Visa Types

Visa Types & Categories to Apply for Bosnia and Herzegovina

You can realize a planned trip to Bosnia and Herzegovina by getting a Bosnia and Herzegovina visa. Foreign nationals can apply for Bosnia and Herzegovina short-term visas (C-type visas) for temporary reasons (tourism, business, cultural, and other short-term). If you want to stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina longer for any reason (such as education, work, etc.), you can also apply for Bosnia and Herzegovina long-term visas (D-type visas).

Bosnia and Herzegovina Short-term (C-type) Visa

You can apply for Bosnia and Herzegovina Short-term visa for realizing your temporary travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Reasons to apply for this type of visa can be tourism, visiting family or friends, business trips, short-term education, exchange programs, short-term work, and many other non-permanent nuances. Bosnia and Herzegovina Short-term visa’s validity period can be a maximum of 90 days. Short-term visas can be both single-entry and multiple-entry.

 

Required Documents for Bosnia and Herzegovina Short-term Visa

 

1. Application Form 

  • Fully completed in English and signed and dated by the applicant himself (signed by both parents in case of minors, below the age of 18)

2. Passport

  • Validity minimum of three months beyond the date of your departure from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
  • Signed by bearer
  • Passport not older than 10 years (issued in the last 10 years)
  • At least one or two free “visa pages”
  • Undamaged pictures securely affixed with/to passport

3. Photo

  • NEW! Should not be older than 6 months.
  • A frontal view of the face-covering 70-80% (32-26mm) of the photo.
  • A uniform and white background.
  • Clear facial features and eyes – not covered by hair or glasses frame.
  • 3.5x4.5 size

4. ID Card Copy

  • Validity minimum of three months beyond the date of your departure from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

5. Residence Permit/Visa Copy (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)

  • Validity minimum of three months beyond the date of your departure from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

6. Photocopies

  • Copy of the main page of your passport
  • Copies of previous visas

7. Travel Itinerary 

  • Flight reservation (return ticket)
  • Valid (existing) hotel/accommodation booking/reservation with the full address (name, street, city, zip code, contact information, booking ref.)

8. Letter from Local Employer/Sponsor (Proof of Occupation)

  • The letter must include:
    • Name, postal address, and telephone number of sponsor/company
    • Details regarding the applicant’s working position, starting date of the employment, and salary
    • The timeframe of work leave (expected date to resume duties) and purpose of travel
  • Valid trade license copy and company ownership documents (if a person is an owner of the company).
  • Letter from University (if student)
  • Copy of sponsor’s valid passport and residence visa (if any) to be attached to letter from sponsor (if an applicant is a dependent)

9. Proof of Financial Means

  • Personal bank statements of at least the last 3 months before application, personal property, assets, etc.
    • The minimum amount of required financial resources is 150 KM (about 93 USD) for each day intended to stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

10. Medical Insurance

  • It should cover all the duration you intend to stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina

11. Supporting Documents that Show Your Reason for a Trip

     For tourism:

  • Confirmation of the accommodation (hotel confirmation, apartment rental contract, etc.)

     For business/congress/sports travel:

  • Original invitation letter by the company/organization
  • Confirmation of the accommodation (hotel confirmation, apartment rental contract, etc.)

     For private visit:

  • Original invitation letter by inviting person
  • The original document that confirms the ownership of estate (home) of your inviting person, if you are going to stay there
  • Copies of passport, ID card/residence permit of your inviting person

      For studying (short-term):

  • Original invitation letter by the educational establishment in Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Acceptance letter to education establishment in Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Confirmation of the accommodation (apartment rental contract, dormitory contract, etc.)

      For employment (short-term):

  • Original invitation letter by a company in Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Confirmation of the accommodation (apartment rental contract, hotel confirmation, etc.)

12. For Minors:

  • Copy and English translation of either birth certificate/proof of adoption/custody decree if parents are divorced/death certificate of parent
  • Letter of consent from parent/s or legal guardian/s, if traveling unaccompanied

*Additional documents can be required by the embassy.

 

Processing Time for Bosnia and Herzegovina Short-term Visa

The average processing time for a Bosnia and Herzegovina Short-term Visa is 3-15 calendar days. It depends on your visa application country.

 

Bosnia and Herzegovina Short-term Visa Fee

Bosnia and Herzegovina Short-term Visa fee is 31 EUR for single-entry and 57 EUR for a multiple-entry visa (it can vary depending on your country and nationality). Additionally, you may also need to pay other Administrative fees such as the Visa Application center fee, courier service fee, etc., depending on the country and location of your documents' submission.

 

Where to Apply for Bosnia and Herzegovina Short-term Visa?

You will apply for a Bosnia and Herzegovina Short-term visa in Bosnia and Herzegovina visa application centers, embassies, or consulates, whichever accepts visa applications in your country of residence. If there is none of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate to your location.

Bosnia and Herzegovina Long-term (D-type) Visa

Even if your country is exempt from visa requirements for a short-term period, if you intend to stay longer in Bosnia and Herzegovina, you may need to apply for a long-stay visa from your home country before coming to Bosnia and Herzegovina. You can stay a maximum period of 180 days within 1 year in Bosnia and Herzegovina with a Long-term (D) visa.

The long-term visa grants entry to Bosnia and Herzegovina on the basis that you will be applying for a residence permit. It enables you to enter Bosnia and Herzegovina as a potential resident and stay while you apply for residency.

 

Required Documents for Bosnia and Herzegovina Long-term Visa

 

1. Application Form 

  • Fully completed in English and signed and dated by the applicant himself (signed by both parents in case of minors, below the age of 18)

2. Passport

  • Validity minimum of three months beyond the date of your departure from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
  • Signed by bearer
  • Passport not older than 10 years (issued in the last 10 years)
  • At least one or two free “visa pages”
  • Undamaged pictures securely affixed with/to passport

3. Photo

  • NEW! Should not be older than 6 months.
  • A frontal view of the face-covering 70-80% (32-26mm) of the photo.
  • A uniform and white background.
  • Clear facial features and eyes – not covered by hair or glasses frame.
  • 3.5x4.5 size

4. ID Card Copy

  • Validity minimum of three months beyond the date of your departure from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

5. Residence Permit/Visa Copy (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)

  • Validity minimum of three months beyond the date of your departure from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

6. Photocopies

  • Copy of the main page of your passport
  • Copies of previous visas

7. Travel Itinerary 

  • Flight reservation 
  • Valid (existing) hotel/accommodation booking/reservation with the full address (name, street, city, zip code, contact information, booking ref.)

8. Letter from Local Employer/Sponsor (Proof of Occupation)

  • The letter must include:
    • Name, postal address, and telephone number of sponsor/company
    • Details regarding the applicant’s working position, starting date of the employment, and salary
    • The timeframe of work leave (expected date to resume duties) and purpose of travel
  • Valid trade license copy and company ownership documents (if a person is an owner of the company).
  • Letter from University (if student)
  • Copy of sponsor’s valid passport and residence visa (if any) to be attached to letter from sponsor (if an applicant is a dependent)

9. Proof of Financial Means

  • Personal bank statements of at least the last 3 months before application, personal property, assets, etc.
    • The minimum amount of required financial resources is 150 KM (about 93 USD) for each day intended to stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

10. Medical Insurance

  • It should cover all the duration you intend to stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina

11. Supporting Documents that Show Your Reason for a Trip

      For business travel:

  • Original invitation letter by the company
  • Confirmation of the accommodation (hotel confirmation, apartment rental contract, etc.)

      For private visit:

  • Original invitation letter by inviting person
  • Original document that confirms the ownership of estate (home) of your inviting person, if you are going to stay there
  • Copies of passport, ID card/residence permit of your inviting person

      For studying (long-term):

  • Original invitation letter by the educational establishment in Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Acceptance letter to education establishment in Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Confirmation of the accommodation (apartment rental contract, dormitory contract, etc.)

      For employment (long-term):

  • Original invitation letter by a company in Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Confirmation of the accommodation (hotel confirmation, apartment rental contract, etc.)

      For family reunion:

  • Original invitation letter by your family member
  • Original document that confirms the ownership of estate (home) of your inviting person, if you are going to stay there
  • Copies of passport, ID card/residence permit of your family member in Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Documents proving your ties with your family member in Bosnia and Herzegovina (such as marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.)

12. For Minors:

  • Copy and English translation of either birth certificate/proof of adoption/custody decree if parents are divorced/death certificate of parent
  • Letter of consent from parent/s or legal guardian/s, if traveling unaccompanied

*Additional documents can be required by the embassy.

 

Processing Time for Bosnia and Herzegovina Long-term Visa

The average processing time for a Bosnia and Herzegovina Long-term Visa is 10-30 calendar days. It depends on your visa application country.

 

Bosnia and Herzegovina Long-term Visa Fee

Bosnia and Herzegovina Long-term Visa fee is 72 EUR (it can vary depending on your country and nationality). Additionally, you may also need to pay other Administrative fees such as the Visa Application center fee, courier service fee, etc., depending on the country and location of your documents' submission.

 

Where to Apply for Bosnia and Herzegovina Long-term Visa?

You will apply for a Bosnia and Herzegovina Long-term visa in Bosnia and Herzegovina visa application centers, embassies, or consulates, whichever accepts visa applications in your country of residence. If there is none of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate to your location.

FAQ

I am from a country whose citizens do not need a visa to enter Bosnia and Herzegovina. Can I experience any problems at the border, while entering Bosnia and Herzegovina?

You must meet certain requirements to enter Bosnia and Herzegovina, even if you are not required a visa:

  • The purpose of your trip to Bosnia and Herzegovina must be plausible and comprehensible.
  • Your passport should be valid for at least 3 months beyond your stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
  • You must be able to finance your own living and travel costs.
  • You must hold a confirmed return flight to prove that you are prepared to leave Bosnia and Herzegovina before the duration of the permitted stay ends.
  • You must not pose a threat to security or public order.
 

Can I get a residence permit for Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Consulate General?

No, you cannot get a residence permit for Bosnia and Herzegovina at the embassy or consulate of Bosnia and Herzegovina. You should get a long-term visa, then apply for a residence permit after your arrival in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

What happens if my Bosnia and Herzegovina visa application is rejected?

If your Bosnia and Herzegovina visa application is rejected, you will be notified by your mission that your application has been unsuccessful. You will be informed of the grounds on which it was rejected and have one month to appeal the decision by writing to the Bosnia and Herzegovina mission. Your application will then be reconsidered. You can also apply for a visa again if your circumstances have changed.

Will my fees be refunded if my visa is refused?

All fees are non-refundable and will not be refunded if your visa application is not successful.

Can I extend the validity of my Bosnia and Herzegovina visa?

The validity of a visa can be extended in some exceptional and force-major cases. You can get information about that directly at the Migration Department of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Do I have to participate in the Embassy or Visa Administrative Center in person for applying for Bosnia and Herzegovina visa?

It depends on your country of residence or the embassy/consulate/Visa Administrative Center’s rules and obligations. In some countries, sending your documents via courier is enough to the embassy/consulate/Visa Administrative Center.

Can the Embassy/Consulate request me to provide additional documents or information?

The embassy may request you to provide additional documents or information, according to your personal situation, even after you have submitted all the required documents mentioned on the official website of the Embassy/Consulate/Visa Application Center.