Bosnia and Herzegovina (BA)

Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is a Balkan gem combining Ottoman heritage, Habsburg architecture, Adriatic mountain scenery, and one of the lowest costs of living in Europe.

Capital: Sarajevo

Region: Europe

Language: Bosnian

Currency: BAM (KM)

Cost of living: Very affordable (index 27)

Emergency: 112

Visa & Immigration

Entry and residence options for Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Visa-Free Access

Nationals of over 60 countries may enter Bosnia and Herzegovina without a visa for stays up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Visa-free countries include: all EU/EEA member states, United Kingdom, United States of America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Serbia, North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Turkey, Israel, Qatar, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Malaysia, Singapore and others. Check the current list at mvp.gov.ba (BiH Ministry of Foreign Affairs) as the visa-free list is periodically updated.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is not an EU or Schengen member state — BiH stays do not count toward or reduce Schengen 90/180-day allowances. All foreigners (including visa-free nationals) must register their address with the local police within 24 hours of arrival — hotels do this automatically; if staying privately (Airbnb, friends), your host must register you at the local MUP. Failure to register is a technical violation. The BiH Service for Foreigners Affairs (Služba za poslove sa strancima, sps.gov.ba) oversees immigration policy. Long-term residence is managed at the local MUP Foreigners Affairs Unit (Odjeljenje za strance) in the municipality of residence. Processing times can be slow — apply early and keep copies of all submissions. For a complete, updated visa-free list and current entry requirements, always verify at mvp.gov.ba before travel.

Short-Stay Visa (C-Visa)

Viza kratkog boravka (C-viza)

EUR 35–70 (varies by BiH diplomatic mission)

Duration: Up to 90 days within a 180-day period

Eligibility

Nationals of countries not on the BiH visa-free list who wish to visit BiH for tourism, business, family visits or transit.

Processing time

5–15 business days at BiH Embassy or Consulate

Requirements

✓Valid passport (at least 3 months beyond planned departure date)
✓Completed visa application form
✓2 passport photographs
✓Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or invitation letter)
✓Travel itinerary or purpose of visit
✓Proof of sufficient financial means
✓Travel/health insurance covering BiH for the duration of stay
✓Invitation letter (for business or family visit purposes)
✓Return or onward travel ticket

💡 Apply at the nearest BiH diplomatic mission in your home country. Most EU and Western nationals do not need this visa. Check mvp.gov.ba for the current visa-free country list before applying.

Temporary Residence Permit — Employment

Odobrenje privremenog boravka — zaposlenje

KM 100–200 in administrative fees

Duration: Up to 1 year, renewable annually

Eligibility

Foreign nationals who have secured employment with a BiH-registered employer and hold a valid work permit (radna dozvola).

Processing time

15–45 working days

Requirements

✓Valid passport
✓Employment contract from BiH-registered employer
✓Work permit (radna dozvola) issued by entity Employment Service (Zavod za zapošljavanje)
✓Proof of accommodation (rental contract)
✓Health insurance certificate
✓Criminal background check from home country (apostilled and translated)
✓Completed application form (Zahtjev za odobrenje privremenog boravka)
✓Biometric photo

💡 The work permit (radna dozvola) must be secured by the employer before the residence permit application. A labour market test (prior advertising of the position) may be required for non-EU nationals. EU/EEA citizens have an easier process with fewer requirements.

Temporary Residence Permit — Family Reunification

Odobrenje privremenog boravka — spajanje porodice

KM 100–200

Duration: Up to 1 year, renewable; aligned with sponsor's permit validity

Eligibility

Spouses, minor children and dependent parents of BiH citizens or legally resident foreigners.

Processing time

15–30 working days

Requirements

✓Valid passport
✓Proof of family relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate — apostilled and translated into Bosnian)
✓Proof of sponsor's BiH residence or citizenship (copy of biometric ID or residence card)
✓Proof of accommodation
✓Health insurance certificate
✓Proof of financial sufficiency
✓Completed application form

💡 Spouses of BiH citizens may qualify for permanent residence after 3 continuous years (reduced from the standard 5 years). Application submitted at the local MUP (Foreigners Affairs Unit) in the municipality of intended residence.

Temporary Residence Permit — Self-Sufficiency

Odobrenje privremenog boravka — finansijska samodostatnost

KM 100–200

Duration: Up to 1 year, renewable

Eligibility

Foreign nationals who wish to reside in BiH without local employment — including digital nomads, freelancers with foreign income, retirees and investors.

Processing time

15–45 working days

Requirements

✓Valid passport
✓Proof of regular income from abroad (bank statements, employment contract from foreign employer, freelance contracts, pension statements) — minimum KM 1,000/month recommended
✓Proof of accommodation (rental contract)
✓Private international health insurance covering BiH
✓Criminal background check (apostilled and translated)
✓Completed application form
✓Biometric photo

💡 No formal "digital nomad visa" exists, but the self-sufficiency permit works well for remote workers. Income thresholds are not officially codified — MUP officers exercise discretion. This permit counts toward the 5-year permanent residence clock. Renewal requires fresh income documentation.

Permanent Residence Permit

Odobrenje stalnog boravka

KM 150–250

Duration: Permanent — biometric card renewed every 10 years for document purposes

Eligibility

Foreign nationals who have maintained continuous lawful residence in BiH for 5 years (3 years for spouses of BiH citizens) without extended absences.

Processing time

30–60 working days

Requirements

✓5 years continuous legal residence (3 years for spouses of BiH citizens)
✓Valid passport
✓Proof of stable accommodation
✓Proof of financial self-sufficiency
✓Clean criminal record (BiH and home country)
✓Basic knowledge of Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian language
✓Proof of health insurance

💡 Apply at MUP at least 30 days before the expiry of the final temporary permit. Permanent residence removes annual renewal obligations and allows employment with any BiH employer without a separate work permit. Does not confer citizenship.

Temporary Residence Permit — Self-Sufficiency (Remote Workers)

Digital Nomad

Odobrenje privremenog boravka — finansijska samodostatnost

KM 100–200 in administrative fees

Duration: 1 year, renewable annually; counts toward 5-year permanent residence clock

Eligibility

Bosnia and Herzegovina has no dedicated digital nomad visa. Remote workers, freelancers with foreign income, and retirees can use the Self-Sufficiency Temporary Residence Permit. Applicants must show regular income from abroad; KM 1,000/month (approx. EUR 500) is an informal minimum, though officers exercise discretion.

Processing time

15–45 working days at the local MUP (Foreigners Affairs Unit)

Requirements

✓Proof of regular income from abroad (bank statements, foreign employment contract, freelance contracts, pension statements)
✓Proof of accommodation in Bosnia (rental contract)
✓Private international health insurance covering Bosnia and Herzegovina
✓Clean criminal background check from home country (apostilled and translated into Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian)
✓Completed application form
✓Biometric photograph

💡 Income thresholds are not officially codified — MUP officers exercise discretion. Bring comprehensive income documentation. This permit does not authorise work for BiH employers or clients. Apply at the local MUP Foreigners Affairs Unit in the municipality of your intended residence. BiH is not in the EU or Schengen Area — stays do not affect Schengen allowances.

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