Serbia may not be a popular study destination compared to its neighboring countries, but it’s something you should consider. Not only is the tuition very affordable, but the quality of education is commendable as well.

Given these advantages, more and more students are planning on enrolling in Serbian top universities. If you’re one of them, you should read this guide on getting a student visa in Serbia.

What documents do you need to apply for a student visa in Serbia?

An entry visa to Serbia is also known as a D visa (long stay permit.) It is issued to applicants who need to stay in the country for more than 90 days in a six-month period.

It is different from a Serbian student visa, which the police will issue once you arrive in the country.

While EU, EEA, and UK citizens may enter Serbia without a visa, those who will study in the country are advised to get one. A long-stay visa is required from anyone who needs to secure a residence permit.

The entry visa requirements are as follows:

Valid passport

This should be valid for at least 90 days after you leave Serbia. It should have at least two blank pages as well.

Colored photo

This should measure 3.5 by 4.5 cm with a white background. It should not be older than six months.

Accomplished visa application form

You may download and access the form here.

Certificate of enrollment

Your educational institution will provide this form once you have been accepted to the program.

Copy of the institution’s registration

This is proof that your institution is a legal entity in Serbia.

Proof of sufficient funds

If you are going to finance your studies, you should submit any of the following documents:

  • Bank statement
  • Traveler’s cheque
  • Credit cards
  • Letter of guarantee

Sufficient funding means your bank account can cover the cost of living in Serbia, which is capped at EUR 50 or $60 a day.

Health insurance

Your medical coverage should be valid throughout your stay in Serbia. The amount should not be less than EUR 20,000 or $23,515.

Certificate of vaccination

You may also need to submit proof that you have been vaccinated against communicable diseases.

Check Also: Programs in Europe for International Students

How much money do you need for a Serbian Student Visa?

The long-stay visa D costs GBP 27 or about $38.

If you plan on mailing your application, you will also need to shoulder the postage costs and the cost of a return envelope.

Steps on Applying for a Student Visa in Serbia

Here’s what you need to do to get an entry visa, student visa, and residence permit in Serbia.

How to Apply for a Student Visa in Serbia

1. Gather all the application requirements.

Make sure that you have all the documents stated above before you apply for a student visa in Serbia.

2. Book an appointment with the consulate/embassy in your area.

If you live near the embassy/consulate, you may book an appointment and submit the documents personally.

But if you live far from the office, you may send the documents by mail. For this, you will also need to include a letter explaining your trip details. Additionally, you will need to list down the documents you have included in your packet.

3. Wait for the visa issuance.

The Serbian student visa processing time takes approximately 30 days. However, it may take longer if the consulate decides to ask for supporting documentation.

For best results, apply for a visa at least three months before your planned trip.

4. Fly to Serbia and register for your student visa.

Once you have the long-stay visa at hand, you may fly to Serbia.

Within 24 hours of your arrival, make sure to register with the police department in your area. They are responsible for issuing your student visa for Serbia.

The requirements for this permit are as follows:

  • Accomplished temporary stay form
  • 2 photos
  • Copy of passport bio-page
  • Proof of entry card (white card given upon arrival)
  • Index
  • Certification form issued by the institution
  • Proof of health insurance
  • Accommodation information (evidence of ownership plus an ID copy of the landlord)
  • Proof of financial means (bank account must have at least EUR 1500 or $1765)
  • Proof of two payments (one costs EUR 3 or $3.50, the other costs EUR 4 or about $5)

5. Wait for your white card.

After fulfilling all the visa requirements, the police station will issue you a white card. You will need to submit a copy to the International Students Office of your university.

6. Apply for a temporary residence permit.

After getting your white card, you may proceed with applying for a residence permit. This should be done 90 days within your arrival date. If not, you will be deemed illegal and may be deported out of the country.

To get a residence permit, you will need to submit the following documents to the Police Directorate:

  • Valid passport with visa
  • 2 passport-sized photographs
  • 3 copies of the Temporary Stay Application form (from the police)
  • Copy of white card (from the police)
  • Certificate of admission issued by your university
  • Proof of financial means
  • Proof of residence (lease contract will do)
  • Proof of health insurance
  • Receipt of the paid processing fee

7. Submit the application confirmation slip to your university.

You will be given a confirmation slip once you have submitted the requirements for a temporary residence permit. Make sure to provide a copy of this to your university as well.

8. Submit a copy of your passport page with its affixed temporary residence label.

Once you receive your temporary residence permit, make sure to furnish a copy of this to your university as well.

Remember: a temporary residence permit is good for two years. Keep in mind to renew or extend it at least 30 days before it expires.

 

We hope that this article on getting a Serbian student visa was helpful. If you are interested in studying in Europe, make sure to check out Available Programs in Europe for International Students.

About the Author: Hyun Lee

Hyun is the founder at Global Scholarships. He has received a full-tuition scholarship at Birmingham-Southern College as well as $1,000 Burger King Scholarship for his undergraduate degree and has been offered a fully funded scholarship consisting of tuition, living stipend, and health insurance for computer science Ph.D. program at North Carolina State University. Read more about his scholarship journey here.

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4 Comments

  1. Malu - Reply

    How to apply online for student visa?

    • Hyun Lee - Reply

      Hello, you need to see if the Serbian embassy in your country allows online registration. Some embassy does allow you to mail in your documents for your student visa.

  2. Malu - Reply

    What documents should we submit while applying online? When do we need to give the hard copies of documents that are required?

    • Hyun Lee - Reply

      Hello, the documents that are needed for the Serbian visa is in this article. Some Serbian embassies allow you to mail in the documents, and when you need to submit them by depends on the embassy.

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