Bosnia and Herzegovina (BA)

Required for all immigration applications, bank KYC, SIM registration and official services. Keep a certified copy; authorities may retain originals temporarily during permit processing.

Required for stays exceeding 90 days. Apply at the MUP (Ministry of Internal Affairs) Foreigners Affairs Service. Bring: valid passport, proof of purpose (employment contract or enrolment letter), proof of accommodation, health insurance and proof of sufficient funds. Cost approximately KM 100–200; processing 15–45 working days. Renewed annually.

Required for non-EU/EEA nationals to work legally in BiH. Employer-sponsored and tied to a specific employer; a new permit is required if changing jobs. Cost KM 50–150; processing 15–30 working days.

Required for work permit and residence permit applications, payroll registration, JMB issuance and bank account opening.

A 13-digit Jedinstveni matični broj assigned automatically by MUP when the residence permit is issued. Required for banking, tax registration, health insurance, utilities and all official purposes.

Proof of private health insurance is required for the temporary residence permit application. Once employed, your employer must register you with the cantonal/entity health fund within 8 days of employment start, after which the Zdravstvena knjižica (health insurance card) confirms public-system enrolment.

Required for dependant residence permits, school enrolment, family registration and estate matters. Bosnia and Herzegovina is a Hague Apostille member (since 2009); documents from Hague member countries use apostille. Certified translation into Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian by a sworn translator (sudski tumač) is required. Cost per translated page approx. KM 30–80.

Required for work permits in regulated professions and employer applications. BiH is a Hague Apostille member; foreign degrees require apostille then recognition through the relevant professional chamber or the Agency for Pre-Primary, Primary and Secondary Education (APOSO) for school-level qualifications. Certified translation required.

Required for residence and work permit applications. Must be issued by both your home country and BiH authorities (from MUP or the local municipal authority). Home country certificate must carry apostille. Certificate must be issued within 6 months of the application date.

EU/EEA licences are generally accepted while resident in BiH. Non-EU licences should be exchanged through the MUP traffic authority; an IDP is useful for the initial period. Confirm exchange procedures and any required driving test with the local MUP office.

Pension contributions are tracked under your JMB by FZPiO (Federation of BiH) or Fond PIO RS (Republika Srpska). On departure, obtain a pension extract (izvod iz matične evidencije). Expats from countries without a bilateral social-security agreement may be eligible for a contribution refund.

Required for residence permit applications to demonstrate sufficient funds for the stay. Typically 3–6 months of statements from the home-country bank. No specific minimum threshold is published; bring originals and copies.