New Immigration Reform: Unified Residence and Work Permit in Serbia
Starting in 2024, Serbia has adopted a unified permit system to streamline the process for foreigners who wish to live and work in the country. The recent amendments to the Law on Foreigners and the Law on the Employment of Foreigners introduce the unified residence and work permit in Serbia, which consolidates previously separate procedures into one efficient legal instrument.
This reform is designed to reduce bureaucracy, accelerate administrative processing, and support Serbia’s goal of attracting qualified international talent.
1. Responsibilities for Sponsors and Travel Organizers
Under the updated Article 13a of the Law on Foreigners, tourist agencies, business organizers, and individual sponsors must now guarantee that foreigners entering Serbia remain in full compliance with immigration laws.
In cases where a foreigner enters Serbia to work, sponsors are required to actively ensure that both residence and employment conditions are legally met under the new unified permit framework.
2. What Is the Unified Permit and What Does It Include?
The most significant legislative change is the replacement of two documents — the temporary residence permit and work permit — with a single unified permit. This unified residence and work permit in Serbia offers:
Streamlined approval for both living and working rights
A biometric document with complete personal data
The ability to apply online via Serbia’s Foreigners’ Portal
A 15-day deadline for authorities to process applications
Full digital transition, replacing physical passport stickers with a more secure format
3. Strict Penalties for Employers Violating the Unified Permit Rules
To reinforce compliance, companies that employ foreigners without a valid unified residence and work permit can face fines between 800,000 and 2,000,000 RSD. These changes aim to protect the rights of foreign workers and deter illegal employment practices.
4. Easier Path to Permanent Residence for Asylum Holders
Foreigners who have legally resided in Serbia for more than three years based on asylum are now eligible for permanent residency. This further supports long-term integration and legal certainty under the new system.
Conclusion: The Unified Permit as a New Standard for Foreign Workers in Serbia
The unified residence and work permit in Serbia marks a pivotal step in modernizing immigration and employment practices. For international workers and investors, it simplifies every step, from legal entry and stay to lawful employment.
If you’re planning to live and work in Serbia in 2025 and beyond, the unified permit will be the essential legal tool for a smoother, faster, and more transparent process.
