🇧🇦Bosnia and Herzegovina Visa for Norwegian Citizens2026 Requirements, Fees & Documents

Viza za Kratkoročni Boravak (Visa C) - Short-Stay Family/Private Visit Visa

Short-stay variant of Visa C for visiting family members or friends residing in Bosnia and Herzegovina, valid for up to 90 days within a 6-month period.

Sub-purpose of Visa C. Requires an invitation letter from the resident host in BiH, verified by relevant authorities, including a sponsor declaration of financial responsibility. The same Visa C document is issued; purpose is determined by supporting documents.

Viza za Dugoročni Boravak (Visa D) - Long-Stay/National Visa

Issued to foreign nationals intending to stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina for more than 90 days within a 6-month period, typically as a precursor to obtaining a temporary residence permit.

Bosnia and Herzegovina's long-stay national visa (Visa D) is required by those seeking temporary residence and must be obtained at a BiH embassy or consulate abroad before arriving. Issued for stays up to 6 months, validity up to 1 year. After entry on a D visa, applicants apply for a formal temporary residence permit (privremeni boravak) at the Service for Foreigners Affairs. The D visa covers purposes including employment, family reunification, education, humanitarian reasons, and real estate ownership. Bosnia and Herzegovina does not operate an e-visa system.

Privremeni Boravak - Temporary Residence (Employment/Work)

Allows foreign nationals to legally reside and work in Bosnia and Herzegovina for employment purposes, requiring both a temporary residence permit and a work permit in most cases.

First-time applicants must enter on a Visa D. Temporary residence for employment is issued for up to 1 year and is renewable. Requires a valid passport (3+ months validity beyond the requested period), proof of employment or work permit, accommodation proof, health insurance, and a medical certificate (within 3 months). Extensions must be filed at least 15 days before expiration. After 5 consecutive years of temporary residence, applicants may apply for permanent residence. Administrative fees apply (amounts referenced in official fee schedule). Company founders/owners may qualify for work without a formal work permit under a separate business owner category.

Privremeni Boravak - Temporary Residence (Education/Study)

Permits foreign nationals to reside in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the duration of an accredited educational programme at a BiH institution.

Issued as a category of Temporary Residence (privremeni boravak) on educational grounds. Entry via Visa D. Issued up to 1 year, renewable for the duration of study. Requires proof of enrolment, accommodation, financial means, and health insurance. After 5 years of uninterrupted temporary residence, permanent residence may be sought. Bosnia and Herzegovina has no separate dedicated student visa document - it is a purpose category within temporary residence.

Privremeni Boravak - Temporary Residence (Family Reunification)

Enables foreign nationals to reside in Bosnia and Herzegovina to join a family member who holds legal residence status in the country.

Category of Temporary Residence for family reunification. Entry via Visa D. Requires proof of family relationship, sponsor's valid residence in BiH, accommodation, and financial means. Issued up to 1 year, renewable. Path to permanent residence after 5 years continuous temporary residence.

Stalni Boravak - Permanent Residence Permit

Grants foreign nationals an indefinite right to reside in Bosnia and Herzegovina after meeting the required continuous residence period and integration conditions.

Requires minimum 5 years of continuous legal temporary residence in BiH immediately preceding the application. Additional requirements: valid passport, stable and regular income, adequate housing, health insurance, proficiency in at least one official BiH language (Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian), and criminal clearance from home country and BiH (certificates no older than 6 months). Upon approval, a unique identification number is assigned and the holder must apply for a resident ID card within 8 days. Administrative fee: 200 BAM referenced in SPS documentation. Permanent residence is not citizenship.

Privremeni Boravak na osnovu vlasništva nekretnina - Temporary Residence Based on Real Estate Ownership

Allows foreign nationals who own real estate in Bosnia and Herzegovina to obtain temporary residence, provided they demonstrate a real and lasting connection to the country.

No minimum property value is specified in law. Applicant must demonstrate a 'real and lasting connection' to BiH (e.g., origin, children's education in BiH, pension receipt, or investment in economic activities). Issued for up to 1 year, renewable. Path to permanent residence after 5 consecutive years of continuous temporary residence. Administrative fee: 150 BAM for issuance.

Privremeni Boravak - Temporary Residence Based on Business/Company Establishment

Permits founders or owners of a company registered in Bosnia and Herzegovina to reside in the country and conduct business activities without a separate work permit.

Classified as 'work without a work permit' for company founders/owners. No minimum investment threshold set for this residence category specifically; minimum registered share capital for a d.o.o. (LLC) in FBiH entity is 1,000 BAM (approx. EUR 511). Issued up to 1 year, renewable. Path to permanent residence after 5 consecutive years. Entry typically via Visa D.

Diplomatska / Službena Viza - Diplomatic and Official Visa

Issued to holders of diplomatic or official/service passports from countries that do not have a full visa-free agreement with Bosnia and Herzegovina, permitting official travel and residence.

Diplomatic and official/service passport holders from select countries (including Algeria, Armenia, China, Cuba, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Ukraine, and Russia) are exempt from visa requirements. Diplomatic visa fee is generally waived based on reciprocity. Duration determined by mission length or bilateral agreement terms.

Privremeni Boravak radi Liječenja ili Rehabilitacije - Temporary Residence for Medical Treatment or Rehabilitation

Allows a foreign national to reside in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the duration of medical treatment, rehabilitation, or placement in a care/nursing institution.

One of the enumerated grounds for temporary residence under Article 52 of the Law on Movement and Stay of Aliens and Asylum: treatment or rehabilitation (Article 87 of the Rulebook on Entry and Stay of Aliens) and stay in a nursing home (Article 88). Requires proof of admission to a BiH institution for treatment/rehabilitation, accommodation, health insurance, and sufficient funds. Duration is tied to the treatment period, issued for up to one year, may be shorter, and is renewable. First-time applicants subject to the visa regime enter on a Visa D. Time spent on the treatment/rehabilitation basis does not count toward permanent residence. An administrative fee for approval/extension of temporary residence applies per the SPS fee schedule.

Privremeni Boravak na Osnovu Braka sa Državljaninom BiH - Temporary Residence Based on Marriage to a BiH Citizen

Enables the foreign spouse or extramarital (common-law) partner of a Bosnia and Herzegovina citizen to reside in the country.

A ground distinct from family reunification (which is for joining a resident alien): this applies to spouses of BiH citizens (Article 59 of the Rulebook on Entry and Stay of Aliens) and to extramarital/common-law partners of BiH citizens (Article 60). Requires proof of the marriage or relationship, accommodation, health insurance, and financial means. Issued for up to one year, renewable, and provides a path to permanent residence after five continuous years and to facilitated naturalisation as the spouse of a citizen. First-time applicants subject to the visa regime enter on a Visa D. An administrative fee for approval/extension of temporary residence applies per the SPS fee schedule.

Privremeni Boravak iz Humanitarnih Razloga - Temporary Residence on Humanitarian Grounds

Discretionary residence for foreign nationals in humanitarian situations, such as victims of human trafficking, unaccompanied minors, or persons cooperating with authorities in criminal proceedings.

Granted on humanitarian grounds under Article 54 of the Law on Movement and Stay of Aliens and Asylum (Article 89 of the Rulebook on Entry and Stay of Aliens). Covers victims of human trafficking, unaccompanied foreign minors, persons whose removal would be unreasonable for serious humanitarian reasons, and those cooperating with authorities in criminal proceedings. Discretionary and granted by the Service for Foreigners' Affairs; may be issued for periods shorter than one year and is renewable. Several of these sub-categories do not lead to permanent residence.

Privremeni Boravak - Rad bez Radne Dozvole (Profesori i Naučnici) - Temporary Residence for University Professors, Scientists and Researchers (Work Without a Work Permit)

Allows university professors, scientists, researchers, and members of international scientific missions to reside and work in Bosnia and Herzegovina without a separate work permit.

One of the 'work without a work permit' categories under Article 84 of the Law on Movement and Stay of Aliens and Asylum: university professors and scientists (Article 68 of the Rulebook on Entry and Stay of Aliens) and members of international scientific missions conducting research approved by the Council of Ministers (Article 71). No labour-market test or separate work permit is required, but a temporary residence permit must still be obtained. Issued for up to one year, renewable. First-time applicants subject to the visa regime enter on a Visa D. An administrative fee for approval/extension of temporary residence applies per the SPS fee schedule.