Bosnia and Herzegovina

Capital Sarajevo

Currency BAM

Languages Bosnian، Croatian، Serbian

Official fee from 200 BAM

Bosnia and Herzegovina is a Western Balkan country and EU candidate (not an EU/Schengen/EFTA member). Immigration is governed centrally by the Service for Foreigners' Affairs (SPS) under the Ministry of Security, with work permits issued at the entity level (Federation of BiH, Republika Srpska, Brcko District). Long-stay entry is via a Visa D, after which a temporary residence permit (max 1 year, renewable) is filed at SPS. Permanent residence is available after 5 years of continuous lawful residence, and citizenship after roughly 8 years of permanent residence. There is no formal golden visa or EU-harmonised regime (no EU Blue Card).

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Immigration Pathways

(10) Last updated: Jun 7, 2026 · 5 days ago

9 of 10 pathways lead to long-term settlement — 9 to permanent residence, 9 to citizenship.

10 of 10 pathways are backed by official government sources.

Work / Employment High confidence

Temporary Residence for Employment (with Work Permit)

Employer-sponsored work permit (max 1 year, quota-bound, tied to a specific post/employer) plus a temporary residence permit filed at SPS. Work permits are issued at entity level (Cantonal/Federal Employment Service in FBiH, RS Employment Bureau, or Brcko District body).

Processing time: Not published as a fixed figure by SPS; confirm with the competent SPS field office
Validity: Up to 1 year, renewable annually
Language requirement: None for the work/residence permit itself; knowledge of one official language is required only at the permanent residence stage
Documents: 8 required
Permanent residence: Yes · 5 years of continuous temporary residence
Citizenship: Yes · Approximately 8 years of permanent residence before applying (ordinary naturalisation, Art. 9)

Requirements

Employer secures an annual quota slot and applies for the work permit at the entity employment service
Work permit tied to a specific employer and post, max 1 year validity
Valid passport plus Visa D (work); visa-free nationals may apply in-country
Address registration ('white card') shortly after arrival
First temporary residence application filed no later than 15 days before the visa-free/Visa D period expires
Proof of accommodation, health insurance, sufficient means, and a criminal-record certificate (issued within the last 6 months)
All foreign documents require sworn translation into an official BiH language

Required Documents

Valid passport plus Visa D (work) required
Issued work permit from the entity employment service required
Employment contract required
Proof of accommodation required
Health insurance required
Proof of sufficient means required
Criminal-record certificate issued within the last 6 months required
Sworn (court-certified) translations of foreign documents required

Process Steps

1
Employer obtains work permit

Employer secures a quota slot and applies for the work permit at the competent entity employment service.
2
Obtain Visa D

Foreigner applies for a Visa D (work) at a BiH diplomatic/consular mission abroad; visa-free nationals can proceed in-country.
3
Enter and register address

Enter BiH and register the residence address with the local SPS/police office shortly after arrival.
4
File temporary residence application

Submit the temporary residence application at SPS with the work permit, employment contract, accommodation, insurance, means, and criminal-record certificate.
5
Receive and renew card

SPS issues the residence card; renew annually while employment continues.

Official Sources

Work / Employment Medium confidence

Temporary Residence for Work WITHOUT a Work Permit (Exempt Categories)

Statutory categories that work in BiH without a work permit: highly-skilled posts, intra-company/entity transfers, scientific researchers, company founders/directors, international-agreement implementers, project participants, international mission members, foreign media correspondents, cultural educators, and religious officials. Same residence procedure as the employment route, minus the work permit step.

Processing time: Not published as a fixed figure by SPS
Validity: Up to 1 year, renewable annually
Language requirement: None for the permit; official-language knowledge required only at the PR stage
Documents: 5 required
Permanent residence: Yes · 5 years of continuous temporary residence
Citizenship: Yes · Approximately 8 years of permanent residence before applying

Requirements

Document proving membership of a statutory exempt category (e.g. research contract, founder/director registration, media accreditation)
Valid passport plus Visa D, or visa-free entry
Address registration shortly after arrival
First residence application filed at least 15 days before the visa-free/Visa D period expires
Accommodation, health insurance, sufficient means, criminal-record certificate (within 6 months)
Sworn translations of foreign documents

Required Documents

Document proving the statutory exempt category (research contract, founder registration, media accreditation, etc.) required
Valid passport plus Visa D (or visa-free entry) required
Accommodation, health insurance, and proof of means required
Criminal-record certificate within 6 months required
Sworn translations required

Process Steps

1
Obtain category-proof document

Secure the document establishing the exempt category (research contract, founder/director registration, media accreditation, etc.).
2
Visa D / entry

Obtain a Visa D or enter visa-free, then register the residence address.
3
File at SPS

Submit the residence application at SPS with the category document plus the cross-cutting documents.
4
Receive and renew card

Receive the residence card and renew it annually.

Official Sources

Study / Student High confidence

Temporary Residence for Study / Education

Temporary residence for primary, secondary or higher education, unpaid internships, or voluntary work. Requires enrolment/admission confirmation from a BiH institution; renewable for the duration of study.

Processing time: Not published as a fixed figure by SPS
Validity: Up to 1 year, renewable per study duration
Language requirement: None for the permit itself
Documents: 4 required
Permanent residence: Yes · 5 years of continuous temporary residence (study periods generally count, unlike volunteer work)
Citizenship: Yes · Approximately 8 years of permanent residence before applying

Requirements

Enrolment or admission confirmation from a BiH educational institution
Valid passport plus Visa D (study) or visa-free entry
Address registration after arrival
Residence application at SPS at least 15 days before the visa-free/Visa D period expires
Accommodation, health insurance, proof of means, criminal-record certificate, sworn translations

Required Documents

Enrolment / admission confirmation from a BiH institution required
Valid passport plus Visa D or visa-free entry required
Accommodation, health insurance, proof of means required
Criminal-record certificate, sworn translations required

Process Steps

1
Obtain enrolment confirmation

Get the enrolment/admission confirmation from the BiH institution.
2
Visa D / entry and registration

Obtain a Visa D (study) or enter visa-free, then register the residence address.
3
File at SPS

Submit the residence application with the enrolment confirmation plus cross-cutting documents.
4
Receive and renew

Receive the residence card; renew per study duration.

Official Sources

Company Formation Medium confidence

Temporary Residence via Company Formation / Self-Employment (Founder/Director)

The de-facto investor route, as BiH has no formal golden visa. Register a limited liability company (d.o.o.) - minimum capital 1,000 BAM in FBiH or 1 BAM in Republika Srpska - then obtain residence as the founder/director, either via a work permit or the founder/director 'work without permit' category. Formation typically takes 20-45 days and costs around 1,000-1,500 EUR with professional help.

Processing time: Company formation roughly 20-45 days; SPS residence processing time not published
Validity: Initial permit 1 year, renewable while the company is active and compliant
Language requirement: None for the permit; official-language knowledge required only at the PR stage
Documents: 5 required
Permanent residence: Yes · 5 years of continuous temporary residence
Citizenship: Yes · Approximately 8 years of permanent residence before applying

Requirements

Register a d.o.o. (LLC) at the competent Commercial Court
Minimum share capital: FBiH 1,000 BAM (approx. 511 EUR); Republika Srpska 1 BAM (symbolic)
Notarised founding act, tax ID (JIB), statistics and pension/health fund registration; VAT if turnover exceeds 100,000 BAM
Founder/director obtains residence via work permit or founder/director exempt category
Possible local-hire ratio (up to about 5 BiH citizens per foreign worker, sector/entity dependent) when sponsoring foreign staff
Residence application at SPS respecting the 15-day-before-expiry deadline (one practitioner source recommends filing within ~75 days of entry)
Cross-cutting documents and sworn translations

Required Documents

Company registration documents (court extract, founding act, JIB tax ID) required
Bank certificate of deposited share capital required
Work permit OR founder/director exempt-category proof required
Valid passport plus Visa D or visa-free entry required
Accommodation, insurance, means, criminal-record certificate, sworn translations required

Official fees

FBiH minimum LLC share capital 1,000 BAM

Republika Srpska minimum LLC share capital 1 BAM

Approximate all-in formation cost with professional help 1,500 EUR

Process Steps

1
Reserve company name

Reserve the company name at the Commercial Court Register (1-2 days).
2
Notarise founding act

Notarise the founding act / Articles of Association.
3
Deposit capital

Deposit the minimum share capital into a temporary bank account and obtain the bank certificate.
4
Court registration

Submit to the competent Commercial Court (registration 5-15 days).
5
Tax and fund registration

Register with the Tax Administration (JIB), Statistics Office, and pension/health funds; register for VAT if applicable; obtain a municipal business licence.
6
Apply for residence

Apply for temporary residence at SPS as founder/director, then renew while the company stays active.

Official Sources

Investor / Golden Visa Medium confidence

Temporary Residence via Real Estate Ownership

BiH has no golden visa; property ownership alone is insufficient for residence. SPS additionally requires evidence of a genuine and lasting connection to BiH (Bosnian origin, children in local schools, domestic pension income, active business, or resident family). Applied at the SPS office competent for the property's location.

Processing time: Not published as a fixed figure by SPS
Validity: Up to 1 year, renewable annually
Language requirement: None for the permit; official-language knowledge required only at the PR stage
Documents: 4 required
Permanent residence: Yes · 5 years of continuous temporary residence
Citizenship: Yes · Approximately 8 years of permanent residence before applying

Requirements

Title deed to property in BiH
Evidence of a genuine and lasting connection to BiH (origin, schooling of children, domestic pension income, active business, or resident family)
Valid passport plus Visa D or visa-free entry
Address registration after arrival; application at the SPS office competent for the property location
Accommodation, means, health insurance, criminal-record certificate, sworn translations

Required Documents

Property title deed in BiH required
Evidence of a genuine and lasting connection to BiH required
Valid passport plus Visa D or visa-free entry required
Accommodation, means, health insurance, criminal-record certificate, sworn translations required

Process Steps

1
Acquire property and connection evidence

Obtain the title deed and assemble evidence of a genuine and lasting connection to BiH.
2
Visa D / entry and registration

Obtain a Visa D or enter visa-free, then register the residence address.
3
File at competent SPS office

Submit the application at the SPS office competent for the property's location with the title deed, connection evidence, and cross-cutting documents.
4
Receive and renew

Receive the residence card and renew annually.

Official Sources

Family Reunification High confidence

Temporary Residence for Family Reunification & Marriage

Residence based on family ties: marriage with a BiH citizen, common-law (extramarital) partnership, spouse of a resident foreigner, newborn with parents, child of a BiH-citizen or foreign parent, or parent of a BiH-citizen child. Note that family reunification with an ineligible sponsor does not count toward permanent residence.

Processing time: Not published as a fixed figure by SPS
Validity: Up to 1 year, renewable annually
Language requirement: None for the permit; official-language knowledge required only at PR/citizenship stages
Documents: 5 required
Permanent residence: Yes · 5 years of continuous temporary residence (where the sponsor is eligible)
Citizenship: Yes · Spouses of BiH citizens: facilitated naturalisation after 5 years of marriage plus 3 years of permanent residence (Art. 10)

Requirements

Document proving the family relationship (marriage or birth certificate)
Sponsor's BiH ID or residence card
Valid passport plus Visa D or visa-free entry
Address registration after arrival
Residence application at SPS at least 15 days before the visa-free/Visa D period expires
Accommodation, proof of means, health insurance, criminal-record certificate, sworn translations

Required Documents

Marriage or birth certificate proving the relationship required
Sponsor's BiH ID or residence card required
Proof of accommodation and means required
Health insurance and criminal-record certificate required
Sworn translations of foreign documents required

Process Steps

1
Gather relationship proof

Obtain the marriage or birth certificate and the sponsor's BiH ID or residence card.
2
Visa D / entry and registration

Obtain a Visa D or enter visa-free, then register the residence address.
3
File at SPS

Submit the residence application (abroad via DKP or in-country) respecting the 15-day-before-expiry deadline.
4
Receive and renew

Receive the residence card and renew annually.

Official Sources

Research / Scientist Medium confidence

Temporary Residence for Scientific Research

Researchers work without a work permit under the statutory exempt categories. Requires an institutional contract or cooperation agreement with a BiH research institution and confirmation that the work is important to BiH. There is no EU 2016/801 hosting-agreement regime; domestic rules apply.

Processing time: Not published as a fixed figure by SPS
Validity: Up to 1 year, renewable annually
Language requirement: None for the permit; official-language knowledge required only at the PR stage
Documents: 4 required
Permanent residence: Yes · 5 years of continuous temporary residence
Citizenship: Yes · Approximately 8 years of permanent residence before applying

Requirements

Institutional contract or cooperation agreement with a BiH research institution
Confirmation that the research is important to BiH
Valid passport plus Visa D or visa-free entry
Address registration after arrival
Residence application at SPS at least 15 days before the visa-free/Visa D period expires
Accommodation, insurance, means, criminal-record certificate, sworn translations

Required Documents

Institutional research contract or cooperation agreement with a BiH institution required
Confirmation the work is important to BiH required
Valid passport plus Visa D or visa-free entry required
Accommodation, insurance, means, criminal-record certificate, sworn translations required

Process Steps

1
Secure research agreement

Obtain a contract or cooperation agreement with a BiH research institution and the importance confirmation.
2
Visa D / entry and registration

Obtain a Visa D or enter visa-free, then register the residence address.
3
File at SPS

Submit the residence application with the research agreement plus the cross-cutting documents.
4
Receive and renew

Receive the residence card and renew annually.

Official Sources

Permanent Residence High confidence

Permanent Residence (Stalni boravak)

Available after 5 years of uninterrupted temporary residence (continuity preserved if absences total no more than 10 months over 5 years, or a single absence no more than 6 months). Requires sufficient income, adequate accommodation, health insurance, knowledge of one official language and alphabet, and a clean criminal record. Administrative fee is 200 BAM. Certain prior grounds (protection, diplomatic status, humanitarian, medical, volunteer work, family reunification with ineligible sponsors) do not qualify.

Processing time: Not published by SPS
Validity: Indefinite
Language requirement: Knowledge of one official BiH language and its alphabet
Documents: 6 required
Permanent residence: Yes · Granted after 5 years of continuous qualifying temporary residence
Citizenship: Yes · Approximately 8 years of permanent residence before ordinary naturalisation

Requirements

5 years of uninterrupted temporary residence (absences no more than 10 months total over 5 years, or a single absence no more than 6 months)
Regular sufficient income
Adequate accommodation
Health insurance
Knowledge of one official language and alphabet
No criminal proceedings or conviction (certificate within 6 months)
Prior grounds of international/temporary protection, diplomatic status, humanitarian, medical treatment, volunteer work, or family reunification with an ineligible sponsor are excluded

Required Documents

Proof of 5 years continuous temporary residence required
Proof of regular sufficient income required
Proof of adequate accommodation required
Health insurance required
Certificate of knowledge of an official language and alphabet required
Criminal-record certificate within 6 months required

Official fees

Administrative fee 200 BAM

Process Steps

1
Confirm 5-year continuity

Confirm 5 years of uninterrupted qualifying temporary residence.
2
Gather supporting documents

Assemble proof of income, accommodation, insurance, language certificate, and a criminal-record certificate within 6 months.
3
Submit with fee

Submit the application to the competent SPS unit with the 200 BAM administrative fee.
4
Receive indefinite card

On a positive decision, receive the indefinite residence card.

Official Sources

Citizenship / Naturalization Medium confidence

Citizenship by Naturalisation

Ordinary naturalisation (Art. 9) requires age 18+, lawful registered permanent residence (practitioner sources cite about 8 years before application), knowledge of an official language, no security threat, no sentence over 3 years for an intentional crime in the qualifying period, and in-principle release from prior citizenship. Spouses of BiH citizens (Art. 10) qualify after 5 years of marriage plus 3 years of permanent residence. Dual citizenship is allowed only where a bilateral agreement exists (currently Croatia, Serbia, Sweden).

Processing time: Not published as a fixed figure by the competent authority
Validity: Lifelong (citizenship)
Language requirement: Knowledge of an official BiH language (certificate from a recognised institution or official exam)
Documents: 4 required
Permanent residence: Yes · Permanent residence is a prerequisite (5 years of temporary residence)
Citizenship: Yes · Ordinary: about 8 years of permanent residence. Spouses: 5 years of marriage plus 3 years of permanent residence

Requirements

Age 18 or over
Lawful registered permanent residence (about 8 years for ordinary naturalisation; 3 years for spouses with 5 years of marriage)
Knowledge of an official language
No security threat to BiH
No sentence over 3 years for an intentional crime in the qualifying period
In-principle release from prior citizenship unless a bilateral dual-nationality agreement applies (Croatia, Serbia, Sweden)

Required Documents

Birth and marriage certificates required
Police / criminal-record certificates required
Proof of language competency (recognised-institution certificate or official exam) required
Proof of permanent residence required
Renunciation document or proof of a bilateral dual-nationality agreement

Process Steps

1
Meet residence threshold

Hold permanent residence for the required period (about 8 years ordinary, or 3 years plus 5 years of marriage for spouses).
2
Assemble documents

Gather birth and marriage certificates, police/criminal records, language certificate, proof of residence, and renunciation document or proof of a bilateral dual-nationality agreement.
3
Submit application

Submit the naturalisation application to the competent authority (Ministry of Civil Affairs / entity authority).
4
Decision

Await decision; on approval, BiH citizenship is granted.

Official Sources

Asylum / Humanitarian High confidence

Asylum / International Protection

Foreigners may seek asylum at the border or to police/SPS on entry. The claim is lodged with the Ministry of Security (MSB) Sector for Asylum, leading to a refugee-status-determination interview and a decision granting refugee status or subsidiary protection. The procedure is free of charge. Time on these grounds does not count toward permanent residence.

Processing time: Not published as a fixed figure
Validity: For the duration of granted protection
Language requirement: None to apply
Documents: 1 required

Requirements

Express intention to seek asylum at the border or to police/SPS on entry
Lodge the asylum claim with the MSB Sector for Asylum
Attend the refugee-status-determination interview
Procedure is free of charge

Required Documents

Identity documents if available
Asylum-seeker certificate/ID issued on registration required

Process Steps

1
Express intention

Express the intention to seek asylum at the border or to police/SPS on entry, then be registered.
2
Lodge claim

Lodge the asylum claim with the MSB Sector for Asylum and receive an asylum-seeker certificate/ID.
3
Interview

Attend the refugee-status-determination interview.
4
Decision

Receive a decision granting refugee status or subsidiary protection.

Official Sources

Official UNHCR Bosnia and Herzegovina - Asylum procedure and international protection · UNHCR Bosnia and Herzegovina

Some pathway details are machine-translated and may contain minor inaccuracies. Always verify with official sources.

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