Serbia is becoming more and more popular for citizens of Russia and Belarus when they are considering, due to the current situation, to change their residence, i.e., immigration.
Historical connections between these countries, the geographical position of Serbia, living standards in Serbia, and the beneficial visa regime make Serbia an excellent living destination.
Of course, this kind of decision in every individual’s life makes a crucial matter and one big unknown initially. We wrote this blog to answer all your questions and provide you with the essential information you need to have if you are considering immigration to Serbia.
Visa regime for entry in Serbia
What is the visa regime for entry to Serbia for citizens of Russia and Belarus? How long can I stay in Serbia after I cross the border?
Citizens of Russia and Belarus have preferential visa regimes compared to other countries. They can enter Serbia without a visa and stay up to 30 days from the day of entry. Here it is important to emphasize that in the period of 30 days, the entry day is included in the 30 days of the visa-free regime.
You must wonder – how is this preferential treatment when I can stay in Serbia for only 30 days? However, for citizens of Russia and Belarus, there is no limitation of 30 days on some amount of days. If you are a citizen of Russia or Belarus, you can enter Serbia, stay for 30 days, leave and come back without any restrictions. The popular „Visa Run ”.
Constantly leaving and re-entering the country every 30 days is financially and temporally exhausting. Suppose you are interested in a more extended stay in Serbia. In that case, you should consider applying for a visa that will guarantee your stay in Serbia legal for up to a year, i.e., a temporary residence permit.
Temporary residence in Serbia
The Temporary residence permit in Serbia is a visa that allows a foreigner to legally stay in Serbia for a maximum period of one year. After the expiration of the approved temporary residence visa, a foreigner can, of course, apply for the renewal as many times as he wants.
Basic Q&A for temporary residence in Serbia
Who is authorized to decide on applications for temporary residence in Serbia?
- Ministry of Interior Affairs, Department for Foreigners, per address of the foreigner residence in Serbia.
How do I apply for temporary residence in Serbia?
- Personally, at the police station or online through the system of eUprava.
How long does it take for the police to decide?
- From the day of the request submission (online or in person), the police decide in the legal deadline of 30 days.
Do I have to be in Serbia through the period of police deciding?
- No, during the time when the police are deciding upon the application for temporary residence in Serbia, a foreigner can normally leave and enter Serbia.
Does it consider that I am legally in Serbia after I submit the request for temporary residence in Serbia?
- Yes, after the request for temporary residence in Serbia is submitted, it is considered that the foreigner is legally residing in Serbia through the process of police deciding and through an eventual appeal process.
What is necessary for the application for temporary residence in Serbia?
- Valid passport;
- The legal ground for temporary residence in Serbia;
- Evidence that a foreigner has enough funds to support him during the temporary residency in Serbia;
- Proof that a foreigner is health insured in Serbia for the time during temporary residence;
- Necessary documentation that is submitted depending on the legal ground for applying for temporary residence in Serbia.
What are the legal grounds for applying for temporary residence in Serbia?
There are various legal grounds for temporary residence in Serbia. However, we will mention only the most applicable and relevant legal grounds:
- Employment in Serbia
- Working for an employer in Serbia is considered a legal ground for temporary residence in Serbia.
- Company formation
- When referring to this legal ground, a person registered in a company at the Business Registers Agency has a legal ground. Who can be registered in the Decision of Business Registers Agency? Founders, Directors, Other representatives, procurators.
- Entrepreneurship registration.
- A foreigner registered as an entrepreneur in Serbia has a legal ground for applying for temporary residence in Serbia.
- Real Estate ownership.
- Foreigners who own real estate property in Serbia intending to live in the same property can apply for temporary residence in Serbia based on this legal ground. If a foreigner purchases real estate in Serbia, he obtains a legal ground for temporary residence in Serbia.
- Family reunification. This legal ground applies to foreign members of the family of a Serbian citizen or a foreigner that is on temporary residence in Serbia.
- Is it mandatory first for the foreigner to apply for temporary residence before his family? No, along with the foreigner, his family can apply simultaneously.
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- Who is considered a member of the family on this legal ground? Marital/Nonmarital spouses and children under the age of 18.
- Education in Serbia. This legal ground applies to foreigners applying for elementary school, high school, or University education in Serbia.
Can my child start going to school before our temporary residence in Serbia is approved?
As for the regulation of Serbia, all children have legal rights to education, so all children can start going to school even before the process of a temporary residence permit.
Can I get married in Serbia?
Of course. You can get married in the embassy of your origin country in Serbia or in a municipality in Serbia.
Can unmarried couples apply for a temporary residence permit on the legal ground of family reunification?
Serbia completely equalizes marital status with nonmarital status. Married spouses and non-married spouses can apply for temporary residence permits at the same time. The only difference will be in the documentation that will be submitted.
Real estate purchases in Serbia from Russian and Belarusian citizens
The Russian Federation, the Republic of Belarus, and the Republic of Serbia have established bilateral agreements and contracts for reciprocity of real estate acquisition by inter vivos and mortis causa.
This means that citizens of Russia and Belarus can acquire real estate on the territory of Serbia under the same conditions as citizens of Serbia through legal business during life and in inheritance cases.
It is important to mention that real estate refers only to apartments and houses, while foreign natural persons can not acquire agricultural land in Serbia.
Are there any restrictions with bank account openings?
For now, citizens of Russia and Belarus can open non-resident bank accounts in Serbia just like in prior times. However, depending on the bank and their KYC (Know Your Customer) procedures, banks can ask for additional documentation that will prove their origin of funds. Different documentation needs to be provided depending on the purpose of the bank account opening.
We are aware that you must have many more questions and concerns. However, we hope we have helped you with essential steps and information regarding the temporary residence process in Serbia. In conclusion, we can say that Serbia is a beautiful country with a lot to offer. We consider that if you decide that Serbia becomes the country of your choice, you will not make a mistake.
