The long-awaited possibility of submitting a Unified request for Temporary Residence and Work Permit in Serbia electronically (hereinafter: Request) has finally arrived and its implementation started on February 1st, 2024. Also, one of the key changes relates to the possibility of electronically submitting requests for permanent residence.
Previously, the process of applying for permanent residency in Serbia required the physical submission of documentation and requests to the competent institutions. However, thanks to recent changes in the Law on Foreigners, it is now possible to submit requests electronically. This change significantly simplifies the application process for foreigners, reducing administrative barriers and costs.
The Rulebook on the issuance of a Unified Permit for Temporary Residence and Work of Foreigners, as well as the Rulebook on the electronic submission of requests for permanent residency, came into effect in February 2024.
The first, great novelty is the possibility of applying not only in Serbia but also from abroad. This was not possible until now but the Request was handed over in person to the competent police administration on the territory of the Republic of Serbia.
To apply, a foreign national must access and register on the eUprava portal (electronic administration portal). The issue of authenticating the identity of a foreign national has remained open, as foreigners do not have an electronic signature issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, and registration on the portal by entering a username and password does not provide reliable authentication. We hope that an adequate answer to this question will be provided by the technicians in charge of creating the electronic platform.
The decision on the Request itself will be delivered to an e-mailbox on the eUprava portal. If the Request is decided positively, a foreign national will have to be present at the competent police administration in order to collect the Unified permit in the form of a card.
Another great news is that the Law on Foreigners now prescribes the possibility for foreigners to apply for permanent residence after three years of legal stay in Serbia. This provision provides foreigners with a clearer perspective and security in planning their long-term stay in the country. Moreover, it facilitates the integration of foreigners into society and the workforce, contributing to the country’s economic development.
After the novelty with Unified request for temporary residence and work permit that has quickly entered into practice and quickly demonstrated positive results, the electronic submission of the Unified Request is a step towards digitization that is a trend in the legislation of the Republic of Serbia.We are confident that the electronic submission of the Unified Request for Temporary Residence and Work Permits for foreigners will significantly facilitate and expedite the process of issuing the Unified permit.
