Serbia Visa for Indians

Is Serbia Visa Free for Indian Citizens?

No, Serbia is no longer visa free for Indians. Until December 31, 2022, Indians could visit Serbia visa-free under a bilateral visa-waiver agreement. From January 1, 2022, the Serbian government has changed its border regulation.

However, Indians who have a valid Schengen visa, or a valid visa/residence permit from USA/UK or EU member states don't need a visa for Serbia.

Serbia is a captivating European destination that requires structured paperwork and preparation. Securing a Serbian visa for Indians allows you to explore this country's stunning landscape, cuisine and more. To get a Serbia visa from India, you must provide detailed documentation, complete the Serbia visa online application, submit photos meeting biometric criteria, a travel itinerary, and proof of sufficient funds.

While physical sticker stamping takes place through the Serbian embassy, Indians can also submit and get long-term digital travel permits and visa submissions online through the official Serbian portal.

Features of Serbia Visa

Here are some interesting features about getting a Serbia visa from India.

• Mandatory Travel Health Insurance: You must purchase travel insurance for Serbia that covers potential medical expenses during your stay here.
• Minimum Insurance Coverage for Serbian Visa: Your travel medical insurance coverage should be at least EUR 20,000.
• Proof of Vaccination: You need to provide a vaccination certificate before applying for a Serbian visa from India. You can provide a medical note saying that you don't have a contagious disease.
• Visa-free Entry to Eligible Indians: Serbia allows visa-free entry to Indian citizens who have a Schengen visa or residence permit/visa for the UK, the USA and any EU state.

Serbia Visa Fees

While submitting your application, you need to pay the Serbia visa fee for Indian applicants. This consular fee is non-refundable and dset in Euros, payable in Indian Rupees during submission. Below is a table summarising Serbia visa types and their corresponding fees for Indian citizens.

*Note: Serbia embassy fees in India are revised periodically based on consular exchange rates. Service fees for VAC submissions and biometric handling are billed separately.

Serbia Visa Types

Here's a table detailing various Serbia visa types, along with their validity periods and maximum stay allowed:

For Indians applying for a Serbian work visa, an additional work permit fee of EUR 100 is required. However, this fee is paid by the employer and not the applicant. Please note that you can not apply for a Serbian visa from India more than 3 months before you travel.

Documents Required to Apply for a Serbia Visa

You need to submit various documents while applying for a Serbia visa from India. You also need to submit photographs that comply with the Serbian visa photo requirements. Here's a list of the documents you need for your tourist visa application.

Additional Documents for Business & Work Purposes

Those visiting Serbia for business will also need to submit an invitation letter from a company in Serbia. If you are applying for a Serbia work visa, you need to submit the following additional documents:

Your employer will also handle the administrative fee for work permit issuance from the National Employment Service, which is around EUR 100.

Documents Required to Apply for a Serbia Student Visa

If you want to pursue undergraduate, postgraduate or language studies in Serbia, you need to submit the following documents.

Who can Apply for a Serbia Visa?

Here are the criteria for individuals who can apply for a Serbia visa from India:

• Citizens of India planning to visit Serbia for tourism, business, education, employment, or other purposes.
• Those with a valid Indian passport.
• Indian students who have received an authentic admission offer from an accredited educational institution in Serbia.
• Individuals with sufficient funds to cover their expenses during their stay in Serbia.
• Skilled, semi-skilled, and technical personnel who hold a confirmed employment agreement from a company legally registered in Serbia.

How to Apply for a Serbia Visa?

Now that you know the documents needed for your application, let's understand how to apply for a Serbian visa. Here are the steps to apply for a Serbian visa from India:

1. Step 1: Determine the Type of Visa

   Identify the type of visa you need based on the purpose of your visit, such as a tourist visa, business visa, student visa, etc. This step is crucial because Serbia visa requirements differ for every visa type.

2. Step 2: Gather Required Documents

   Collect all necessary documents, including a valid passport, a completed visa application form, photographs complying with Serbia visa photo requirements, proof of accommodation, travel itinerary, proof of sufficient funds, health insurance, and any additional documents specific to your visa type.

3. Step 3: Fill Out the Serbia Visa Application Form

   You can apply for a visa through Serbia's official e-visa portal.

4. Step 4: Schedule an Appointment

   Check the embassy or consulate website for appointment scheduling procedures. Book an appropriate slot for your Serbian visa appointment in India. You must visit the VAC (Visa Application Centre) to submit your visa application and attend any required interviews.

5. Step 5: Attend Serbian Visa Appointment in India

   On the scheduled date, visit the Serbian embassy or consulate in India for your appointment. Bring all required documents and payment for visa fees.

6. Step 6: Submit Documents and Pay Serbia Visa Fees

   Submit your visa application along with the required documents and pay the applicable visa processing fees.

7. Step 7: Wait for the Serbia Visa Processing Time

   After submitting your application, wait for the Serbia visa processing time specified by the embassy or consulate. This duration can vary depending on the type of visa and other factors.

   Generally, the Serbian visa processing time for Indian applicants is 10- 30 days, depending on the season and Serbian visa type.

   Once your visa application is processed and approved, collect your passport with the visa stamp from the embassy or consulate. If approved, ensure all details on the visa are accurate before leaving the embassy.

How to Check Serbia Visa Status?

Once you submit your application, you will want to track its status. To check your Serbia visa status, you can follow these steps:

1. Visit the Official Website: Go to the official website of the Serbian embassy or consulate where you submitted your visa application.
2. Log in to your account: Log in to your account on the e-visa portal.
3. Enter Application Details: Enter the required information to reveal your Serbia visa status.