The Law Office Marović provides comprehensive legal assistance to foreign nationals and employers regarding the submission of applications for temporary residence approval or its extension, including obtaining a temporary residence and work permit (single permit). Our team has over three decades of experience in representing clients before the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the National Employment Service, carefully guiding clients through each stage of the process.
An application can be submitted by a foreign national who intends to stay in the Republic of Serbia for more than 90 days within 180 days.
The grounds for submitting an application for temporary stay are numerous, such as:
In the case of employment, self-employment, and conducting professional specialization, training, and internships, an application is submitted for obtaining a single permit that includes both temporary stay and work.
The application is submitted electronically through the Foreigners Portal (www.welcometoserbia.gov.rs) or in person at the competent police station, while the application for obtaining a single permit is submitted exclusively electronically.
Temporary stay can be granted for a period of up to three years and can be extended for the same period, depending on the existence of the grounds for which the temporary stay is approved.
An application for extension of temporary stay must be submitted no earlier than three months before the expiration of the current temporary stay permit, and no later than the expiration date. If the application for extension is submitted in a timely manner, the foreign national may remain in the Republic of Serbia until a final decision is made on their request.
A foreign national is required to use the temporary stay permit for the purpose for which it was granted (work, studies, family life, etc.). Any abuse or deviation from the reported basis may result in the refusal to extend the temporary stay or the cancellation of the permit.
The registration of the foreign national’s address of residence is mandatory within 24 hours of entering the Republic of Serbia, and any change of residence address must be reported to the competent authority within three days.
When applying for the issuance of a single permit based on employment, the employer initiates a procedure for conducting a labor market test.
The National Employment Service conducts the labor market test and checks whether there are unemployed individuals on the registry who meet the employer’s requirements for the specific job position.
If there are no Serbian nationals or foreign nationals who are entitled to work in accordance with the Law on Employment of Foreigners, and who meet the requirements set by the employer for the specific job position, the employer has the right to employ a foreign national.
Temporary stay and the single permit can be granted for up to three years, depending on the basis and circumstances, and can be extended for the same period while the grounds for their issuance continue to exist.
The application should be submitted no earlier than three months before the expiration of the current temporary stay permit, and no later than the day the current permit expires. If the application is submitted on time, the foreign national has the right to stay in the Republic of Serbia until a final decision is made on their request.
Yes. The foreign national must register their address of residence within 24 hours of entering the Republic of Serbia, and any change in the residence address must be reported within three days.
If the conditions for granting temporary stay and work are met, the applicant is notified through the single portal in the eInbox about the date and time they need to come in person to the relevant authority to have their biometric data taken and their biometric residence card (temporary stay/single permit) issued.
The documentation required for submitting the request for a temporary stay/single permit varies depending on the basis for the application.
The labor market test is a procedure conducted by the National Employment Service at the request of the employer to verify if there are candidates for a specific job position registered with the National Employment Service. It is mandatory when applying for a temporary stay and work permit (single permit).
Yes, but approval from the National Employment Service (NSZ) is required.
A parent, guardian, or legal representative of a child born in the Republic of Serbia, where both parents are foreign nationals, must submit a request for temporary stay for the child within three months of the child’s birth. Temporary stay is granted for the same period as the temporary stay of the child’s parent, guardian, or legal representative, or for up to three years if one of the parents, guardian, or legal representative is a foreign national with permanent residence.
A child born in the Republic of Serbia may acquire Serbian citizenship if at least one parent is a Serbian national.
If the request is rejected, the foreign national has the right to file an appeal within 15 days of receiving the decision. If the decision is not changed after the appeal, an administrative dispute can be initiated before the competent court. In such cases, it is recommended to hire a lawyer to ensure timely and correct use of all available legal remedies and protect the foreign national’s rights
Permanent residence can be granted to a foreign national who meets the legal requirements and has continuously resided in the Republic of Serbia for three years on the basis of a temporary stay permit. Continuous stay means being absent from the Republic of Serbia for no more than 10 months in total, or a single absence of up to 6 months, within a 3-year period. A foreign national with a temporary stay permit based on studying or schooling cannot apply for permanent residence in the Republic of Serbia.
Note: The content of this text is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we strive to ensure that the information provided is accurate and up to date, each situation is unique and requires an individual legal assessment. For precise and reliable guidance regarding your specific case, it is recommended that you consult an attorney.
Last updated: October 16. 2025.
