Serbia Unified Permit: How to Work and Live in Serbia
The Unified Permit is a residence and work permit that allows a foreign national to legally live and work in Serbia for up to three years.
The Unified Permit is relevant to foreign nationals who intend to work in Serbia on the basis of employment, self-employment or another legally recognized ground for employment.
Everything can be completed through a single integrated process, saving time and resources for both applicants and the administration. In other words, there is no longer a need to apply separately for a temporary residence permit and a work permit.
In this article, we explain who needs a Unified Permit, how to apply, what documents are required, how long the permit can be issued for, and other important aspects of living and working in Serbia as a foreign national.
Who Needs a Unified Permit in Serbia?
A foreign national who wants to obtain temporary residence in Serbia based on employment needs to apply for a Unified Permit.
This basically means that the Unified Permit is relevant, among others, to foreign nationals who:
- will be employed by a Serbian company;
- will be self-employed in Serbia;
- will be assigned to work in Serbia under another legally recognized ground of employment;
- will be transferred within a company; or
- will perform other types of work for which work authorization is required.
The exact requirements and documentation depend on the legal basis for residence and work.
The most common legal grounds for employment are employment by a Serbian company and self-employment. Therefore, in this article, we will focus on these two types of engagement.
Unified Permit Through Employment by a Serbian Company
If a Serbian company decides to employ a foreign national, he needs to obtain a Unified Permit.
In order to apply for a Unified Permit based on employment with a Serbian company, the employer must first initiate a labor market test to determine whether there are Serbian nationals who could fill the relevant position.
In addition, the company, as the employer, and the foreign national, as the employee, must sign a draft employment agreement.
It is important to emphasize that when a foreign national obtains a Unified Permit for employment with a Serbian company, the legal basis for the permit is connected to that employment.
If the employment subsequently ends, the foreign national must obtain approval from the competent authority for a change of status within the employment-related legal basis in order to continue legally residing and working in Serbia on another employment basis.
Unified Permit Through the Legal Ground of Self-Employment
In practice, registration of a foreign national as an entrepreneur or as a founder of an LLC with the Serbian Business Registers Agency (APR) may establish the legal basis for obtaining a Unified Permit based on self-employment.
In other words, incorporation in a company or registration as an entrepreneur can provide a legal basis for a foreign national to apply for a Unified Permit through self-employment.
As with employment by a Serbian company, this legal basis is connected to the circumstances on which the Unified Permit was approved.
Therefore, if the relevant circumstances change, the foreign national may need to obtain approval from the competent authority for a change of status within the employment-related legal basis in order to remain legally in Serbia.
Do I Need a Visa D Before Applying for a Unified Permit?
Whether a foreign national needs a Visa D before applying for a Unified Permit depends primarily on their nationality and the applicable visa regime.
Citizens of Russia, European Union and Schengen countries, Turkey and the USA do not need a Visa D before applying for a Unified Permit.
For other nationalities, the applicable visa requirements should be checked before starting the procedure.
How to Apply for a Unified Permit in Serbia?
The application for a Unified Permit is submitted electronically through the official government portal.
The first step is to determine the appropriate legal basis for temporary residence and work and to check whether the foreign national needs a visa to enter Serbia before starting the residence procedure.
The general procedure includes:
- determining the appropriate legal basis for residence and work;
- preparing the required documentation;
- submitting the application through the Welcome to Serbia portal;
- paying the applicable administrative fees;
- submitting any additional documents or information requested by the competent authorities;
- attending the biometric procedure, where required; and
- obtaining the residence document after the application has been approved.
The competent authorities may request additional documentation depending on the individual circumstances of the applicant.
How Long Is the Unified Permit Valid?
A Unified Permit may be issued for a period of up to three years.
The exact period of validity depends on the circumstances of the application and the supporting documentation. Therefore, the maximum possible validity does not mean that every applicant will automatically receive a three-year permit.
Can I Work for Any Employer With a Unified Permit?
No. The right to work is connected to the legal basis and conditions under which the Unified Permit has been issued.
A foreign national should therefore not assume that obtaining a Unified Permit automatically allows them to work for any employer or perform any type of work in Serbia.
If the employment circumstances change, it is necessary to initiate the appropriate procedure before the foreign national starts working under the new conditions.
Can My Family Members Obtain Residence in Serbia?
Family members of a foreign national residing in Serbia are able to obtain temporary residence on the basis of family reunification.
Family reunification is applicable to the spouse or unmarried partner of a foreign national residing in Serbia, as well as to his children under the age of 18.
For foreign nationals above the age of 16, the application can also be submitted online. For children under the age of 16, the application needs to be submitted in person.
It is also important to note that spouses and unmarried partners who obtain temporary residence based on family reunification have the right to work in Serbia, subject to the applicable legal requirements.
Can I Obtain Permanent Residence in Serbia After Living and Working There?
Yes, temporary residence in Serbia can, subject to the statutory requirements, eventually lead to permanent residence.
As a general rule, a foreign national may apply for permanent residence after three years of continuous temporary residence in Serbia, provided that the other legal requirements are met.
How Long Does the Unified Permit Procedure Take?
The duration of the procedure depends on the circumstances of each case, including the completeness of the application and documentation and the workload of the competent authorities.
For this reason, foreign nationals and employers should plan the procedure in advance, particularly where the foreign national needs to coordinate their entry into Serbia, employment start date and existing residence status.
Note: The information provided in this article is solely for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice.
