Us Visa: Travel To Serbia?

Can I travel to Serbia with a valid US visa?

As of May 2003, US citizens with a valid US visa can enter Serbia and stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without needing to apply for a separate Serbian visa. However, it is important to note that you must enter and exit Serbia using the same passport. Additionally, you will need to register with the local police within 24 hours of arrival, which hotels or similar accommodations can do on your behalf. If you are staying at a private residence, you will need to register in person at the nearest police station.

Do US citizens need a visa to enter Serbia?

US citizens do not need a visa to enter Serbia. They can stay in the country for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa. However, they need a valid passport to enter Serbia and must register with the local police within 24 hours of arrival. Hotels or similar accommodations will do this for them. If they are staying at a private residence, they will need to register in person at the nearest police station.

• A valid travel document or a valid identity card if provided for under a bilateral agreement or by a decision of the Government of the Republic of Serbia.
• A valid visa in the passport, if a Serbian visa is required for passport holders of the respective country.
• Proof of sufficient funds for staying in Serbia. Sufficient funds are considered to be 50 Euros per day of stay, proved by possession of the appropriate amount of cash, bank statement, traveller's cheques, credit cards or a letter of guarantee.
• A certificate of vaccination or a note that the traveller has not contracted a contagious disease despite coming from an area affected by a pandemic, as defined by the information of the Ministry of Health.
• For minors, foreign citizens, parental consent is not required to enter the Republic of Serbia. However, if a minor citizen of the Republic of Serbia, aged up to 16, is travelling alone or with someone who is not their parent or legal representative, they must have the certified consent of both parents (if they jointly hold parental rights) or their legal representative.
• It is recommended to have health insurance for the period of stay in Serbia, covering possible medical costs to the amount of not less than 20,000 Euros.

If someone wishes to stay in Serbia for longer than 90 days within a 180-day period, they must apply for a temporary residence permit at the local police station with authority over the place they are staying in Serbia. They cannot apply for a residence permit outside of Serbia. To apply for a temporary residence permit, they must provide a copy of their birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable) and an official police report from their state of residence in the United States or from law enforcement authorities in the country where they permanently reside (if outside the United States). They must obtain the police report no more than 90 days before they apply for their residence permit. All of their documents should have an 'apostille' stamp from the government office where they obtained the document.

What is the maximum duration US citizens can stay in Serbia without a visa?

US citizens can stay in Serbia for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa. This period starts from the date of first entry. This applies to holders of all types of national passports, except emergency travel documents and travel documents issued in accordance with international conventions.

If you wish to stay in Serbia for longer than 90 days within a 180-day period, you must apply for a temporary residence permit at the local police station with authority over the place you are staying. You cannot apply for a residence permit outside of Serbia.

What are the entry requirements for Serbia?

To enter Serbia, you must have a valid passport. U.S. citizens do not need a visa to enter Serbia if they are staying for less than 90 days within a 180-day period. However, if you wish to stay longer than 90 days, you must apply for a temporary residence permit at the local police station. This cannot be done outside of Serbia.

Your passport must be valid for at least 90 days after the intended date of departure from Serbia, with at least two consecutive blank pages. It is important to enter and exit Serbia using the same passport. If you lose your passport after arriving in Serbia, you must obtain a police report and a new passport before you can depart. You cannot enter Serbia with an expired passport or one that has been reported lost or stolen.

Upon arrival in Serbia, you must register with the local police within 24 hours. If you are staying in a hotel, the check-in staff will do this for you. If you are staying in a private residence, you must register in person at the nearest police station.

If you are entering Serbia with cash or travellers cheques worth more than 10,000 euros, you must complete a declaration form at customs. A customs officer will sign or stamp the form, and you must keep a copy while in Serbia and show it when you leave.

There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering Serbia.

What are the visa requirements for Serbia?

Visa Requirements for Serbia

As of November 2022, Serbian visa policy grants visa-free entry to citizens of the following countries for a stay of up to 90 days within any 180-day period:

• All European Union member states
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Trinidad and Tobago
• United Arab Emirates

Citizens of the following countries are also granted visa-free entry, but for a shorter period of 30 days within any 1-year period:

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Nationals of the above countries do not need to apply for a visa before travelling to Serbia. However, they must hold a valid passport and may be asked to provide proof of sufficient funds for their stay.

Short-Term Visa (Visa C)

The Short-Term Visa is a permit that allows visitors to enter, transit, or stay in Serbia for up to 90 days within any 180-day period from the date of first entry. This visa is issued for tourist, business, or other types of travel. To obtain a Short-Term Visa, you must submit the following documents:

• Completed visa application form
• Valid passport (must be valid for at least 90 days after the intended date of departure from Serbia, with at least two consecutive blank pages, and issued within the past 10 years)
• Photo (size 3.5x4.5cm)
• Proof of the purpose and reasons for your stay in Serbia
• Letter of invitation (for private, business, or tourist visits)
• Adequate and valid travel medical insurance
• Evidence of sufficient funds for accommodation expenses and other related costs
• Evidence of available means of subsistence during your stay and for your return to your country of origin or residence

Long-Term Visa (Visa D)

The Long-Term Visa is a permit that allows visitors to enter and stay in Serbia for between 90 and 180 days, for purposes such as employment, education, or family reunification. Foreign nationals who require a visa to enter Serbia and intend to apply for a temporary residence permit must obtain a Long-Term Visa. To obtain this visa, you will need to provide the following, in addition to the requirements for the Short-Term Visa:

Evidence or documents specified in the Law on Foreigners when applying for temporary residence

Temporary Residence Permit

If you wish to stay in Serbia for longer than 90 days during any 180-day period, you must apply for a temporary residence permit from the local police station with authority over the place you are staying. This application must be made in person in Serbia, and you will need to provide the following documents:

• Copy of your birth certificate
• Marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Official police report from your state of residence in the US or from law enforcement authorities in the country where you permanently reside (must be obtained no more than 90 days before your application)
• All documents must have an "apostille" stamp from the issuing government office

General Entry Requirements

In addition to the specific visa requirements, there are some general entry requirements for Serbia:

• Valid passport or travel document
• Valid visa in passport, if required for your country
• Proof of sufficient funds for your stay (minimum of €50 per day)
• Certificate of vaccination or a statement that you have not contracted a contagious disease, especially if coming from an area affected by a pandemic
• If travelling with underage children, a certified authorization from the other parent(s) or guardian is required
• Health insurance for the period of your stay in Serbia, covering possible medical costs of at least €20,000

What are the visa exemptions for Serbia?

As of 2024, citizens of the following countries do not require a visa to enter Serbia for tourism purposes and will be granted permission for a short-term stay on arrival:

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Argentina
• Armenia
• Australia
• Austria
• Azerbaijan
• The Bahamas
• Bolivia
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Costa Rica
• Czech Republic
• Kazakhstan
• Kyrgyzstan
• Liechtenstein
• Luxembourg
• North Macedonia
• Montenegro
• The Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• San Marino
• Seychelles
• South Korea
• Switzerland
• Trinidad and Tobago
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom
• United States
• Guinea-Bissau

Nationals from 12 countries in Asia, 44 countries in Europe, 4 countries in Africa, 11 countries in Central America and the Caribbean, 3 countries in Oceania, and 6 countries in the Middle East are also exempt from requiring a Serbian visa.

Serbian visa exemption also applies to holders of valid visas or residents of Cyprus, Ireland, Schengen Area member states, the United Kingdom, or the United States. These travellers may enter Serbia without a visa for a maximum stay of 90 days within any 180-day period, provided the visa remains valid for the entire length of their stay.

Frequently asked questions