How to get a temporary visa in Serbia in 2024

Temporary visas (that is, long-stay visas) for Serbia are issued to foreign citizens who wish to move to Serbia and stay in the country between 90 and 180 days, which will enable them to apply for temporary residence. For a certain number of countries, that is, their citizens do not need a visa to apply for temporary residence. This type of visa is usually issued to people who want to study, work or join family members in Serbia in 2024. It is good to know that along with a temporary visa for Serbia for people applying based on employment comes a work permit. Regarding the document requirements for such a visa, we mention the following:

• Valid passport;

• Proof of the reasons for which you want to stay in Serbia;

• Details of financial funds to see if you can support yourself in Serbia;

• Health Insurance;

• Other documentation depending on the legal basis on which the visa is applied for.

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Residence permits for employees in Serbia A residence permit for Serbia can be obtained by foreigners who want to establish a company in this country or who want to work for a company based in Serbia. In the case of founding your own company, it is useful to know that there is no need for special investments to issue a temporary residence permit, and a foreigner can establish a company and be the only employee.

A foreign individual is deemed a resident in Serbia if they engage in business activities in the country and reside for a minimum of 183 days within a fiscal year. Comprehensive information regarding residency permits in Serbia and the immigration process to Serbia can be provided by one of our  legal professionals.

Here is additional information you should know about residence permits in Serbia:

Foreigners become tax residents in Serbia after one year from the date of residency approval in Serbia. Foreigners can register offshore companies in Serbia and obtain residence.

Permanent residence in Serbia is obtained after 3 years of living in the country.

Serbian immigration authorities reserve the right to conduct income verification for residence visa applicants. On the other hand, those who have strong financial income may have an advantage in obtaining a residence permit in Serbia.

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Permanent residence in Serbia - what you need to know!

Foreigners who wish to obtain permanent residence in Serbia must comply with several important regulations, such as staying in the country for at least 3 years and obtaining a temporary residence permit. The documentation required for applying for permanent residence differs depending on the basis on which it is applied for. the formalities involved in this application can be supervised by one of our legal professionals. From assisting in locating suitable real estate to facilitating your move and addressing any related legal issues, we are here to provide support and guidance throughout the entire process. 

If you live in Serbia for the first time for at least 183 days, it is assumed that you are a tax resident. This does not mean that you have to pay taxes in this country if you have no income, but you will be registered in the system.

Temporary residence permit for opening a company in Serbia Can foreign employees apply for a permanent residence permit in Serbia? Yes, if the work contract extends, foreigners in Serbia can apply for a permanent residence permit with the Police Directorate in the city where person lives. In terms of documents, the authorities will request specific forms with details about the employee, contract, and salary. You can hire the services of our attorneys in Serbia and find out more about the legal help we can provide. We have experience in all immigration aspects and can help foreign citizens obtain the required permits.

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Can my residence permit application be rejected? The cases in which the requirements for residence permit applications have not been respected, the authorities can reject such submissions. In most cases, persons who do not provide all the necessary documents or the ones who do not consider legal support from a specialist are the ones that might face rejection residence permit applications. It is important to have in mind the support of our Serbian lawyers who know the entire residence visa application in Serbia.

Serbia offers multiple business opportunities for foreign entrepreneurs. Even people who have their
businesses registered in their country of origin can apply for a Serbian residence permit, but if they want to open a branch here, they must bring supporting documents in this regard. Serbia residence permit - How you can enjoy such status Temporary and permanent residence can be granted in Serbia to foreign citizens, respecting the imposed conditions and regulations, particularly the Law on Foreigners.

Here is information about the temporary residence permit in Serbia:

Foreigners interested in working in Serbia, education, business, scientific research, family reunification can apply for Serbia temporary residence permit. The application for a temporary residence permit in Serbia can be made either in the country or abroad before relocation. Our Serbian lawyers can help with the formalities imposed. The authorities in Serbia have the power to make some verifications and ask for the criminal record.

The validity of a temporary residence permit is up to three years. One should note that the Serbia residence temporary residence permit can also be granted on the basis of opening a business or owning a property in Serbia. All the details and comprehensive legal advice can be provided by our Serbian lawyers. We would like to highlight that a temporary residence permit might be issued in approximately 5 weeks, once the verifications of the Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs are concluded.

Temporary residence based on the establishment of a company in Serbia
It is possible to obtain temporary residence based on the fact that a foreign citizen is the founder of a company based in Serbia. Opening a company in Serbia is a process that can be fully supervised by our experts. The Agency for Business Registers is the institution responsible for the procedures for establishing a company in Serbia, but it is necessary to use the help of experts who will explain all the details regarding the functioning of the company and the relevant legal regulations of Serbia. Preparation of documentation, opening a bank account, registration with tax authorities and obtaining the necessary licenses and permits are the focus of our experts in Serbia. They can also provide legal advice and assistance in applying for temporary or permanent residence in Serbia Work permits in Serbia Every foreign citizen who wants to work in Serbia requires a work permit. Depending on the legal basis for which residence in R. Serbia, it can be issued as a single permit (one contemporary residence permit) or as a special work permit We help foreigners in adding the necessary documents for a legal stay in Serbia. You can simply  send your requests to our lawyers in Serbia and leave all formalities from a legal point of view to us.

Benefits of Serbia residence permit
The Serbian residence permit guarantees you can legally stay in this country, without any other restrictions. Such a document allows you to open a bank account for personal use, sign contracts with local suppliers, utility companies, rent a house, and even access a credit if necessary. Foreign families in Serbia can easily access the healthcare and education system if registered in this country. You can discuss more about the options you have in Serbia with our lawyers with experience in immigration matters and more.

Working with our legal profesionals in Serbia
Business registration, tax compliance, litigation, legal consulting for investments, legal representation in the court of law, support for drafting contracts are among the legal services offered by our experienced attorneys in Serbia. We also have a dedicated team of lawyers with experience in the immigration field and varied issues related to visas, temporary and permanent residence permits, investor visas, student visas, family reunification, and many more. Instead of dealing with the formalities and bureaucracies linked to a business formation in Serbia, you may solicit the legal advice of our Serbian lawyers and benefit from complete services and alsopersonalized offers.

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Investing in Serbia
The appealing tax regime, the well-developed sectors like manufacturing, IT, textiles, chemicals, tourism, automotive, and the proper business environment are among the strongest points of Serbia when it comes to foreign investments in 2024. The free trade zones are also great options for entrepreneurs who want to benefit from extra tax advantages. We have also gathered some facts and figures about Serbia’s economy that you might find useful:

1. In terms of total FDI stock for 2019, Serbia registered approximately USD 44 billion.

2.  Around 56% of the FDI greenfield projects were directed to the manufacturing sector in Serbia in

3. the past 5 years.

4. The 2020 Doing Business report issued by the World Bank ranks Serbia 44th out of 190 economies in the world.

5. Alongside Turkey and Russia, Serbia is part of the Central European Free Trade Agreemen (CEFTA).

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