Residence permit
In order to obtain the work permit a foreigner must, in the first place, obtain the approval for a temporary stay – residence permit.
Application for the residence permit is submitted to the Ministry of Interior Affairs with the following documents:
- Proof that the foreigner has enough funds to live on his own in Serbia;
- Proof that the foreigner possesses health insurance;
- Proof of the purpose of the temporary stay in Serbia;
- Proof that administrative fees are paid.
The Approval is issued in 30 days after the Application has been submitted. It is issued in the duration of one-year maximum (usually first two times resident permit is issued for a period of 6 months) and can be extended afterward. The Approval is issued in the travel document of the foreigner.
Once the temporary stay has been approved, the foreigner can initiate the procedure of obtaining the work permit.
Work permit
In case if the work permit is sought for employment, the application for issuance of the work permit is submitted by the Employer to the National Employment Agency. The application must be followed with the following documents:
- Certificate of Incorporation of the Employer;
- Travel document of the foreigner;
- Approval for Temporary Stay;
- Certificate issued by the Central Health Care Registers certifying that the Employer has not discharged any employees for the causes of technical, economic or other organizational changes on the workplace that the work permit is applied for;
- Certificate issued by the National Employment Agency that for past one month prior to the application there have been no Serbian citizens eligible for the workplace that the work permit is applied for;
- The proposition of the Employment Agreement in according to the law;
- Excerpt from the Regulation on the Organisation and Systematisation of Works related to the work of the foreigner;
- Diploma or another certificate on professional qualifications;
- A certificate stating that the foreigner meets the requirements prescribed for the work that the foreigner applies to;
- Proof that the administration fee has been paid.
The procedure may take up to 45 days, but usually, it is done in a shorter period.
In case if the work permit is sought for self – employment, the application for issuance of the work permit is submitted by the foreigner. An application must be followed with the following documents:
- Proof of professional qualifications and qualifications for the job;
- Proof of lease or ownership of business premises (contract or pre-contract);
- Proof of available equipment needed for work;
- Declarations on the type, duration and scope of work as well as the number and structure of employees;
- Letter of Invitation;
- Proof that the administration fees are paid.
One must begin with work no later than 90 days after obtaining a work permit.
