in advance what your obligations are in order to avoid unnecessary problems at the border.
In this guide, we provide you with the latest information about Visas in Serbia: types of Serbian visas, conditions for obtaining them, required documents and the application process. Also, we find out what are the most common mistakes when applying for a Visa in Serbia and how you can avoid them, as well as how to speed up the approval process. Regardless of whether you are coming for a short-term stay or planning a longer stay, here you will find all the key information that will facilitate the process of obtaining a Visa in Serbia. In addition, we advise you to consult with immigration law attorney in Serbia.
Do you need help with your visa in Serbia?
The process of obtaining a visa can be complex, with various conditions and administrative requirements. If you want legal support and clear steps on how to obtain a visa, our immigration lawyers can help make the process simpler.
Contact us and solve your situation
1. Visa Regime: Who Needs a Visa for Serbia?
Before traveling to Serbia, it is essential to check whether your country is subject to a visa or visa-free regime with Serbia, meaning whether you need a visa to enter the country. Depending on your country of origin, different visa regulations may apply.
For example, citizens of the Russian Federation can enter Serbia without a visa and stay for up to 30 days. After leaving the country, they can re-enter Serbia and gain the right to stay for another 30 days without a visa. On the other hand, EU citizens can stay in Serbia for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. This means that after spending 90 days in Serbia, they must remain outside the country's borders for the next 90 days before re-entering.
2. Types of Serbian Visas
The Serbian Law on Foreigners recognizes three types of visas:
- Airport Transit Visa (Visa A)
- Short-Stay Visa (Visa C)
- Long-Stay Visa (Visa D)
Airport Transit Visa (Visa A)
This visa is required for travelers transiting through a Serbian airport on their way to another country. It does not permit entry into Serbia; travelers must remain in the international transit area of the airport.
Short-Stay Visa (Visa C)
A short-stay visa (Visa C) allows foreigners to enter Serbia for a period of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. This visa is commonly used for:
Tourism, Business visits, Family visits, Participation in events, conferences, or sports competitions. A short-stay visa does not allow for a temporary residence permit application, meaning visitors must leave Serbia before the 90-day limit.
Long-Stay Visa (Visa D)
A long-stay visa (Visa D) allows foreigners to stay in Serbia for 90 to 180 days.
It is a prerequisite for applying for temporary residence and a work permit in Serbia for those who require a visa to enter. • Apply for temporary residence in Serbia. • Obtain a unified permit, which combines a residence and work permit. • Extend their stay beyond the visa period through a residence permit renewal.
You can find a detailed guide to obtaining temporary residence in Serbia at our blog.
Grounds for Obtaining a Serbian Visa
Foreigners can apply for a Serbian visa based on various grounds.
Grounds for Obtaining a Serbian Visa:
- Employment in Serbia
- Starting a business (self-employment)
- Company transfers
- Family reunification
- Studies or professional training
- Volunteering
- Accredited foreign journalists
- Participation in projects with Serbian state institutions
- Engagement in audiovisual productions in Serbia
Visa for Serbia Based on Employment
In recent years, Serbia has become an increasingly attractive destination for employing foreign nationals. There are numerous reasons for this, but the fact remains that more and more employers are opting to hire foreign workers.
The Visa D on basis of employment of foreign nationals in Serbia includes several categories:
Employmentwhich covers hiring foreign nationals based on an employment contract special cases of employment including posted workers, intra-corporate transfers, independent professionals, and employment for training and professional development.
Beyond employment, employers are increasingly choosing other forms of hiring foreign nationals, particularly intra-corporate transfersand Company transfers.
For these types of employment, a connection must exist between the domestic employer looking to hire a foreign national and the foreign employer where the individual is already employed. This connection typically arises when both companies share the same ownership structure or have a "parent-subsidiary" relationship.
In addition to corporate affiliation, the companies must also be linked through a business-technical cooperation agreement, which regulates the details of the employee's transfer, salary payment, and all other relevant aspects of the foreign worker's assignment.
Visa for Serbia Based on Self-Employment
Beyond regular employment options for foreign nationals in Serbia, self-employment is another pathway to obtaining a visa.
Self-employment involves conducting independent business activities either as a sole entrepreneur or by establishing a company (most commonly a limited liability company—LLC). By registering a business in Serbia, you gain eligibility to apply for a visa, followed by a unified residence and work permit.
If you have not yet established a company in Serbia but are planning to take that step, you can find all the details about company formation in Serbia on our blog, as well as to consult with corporate law attorney.
Visa D Application Process
The application process for a Visa D is conducted online through the Welcome to SerbiaApplicants must create an account, provide personal details, and upload required documents.
After successfully creating an account, you will proceed to the section for submitting a visa application, where you first enter all the necessary information required to establish your identity, as well as the purpose and basis of your travel to the Republic of Serbia. This includes details such as your place of residence, marital status, reason for traveling to Serbia, place of stay, and similar information.
The information you need to provide includes your place of residence, marital status, purpose of travel to Serbia, place of stay, and similar details.
Required Documents for Visa D Application
- Recent photo (passport-sized, biometric format),
- Invitation Letter
- Valid passport,
- Proof of accommodation (rental agreement or invitation letter from a host in Serbia)
- Justification documents (varies depending on the visa category, e.g., employment contract, business registration documents, or marriage certificate)
- Proof of payment of visa fees
Valid passport
To enter Serbia, as well as to travel to any country, a passport is required. With this in mind, a valid passport is necessary for obtaining a Type D visa, and its validity must extend at least three months beyond the planned period for which the visa is issued.
Invitation letter for Serbian Visa
The invitation letter is the first document required when applying for a visa to Serbia. It is issued by a legal or natural person in Serbia who guarantees your stay in the country and assumes financial responsibility for your living expenses.
Additionally, they may be held accountable if you incur any debts while in Serbia. If the invitation letter is issued by an individual, it must be notarized by a public notary in Serbia. If issued by a legal entity, notarization is not required.
Proof of accommodation
To legally stay in Serbia, you must have a registered address of residence. Therefore, the owner of the property where you will be staying must provide a written statement consenting to your stay at their property for the duration of your visit.
You can find details related to renting an apartment at our blog..
Proof of Justification for Visa Application
Proof of the justification for your request is the most important step in gathering the necessary documentation, as this is the stage where... as errors or omissions at this stage could result in your visa application being denied
Depending on the basis for your visa, the required documents for applying for a temporary residence permit may vary. Below, we will outline the most common grounds for obtaining a visa in practice, along with the necessary documentation for each case.
However, if you do not fall under any of these grounds, it is essential to consult with immigration law experts to obtain information about the documentation required for your visa application.
Employment in Serbia
- A valid employment contract
- Labor market test
- Excerpt from the employer’s job classification rulebook
Employment Agreement It is the primary document required for both the employment of foreign nationals and the employment of domestic citizens.
Labor market test It is a document specific to the employment of foreign nationals. The labor market test serves as a protection for the domestic labor market by preventing the entry of foreign workers into positions where there is already a shortage of labor in Serbia's job market.
The employer submits the labor market test to the National Employment Service at their registered business location. It must include a detailed job description and all necessary conditions for hiring a foreign worker for the specified position.
Excerpt from the employer’s job classification rulebook
All employers with ten or more employees are required to have a job classification rulebook. When applying for a visa, the employer must submit an excerpt from this rulebook, including the job position for the foreign worker.
If the employer has fewer than ten employees, they must submit a separate document informing the National Employment Service of this fact. This document should include a statement confirming the company has fewer than ten employees and a detailed job description.
Family reunification
- Marriage certificate
- Birth certificate
Family reunification can be categorized into several types, each serving as a basis for obtaining a temporary residence permit:
- Family reunification through marriage with a Serbian citizen
- Family reunification through marriage with a foreign national who has a temporary residence permit in Serbia
- Family reunification between a minor child and a parent
For family reunification based on marriage with a Serbian citizen, the marriage must be registered in the civil registry of Serbia. If the marriage was concluded abroad, it must first be registered with the relevant Serbian civil registry before submitting a visa application.
For marriage to a foreign national with a temporary residence permit in Serbia, you must provide a marriage certificate from the country where the marriage was registered, along with a certified translation into Serbian.
In the case of family reunification between a parent and a minor child, a birth certificate for the child must be submitted.
Procedure for deciding on visas in Serbia
Once the application is submitted, the Serbian authorities review the documents. Processing times vary but typically take 30 to 45 days. Employment-based visas may require additional approvals from multiple Serbian government agencies.
Applicants will receive an email notification once their visa is approved. They must then schedule an appointment at a Serbian embassy or consulate to collect the visa and enter Serbia.
Obtaining a visa for Serbia in 2026 may seem like a complex process, but with a proper understanding of the procedures and adequate preparation of documentation, the procedure can be significantly simplified. Whether you are coming for employment, family reunification, study or business activities, it is crucial that you collect all the necessary documents in time and follow official guidelines to avoid delays or rejection of your application.
It is especially important to pay attention to details such as the validity of the passport, the correct submission of the application and the fulfillment of specific conditions depending on the basis of residence. Also, since legal regulations can be changed, it is advised to consult before applying Immigration lawyer to make sure you're on the right track.
FAQ
1. Do I need a visa to enter Serbia?
The answer depends on the citizenship of the person who wants to stay in Serbia. Many countries have a visa-free regime, but only for a short stay - up to 90 days.
2. How long can I stay in Serbia without a visa?
For most countries it is up to 90 days in a 180 day period, but there are exceptions.
3. Where should I register my stay in Serbia?
Every foreigner must be reported to the police within 24 hours of arrival (usually this is done by the hotel, and if it is a private accommodation - the host or the foreigner himself).
4. Can I work in Serbia with a tourist visa?
No, you need a D visa and a work permit to work.
