Offline Application for a Residence Permit in Serbia: A Complete Guide

Key Questions about Residence Permits: Beli Karton, Visa Runs, and Travel

When applying for a residence permit in Serbia, many questions arise concerning registration, travel, and legal status. One of the most common is the necessity of obtaining a 'beli karton' (registration of stay).

After obtaining a residence permit, you do not need to get a 'beli karton'. However, if you have applied for your first residence permit and it has not yet been approved, you must obtain a new 'beli karton' when you leave Serbia and subsequently return. For residence permit renewal, this requirement is waived, even if the old permit has already expired.

The need to leave the country to renew your stay ('visa run') ceases immediately after submitting documents in person to the MUP (Ministry of Internal Affairs) or after receiving a PDF confirmation for an online application. It is not forbidden to leave the country while the application is being processed, but to confirm the legality of your stay at the border, it is recommended to carry the application submission document with you.

Methods of Submitting Documents and Specifics of Family Applications

There are three ways to apply for a residence permit: online, offline (in person), and by mail. The last option is the least predictable and is not recommended due to the lack of control over the process. The main differences are between the online and offline methods.

As of February 1, 2024, offline submission is limited. Documents can only be submitted in person for children or on grounds not related to business, work, real estate, or talent. A spouse applying for reunification can choose either method. Online submission is the primary method for most adult applicants and can even be done from abroad.

When submitting documents for the whole family, a combined approach is used: adults submit their applications online, while documents for children are submitted offline. It is important that both parents are present when submitting an application for a child. Each family member submits documents for themselves personally.

The main applicant, through whom family reunification is taking place, must submit their application before or at the same time as the family members, or already have a valid residence permit.

Validity Periods and Cost of a Residence Permit

The period for which a residence permit in Serbia is issued depends on the grounds for obtaining it. The maximum term of three years is granted for the most significant reasons.

• Real estate ownership.
• Permanent employment contract.
• Registration as a sole proprietor (IP) or a company founder (DOO).

For other grounds, the terms may be shorter. For example, for study or language courses, a residence permit is issued for the duration of the studies, and on the grounds of 'talent' - for one year. The cost of obtaining a residence permit consists of two main payments: a fee for the residence permit itself and a fee for the production of the biometric card.

• For the residence permit: 22,700 + 420 RSD
• For biometrics: 1,788 + 2,120 RSD

Documents for the Initial Offline Submission

Preparing the correct set of documents is a key stage in the process of obtaining a residence permit. A separate set is prepared for each family member, which must be neatly arranged: photos and receipts on top, then the application, and the rest of the documents according to the list.

• A copy of the 'Beli Karton' for the residential address.
• A completed application (Zahtev za odobrenje privremenog boravka) in Serbian Latin script, in capital letters. The application should be printed on both sides of the sheet.
• Autobiography (not required for children).
• Receipts for payment of state fees.
• Two color photographs, 35x45 mm, on a white background.
• A copy of the main page of the international passport.
• A Serbian health insurance policy for one year or a bank statement from a personal account in a Serbian bank showing a balance of about 1700 euros per person.
• Documents confirming the place of residence (a copy of the owner's ID card, a proof of ownership document, and their written permission 'Izjava').

For family reunification, marriage or birth certificates translated by a certified court translator are additionally required. The translation must not be older than 6 months. For partners who are not officially married, a certificate from the registry office stating there is no marriage and a notarized statement from two witnesses confirming cohabitation are required.

Residence Permit Renewal Procedure

You should apply for a residence permit renewal in advance. This can be done no earlier than 3 months before, but no later than the expiration date of the current permit. It is recommended not to delay the submission, especially considering possible delays at the MUP during holidays or vacation periods. The new residence permit term always starts from the expiration date of the previous one, regardless of the renewal application date.

If you have changed your residential address, you must notify the MUP before applying for renewal. The document package for renewal is slightly different from the initial one.

• Autobiography
• Photographs (a photo will be taken on-site during biometrics submission)
• 'Beli karton'

Otherwise, the list of documents is similar to the initial submission: a completed application, payment receipts, copies of the passport (the main page and the page with the valid residence permit or ID card), insurance or a bank statement, and current housing documents.

Payment of State Fees

For offline submission, fees are paid in advance, and the receipts are attached to the document package. It is important to remember that these payment details are not suitable for online submission, where payment is integrated into the process on the website.

The payment procedure varies by city. In Novi Sad, payment can be made directly at the MUP building at a currency exchange office. In Belgrade, you must arrive at the MUP with already paid receipts, which can be obtained and paid at any bank, post office, or exchange office. Two fees must be paid for each applicant, including children.

When filling out the payment slip (uplatnica), you need to specify the payer's personal data and the correct municipality code (poziv na broj) for your place of residence.

Procedure for Submitting Documents to the MUP

In-person submission of documents in Belgrade and Novi Sad requires a prior appointment via email. The email must include the details of all family members applying offline. A response with the date and time of the visit will arrive within 1-14 business days. In other cities, a prior appointment is not required.

• Ime i prezime (First and last name)
• Datum rođenja (Date of birth)
• Državljanstvo (Citizenship)
• Po kom osnovu podnosi zahtev (Grounds for the residence permit application)
• Poslednji datum ulaska u Republiku Srbiju (Date of last entry into the Republic of Serbia)

On the day of the visit to the MUP, it is important to observe the dress code: shorts, skirts above the knee, sportswear, and open-toed shoes are prohibited. In Novi Sad, you need to find your last name on the lists on the office doors on the third floor. In Belgrade, at the MUP building (Omladinskih brigada 1), an electronic queue system is used: you need to select the appropriate service on the terminal and get a ticket.

After checking the documents, the inspector will issue a confirmation of application receipt. If any documents are missing, they can be submitted within 8 days.

Submitting Biometrics and Receiving the ID Card

After the application is approved, the next stage is submitting biometrics. It is important that the main applicant completes this procedure first or at the same time as family members who are obtaining a residence permit through reunification. If you miss the scheduled date, you must re-register in person at the MUP.

Before the biometrics submission visit, you need to pay the corresponding fees. The procedure itself includes fingerprinting and taking a photograph. For children under 12, only a photo is taken. The presence of both parents is mandatory when a child submits biometrics.

After submitting biometrics, you will be given a confirmation (potvrda) with the date when you can pick up the finished ID card. Each adult must collect their card in person. Children's cards can be collected by both parents together. Be sure to keep the sheet to which the ID card was attached, as it contains the PIN code needed to use the card as an electronic signature.