A Complete Guide to Serbia Visa Application
Introduction
The Balkan state of Serbia offers beautiful people, delicious cuisines and a lot of fun to foreigners that visit its shores.
Thousands of visitors from all over the world find their way to Serbia yearly. One reason for these frequent visits is the famous EXIT Festival. Another reason is to partake in the Belgrade ever thrilling nightlife experience.
Irrespective of your purpose of visit, there is a place for you in Serbia. Tourists, business people, students, and professionals from all works of life have a place in Serbia. This article will guide you through the Serbia visa application process.
Do I Need a Serbia Visa?
It’s possible you may not require a Serbia travel document to visit and spend some time there. Citizens of over 96 nations around the globe enjoy visa-free entry to this travel destination.
Are you unsure whether a visa is required for your travel to this country or not? Please follow the link to know if you are eligible for an exemption.
After checking, if you discover your travel to Serbia requires you to first obtain a travel permit, please keep reading to find out how you can apply successfully for your travel document.
Available Categories of Serbia Travel Document
Your purpose of visit determines the type of travel permit issued to grant you entry into the country. Types of travel permits available:
- Type B
- Type C
- Type D
Type B
This travel permit is issued for transit purposes. It can be single, double or multiple transits through Serbian lands. Visitors with this permit are allowed to stay in the country for at most five days and it is valid for a duration of 6 months.
Type C
Foreigners visiting Serbia for a short period are issued this category of permit. The purpose of visit range from tourism to business trips or any other reason that requires visitors to stay in the country for a short duration. Some reasons for short-term visits are highlighted below:
- Business
Visitors to Serbia for business purposes are issued this travel permit. Holders of this document are granted a 90-day stay in the country within any 6 months. A mandatory requirement for this travel permit is an invitation letter from a ministry/company/organisation in the country.
- Tourism
Visitors from around the globe visit Serbia for sightseeing and other tourism-related activities. They are granted a 3-month stay in the country with this travel permit.
- Family Reunion
Individuals with intentions of visiting the country to see family members or friends residing there are issued this travel document. It is required that the relative/friend resident in Serbia writes a letter inviting the visitor to the country.
- Study/Internship Purposes
Foreigners looking forward to completing a short course in educational institutions in the country are issued this travel document. Also, individuals who have been offered short-term internship positions are issued this travel permit.
- For Events
Visitors to the country for sporting/cultural events are issued this travel document. It grants visitors entry into Serbia and allows them to live and move freely in the country all through the duration of the event.
Type D
Individuals with intentions of staying in the country for a duration longer 3 months are issued this visa. The purpose of visit may range from being employed by a Serbian company/business to being offered admission into a Serbian institute of learning. For this category, applicants from visa-exempt regions are still required to apply.
Some Documents Required for Official Purposes
For a successful Serbia visa application, candidates are required to provide certain items which help the officials at the consulate/immigration office to accept/reject visa requests. They are highlighted as follows:
An Application Form
Without this document, there is no application. You can obtain a copy of this document at a Serbian embassy/consulate or you can download it here. All mandatory fields must be filled with the appropriate information.
National Passport
It is pertinent that you submit a valid passport along with accompanying documents. The visa when issued will be affixed to the passport. Hence, your passport should have at least one blank page. Additionally, a validity of at least 90 days is required.
Photographs
You are required to provide a recent passport-sized photo. These photos must be coloured and the setting of the image should be plain (preferably light grey or light blue). Use of glasses and other accessories that may cover the face is not allowed and the image print must be of good quality. The size of the image should be 35mm × 45mm.
Letter of Invitation
All foreigners with intentions of visiting the country are required to produce this item. It must be issued by an individual/company/organisation/ministry in Serbia.
Proof of Return
It is necessary that you a return flight ticket. This gives the officials at the consulate some assurance that you plan to return to your country or a third state after your visit in Serbia.
Evidence of Secured Accommodation
Another requirement for a Serbia visa is a proof accommodation. You must have a place you will stay during your entire stay in the country. This can be in the form of hotel reservations. If you were invited by a national in Serbia, a letter of invitation must be attached.
Proof of Means of Sustenance
Your bank statement or a letter from a sponsor is required. This informs the officials at the embassy/consulate on how you hope to take care of your financial needs during your stay in the country.
Health Insurance
You are advised to get a health insurance coverage for your travel. This will come in handy in cases of unforeseen health challenges during your stay in the country.
Payment of Processing Fees
It is required that you provide proof of payment for processing. Whether you paid with cash at the consulate or you made a bank transfer online, the receipt of the transaction is needed.
Summary of required paperwork
They are as follows:
- A valid national passport of at least 90 days validity counting from the visa’s date of issue
- A 35mm × 45mm passport photograph
- An invitation letter
- An appropriately filled application form
- Other supporting documents.
General Serbia Visa Application Procedures
The following steps are required to apply for your travel document.
Step 1
You are required to contact a Serbian consulate/embassy in your country of residence or one in a neighbouring country to book an appointment. The documents required for your application are stated and the amount charged for processing.
Step 2
After submission of the required documents, you will be invited for an interview. This will help the officials at the consulate have a better understanding of your purpose of visit and to authenticate submitted documents.
Step 3
Your application will be subject to review which might take some time. The outcome of your application will be communicated to you. If successful, you’ll be called to pick up your passport with an approved visa affixed to it.
Amount Charged
For recent information on fees charged for Serbia visa applications, please contact the consulate in your country of residence. Fees are subject to change and may vary from country to country. However, the Serbia short-term travel permit attracts a fee of EUR 60.
Covid-19 Guidelines Intending Travelers to Serbia Must Follow
As a result of the Corona virus outbreak, governments from all corners of the earth imposed travel restrictions to help reduce the spread of the deadly virus.
For Serbia, all visitors are required to provide a negative PCR-test certificate which was issued 48 hours before departure. Exempt from this requirement are:
- Travelers transiting through the country, with entry and exit duration not longer than 12 hours;
- Children not older than 12 years of age;
- Foreigners with temporary residence in Serbia;
- Visitors coming from Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Bulgaria or Albania are not required to provide a test result.
Additionally, foreigners with temporary residence are required to self-isolate for up to 10 days. Also, they required to make contact with a Covid clinic nearest to them within 24 hours of their arrival via this official website: https://www.e-zdravlje.gov.rs
At the time of writing, there are no movement restrictions in Serbia or curfew. However, the use of face masks and observing social distancing is still mandatory. Failure to comply with the guidelines put in place in the country will attract payment of a fine.
For more information on restrictions in the country or other Covid related news, please contact the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Some Questions Frequently Asked
How long does it take to process a Serbia visa application?
It usually takes 5 to 21 working days to process an application. However, in some special cases, it may take up to 45 working days to process an application.
What may lead to the rejection of my application?
An application will be rejected without refunds if the documents provided don’t meet up the required standards. This could be a result of invalid documents, wrong information, no proof of financial means, or a lack of accommodation.
Does my nationality determine if my application is accepted or not?
No, your nationality is not a determining factor. If you meet the entry requirements, your application will be accepted and visa issued.