Southeast Europe · Immigration

Bosnia and Herzegovina

51 immigration routes

Bosnia and Herzegovina sits in Southeast Europe. Its immigration system runs 51 distinct routes — led by work, family and culture, faith and volunteering, each set out in official law. All 51 cite an official government source, shown on the route with the date we last read it. Who actually qualifies depends on your full profile.

Immigration routes
51across 15 route categories, each set out in official law
Source-cited routes
51 of 51cite an official government source, with the date we last read it
Largest category
Work10 of the 51 routes — see them under Work below
Region
Southeast Europe
Capital
Sarajevo
Population
3,140,095
Official language
Bosnian, Croatian · +1
Currency
BAM
Time zone
UTC+01:00
Source-cited pathways

Immigration routes

All 51 routes, grouped by purpose — 51 of 51 cite an official government source directly.

Work

10 routes

For employment in Bosnia and Herzegovina covered by an issued work permit.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 2Process & costs: 1Report facts: 7
Official government source: sps.gov.ba · checked 2026-07-26 · 3 sources

For a seasonal worker whose employment is covered by the dedicated work-permit procedure.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 2Process & costs: 1Report facts: 6
Official government source: sps.gov.ba · checked 2026-07-26 · 3 sources

For work as an expert, teacher or lecturer from a foreign cultural or educational institution, within a statutory class that may obtain temporary residence without a work permit.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 2Process & costs: 1Report facts: 6
Official government source: sps.gov.ba · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

For accredited international-correspondent or foreign-media work, within a statutory class that may obtain temporary residence without a work permit.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 2Process & costs: 1Report facts: 6
Official government source: sps.gov.ba · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

For training delivered by a person sent by a foreign employer, within a statutory class that may obtain temporary residence without a work permit.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 2Process & costs: 1Report facts: 6
Official government source: sps.gov.ba · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

For specialist medical services at the invitation of a Bosnia and Herzegovina medical institution, within a statutory class that may obtain temporary residence without a work permit.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 2Process & costs: 1Report facts: 6
Official government source: sps.gov.ba · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

Investment

1 route

Starting a business

2 routes

For founder status in a company or enterprise seated in Bosnia and Herzegovina, within a statutory class that may obtain temporary residence without a work permit.

Eligibility: 2Documents: 2Report facts: 6
Official government source: sps.gov.ba · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

For participation in a fair or exhibition where the foreign employer is represented, within a statutory class that may obtain temporary residence without a work permit.

Eligibility: 2Documents: 2Report facts: 6
Official government source: sps.gov.ba · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

Talent and merit

1 route

For recognition as an important person under the residence rules, within a statutory class that may obtain temporary residence without a work permit.

Eligibility: 4Documents: 2Report facts: 4
Official government source: sps.gov.ba · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

Study

5 routes

For a foreign national undertaking higher education enrolment in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Eligibility: 2Documents: 2Process & costs: 1Report facts: 4
Official government source: sps.gov.ba · checked 2026-07-26 · 3 sources

For a foreign national undertaking regular primary education in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Eligibility: 2Documents: 2Process & costs: 1Report facts: 4
Official government source: sps.gov.ba · checked 2026-07-26 · 3 sources

For a foreign national undertaking regular secondary education in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Eligibility: 2Documents: 2Process & costs: 1Report facts: 4
Official government source: sps.gov.ba · checked 2026-07-26 · 3 sources

For a foreign national undertaking an unpaid internship in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Eligibility: 2Documents: 2Process & costs: 1Report facts: 4
Official government source: sps.gov.ba · checked 2026-07-26 · 3 sources

Family

8 routes

Living from your own income

1 route

For a foreign national relying on admission to and stay in a nursing home.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 3Process & costs: 1Report facts: 4
Official government source: sps.gov.ba · checked 2026-07-26 · 3 sources

Long-term residence

1 route

For a foreign national with five years of uninterrupted qualifying temporary residence who meets the integration and admissibility conditions.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 2Report facts: 8
Official government source: sps.gov.ba · checked 2026-07-26

Culture, faith and volunteering

6 routes

For voluntary work in a humanitarian organization, association or foundation, within a statutory class that may obtain temporary residence without a work permit.

Eligibility: 1Report facts: 8
Official government source: sps.gov.ba · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

For a foreign national undertaking voluntary work under the education grounds in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 1Report facts: 7
Official government source: sps.gov.ba · checked 2026-07-26 · 3 sources

Short stays and visits

3 routes

For a visa-required short visit for tourism, business, education, training, events, religion or another temporary purpose.

Process & costs: 1Report facts: 5
Official government source: sps.gov.ba · checked 2026-07-26

For a national or qualifying document holder covered by Bosnia and Herzegovina's visa-free regime.

Documents: 1Report facts: 5
Official government source: sps.gov.ba · checked 2026-07-26

Humanitarian protection

5 routes

For persons covered by a temporary-protection decision responding to mass displacement caused by war, generalized violence, conflict or severe rights violations.

Report facts: 3
Official government source: sps.gov.ba · checked 2026-07-26

Medical treatment

1 route

Sport

1 route

For participation in a sports or chess event, within a statutory class that may obtain temporary residence without a work permit.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 1Process & costs: 2Report facts: 6
Official government source: sps.gov.ba · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

Transit

1 route

For a visa-required traveller passing through the international transit area of a Bosnia and Herzegovina airport.

Report facts: 5
Official government source: sps.gov.ba · checked 2026-07-26

Special cases

5 routes

For a visa-required person whose intended stay requires more than 90 days within a six-month period.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 1Process & costs: 1Report facts: 3
Official government source: sps.gov.ba · checked 2026-07-26

For duties or specialist training under an agreement with a competent Bosnia and Herzegovina authority, within a statutory class that may obtain temporary residence without a work permit.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 1Process & costs: 2Report facts: 5
Official government source: sps.gov.ba · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

For service as a civil or military official under an intergovernmental cooperation agreement, within a statutory class that may obtain temporary residence without a work permit.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 1Process & costs: 2Report facts: 5
Official government source: sps.gov.ba · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

For a foreign national whose residence is expressly supported by an international treaty binding Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 1Process & costs: 2Report facts: 5
Official government source: sps.gov.ba · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

Official sources

Compiled by António Mira, founder · How we verify our data · Not legal advice — immigration rules and thresholds change; confirm with the official sources above before deciding.

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