Immigrate to Serbia from the USA: Stay and Residence Rules

Even though there is no need for a visa to enter Serbia as a US national, there are certain rules and regulations that apply for immigration to this country. American citizens can stay up to 90 days in Serbia visa-free, yet if the stay prolongs, the conditions change. Our Serbian lawyers can provide legal assistance and advice for US nationals who want to immigrate to Serbia. We can also help you start a business in Serbia if you are from the USA and move to Serbia right away.

Permanent residence permit for Serbia

As mentioned above, American nationals do not need a visa if they want to relocate to Serbia and stay for up to 90 days. However, things change if they want to stay longer than this period. A permanent residence permit in Serbia is required after the temporary one expires and the following conditions apply:

Living without interruptions in Serbia for at least 3 years with a temporary residence permit allows you to apply for this kind of permit;
If you are married to a Serbian citizen or a foreign one who has permanent residence in this country, you can apply for a permanent Serbian residence permit;
Having Serbian relatives makes you a good candidate for a residence permit;
If you have a temporary residence permit as a citizen benefiting from humanitarian protection you can apply for a permanent stay.

In terms of documents, we can handle all the formalities. Here are the main documents for the Serbian permanent residence permit application:

medical certificate issued by a medical society in Serbia;
the permit application form;
proof of education (diplomas, certificates, etc.);
a copy of the birth certificate;
a passport copy with the authorized temporary stays;
proof of relationship with Serbian citizenship (spouse, parents, etc.);
proof you have sufficient funds to support the living in Serbia.

Our Serbian lawyers can help you with the residence permit application right from the start. Feel free to discuss with us and solicit legal support if you want to relocate to Serbia from the USA on short term or if you need to immigrate to Serbia.

Temporary residence permit for Serbia

US nationals who exceed the 90 days period of staying in Serbia will, firstly, have to obtain a temporary residence permit from the local police. It is important to note that American citizens cannot apply for such a document from the home country. In terms of documents, proof of the domicile in Serbia is required, and the American citizen must apply for a temporary residence permit as soon as he or she moves to Serbia, before the 90-day visa-free stay expires (registration of stay with the police is due within 24 hours of arrival).

Other important details about how to immigrate to Serbia from the US

Once in Serbia, US citizens should observe the regulations in this country. For instance, one can use the driver’s license issued in America for one year, or as long as the temporary residence permit is available. In matters of health, the US health insurance is not accepted in Serbia, yet, emergency services are provided free of charge.

The Serbian authorities have the right to make some verifications and deny the entrance of US citizens without a clear criminal record or being implicated in crimes abroad. Feel free to ask for legal support from our lawyers in Serbia and see all the formalities related to the conditions to immigrate to Serbia. We are here to help you move to Serbia from the USA.

Can I relocate my company from the USA to Serbia?

Yes, company relocation in Serbia is possible for US nationals as long as the Company Act is respected. First of all, the de-registration of the firm from the country of origin is required. Then, a series of documents must be prepared, such as a declaration stating the intention of business relocation in Serbia. The company relocation in Serbia might be complex for persons from abroad, so legal advice is suggested. Our Serbian lawyers can help you relocate your business from the USA to Serbia in compliance with the applicable laws. They can also help you start a business in Serbia from scratch.

Serbian work visa for USA nationals

If you have employees in the USA planning to relocate to Serbia for business purposes, such as attending conferences or training sessions, they may be eligible for a Type C Visa. This short-term visa permits moving to Serbia for a duration of up to 90 days. It can be issued for single, double, or multiple entries, depending on the circumstances involved. However, this visa does not allow extended stays beyond the 90-day limit.

For employees who intend to live and work in Serbia on a long-term basis, they will need to obtain both a temporary residence permit and a work permit.

To apply for a work permit in Serbia, applicants must prepare the following papers:

a completed visa application form;
a passport valid for at least 90 days prior the visa issuance date;
an invitation letter signed by the potential employer located in Serbia;
proof of health insurance;
a passport-sized photo;
proof of financial security to cover the stay in Serbia;
proof that the visa application fee has been paid in full;
the application related documents must be translated into Serbian.

Our specialized attorneys in Serbia can offer relevant support in the process of obtaining legal residency in Serbia. Moreover, our team of professionals is well prepared to offer relocation assistance in any area of the country, such as for moving to Belgrade, Serbia.

Serbian permits processing time

The standard processing time for a temporary or permanent permit in Serbia is typically around 21 days. However, in some cases, the process may take longer, extending up to 30 days. This additional time can be required for a variety of reasons, such as the need for further documentation, background checks, or if there are any unforeseen delays that arise during the review process. While 21 days is the general expectation, applicants should be prepared for potential variations in the timeline, depending on the complexity of their case or any special circumstances that may require additional processing.

Our immigration lawyers in Serbia can help you to efficiently follow all the procedures for obtaining a visa in order to move to Serbia from USA.

Citizenship in Serbia for US nationals

For American nationals interested in acquiring citizenship in Serbia, the process typically involves several steps and specific requirements. While Serbia allows dual citizenship, US citizens must first meet certain criteria to apply for Serbian citizenship. Generally, applicants must have legal residency in Serbia for a specified period, often 3 to 5 years, depending on their situation. Those with Serbian ancestry or family ties to the country may have an expedited route to citizenship through descent or heritage. The Law on Citizenship does not require a Serbian language test, nor a test of Serbian culture and history.

For more information on how to easily obtain citizenship in Serbia, our Serbian attorneys are at your disposal.

Making investments in Serbia

Serbia is open for business to American entrepreneurs, with a relaxed investment policy, a safe business climate, and many other advantages. There are many US companies already on the market and thriving in Serbia. The company incorporation or relocation is simple, as long as all the formalities and bureaucracy procedures are respected. Yet, for a correct business formation in Serbia you can talk to our Serbian lawyers. Here are some facts and figures about the business and economy in Serbia:

Around USD 44 billion was the total FDI stock for Serbia in 2019;
According to the 2020 Doing Business report issued by the World Bank (discontinued in 2021), Serbia ranks 44th out of 190 economies in the world;
Around 56% of the total greenfield projects in Serbia were directed to the manufacturing sector in this country;
About 70% of the total foreign direct investments in Serbia were directed to the manufacturing sector.

If you are from the USA and interested in immigration to Serbia, please feel free to contact our law firm in Serbia.