Moving to Serbia for work? This is a guide on how to obtain your work visa and sponsorship. We simplify the steps, costs, and rules of employees and employers to make the process simple to comprehend.
Serbia Work Visas and Permits
To be legally able to work in Serbia as a foreigner you usually need both:
- A long-stay visa (Visa D) that is issued followed by an employment reason, and
- A work and residence permit, or Single Permit.
In Serbia, you are typically not allowed to legally work without employer sponsorship for your work permit. That application has to be introduced and promoted by your employer.
Who needs a work Visa in Serbia?
You need a work visa if:
- You are a non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizen requiring a visa in order to enter Serbia.
- You have come to Serbia with a job offer.
Work Visas and work permits are connected to the reason why you are staying here to work in Serbia.
Certain works like attending meetings or conducting temporary business duties may be practised without a work permit for a short time of about 90 days. But it does not eliminate long-term employment entitlements.
Employer Sponsorship Program
In Serbia, employers are taking centre stage in sponsoring foreign workers. The employer must, before you can receive a work visa and a residence permit:
1. Conduct a Labour Market Test
This is an obligatory exercise in which the employer should demonstrate that they are unable to source an equally qualified Serbian or domestic worker to occupy the position. The employer:
- Gives a Vacancy Registration Form to the National Employment Service (NES).
- The position will need to be advertised and evaluated to indicate absence of local applicants.
- NES provides an ID number which has to be taken in the work permit application.
This test will prove the necessity of hiring a foreign employee for the employer.
2. Apply for the Work Permit / Single Permit.
After the labour market testing, the employer submits an application on your behalf to the NES to provide you with a work permit. This is also known as a Single Permit – a work-residence permit.
The application involves:
- Delivery of employment contract.
- Evidence of a test of the labour market.
- Job description (wage, position, tenure, etc.)
With its success, the permit gives you the ability to legally stay and work in Serbia up until the end of the employment period.
Work Visa (Visa D) and When It Is Required
With an employment opportunity and a working permit, you usually require a Visa D in order to get to Serbia to work, unless there is a visa-free agreement between your country and Serbia.
Visa D is a long-stay entry visa used to enter Serbia for employment. In most cases today, foreigners apply for the Single Permit (work + residence) either before arrival or immediately after entry.
The invitation letter or the contract is something that your employer normally gives to help you obtain a visa.
Step-by-Step Application Process
The typical work visa process by the employer to Serbia involves:
Step 1: Job Offer & Contract
You have to first find an employment opportunity where a Serbian employer is ready to sponsor your permit.
Step 2: Employer Labour Market Testing
The employer conducts an NES labour market test to explain why he should hire you. The result should indicate no acceptable local applicants.
Step 3: Employer Applies for Work Permit / Single Permit.
An application for a work permit (which is frequently in electronic format) is submitted by the employer that contains the labour market testing ID. Upon acceptance, you are given the right to work and to live in Serbia.
Step 4: Apply for a Visa D (If required).
After receiving permission, you go to the nearest Serbian embassy or consulate and apply for a Visa D. This allows you to work in Serbia.
Step 5: Temporary Residence / Single Permit
After entering Serbia, you get formalities of a temporary residence permit which is connected with the employment.
List of Documents Required
Even though formal requirements can depend on the consulate/embassy, the vast majority of applications need:
- Valid Passport (has sufficient validity to stay longer than intended)
- Your Serbian employer’s Employment Contract.
- Evidence of Education / Professional Qualifications (translated).
- ID Number (employer) Labour Market Test
- Evidence of Accommodation in Serbia.
- There is Health Insurance (valid in Serbia).
- Criminal record certificate (recent, translated)
Additional documents might be required based on the nationality and domestic needs in the embassies.
Employer Responsibilities & Legal Obligations
Every recruiter in Serbia must:
- Check eligibility and legal stay of the foreign employee before hiring.
- Retain documents that demonstrate adherence to the laws of Serbian employment and immigration.
- Make sure that the foreign nationals possess the right permits before commencement of work.
- Adhere to equal treatment principles – the foreign workers have to have equal rights of employment as locals.
- The employment of workers who have not had the necessary permits may attract punishment for the employer and deportation or fines for the worker.
Visa Processing Times & Fees
Fees are paid in Serbian dinars (RSD). INR amounts are approximate and depend on exchange rates. But the general ones are:
| Process Stage | Expected Time | General Fee |
| Work Permit | Within ten to thirty working days | INR 7,350 to 12,600 |
| Visa D | Within fifteen to thirty days | INR 7,350 to 10,500 |
| Residence Permit | Within fifteen to thirty days | INR 15,750 to INR 21,000 |
Changing Jobs or Employers
If you want to:
- Change your employer.
- Part-time work for various employers.
- Alter the foundation of your permit.
You have to obtain the permission of the National Employment Service (NES). These involve a new application with evidence like the first application for the work permit application.
Key Tips & Advice
Always make sure that you do not begin working unless your permit is active or you risk being fined or deported. Make sure your employer is conversant with Serbian labor testing requirements. This is usually the most complicated aspect when dealing with a foreign worker.
Conclusion
Getting a work visa for Serbia is an easy process if both you and your employer follow the required steps. Start by getting a job offer and a contract while your employer confirms that no local workers are available for that role.
Then apply for a work permit and a visa for that country if needed. Then apply for a temporary residence permit at last to finish the process. Preparing these documents correctly allows you to start your new job in Serbia easily and legally.
FAQs
Q1. What is a Serbian work visa?
It lets you enter Serbia for a job. But you will still need work and residence permits to stay and work there for a long time.
Q2. Do employers have to sponsor work permits?
Yes, your Serbian recruiter must sponsor your work permit and prove to the government that they couldn’t find a local talent to do that job.
Q3. Can I work without a permit?
Foreigners need a work permit or a single permit to work legally in Serbia. Though you might not need one for short business trips under ninety days.
Q4. How long does the process take?
It takes a few weeks to get your work permit approved. But the entire process from start to finish may take between six weeks and three months.
Q5. Can I switch employers in Serbia?
You can definitely change jobs. But you must get permission from the Serbian Employment Agency to update or transfer your work permit.
Q6. Is health insurance mandatory?
Yes as a valid health insurance is generally required as part of the visa and residence permit process.
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