As in every country, Bosnia and Herzegovina has regulations for foreigners entering and exiting the country. If you are an international student or staff staying in Bosnia and Herzegovina for educational purposes, you must regulate your residence status. The type of residence procedure you must follow depends on the duration of your stay and on whether you require a visa to enter Bosnia and Herzegovina. Please refer to the sections below for detailed information on each case.
CONTENT:
- Obtaining visa
- Documents you must prepare before your arrival to Sarajevo
- Digital vs. hard copy documents
- Upon arriving to Sarajevo
- Expected costs
- Final check before submitting your residence permit application
- Check list
Obtaining visa
A: Student/staff requires visa to enter and stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student/staff gets their mobility approved at the University of Sarajevo (UNSA). | UNSA Faculty Coordinator sends the invitation letter to the student/staff. | Student/staff applies for a visa at the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina in their home country. | Visa is approved. | Student/staff travels to Sarajevo and enters Bosnia and Herzegovina with a valid visa. | Upon arrival, the student/staff is required to regulate (register) the White Card within the first 24–48 hours. |
Students who require a visa to enter and stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina for educational purposes must, upon nomination and approval of their mobility, contact the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina in their country to schedule an appointment and obtain the list of required documents. One of the documents you will need from the University of Sarajevo is an invitation letter, which is issued by the faculty coordinator of the respective UNSA unit (faculty, academy, centre, or institute) where you have been accepted. Faculty coordinators have clear instructions on how to prepare the invitation letter, but you will need to assist them by providing certain personal information and a copy of your passport. You are also responsible for actively searching for accommodation, as your address in Sarajevo during your stay is one of the required details for the letter.
PLEASE NOTE: Obtaining an invitation letter is a longer process, as it involves collecting the required documents, filling in the necessary forms, and having them verified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This procedure can take up to two months, depending on the country of origin. Therefore, make sure you are nominated within the deadlines set for students who need a visa and that you provide all required information on time.
Bosnia and Herzegovina does not issue a specific student visa. The type of visa you need depends on the duration of your stay: Type D visa – issued to international students and staff staying in Bosnia and Herzegovina for more than 90 days and up to one year (this is the most common visa type, as one academic semester usually lasts longer than three months) and Type C visa – issued to international students and staff staying in Bosnia and Herzegovina for less than 90 days.
GOOD TO KNOW: Students and staff who hold citizenship (a passport) of a country that has a visa regime with Bosnia and Herzegovina, but who reside and study/work in an EU member state and possess a valid residence permit (ID), may enter and stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina without a visa for up to 30 days. However, if you are coming for a longer stay for mobility purposes, obtaining a visa in advance is mandatory. You can not enter Bosnia and Herzegovina and then start regulating your visa from Sarajevo.
Once you have obtained a visa to enter and stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina for a period of 90 to 180 days, you are not required to apply for a residence permit upon your arrival. Nevertheless, you are obliged to register your stay by obtaining a White Card within the prescribed deadline. Students who are granted a visa valid for up to 90 days but subsequently decide to extend their stay are required to apply for a residence permit before the expiration of their visa.
Information on which countries are subject to a visa regime and which enjoy a visa-free regime with Bosnia and Herzegovina can be found on the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina:
https://mvp.gov.ba/ambasade_konzulati_misije/ambasade_konzulati_i_stalne_misije_bih/Default.aspx
B: Student/staff does not require visa to enter and stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina and stays less than 90 days
If a student/staff holds a passport of a country that has a visa-free regime with Bosnia and Herzegovina, he or she may enter the country without obtaining a visa and without applying for a residence permit, provided that the stay does not exceed 90 days. However, all foreign nationals are obliged to register their stay by obtaining a White Card within the prescribed deadline.
Although citizens of EU member states can travel using their national ID cards, students are strongly advised to travel with their passports when leaving the European Union, as it may be required for entry procedures and residence registration in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
C: Student/staff does not require visa to enter and stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina and stays longer than 90 days
If you are an international student staying in Bosnia and Herzegovina for more than 90 days for academic purposes, you are required to regulate your residence status.
These documents are obtained upon your arrival in Sarajevo, so you do not need to get them beforehand. However, for the residence permit, you must bring certain supporting documents from your home country (explained in the following text). Make sure to check this Guidance before you depart to Sarajevo and prepare needed documents before traveling.
Documents you must prepare before your arrival to Sarajevo
If you do not need a visa to enter Bosnia and Herzegovina, you are still required to prepare two essential documents before your arrival: valid health insurance (please read important note on getting the insurance) and a certificate of non-criminal record. Both documents must be issued in printed form, signed and stamped by the competent authority, and translated into Bosnian, Croatian, or Serbian if they are not originally written in one of these languages. These documents will be required for regulating your stay and applying for a residence permit. Please check how to prepare and get them.
Digital vs. hard copy documents – important
Regulating your stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina also depends on various laws and international agreements signed between Bosnia and Herzegovina and other countries or international institutions (conventions). Since Bosnia and Herzegovina has not fully regulated the use of digital signatures, digital documents are not accepted unless they contain the required stamps and apostille certification. Students and staff therefore must ensure that all documents are properly prepared and duly verified before submission.
What to do? If you receive a document in digital form, you must request a printed version with the necessary signature(s) and stamp(s). If the issuing institution does not provide printed documents, check with your local authorities how to obtain an officially printed version with the required signature and stamp. Once you have the printed document, the next steps depend on whether your country is a signatory to the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement for Legalisation of Foreign Public Documents (the Apostille Convention or Apostille Treaty).
- If your country is on the list of signatories, you must obtain the Apostille certification from the relevant local authority in your country.
- If your country is not a signatory to the Hague Convention, you must visit the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina to obtain the required apostille certification.
Upon arriving to Sarajevo
Upon arrival to Sarajevo, you must regulate your residence in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This process goes through two phases of administrative work and obtain the following key documents:
Expected costs
Obtaining your White Card and Residence Permit involves additional costs, which include:
- White Card administrative tax – 11 KM (~5€) (paid via bank/post office)
- Residence Permit tax – 150 KM (~76€) (paid via bank/post office)
- Medical examination – 40-50€
- Health insurance (if purchased in Sarajevo) – approx. 30€
- Passport photos (35x45mm) – 5-8€
- Official translations (if needed) – Cost depends on the number of documents and translation agency fees
Tip: Ensure your budget accordingly to cover these required fees for your stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina!
The approximate total cost for regulating the White Card and Residence Permit in Bosnia and Herzegovina ranges between 292 KM (~146€) and 458 KM (~235€).
Please read this guidance carefully, as it contains all the necessary information you will need.
White card
What is a White Card? A White Card is an official document that notifies the Foreigner’s Affairs Office (FAO) of your address in Sarajevo during your stay. It is a required registration for all foreigners who will be residing in Bosnia and Herzegovina outside of hotels or hostels.
Do I need a White Card? Yes! According to Bosnian law, if you plan to stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina for more than three (3) days and are not staying in a hotel or hostel, you must apply for a White Card within 24-48 hours after arriving in the country.
What happens if you don’t get a White Card? If you need a White Card but fail to obtain one, you may face legal consequences. According to Article 134, Clause 5 of the “Law on Aliens”: A fine between 100 BAM (50€) and 500 BAM (250 €) shall be imposed on a foreigner who does not use accommodation services provided by a legal or physical entity and fails to register their stay under Article 103. Additionally, without a White Card, you cannot apply for a temporary residence permit. If you later decide to apply for one, you will have to exit and re-enter Bosnia and Herzegovina to complete the process, which can be time-consuming and costly.
How to get a White Card? Once you arrive in Sarajevo and settle into your accommodation, you have 24-48 hours to obtain your White Card. You must:
- Collect the required documents
- Personally submit them to the Foreigner’s Affairs Office (FAO)
Who Issues the White Card? If you are staying in a hotel or hostel then the hotel/hostel should automatically register you and issue the White Card. Make sure to request a copy for your records. However, for many staying in a student dorm or private accommodation you have to go personally to the Foreigner’s Affairs Office (FAO) to apply for the White Card.
How to obtain White Card? There are several ways to obtain it:
- The quickest way to register your White Card is to go with your landlord to the Foreign Affairs Office (FAO) within the first 24–48 hours after your arrival. Make sure to bring your passport (the landlord should bring their ID) and proof of payment of Administration Tax. The process can be completed on the spot, and your White Card registration will be done immediately. However, please note that for the second process (Residence permit) you will need proof of accommodation (explained next).
- If your landlord is not present and/or cannot accompany you to the FAO, you will need to obtain certain documents, verifications, and signatures before your visit. It is highly advisable to contact your landlord before your arrival and inform them that you will need supporting documents for the White Card. The landlord can prepare them in advance, and you can collect them once you arrive. This will make the process smoother and hassle-free, saving you both time and effort. Along with your passport, you will need the following documents:
- Landlord’s identification document (ID) → a copy (verification is not required)
- Landlord’s CIPS document → an official residence document that your landlord must obtain
- Proof of accommodation (one of offered is enough):
Landlord’s statement
The statement must be verified at the Municipality Office (Opština or Općina in Bosnian) and this is where your landlord must obtain and verify the statement. In most cases, the Municipality provides an official form to fill out. Statement should contain the following:
- Landlord’s full name
- Address in Sarajevo
- Landlord’s ID number (JMBG)
- Landlord’s phone number
- Text in Bosnian: Pod moralnom, materijalnom i krivičnom odgovornošću izjavljujem da će kod mene boraviti _ (student’s name), državljanin/ka _ (student’s citizenship), broj putne isprave _ (student’s passport number), u periodu _ (student’s dates of accommodation) | Translation: Under moral, material, and criminal liability, I declare that _ (student’s name), a citizen of ____ (student’s citizenship), holding passport number ____ (student’s passport number), will be staying with me during the period ____________ (student’s dates of accommodation).
- Landlord’s signature
- Date and place
Once obtained, the statement should be given to you upon your arrival so that you can take it to the FAO.
Agreement between landlord and student
This is a written agreement that confirms that the student is renting accommodation from the landlord for the duration of their stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The agreement must include basic information such as the names of both parties, the address of the accommodation, the rental period, and the landlord’s signature. It serves as proof of accommodation and is required when registering the White Card and applying for a residence permit. If the agreement is issued in digital form, it must be printed and signed by the landlord. Digital versions without original signatures are not accepted by the authorities.
Alternative options
Sale and Purchase Agreement – This is a document confirming that the landlord is the legal owner of the property, based on a completed sale and purchase transaction. It can be used as proof of ownership when the standard rental agreement is not available.
Land Registry Extract (ZK Izvadak) – This official extract from the land registry confirms the legal ownership of the property and its registration in the cadastre. It is an accepted alternative proof of ownership and can support the accommodation documentation required for the White Card and residence permit procedures.
In addition, you must paid Administrative tax for the White Card. Obtaining a White Card falls under Tourist Taxation, meaning you are required to pay a 10 KM (approx. 5€) administrative fee. You cannot pay this tax directly in cash or by card at the Foreigner’s Affairs Office (FAO). Instead, you must pay through a bank note at any post office or bank. Important Payment Details:
- Tourist tax amount: 10 KM
- Post or bank office service charge: 1 KM
- Total cost: 11 KM
How to fill out the Bank Note?
The bank note must be filled out correctly to ensure successful payment. Below is an explanation of how to complete it (you are entering words and numbers that are marked bold):
| Meaning | You need to write the following: |
| UPLATIO JE (payment by): | your name, surname, address in Sarajevo and contact phone |
| SVRHA UPLATE (reason for payment): | Za prijavu boravišta u Službi (White card) |
| PRIMALAC (payment to whom): | JRT Trezor BiH |
| RAČUN PRIMAOCA (account for payment): | 3380002210018390 |
| IZNOS (amount of payment): | 10,00 KM |
| BROJ PORESKOG OBAVEZNIKA (your code): | since you are not B&H resident, you put 1111111111111 (thirteen times number 1) |
| VRSTA UPLATE: | 0 |
| VRSTA PRIHODA: | 722101 (in accordance to the amounts at the official website) |
| OPŠTINA (county of Sarajevo): | based on your address in Sarajevo you can be in different part of the city which have different codes: Stari Grad (109), Centar (077), Novo Sarajevo (079) or Novi Grad (108) – check with your landlord which part of city you are in. |
| POREZNI PERIOD (date of payment): | DD/MM/YYYY |
| BUDŽETSKA ORGANIZACIJA: | 2704999 |
| POZIV NA BROJ: | 0000000000 |
Do not forget to sign yourself at the „potpis nalogodavca“!
After completing the payment, you will receive two stamped copies of the payment slip. You must submit one of these copies to the FAO when applying for your White Card. You must go to the Foreign Affairs Office (location: Michaela Schumachera Street 10, Sarajevo 71000, Bosnia & Herzegovina). Check Scanajevo under the category “Visa and Residence” for the locations of FAO office in Sarajevo.
Processing Time? The White Card is issued instantly, so you will receive it on the spot once your documents are verified. It is a white A4 format document containing your personal information. You must carry it with you at all times until you submit your documents for a residence permit. Make sure to double-check all documents before visiting FAO to avoid unnecessary delays.
Helpful words in Bosnian:
White card – bijela karta | Foreigners Affairs Office – Služba za poslove sa strancima | Passport – pasoš | ID – lična karta | Accommodation – smještaj | Landlord – vlasnik stana/smještaja | Statement – izjava | Bank note – uplatnica
Residence permit
What is a Residence Permit? The Residence Permit is an official document that regulates your stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina as an international student for the purpose and duration of your education period. It must be issued within the first one or two months of your arrival (preferably in the first month of your stay). The Foreigner’s Affairs Office (FAO) issues this permit in the form of a sticker in your passport.
Do I need a Residence Permit? Yes! It is a legal requirement for all international students staying in Bosnia and Herzegovina for more than 90 days.
What happens if I don’t get a Residence Permit? Failure to regulate your stay in accordance with Bosnian law will result in severe consequences:
- You will be considered an illegal migrant and may face deportation from Bosnia and Herzegovina 🚨
- A ban on re-entering Bosnia and Herzegovina may be imposed for a minimum of one to five years 🚨
- Fines ranging from 300 KM to 1500 KM may be imposed for overstaying your visa-free period, visa, or temporary residence permit 🚨
How to Get a Residence Permit? The process is similar to obtaining the White Card. You must:
- Collect the required documents.
- Personally submit them to the Foreigner’s Affairs Office (FAO) – the same office where you obtained your White Card.
Which Documents Do You Need? The complete list of required documents is available on the official website of the Foreigner’s Affairs Office and below. Make sure to check the list of required documents in advance and prepare all necessary paperwork before applying. However, to help you navigate this complex bureaucratic process smoothly, we have listed below the required documents and how to obtain them. If you follow our guidance carefully, the process should not be complicated for you.
1. Application for issuance of approval/extension (Bos: Obrazac zahtjeva za privremeni boravak)
| How to get it? | 📌Note the following |
|---|---|
| To apply for your Residence Permit, you must download and complete the official application form from the Foreigner’s Affairs Office website: – Go to: www.sps.gov.ba → Documents → E-documents; – Find the document titled: Obrazac zahtjeva za privremeni boravak; – Choose your preferred format: XLS (Excel) or PDF | 🖨 Printing Instructions: The document is 2 pages long and you must print BOTH sides on ONE paper (front and back) – make sure all required information fits within a single double-sided page before printing. More than one page? INCORRECT! – Do NOT print on two separate pages (this would be incorrect!) – Sign the form before submission 💡Your Local Buddy can be very helpful in filling out the form correctly, so don’t hesitate to ask for assistance! |
2. Residence Administrative fee (Bos: Administrativna taksa)
| How to get it? | 📌Note the following |
|---|---|
| To apply for a Residence Permit, you must pay a 150 KM (approx. 76€) administrative tax. Important Payment Instructions: ✅ You cannot pay with cash or card directly at the FAO – Payment must be made before your visit. ✅ Payment must be made via a bank note (available at any post office or bank). ✅ Keep proof of payment – After payment, you will receive two copies of the payment slip (one to give to FAO and one for you). ✅ Attach proof of payment to the rest of your documents when submitting your application. | Please note that the post office will charge an additional 1 KM service fee, bringing the total amount to 151 KM (if you pay in bank, it can be several KM more). After completing the payment, you will receive two stamped copies of the payment slip, which serve as your proof of payment and must be presented during your appointment. You must attach one copy of the payment slip to your residence permit application documents for submission to the FAO. Instructions on how to fill out the bank note are provided below (you are entering words and numbers that are marked bold). |
| Payment instructions for the bank note: | You need to write |
| UPLATIO JE (payment by): | your name, surname, address in Sarajevo and contact phone |
| SVRHA UPLATE (reason for payment): | Odobrenje privremenog boravka |
| PRIMALAC (payment to whom): | JRT Trezor BiH |
| RAČUN PRIMAOCA (account for payment): | 3380002210018390 |
| IZNOS (amount of payment): | 150,00 KM |
| BROJ PORESKOG OBAVEZNIKA (your code): | since you are not B&H resident, you put 1111111111111 (thirteen times number 1) |
| VRSTA UPLATE: | 0 |
| VRSTA PRIHODA: | 722191 (in accordance to the amounts at the official website) |
| OPŠTINA (county of Sarajevo): | based on your address you can be in different part of the city which have different codes: Stari Grad (109), Centar (077), Novo Sarajevo (079) or Novi Grad (108) |
| POREZNI PERIOD (date of payment): | DD/MM/YYYY |
| BUDŽETSKA ORGANIZACIJA: | 2704999 |
| POZIV NA BROJ: | 0000000000 |
Do not forget to sign yourself at the „potpis nalogodavca“.
3. Recent photo
| How to get it? | 📌Note the following |
|---|---|
| The required photo format is similar to a passport photo. 📏 Size approx: 35 x 45 mm 📌 If you do not have a recent photo, you can have it taken in Sarajevo for approximately 5-8 €. 📍 Where to get it? Any photo shop can provide passport-style photos. A good place to check is around Skenderija Square. Make sure your photo meets the official standards before submitting your application! | 📌Check Scanajevo (Under Visa and Residence) to find the photo shops for quicker action. |
4. Copy of passport
| How to get it? | 📌Note the following |
|---|---|
| ✅ You must make copies of your page with personal information and page with stamp of entry Make sure to have two copies of your passport. 📌 DO NOT take a photo of your passport and then print it. Copy your passport through copy machine. | 📌 Recommendation: We highly recommend always carrying an extra copy of your passport with you for safety and convenience. |
5. Copy of form of registration of alien’s residence – „white card“ (Bos: Bijela karta)
| How to get it? | 📌Note the following |
|---|---|
| The White Card is a white document that you received when you registered your stay at the Foreigner’s Affairs Office (FAO). | 📌 Keep this document with you at all times until you submit your Residence Permit application. |
6. Copy of last decision/notice
| How to get it? | 📌Note the following |
|---|---|
| This does not apply to you! You do not need this if you are applying for a residence permit for the first time. | 📌 If you are extending your stay (prolonging your mobility), then you must provide your previous residence permit certificate as part of your application. |
7. Certificate on enrollment at the educational institution for current academic year (Bos: Potvrda o upisu na univerzitet u tekućoj akademskoj godini)
| How to get it? | 📌Note the following |
|---|---|
| This document will be issued by your host faculty coordinator at the University of Sarajevo (UNSA) upon your arrival – not before. 📌 Important details: ✅It will be a single document combining information for requested documents under 7, 8, and 9. ✅ Issued in the local language (Bosnian) ✅ Includes your personal data, admission details, duration of stay, and proof of funding | 📌 Make sure your status in the certificate is mentioned as „redovan“ |
8. Certificate certifying that an alien participate in program of students exchange or mobility of youth (Bos: Potvrda da je stranac dio obrazovnog programa mobilnosti)
| How to get it? | 📌Note the following |
|---|---|
| This document will be issued by your host faculty coordinator at the University of Sarajevo (UNSA) upon your arrival – not before. 📌 Important details: ✅It will be a single document combining information for requested documents under 7, 8, and 9. ✅ Issued in the local language (Bosnian) ✅ Includes your personal data, admission details, duration of stay, and proof of funding | ✅ If you are not coming through Erasmus+, make sure to put the title of the another program or just freemover. |
9. Evidence on means for subsitence (Bos: Potvrda o finansijskoj podršci studenta)
| How to get it? | 📌Note the following |
|---|---|
| This document will be issued by your host faculty coordinator at the University of Sarajevo (UNSA) upon your arrival – not before. 📌 Important details: ✅It will be a single document combining information for requested documents under 7, 8, and 9. ✅ Issued in the local language (Bosnian) ✅ Includes your personal data, admission details, duration of stay, and proof of funding | ✅ If you are not coming through Erasmus+, make sure to provide proof of funding to your unit’s coordinator before the document is issued (document stating your scholarship amount or prrof of funds on your bank account which must be 200€ per month or more). |
10. Certificate on passed exam
| How to get it? | 📌Note the following |
|---|---|
| This does not apply to you! You do not need this if you are applying for a residence permit for the first time. | 📌 If you are extending your stay (prolonging your mobility), then you must provide your transcript of records as part of your prolongation application. 📌 Transcript of records is issued by the host unit coordinator at the University of Sarajevo |
11. Medical attestation (Bos: Potvrda o medicinskom statusu stranca)
| How to get it? | 📌Note the following |
|---|---|
| All international students must undergo a medical examination as part of the residence permit application. 📌 Key details: ✅ Where? Any approved clinic in Sarajevo ✅ Estimated cost: 40-50 € ✅ Keep your medical examination results – you will need them for your application. ✅ Issued in the local language (Bosnian). ✅ Your Local Buddy can be very helpful in guiding you to the right clinic and assisting with the process. | Previous generations of international students have used private clinics which is familiar with the Erasmus+ program and provide necessary documents for the residence permit regulation: medical exam + insurance. ✅ Medical examination – required for the residence permit (certificate issued directly in Bosnian). ✅ Health insurance option – it has been recommended to purchase your insurance in Sarajevo which covers your stay (check more details at the point 12 – evidence on secured health insurance). Package option – For the fee of 80-100€, you can obtain both documents: Medical attestation and Health insurance. Both documents will be in Bosnian and valid for residence permit regulation. This can simplify the process and save time, so consider this option if you still need to arrange health insurance for your stay. In this case, you do not need health insurance from your home country, but only travel. |
12. Evidence on secured health insurance (Bos: Dokaz o zdravstvenom osiguranju stranca)
| How to get it? | 📌Note the following |
|---|---|
| 📌 It is mandatory to obtain insurance in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as it provides the necessary coverage during your stay and is accepted as a valid document for regulating your residence in Bosnia and Herzegovina. You may also use your home-country insurance as additional insurance, but it must follow the steps below: ✅ The original insurance document must be printed, signed, and stamped by the issuing authority. Digital documents and digital signatures are NOT accepted in Bosnia and Herzegovina. ✅ If the document is not originally issued in one of the official languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Bosnian, Croatian, or Serbian), it must be officially translated before submission (translation can be done in Sarajevo). 📌 You must submit both the original document and its translation into Bosnian, Croatian, or Serbian. | Previous generations of international students have used private clinics in Sarajevo which is familiar with the Erasmus+ program and the residence permit requirements for international students. Package option – For the fee of 80-100€, you can obtain both documents: Medical attestation and Health insurance. Both documents will be in Bosnian and valid for residence permit regulation. This can simplify the process and save time, so consider this option if you still need to arrange health insurance for your stay. In this case, you do not need health insurance from your home country, but only travel. |
14. Evidence that no criminal proceeding is being conducted issued by the competent court in BiH
| How to get it? | 📌Note the following |
|---|---|
| This does not apply to you! You do not need this if you are applying for a residence permit for the first time. | 📌 If you are extending your stay (prolonging your mobility), you will need to provide your previous residence permit certificate as part of your application. |
15. Evidence on secured accommodation in B&H (Bos: Dokaz o obezbjeđenom smještaju u BiH)
| How to get it? | 📌Note the following |
|---|---|
| This will be the statement from your landlord or agreement with your landlord that you previously used to obtain your White Card. 📌 Ensure that you have a copy, as it is required for the residence permit application. | |
Final steps: Submitting your residence permit application: After collecting all required documents (listed from 1-15), you must visit the Foreigner’s Affairs Office (FAO) to apply for your Residence Permit. Do not forget to check it once more with the International Relations Office to make sure you are submitting all correct documents. You must go to the Foreign Affairs Office (location: Michaela Schumachera Street 10, Sarajevo 71000, Bosnia & Herzegovina). Check Scanajevo under the category “Visa and Residence” for the locations of FAO office in Sarajevo (it is the same office where you got your White Card).
Important Notes: The residence permit sticker (which goes into your passport) is NOT issued instantly in most cases. However, you will receive a document stating that you have started the process, which can be used to prove your legal status in Bosnia and Herzegovina. With this document, you can relax and wait until the FAO calls you to pick up your residence permit sticker. If your documents are in English or another language, you must provide an official translation in Bosnian, Croatian, or Serbian, along with the original document.
💡 Tip: Keep a copy of all your documents and be prepared for potential follow-up visits!
Final check before submitting your residence permit application
To avoid bureaucratic issues and multiple trips to the Foreigner’s Affairs Office (FAO), it is highly advisable to bring all your documents to the International Relations Office (IRO) for a final review before submission.
📌 Why is this important?
✅ Many students have faced unexpected bureaucratic issues, requiring multiple visits to the FAO.
✅ Having your documents checked in advance can save time, effort, and unnecessary stress.
✅ The IRO team can help ensure that everything is in order before you officially submit your application.
Tip: Double-check your documents and make sure you have all copies and required translations before your IRO review (you can find the checklist at the beginning and the end of this document to ensure you have all the required documents before submitting your residence permit application)!