Serbia’s economy has seen considerable growth in recent years. If your company is expanding to Serbia, there are many business opportunities and challenges to prepare for before entering the new market.
Types of work visas in Serbia
Serbia’s government issues a variety of visas to nationals from other countries. Types of visas include:
- Airport transit visa
- Type C visa for short stay
- Type D visa for long stay
Some employees may benefit from a Type C visa. This short-stay visa may be granted to individuals who wish to enter Serbia for business purposes, such as conferences or training workshops. The visa can be issued for single, double, or multiple entries. Visitors with a Type C visa may not spend more than 90 days in Serbia.
In order to live and work in Serbia on a long-term basis, employees will need to obtain a Type D visa for long stay, (unless exempted) and a single permit, which can be applied for online and grants a combined entry visa and residence and employment authorization in Serbia.
Requirements to obtain Serbia work visas
In order to obtain a work visa, the following are some of the documents required during the application process:
- The first page of a valid passport (passport must be valid at least 90 days after the intended day of departure from Serbia, must contain at least 2 consecutive empty pages, and must be issued within the last 10 years)
- Photograph (dimensions 3.5×4.5 cm)
- Invitation letter from a company in Serbia
- Labor contract, work contract, contract on business and technical cooperation, sports activity, or other document as proof of the applicant’s work engagement in Serbia.
The diplomatic-consular mission may additionally request the following documents:
- Corporate documents including the certificate of registration of the business entity in Serbia
- Proof of sufficient financial means for the stay in Serbia
- Health insurance
- Visa issuance fees
- Other documents
Application process
In Serbia, the processes of obtaining a work permit and a residence visa are closely tied to each other. The work permit must be sponsored by the employer. The process is as follows:
- Before hiring an international worker, the employer must ask the National Employment Service (NES) to conduct a resident labor market test to ensure that there are no eligible candidates in Serbia’s labor market, including local nationals, persons who have free access to the labor market, or international workers with a personal work permit (not sponsored by an employer).
- The labor market test will include advertising the position for 10 calendar days. The NES will check that the Resident Labor Force does not have anyone with the required qualifications and experience for the role.
- If the NES finds a suitable candidate for the position, the employer should review the candidate’s qualifications. The employer is not obligated to hire any recommended candidates, but they will need to provide an explanation to the NES if they choose to move forward with an international applicant instead.
- Once the need for an international worker is established, the employer may apply for a work permit from their local organization for employment affairs.
The government processing time is 30 days, which may vary depending on the backlog.
A residence permit must then be obtained from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Serbia. Temporary residence visa applications should be submitted to Serbia’s embassy or consulate in the prospective employee’s current country of residence. The applicant will need to provide the required documents listed in the previous section. It is necessary to secure a job offer before applying for a temporary visa for employment purposes.
Once the temporary residence visa and work permit have both been approved, the employee may travel to Serbia and begin working.
Other important considerations
Keep in mind that while Serbia is a European country, it is not currently a member of the European Union (EU). This means that citizens of EU member states will require a permit to work in Serbia. This requirement will change in the event that Serbia enters the EU.
You should also be aware that the employer is responsible for the payment of any fees associated with the issuance of a work permit. The employer must also register international employees for social security.
Discover how G-P can help you manage your global teams.
At G-P, we’re committed to breaking down barriers to global business, enabling opportunity for everyone, everywhere, and helping companies tap into the fullest potential of their workforce. We help you maintain full compliance with local laws and ensure everything from hiring and onboarding to paying your employees is quick and easy, regardless of where they are in the world.
Find out more about how our global employment platform can help you grow your team across the globe.
–
At this moment, G-P does not offer support processing work visas or permits in this particular location.
For any other inquiries about our global employment platform, contact us today.