BASIC
INFORMATION
ON
ENTRY
AND STAY OF ALIENS IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
ENTRY TO BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
Crossing the state border
An alien may
cross the state border of Bosnia and Herzegovina with a valid travel document
only at border crossings open for international traffic, and within their
working hours.
The first
day of an alien’s stay on the BiH territories is considered as the “date of
entry”, whereas the “date of exit” is the last day of his/her stay on the BiH
territory – Article 15 of the Law on
Aliens.
For detailed
information on the border crossings, please visit the official website of the
BiH Border Police: www.granpol.gov.ba.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Travel documents
An alien
may enter BiH if he/she possess a valid passport or other identification
document that may be used for entering BiH, provided that:
-
it
is valid for at least three months longer than the intended date of departure
from the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and
-
it
was issued within past ten years or is a document of permanent validity.
Other
requirements for entry into BiH are available here – Article 19 of the Law on Aliens.
Additional
to a travel document, the nationals of the following countries are entitled to use
a valid ID card for entry, exit, transit or stay on the territory of Bosnia and
Herzegovina for a total period not exceeding ninety (90) days during any period
within 180 days, where the 180 day period shall refer to the period preceding
each day of stay:
-
Member
States of the European Union,
-
Countries
Signatories to the Schengen Agreement, and
-
Andorra,
Albania, Montenegro, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino, Serbia, Vatican and the
Swiss Confederation.
Entry Visa Regime
To enter
BiH, aliens arriving from the countries having a visa regime with BiH are
required to possess the following:
- a valid visa for entry,
stay or exit from the country, the validity of which does not expire on the
date of entry to BiH, or
-
a
residence permit in BiH.
Short-Stay Visa – Visa C
Short-Stay
Visa (Visa C) enables alien’s transit as well as one or multiple entries or
stays in BiH. Uninterrupted stays or the total duration of consecutive stays in
BiH may not exceed 90 days during any period within 180 days.
A Short-Stay
Visa is issued for a period not exceeding one year though may be issued with
validity of up to five years under the terms of Article 29 (3) of the Law on Aliens.
A Short-Stay
Visa is issued for: business, education, training and similar purposes; tourist
or other private travels; political, scientific, cultural, sports, religious or
other events; as well as other travels requiring a short-term stay.
A Short-Stay
Visa (Visa C) does not provide a ground
to apply for temporary residence in BiH.
Long-Stay Visa – Visa D
Long-Stay
Visa (Visa D) enables alien’s entry and stay in BiH within the period of up to
180 days within a year, and does provide a ground for applying for temporary
residence in BiH.
A Long-Stay
Visa is issued for a period not exceeding one year for situations requiring the
stay in BiH over 90 days within the period of 180 days.
Airport Transit Visa – Visa A
Airport Transit
Visa (Visa A) enables alien’s pass through an international transit area of an
airport without an actual entry to the country, due to discontinuation or
continuation of an international flight.
Requirements
for issuance of the visa are available here – Articles 31 and 32 of the Law on Aliens.
Information
on requirements and procedures relating to the visa issuance are available at: www.mvp.gov.ba.
Visa issuance at the border
In
exceptional cases caused by reasons of national security of BiH, humanitarian
reasons, serious professional or personal reasons, the BiH Border Police is
entitled to issue a short-stay visa for a single entry for up to 15 days (Visa
C) or an airport transit visa (Visa A) at the border.
A visa may
be issued at the border only if an alien:
-
meets
general requirements for entry to BiH under Article 19 (1) and (3) of the Law on Aliens,
-
proves
that he/she was not able to pre-apply for a visa, and
-
presents
one or more documents to evidence the unpredictable and imperative reason(s)
for entry into BiH as well as to guarantee a return to his/her country of
origin or habitual residence.
Details
on visa issuance at the border are available here – Article 14 of the Rulebook on Entry and Stay of Aliens.
Detailed
information on visa extension are available here – Article 36 of the Law on Aliens and Article 20 of the Rulebook on
Entry and Stay of Aliens.
An
administrative fee in amount of 100 BAM is to be paid for issuance of visa at
the border.
An
administrative fee in amount of 100 BAM is to be paid for extension of visa in
the country.
Visas may
be issued at the following international border crossing points: Airports of
Sarajevo, Banja Luka, Tuzla and Mostar; as well as at the land border crossings
of: Orašje, Gradiška, Izačić, Kamensko, Gorica, Bijača, Brod, Rača, Karakaj,
Hum and Klobuk.
Aforementioned
border crossing are working 24/7. For more information, please consult the BiH
Border Police’s website: www.granpol.gov.ba.
Refusal, cancellation and annulment
of a visa
Details
on refusal of visa issuance are available here – Article 37 of the Law on Aliens.
Information
on refusal of visa issuance at the
border is available here – Article
37 of the Law on Aliens as well as Article 19 of the Rulebook on Entry and Stay
of Aliens.
Information
on cancellation and annulment of a visa is available here – Articles 38 and 39 of the Law on Aliens as well as Article 21 of
the Rulebook on Entry and Stay of Aliens.
Visa-free entry
Nationals
of the countries enlisted in Article
2 of the Decision on Visas are exempt from the requirement to obtain a
visa for BiH.
Aliens
exempt from the visa requirement are entitled to enter and stay in BiH up to 90
days within a 180-day period which precedes each day of stay, unless otherwise
determined by an international agreement to which BiH is a party.
For
nationals of countries under Article
3 and Article 22 of the Decision on Visas, a visa free entry is
regulated by an international agreement.
Visa-free
regime in the case of possession of a multiple-entry Schengen visa or residence
permit in the Schengen or EU countries
Nationals of the countries with
whom BiH has a visa regime, may enter the BiH with their passports without the
obligation to obtain a visa for entry, exit, transit and stay on the territory
of BiH, provided they hold a valid multiple visa or residence permit issued in
the Schengen, EU countries, or in the United States of America.
In these cases, a total stay in BiH
may not exceed 90 days in any period of time within the 180-day , with the
possibility of a continuous stay in BiH no longer than 30 days and within the
validity of the visa or residence permit issued in the Schengen, EU countries
or in the United States of America.
Means of subsistence
An alien is
to possess sufficient means of subsistence during his/her intended stay and
exit from BiH, including the means for the health care.
Existence
of means of subsistence is evidenced by:
-
possession
of cash in national or foreign convertible currency;
-
possession
of any form of non-cash payment means recognized by the BiH banking system or
means enabling withdrawal of money in BiH, or a guarantee of a bank from BiH,
which accepts the non-cash payment means possessed by the alien;
-
a
Letter of Invitation;
-
possession
of evidence on paid accommodation or organized travel; or
-
possession
of other assets, such as: immovable property in BiH based on which it is
possible to secure the means of subsistence during his/her stay in BiH; funds
arising from direct foreign investments, manufacturing and technical cooperation,
etc.
A minimum
amount of means that an alien is to possess while entering as well as while
leaving BiH is 150 BAM or its equivalent in foreign convertible currency, which
is required for his/her subsistence and health care for each day of intended
stay.
If an
alien possesses evidence on paid individual or collective travel health care
insurance, he/she is considered to be in possession of the resources for the health
care.
An alien
holding a work permit in BiH is considered to have met the requirements
regarding the possession of means of subsistence.
Letter of Invitation
A Letter
of Invitation for entry into BiH may be issued by:
-
a
BiH citizen or
-
an
alien granted permanent residence in BiH or
-
an
alien with the diplomatic status in Bosnia and Herzegovina or
-
a
national or international legal person registered in BiH.
In exceptional situations, a Letter
of Invitation for the purpose of family reunification or visit may be issued
by:
-
an
alien granted temporary residence in BiH on grounds of the Blue Card;
-
an
alien granted temporary residence in BiH for at least a year with reasonable
chances for being granted permanent residence in BiH; or
-
an
alien with recognised refugee status.
An alien granted
temporary residence for a period not exceeding one year may issue a letter of
invitation solely for the purpose of a visit.
Letter of
invitation is valid for maximum of 180 days from the date of its verification.
Verification
of a Letter of Invitation is charged with an administrative fee of 50 BAM to an
inviter being a legal person, whereas if an inviter is a physical person - the
administrative fee is 20 BAM.
Information
on documents to support an application for verification of the letter of
invitation is available in Article 11
of the Rulebook on Entry and Stay of Aliens.
Documentation
enclosed to an application for verification of the letter of invitation would
be submitted in original or its certified copy. Documents written in a foreign
language or script are to be submitted with their accompanying translations to
one of the official languages in BiH.
Application
forms for verification of the Letter of Invitation: Form 2, Form 3, Form 4, and Form 5.
Entry of minors to BiH
An alien
under 14 years of age holding a personal travel document may cross the BiH
border if accompanied by one or both parents, a legal representative or
guardian, or a person authorized to accompany the minor by a power of attorney that
was signed and certified by the parents, legal representative or guardian. A
minor travelling unaccompanied is to possess a notarized consent of parents, a legal
representative or a guardian.
A consent
or a power of attorney is to contain:
-
personal
data of both the minor and his/her legal representative or guardian,
-
personal
data on the minor’s companion if the minor is travelling with an escort,
-
purpose
and length of stay in BiH,
-
validity
period of the issued consent or authorization, and
-
signature
of the consent/authorization giver.
This
document is to be in one of the languages in official use in BiH or in
English with accompanying translation to one of official languages in BiH
verified by a certified court interpreter.
A
minor is considered to have a consent of a legal representative:
-
if
travelling by airplane - he/she possesses a letter of transmittal for minors
issued by an aircraft operator,
-
if
on a school excursion - he/she is found on the List of Excursion Participants
that is certified by the relevant educational institution, or
-
if
to attend a sport, cultural or similar event - he/she is found on the List of Participants.
RESIDENCE IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
Temporary
residence may be granted on the following grounds:
-
family
reunification,
-
education,
-
humanitarian
reasons,
-
employment
with a work permit,
-
employment
without a work permit, or
-
other
justified reasons.
Temporary
residence permit may exceptionally be issued on grounds of the real-estate
ownership provided that the alien’s effective connection to BiH has been
established.
Temporary
residence is granted for a period not exceeding one year though may be extended
only if the requested extension concerns the same grounds that were applied for
initial temporary residence.
Granting temporary residence
Application
for approval and extension of temporary residence in BiH is to be submitted to
the field office of the Service for Foreigners’ Affairs having jurisdiction on
the territory of the alien’s registered address of residence. Information on
field offices are available on website of the Service for Foreigner’s Affairs: www.sps.gov.ba.
In the
case of temporary residence grounded on employment, the application is to be
submitted to the field office of the Service for Foreigners’ Affairs having
jurisdiction on the territory where the alien is employed.
If abroad,
the application for approval or extension of residence is to be submitted through
a Diplomatic and Consular Representation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Application
for the first temporary residence permit
is to be filed no later than 15 days before the expiry of a long-term visa
(Visa D) or 15 days before the expiry of the visa-free stay.
Application
for extension of temporary residence
is to be submitted not earlier than 60 days and not later than 15 days before
the expiry of the approved stay.
The application
is to be submitted in person in the premises of the Service for Foreigners'
Affairs or the Diplomatic and Consular Representations of Bosnia and
Herzegovina.
Biometric
data would be collected from an alien on the occasion of his/her filing an
application. Fingerprints are not taken from children under six years of age,
whereas the children under 12 are not required to provide a signature.
Administrative
fee in amount of 150 BAM is to be charged for the issuance of the temporary
residence permit.
Administrative
fee in amount of 20 BAM is to be charged for the changes made to a decision on
temporary or permanent residence.
Application
for approval or extension of temporary residence permit is to be submitted on the Form 10.
Documents
supporting an application are to be submitted in original or as its verified
copies.
Documents written in a
foreign language or script are to be submitted together with their court
certified translations to one of languages in the official use in Bosnia and
Herzegovina.
General requirements
for granting temporary residence are available here – Article 49 of the Law on Aliens and Article 27 of the Rulebook on
Entry and Stay of Aliens.
Evidence of sufficient means of subsistence
An alien
is considered to have a sufficient means of subsistence if he/she submits:
-
a
proof of possession of the cash in local or foreign convertible currency, as
evidenced by: an attestation or other
document on the bank account balance, issued by the bank; a check or other
proof of the amount of his/her pension, work permit, certificate on the amount
of personal income from work activity issued by the Employer; an Employment
Contract that specifies the amount of income; proof of receiving a scholarships
including its amount, or other proof;
-
a
written statement of a BiH citizen or an alien holding a residence permit in
BiH, obliging him/her to bear all costs during the alien’s intended stay in BiH
with proof of permanent source of income or other source of funding;
-
a
proof of possession of other resources evidencing that the alien has sufficient
means of subsistence, such as immovable property in BiH, based on which it is
possible to provide means of subsistence during his/her stay in BiH, as evidenced by a document of ownership
of real estate in BiH and proof of gain of assets from that property, or other
evidence.
An alien
holding a work permit to work in Bosnia and Herzegovina meets the requirements
relating to the possession of means of subsistence and health insurance.
Evidence
on provided accommodation is considered to be:
-
Document
of ownership including a residential property;
-
a
Lease Agreement;
-
a
proof of being accommodated in a student dormitory or in a nursing home or in a
health facility/institution specialized for persons with special needs or in a
health spa;
-
a
written statement of the person providing accommodation to be agreeable with
the alien’s use of the apartment. The statement is to be accompanied with a
proof of ownership over the residential property.
Evidence on
health insurance coverage in BiH
Evidence
on health insurance coverage is considered to be:
-
a
contract on voluntary health insurance;
-
a
work permit;
-
a
proof of being accommodated in a nursing home;
-
a
travel insurance provided by a competent insurance company that is valid
throughout the period of intended stay;
-
a
health insurance provided in accordance with international agreements on social
care to which BIH is a signatory, accompanied with a certificate of a foreign
or domestic Health Insurance Institute on the right to use the health care;
-
a
health insurance booklet certified by a competent Health Fund in Bosnia and
Herzegovina or other evidence provided through a health care insurance
agreement to which Bosnia and Herzegovina is a signatory.
TEMPORARY
RESIDENCE GROUNDED ON FAMILY REUNIFICATION
Temporary
residence for the purpose of family reunification may be granted to an alien
being a close family member of:
a)
a
BiH national having residence in Bosnia and Herzegovina,
b)
an
alien granted permanent residence in Bosnia and Herzegovina,
c)
an
alien being a Blue Card holder in Bosnia and Herzegovina,
d)
an
alien granted temporary residence in BiH for at least a year with good prospects
for approval of permanent residence in BiH, or
e)
an
alien granted refugee status.
Close family members
refer to:
a)
a
spouse or a common law partner of a BiH citizen or an alien holding a residence
permit in BiH or a recognized refugee provided that the marriage or common law
marriage is legally valid in BiH (pursuant
to Article 6 indents l) and m) of the Law on Aliens).
b)
children
under 18 years of age or dependent adult children attending regular education
until the age of 26, as well as dependant adult children residing in the same
household, regardless if born in a marriage or out of marriage, if adopted or
stepchildren for as long as they do not start own families.
c)
dependent
parents.
An application for family
reunification with a BiH national is to be supported with evidence stemming
from Article 49 of the Law on Aliens,
as well as Article 27 and Article 28 (2) of the Rulebook on Entry and Stay of
Aliens.
An application for family
reunification with a spouse is to be supported with evidence stemming from Article 49 of the Law on Aliens, as well
as Article 27 and Article 28 (3) of the Rulebook on Entry and Stay of Aliens.
An application for family reunification
with a common
law partner is to be supported with evidence
stemming from Article 49 of the Law
on Aliens, as well as Article 27 and Article 28 (4) of the Rulebook on Entry
and Stay of Aliens.
An application for family
reunification with underaged or dependant adult children is to be supported with evidence stemming from Article 49 of the Law on Aliens, as well
as Article 27 and Article 28 (5) and (6) of the Rulebook on Entry and Stay of
Aliens.
An application for family
reunification of an underaged child with one of the parents is to be supported with evidence stemming from Article 49 of the Law on Aliens, as well
as Article 27 and Article 28 (7) and (8) of the Rulebook on Entry and Stay of
Aliens.
An application for family
reunification with dependant parent(s) is to be supported with evidence
stemming from Article 49 of the Law
on Aliens, as well as Article 27 and Article 28 (9) and (10) of the Rulebook on
Entry and Stay of Aliens.
An application for family
reunification with an alien granted refugee status in BiH is to be supported with evidence stemming from Article 28 (11) of the Rulebook on Entry
and Stay of Aliens.
TEMPORARY
RESIDENCE GROUNDED ON EDUCATION
Temporary
residence grounded on primary and secondary education
An application for approval or
extension of temporary residence grounded on regular primary education is to be supported with evidence stemming from Article 49 of the Law on Aliens, as well
as Article 27 and Article 29 (1) and (3) of the Rulebook on Entry and Stay of
Aliens.
An application for approval or
extension of temporary residence grounded on regular secondary education is to be supported with evidence stemming from Article 49 of the Law on Aliens, as well
as Article 27 and Article 29 (2) and (3) of the Rulebook on Entry and Stay of
Aliens.
Temporary
residence grounded on higher education
An application for approval or
extension of temporary residence grounded on regular higher education is to be supported with evidence stemming from Article 49 of the Law on Aliens, as well
as Article 27 and Article 30 of the Rulebook on Entry and Stay of Aliens.
TEMPORARY RESIDENCE GROUNDED ON
UNPAID INTERNSHIP
An application for approval or
extension of temporary residence grounded on unpaid internship is to be
supported with evidence stemming from Article
49 of the Law on Aliens, as well as Article 27 and Article 31 of the Rulebook
on Entry and Stay of Aliens.
TEMPORARY RESIDENCE GROUNDED ON
VOLUNTEERING
An application for approval or
extension of temporary residence grounded on volunteering is to be supported
with evidence stemming from Article
49 of the Law on Aliens, as well as Article 27 and Article 32 of the Rulebook
on Entry and Stay of Aliens.
TEMPORARY RESIDENCE GROUNDED ON HUMANITARIAN REASONS
An application for approval or
extension of temporary residence grounded on humanitarian reasons relating to
medical treatment or rehabilitation is to be supported with evidence stemming
from Article 49 of the Law on Aliens,
as well as Article 27 and Article 33 (1) of the Rulebook on Entry and Stay of
Aliens.
An application for approval or
extension of temporary residence grounded on humanitarian reasons relating to a
stay in nursing home is to be supported with evidence stemming from Article 49 of the Law on Aliens, as well
as Article 27 and Article 33 (2) of the Rulebook on Entry and Stay of Aliens.
Temporary
residence on humanitarian grounds may be approved to: an alien who has been a
victim of human trafficking, to a minor child of an alien (if abandoned or a
victim of organized crime or without parental protection or custody or if left
unaccompanied for any other reason), to a stateless person, and for other
justified humanitarian reasons stipulated by the bylaws of the BiH Council of
Ministers issued upon proposal of the BiH Ministry of Security, as well as in
cases when an alien co-operates with authorities for the purposes of revealing
criminal offenses and their perpetrators, or when an alien is a victim of
organized crime and his/her presence in BiH is essential for conducting the
court proceedings. For more details, please consult Article 34 of the Rulebook on
Entry and Stay of Aliens.
TEMPORARY RESIDENCE
GROUNDED ON OWNERSHIP OF IMMOVABLE PROPERTY
An application for approval or
extension of temporary residence grounded on ownership of immovable property is
to be supported with evidence stemming from Article 49 of the Law on Aliens, as well as Article 27 and Article
35 of the Rulebook on Entry and Stay of Aliens.
TEMPORARY RESIDENCE
GROUNDED ON A WORK WITH A WORK PERMIT
An application for approval or
extension of temporary residence grounded on work with a work permit is to be
supported with evidence stemming from Article
49 of the Law on Aliens, as well as Article 27 and Article 36 of the Rulebook
on Entry and Stay of Aliens.
TEMPORARY RESIDENCE FOR
HIGHLY QUALIFIED EMPLOYMENT – THE BLUE CARD
An application for approval or
extension of temporary residence granted for highly qualified employment (the
Blue Card) is to be supported with evidence stemming from Article 49 of the Law on Aliens, as well as Article 27 and Article
38 of the Rulebook on Entry and Stay of Aliens.
TEMPORARY RESIDENCE FOR
REDEPLOYMENT WITHIN A LEGAL ENTITY
An application for approval or
extension of temporary residence granted for redeployment within a legal entity
is to be supported with evidence stemming from Article 49 of the Law on Aliens, as well as Article 27 and Article
39 of the Rulebook on Entry and Stay of Aliens.
TEMPORARY RESIDENCE
GRANTED FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHES
An application for approval or
extension of temporary residence granted for a scientific research is to be
supported with evidence stemming from Article
49 of the Law on Aliens, as well as Article 27 and Article 40 of the Rulebook
on Entry and Stay of Aliens.
The
list of scientific and research organisations in BiH can be found on: www.mcp.gov.ba (section titled Organisational Structure – Science and Culture Sector – News).
TEMPORARY RESIDENCE GRANTED TO THE
COMPANY FOUNDERS
An application for approval or
extension of temporary residence of aliens being founders of a company is to be
supported with evidence stemming from Article
49 of the Law on Aliens, as well as Article 27 and Article 41 of the Rulebook
on Entry and Stay of Aliens.
TEMPORARY RESIDENCE OF EXPERTS,
PROFESSORS AND LECTURERS
An application for approval or
extension of temporary residence of experts, professors and lecturers is to be
supported with evidence stemming from Article
49 of the Law on Aliens, as well as Article 27 and Article 42 of the Rulebook
on Entry and Stay of Aliens.
TEMPORARY RESIDENCE OF
CIVIL, POLICE AND MILITARY OFFICIALS
An application for approval or extension
of temporary residence of civil, police or military officials is to be
supported with evidence stemming from Article
49 of the Law on Aliens, as well as Article 27 and Article 43 of the Rulebook
on Entry and Stay of Aliens.
TEMPORARY RESIDENCE OF MEMBERS
OF INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC MISSIONS
An application for approval or
extension of temporary residence of members of international scientific
missions is to be supported with evidence stemming from Article 49 of the Law on Aliens, as well as Article 27 and Article
44 of the Rulebook on Entry and Stay of Aliens.
TEMPORARY RESIDENCE OF
REPRESENTATIVES OF RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES
An application for approval or
extension of temporary residence of representatives of religious communities is
to be supported with evidence stemming from Article 49 of the Law on Aliens, as well as Article 27 and Article
45 of the Rulebook on Entry and Stay of Aliens.
TEMPORARY RESIDENCE OF
FOREIGN CORRESPONDENTS AND FOREIGN MEDIA REPORTERS
An application for approval or
extension of temporary residence of foreign correspondents accredited in BiH or
foreign media reporters is to be supported with evidence stemming from Article 49 of the Law on Aliens, as well
as Article 27 and Article 46 of the Rulebook on Entry and Stay of Aliens.
TEMPORARY RESIDENCE OF
ALIENS CONDUCTING ACTIVITIES RELATED TO THE DEFENCE, LEGAL SYSTEM, STATE
SECURITY OR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE FIELD
An application for approval or
extension of temporary residence of aliens conducting activities relating to
the defence, legal system, state security or undergoing a professional development
in the field based on an Agreement signed with the BiH Council of Ministers,
the BiH Ministry of Defence, the BiH Ministry of Justice or the BiH Ministry of
Security is to be supported with evidence stemming from Article 49 of the Law on Aliens, as well as Article 27 and Article
47 of the Rulebook on Entry and Stay of Aliens.
TEMPORARY RESIDENCE OF
ALIENS ENGAGED ON PROJECTS OF SIGNIFICANCE FOR BIH
An application for approval or
extension of temporary residence of aliens engaged on projects of significance
for BiH is to be supported with evidence stemming from Article 49 of the Law on Aliens, as well as Article 27 and Article
48 of the Rulebook on Entry and Stay of Aliens.
TEMPORARY
RESIDENCE OF ALIENS RESIDING IN BIH UNDER AN INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT
An application for approval or
extension of temporary residence of aliens residing in BiH under an
international agreement to which BiH is a signatory is to be supported with
evidence stemming from Article 49 of
the Law on Aliens, as well as Article 27 and Article 49 of the Rulebook on
Entry and Stay of Aliens.
EMPLOYMENT WITHOUT A
WORK PERMIT WITH CERTIFICATION OF EMPLOYMENT REGISTRATION
Conditions
for the employment without a work permit with certification of employment
registration can be found in Article
50 through 71 of the Rulebook on Entry and Stay of Aliens.
Administrative
fee in amount of 100 BAM is to be charged for issuance of a certificate of
employment registration.
TEMPORARY
RESIDENCE GROUNDED ON OTHER JUSTIFIED REASONS
Temporary residence grounded on other justified reasons may
be granted to an alien:
-
being
immediate family member of an alien enjoying the privileges and immunity
stemming from international law, provided that the alien personally does not
enjoy the same privileges and immunity, including the dependant adult children
being unmarried,
-
arriving
to BiH for the purpose of non-paid professional specialization, training or
internship in diplomatic mission/consular office accredited in BiH or
institution in BiH or international organisation, or
-
other
justified reasons.
Requirements
for approval of temporary residence resting on other justified reasons are
settled under Article 72 of the
Rulebook on Entry and Stay of Aliens.
PERMANENT RESIDENCE
Permanent residence may be granted to an alien having uninterrupted
residence in BiH for at least five years prior to applying for permanent
residence.
In the context of the five-year
period, it is considered that an alien uninterruptedly resides in BiH even if
he/she had repetitively left BiH for up to 10 months in total or up to six months on a single occasion.
Continuity of residence also exists in case when an
alien disrupts continuity between approved temporary
residences within past five years owing to a change of grounds of residence or
humanitarian reasons (such is the case with natural and other disasters, grave
illness or death of immediate family member). Such claims are evaluated on the
case-by-case basis and depend of submitted evidence.
It
is considered that a Blue Card holder uninterruptedly resides in BiH even if
he/she had repetitively left BiH for up to 18 months in total or up to 12 months on a single occasion within
period of five years of granted temporary residence.
Types of residence not providing a ground for permanent
residence are stipulated under Article
80 of the Law on Aliens.
An application for permanent residence is to be
supported with evidence defined in Article 73 (1) of the Rulebook on
Entry and Stay of Aliens.
The
documents enclosed to an application are to be submitted in original or its
verified copies.
The documents written in
a foreign language or script are to be submitted together with their court
certified translations to one of languages in the official use in Bosnia and
Herzegovina.
The application for
permanent residence is to be submitted to the Service for Foreigners’ Affairs.
If applied from abroad, the application is to be submitted through a Diplomatic
and Consular Representation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The
application is to be submitted in person. If an applicant is lacking legal
capacity, the application is to be submitted by his/her legal representative.
At the time
of submission and decision-making upon an application for permanent residence
permit, it is essential that the alien is already granted temporary residence
in BiH.
The application for temporary residence in BiH is to
be submitted on the Form 11.
An administrative fee in amount of 200 BAM is to be charged
for issuance of permanent residence.
REGISTRATION OF RESIDENCE
An
alien granted temporary residence is to register his/her residence and every
subsequent change of address within 48
hours from the date of received decision on approved residence or from the
date of arrival to the place of residence/new address (depending of what is
applicable).
An
alien granted permanent residence is to register his/her residence and every
subsequent change of residence within eight
days from the day of received decision on approved permanent residence or from
the day of arrival to the place of residence/changed address (depending what is
applicable).
Legal
and physical entities that provide the accommodation services (hotels, hostels,
etc.) are to register the residence of aliens within 12 hours from provided accommodation.
An alien
not using the services of legal and physical entities that provide
accommodation (hotels, hostels, etc.) who intends to stay in BiH over three days is to register the stay
in BiH within 48 hours from his/her
entry to BiH.
An
alien visiting a physical entity in BiH for
a period exceeding three days is to
be registered by that particular entity within
48 hours from his/her entry to BiH.
Registrations
and de-registrations are to be submitted to the competent field offices of the
Service for Foreigners’ Affairs or to the Police.
An applicant is obliged to provide accurate and truthful
information, as well as to make available his/her travel document that was used
for the entry to BiH and to evidence secured accommodation in BiH.
Administrative
fee in amount of 10 BAM is to be charged for registration of residence before
the Service for Foreigners Affairs and the Police.
Details on required documents for
approval of residence can be found on: www.sps.gov.ba.