How to Obtain a Temporary Residence Permit in BiH?

In recent years, Bosnia and Herzegovina has become an increasingly attractive destination not only for tourists but also for foreign citizens wishing to live, work, study, or join their families here.

The process of regulating residence status in a foreign country can often seem complicated and bureaucratically demanding. However, knowledge of legal procedures and timely preparation of documentation are the keys to successfully obtaining a permit. In more complex cases, or if you want to be sure you have followed all steps correctly, engaging a lawyer specialized in rights of foreigners in BiH is also advised.

In this article, we explain the temporary residence permit in BiH, relying on the valid Law on Foreigners and the regulations of the Service for Foreigners’ Affairs.

What is Temporary Residence?

Temporary residence is a permit issued to a foreigner (alien) intending to stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina longer than the time they are entitled to based on a visa-free regime (usually 90 days within a period of 180 days) or based on a visa.

According to the Law on Foreigners, a temporary residence permit may be granted for a period of up to one year, unless otherwise determined by law, and may be extended under the same conditions under which it was granted (Article 48).

Grounds for Submitting an Application

The Service for Foreigners’ Affairs grants temporary residence only if there is a justified reason. The following are some of the most common reasons for temporary residence in BiH:

• Family reunification: Temporary residence for immediate family members of a BiH citizen or an alien who has an approved permanent residence in BiH, or temporary residence longer than one year with good prospects for permanent residence approval, or temporary residence based on a Blue Card or refugee status.
• Work: Employment with an employer in BiH.
• Education: Primary, secondary, or higher education, as well as unpaid professional practice/internships.
• Property ownership: Residence based on ownership rights to immovable property in BiH, provided that an “effective connection of the alien with BiH” can be proven.
• Humanitarian reasons: Temporary residence for medical treatment, rehabilitation, and stay in a nursing home, as well as for a minor child of an alien who is without parental protection, guardianship, or accompaniment, for a foreigner who is a victim of human trafficking, and for a stateless person (Article 58).

General Conditions for All Categories

Regardless of the grounds for which you are submitting the application, there is a set of general conditions that every applicant must fulfill. When submitting an application at the competent field office of the Service for Foreigners’ Affairs, you must include:

• Application for the issuance of a temporary residence permit: A completed and signed form that can be picked up at field offices or downloaded from the Service’s website.
• Photograph: A recent photograph, sized 35x45mm.
• Valid passport (photocopy): The travel document must be valid for at least three months longer than the period for which the residence permit is requested.
• Proof of payment of administrative fees: Form fees and a 150 BAM administrative fee for the temporary residence permit.
• Photocopy of the residence registration form (white card): Proof that the alien reported their address of residence to the police or the Service within 48 hours of entering the country.
• Medical certificate: Proof that the alien does not suffer from contagious diseases that pose a threat to public health in BiH. This certificate must be issued by an authorized health institution and must not be older than three months.
• Proof of secured means of subsistence: You must prove that you have enough money not to become a burden on the social system of BiH. This can be a bank statement, pension check, proof of salary, or a guarantee letter.
• Proof of accommodation: Land Registry extract (if you own real estate), a certified apartment lease contract, a certificate of accommodation in a student dormitory, or a statement from a landlord providing accommodation to the alien giving consent for the use of the residential space.
• Proof of health insurance in BiH: An insurance policy covering the costs of emergency medical aid in BiH, a photocopy of a health insurance card, proof of registration with the Health Fund, proof of insurance payment, etc.
• Certificate of no criminal record and certificate that no criminal proceedings are being conducted against the alien: Issued by the competent authority in the applicant’s home country (must not be older than 6 months). This document must be translated into one of the official languages in BiH by an authorized certified court interpreter.
• Proof of possession of means of subsistence, ensuring the alien does not become a beneficiary of social welfare during their stay in BiH.

All copies must be certified.

Specifics Based on the Grounds for Residence

In addition to general conditions, each ground requires specific documentation. Complete lists of required documents can be found here: https://sps.gov.ba/?page_id=2290. 

Submission Procedure and Deadlines

The first application for a temporary residence permit is submitted via the competent Embassy or Consulate. If the alien possesses a Type D Visa, the application may also be submitted at the field office of the Service for Foreigners’ Affairs according to the alien’s place of residence. It is recommended that the application be submitted at least 15 days before the expiration of the visa or visa-free stay, and ideally earlier.

When submitting the application, officials will take biometric data (photograph, fingerprints, and signature). The Service has a legal deadline (usually up to 60 days, but often shorter in practice) to issue a decision on the application. While waiting for the decision, you will receive a certificate of submission which allows you legal stay in BiH until the process is concluded, even if your visa or 90-day visa-free stay expires in the meantime.

Translation and Certification of Documents

One of the most common reasons for rejection or delays in the process is irregular documentation. All documents that are in a foreign language (birth certificate, certificate of no criminal record, diplomas, etc.) must be translated into the Bosnian, Croatian, or Serbian language by an authorized certified court interpreter.

Also, depending on the country you come from, documents must have an apostille stamp or undergo full legalization to be legally valid in BiH.

Extension of Residence

A temporary residence permit is usually issued for a period of 12 months (or shorter, depending on the duration of the employment contract, school year, or insurance). The application for the extension of residence must be submitted at least 15 days before the expiration of the valid residence permit. If you miss this deadline, you may end up in a situation where you must leave the country and repeat the entire process from the beginning.

Permanent Residence

After an alien has continuously resided in BiH on the basis of temporary residence for at least five years, they have the right to apply for permanent residence. Permanent residence grants almost the same rights as citizenship (except for the right to vote) and does not need to be renewed every year. It is important to note that there are certain situations in which, even after five years of temporary residence, an alien does not have the right to apply for permanent residence. These are listed in Article 80 of the Law on Foreigners.

Conclusion

Obtaining a temporary residence permit in BiH requires patience, precision, and adherence to deadlines. Although the list of documents may seem long, the process is quite clear for those who follow the rules. It is always advised to check information on the official website of the Service for Foreigners’ Affairs because legal regulations and fee amounts are subject to change.

If you need assistance when submitting an application for a temporary residence permit and want to be sure that everything will go smoothly, contact us. Our law office has extensive experience with matters regarding residence and the rights of foreigners in BiH.