Bosnia and Herzegovina: Where your new chapter begins.

Residence Permits & Visa Regulations in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Are you planning to emigrate to Bosnia and Herzegovina or start a business there? One of the first and most important hurdles is obtaining a residence permit. This guide explains in detail the types of residence permits available, how to apply for them, and what you need to keep in mind.

As a foreign citizen, you are required to register your stay with the “Foreigner’s Office” or the responsible unit of the Ministry of the Interior (local police station). Once you fulfill this legal obligation, you can obtain certain rights and avoid penalties for not complying with the applicable laws.

Overview

Different Types of Residence Permits

Visa Stay (Vizni boravak)

Defines the conditions under which individuals with a visa can stay in the country for a specific period.

Visa stays allow you to remain in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the duration specified in the visa. This usually covers short-term stays like tourism, business trips, or short-term studies.

Visa-Free Stay (Bezvizni boravak)

Allows citizens from visa-exempt countries to stay in the country for up to 90 days without a visa, based on international agreements and decisions by the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This period starts from the day of first entry.

Temporary Residence (Privremeni boravak)

A temporary right that allows individuals to stay in the country for up to one year, with the possibility of renewal for specific purposes such as work, study, or family reunification.

Applying for Temporary Residence Permits

The application for the first permit and its extension must be submitted to the Foreigners’ Office. Outside Bosnia and Herzegovina, the application is submitted through diplomatic or consular missions to the Foreigners’ Affairs Service. Within Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is submitted directly to the relevant organizational unit of the service.

Usually, the application for the first temporary residence permit is submitted through diplomatic or consular missions outside Bosnia and Herzegovina. This application must be submitted in person.

Within Bosnia and Herzegovina, you can only apply under the following conditions:

  • If you entered with a Visa D for long-term stays,
  • Or if you are a citizen of a visa-exempt country.

You must provide evidence justifying your stay based on the requested purpose with your application.

Grounds for Temporary Residence in Bosnia and Herzegovina:

  • Marriage to a BiH citizen
  • Cohabitation with a BiH citizen
  • Family reunification
  • Educational purposes
  • Employment based on an issued work permit
  • Employment without a work permit
  • Medical treatment or rehabilitation
  • Stay in a retirement home
  • Stay for humanitarian reasons
  • Stay based on an international agreement to which BiH is a party
  • Stay for other justified reasons
  • Ownership of property in BiH.

Permanent Residence (Stalni boravak)

After five years of legal and uninterrupted stay, you can apply for this permit, which grants the right to stay indefinitely.

  1. Duration of stay: You must have lived in Bosnia and Herzegovina for at least five continuous years with a temporary residence permit. During this time, you are allowed to be absent for up to 10 months in total or once for a period of six months.
  2. Requirements: You need to have sufficient and regular income, adequate accommodation, health insurance, knowledge of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s official languages and scripts, and no criminal record. A certificate from the competent authority of your usual place of residence, which must not be older than six months, is required.
  3. Fees: A fee of 200 KM applies for the application of permanent residence.
  4. Required Documents: You must submit original documents or certified copies. Documents in foreign languages must be accompanied by a translation into one of the official languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Application Process

The process for applying for a residence permit in Bosnia and Herzegovina may vary depending on the type, but here is an overview of how it generally works:

Preparation

First, gather all the necessary documents, such as your valid passport, proof of financial means, and depending on your situation, proof of your job or study position. As mentioned earlier, for the permanent residence permit, you must have lived continuously in the country for five years.

Submitting the Application

You can submit your application either in person at a diplomatic or consular mission outside Bosnia and Herzegovina or directly within the country at the relevant authorities.

With proper preparation and understanding of the requirements, the process of applying for a residence permit in Bosnia and Herzegovina can go smoothly. This guide aims to help you make informed decisions and successfully start your new life in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Good preparation is key to successfully applying for your residence permit in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This guide is designed to serve as your roadmap. If you have any further questions or need assistance, we are happy to help.

If you believe any information is missing, incorrect, if you have questions, or would like to provide feedback, feel free to send us a message at: info@lifeinbih.com