Serbia work visa (Visa D) - requirements, documents and timeline

A Serbia work visa is a visa D issued on the basis of employment. It allows a foreigner to enter, stay and work in Serbia for up to 180 days, and it is needed by citizens of countries that require a visa for Serbia. For longer employment, the worker then requests a single permit for residence and work.

Who needs a visa D for work

A work visa is required for foreigners who are subject to a visa regime and are coming to Serbia to work. Citizens of countries without a visa regime can also get a visa D for employment if their work in Serbia lasts less than 180 days. Others from visa-free countries can apply for a single permit directly. The tool "My Guide to Entry, Visas and Residence" on the official portal welcometoserbia.gov.rs shows which option applies to a specific citizenship.

What a visa D for employment allows

When a visa D for employment is issued, the National Employment Service submits its assessment that the conditions for employment are met. Because of that, the visa itself works as a permit for residence and work during its validity, up to 180 days. If the worker wants to stay longer with the same employment, they must apply for a single permit before the visa expires.

Grounds for a work visa

You choose one ground, based on the contract and the type of employer:

• employment under an employment contract or another contract under the Labour Law;
• self-employment;
• business and technical cooperation (referred workers);
• intra-company transfer;
• independent professional;
• paid training and practice;
• volunteering, accredited foreign journalists, projects with state authorities and audiovisual production crews.

Documents for a visa D on the basis of an employment contract

1. Completed visa application form (part of the online application).
2. Valid passport: valid at least 90 days after the planned departure from Serbia, with at least two consecutive blank pages and issued within the last 10 years.
3. A colour photo not older than six months, with a light background and the face clearly visible.
4. Proof of the paid visa fee. When applying online, the fee is paid in the final step and the application is forwarded once the payment is recorded.
5. Invitation letter from the employer.
6. Registration certificate of the employer.
7. Draft employment contract or other contract under labour regulations, signed by the employer and the worker.
8. Excerpt from the act on job systematisation, or a statement from the employer if the company has fewer than 10 employees.
9. Diploma or certificate of the required qualification, with a certified translation.
10. Authorisation, if the employer applies on the worker's behalf.
11. Landlord's statement that the worker can register their address there, or a lease contract.

A foreigner who applies on the basis of employment does not need to submit proof of means of subsistence or proof of health insurance. The diplomatic mission may request additional documents.

Invitation letter and landlord's statement

These two documents cause the most questions. The invitation letter can come from a legal entity or an individual; an individual's invitation must be verified by the competent authority. The inviter states that they accept to bear the costs of the foreigner's stay and possible forced removal from Serbia, including placement in a shelter for foreigners, if these costs cannot be collected from the foreigner.

The landlord's statement is an informal written consent of the owner of the apartment or house (or a household member registered at that address) that the foreigner may register their address there. It contains the landlord's name and ID number, the basis on which they dispose of the property, the full address and the foreigner's passport details. It does not need to be certified. If the worker will live in a hotel, hostel or similar facility, a document from that facility with the unit number is attached instead.

How to apply

The visa D can be requested electronically on the official portal. The worker can apply personally through their own account, or authorise the employer to apply through the company's account. The authorisation contains the details of the employer and the worker, is signed by both and does not need to be certified. A scanned copy is attached to the application.

Timeline

The time needed for a visa D depends on the diplomatic mission, the completeness of the documents and whether additional documents are requested. The employer controls most of the preparation: if the invitation letter, contract, job description and translations are ready before the application, the process runs with fewer delays. After entry, the worker's address must be registered with the police within 24 hours.

After arrival: from visa D to the single permit

Once the worker is in Serbia, the visa D is their permit to stay and work for its validity period. If the employment continues beyond 180 days, the employer or the worker submits an online application for a single permit for residence and work, which includes the labour market test. The Ministry of the Interior decides within 15 days of a complete application, and the single permit can be issued for up to three years. Keep the visa expiry date in your calendar from the first day.

Common mistakes

• A passport that expires too soon or was issued more than 10 years ago.
• Choosing the wrong ground of employment for the contract the worker actually has.
• An address in the application that differs from the landlord's statement.
• Diplomas without a certified translation.
• Waiting for the 180 days to run out before applying for a single permit.

Frequently asked questions

How long is a Serbia work visa valid?

A visa D for employment allows a stay and work of up to 180 days. For longer employment, a single permit valid up to three years is requested.

Do I need health insurance for a work visa?

No. Applicants on the basis of employment do not submit proof of health insurance or means of subsistence, because they enter compulsory social insurance in Serbia through employment.

Can my employer apply for me?

Yes, with a written authorisation signed by you and the employer.

Can I change jobs on a visa D?

The visa is tied to the stated employment. Changes of employer are regulated during the single permit, with the consent of the National Employment Service.

Employers who want to bring workers to Serbia can submit a request for workers or learn more about our foreign worker recruitment service. If you are a candidate looking for a job in Serbia, register your profile.