Hiring workers from Nepal in Serbia - process, timeline and costs

Employers in Serbia can hire workers from Nepal legally, but the process runs on two sides: Serbian rules on visas and the single permit, and Nepalese rules on foreign employment. In practice, the worker first obtains a visa D on the basis of employment, and the employer then requests a single permit for residence and work if the engagement lasts longer than 180 days.

Why employers in Serbia look to Nepal

Construction, manufacturing, logistics, hospitality and agriculture in Serbia have trouble filling positions with local workers. Nepal has a long tradition of labour migration and an organised system for sending workers abroad, which is why many Serbian companies include Nepalese candidates in their recruitment.

The process for the employer in Serbia

1. Define the position and the conditions

Before searching, describe the job: duties, required qualifications, working hours, salary, accommodation and transport. The Law on Employment of Foreigners requires a draft employment contract and a job description from the act on job systematisation (or a statement if the company has fewer than 10 employees). Foreign workers have the same rights and obligations from work as domestic workers.

2. Selection of candidates

Interviews are usually done by video call, with practical skill checks where needed. Verify diplomas and work experience early, because they must later be submitted with a certified translation.

3. Documents on the Nepalese side

Foreign employment in Nepal is overseen by the Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE), and workers are as a rule recruited through licensed recruitment agencies. The Serbian employer usually issues a demand letter, a power of attorney and a sample employment contract, which are attested under Nepalese rules before the worker receives labour approval. Requirements and processing times are set by Nepalese institutions and can change, so they should be checked before each recruitment round.

4. Visa D on the basis of employment

Ordinary Nepalese passport holders are subject to a visa regime for Serbia, so the usual path is a visa D. Serbia does not have an embassy in Kathmandu; the Embassy of Serbia in New Delhi is accredited for Nepal. The visa D application can be submitted online through the official portal, by the worker or by the employer with a signed authorisation. The employer prepares, among other things, an invitation letter, the company registration certificate, the draft contract, the job description, the worker's diploma with a certified translation and the landlord's statement for address registration. A visa D for employment allows work in Serbia for up to 180 days.

5. Single permit for residence and work

If the worker stays longer than 180 days, a single permit is requested online before the visa expires. The application includes the labour market test, in which the National Employment Service checks within four days whether suitable unemployed persons are registered. The Ministry of the Interior decides within 15 days of a complete application, and the permit is valid for up to three years.

6. Arrival and start of work

The worker's address must be registered with the police within 24 hours of arrival. Prepare the accommodation, health and safety training and a short orientation in advance, so the worker can start as soon as all documents are in order.

Timeline: what it depends on

There is no single fixed timeline. The Serbian part has legal deadlines (four days for the labour market test report, 15 days for the single permit decision), but the overall duration depends on:

• how quickly the employer prepares a complete set of documents;
• the procedure in Nepal (attestation and labour approval);
• appointment availability and processing at the embassy in New Delhi;
• whether any document has to be corrected or supplemented.

Plan recruitment several months before the season or project starts, not when the shortage is already acute.

Costs: what to plan for

We do not publish general figures, because they depend on the number of workers, the type of job and the current fees. Your budget should cover:

• administrative fees for the visa and the single permit, according to the applicable tariff;
• certified translations and document attestation;
• the worker's travel to Serbia;
• accommodation, which many employers provide or organise;
• recruitment and document preparation services;
• salary and contributions, under the same rules as for domestic workers.

Preparing for arrival and the first months

Workers who know in advance what awaits them adapt faster and stay longer. Before arrival, send the worker clear information about the job, accommodation, salary payment and the first working days. Practical support makes a real difference in the first months: help with opening a bank account, a short introduction to local rules and customs, basic Serbian language lessons and a contact person in the company who the worker can turn to. If several workers arrive together, plan accommodation and transport to work for the whole group before the first one arrives.

Common mistakes

• A job description that does not match the worker's actual qualifications.
• Different addresses in the visa application and the landlord's statement.
• Starting work before the visa D or single permit is issued.
• Forgetting to request the single permit before the 180-day visa expires.
• Recruiting through unlicensed intermediaries in Nepal.

Frequently asked questions

Do workers from Nepal need a visa for Serbia?

Ordinary passport holders from Nepal are subject to a visa regime, so for employment they usually need a visa D. Check the current rules on the official portal before each application.

Where do Nepalese workers apply for a visa D?

The application can be submitted online. The Embassy of Serbia in New Delhi is accredited for Nepal.

Can a worker from Nepal change employer in Serbia?

Yes, during the validity of the single permit, with consent from the National Employment Service requested through the portal.

Can the employer apply on the worker's behalf?

Yes, with a signed authorisation from the worker, for both the visa D and the single permit.

If you need workers from Nepal, start with a clear job profile and timeline. You can send us your request for workers, read about our foreign worker recruitment service or contact us with specific questions.