An increasing number of foreign nationals are choosing to acquire part of their education in the Republic of Serbia, whether through formal schooling, university studies, or attending Serbian language courses. In order for their stay in the Republic of Serbia to be lawful, it is necessary for them to regulate their residence status in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Foreigners (“Official Gazette of the RS”, No. 24/2018, 31/2019 and 62/2023) and the Rulebook on Granting Temporary Residence (“Official Gazette of the RS”, No. 6/2024), which prescribe general and specific conditions for granting temporary residence, as well as the evidence by which the existence of the aforementioned conditions is proven.
General conditions for granting temporary residence
Regardless of the grounds for residence, a foreign national must meet the general conditions prescribed by the Law on Foreigners (“Official Gazette of the RS”, No. 24/2018, 31/2019 and 62/2023).
Along with the application for approval or extension of temporary residence, the foreign national shall submit:
- a valid personal or official passport;
- a valid identity card of the state of which they are a citizen, if, in accordance with applicable regulations, they may enter the Republic of Serbia with an identity card;
- proof of sufficient means of subsistence during the planned stay;
- registration of residence or address of stay in the Republic of Serbia;
- proof of health insurance during the planned stay;
- evidence justifying the application for granting temporary residence in accordance with the legal basis on which the temporary residence is requested, as well as other documents at the request of the competent authority;
- Proof of payment of the prescribed administrative fee.
The validity of the personal document that is to be enclosed with the application must exceed the period for which the approval of temporary residence is applied for by at least three months.
Special conditions for temporary residence on the grounds of education
If a foreign national submits an application on the grounds of education, in addition to evidence demonstrating that the general conditions for approval of temporary residence in the Republic of Serbia have been met, they are also required to submit the following evidence demonstrating that the special conditions for temporary residence on the grounds of education have been met, as well as the justification for the application:
- a certificate of enrolment in an elementary or secondary school verified by the ministry competent for education;
- a certificate confirming that the educational institution is verified in the Republic of Serbia.
For the approval of temporary residence of a minor foreign national for the purpose of education in the Republic of Serbia, in addition to the evidence listed above, the following must also be submitted:
- consent of the parent, guardian, or legal representative; and
- a guarantee that an adult person residing in the Republic of Serbia will be responsible for the foreign national during their stay in the Republic of Serbia, particularly with regard to ensuring accommodation for the minor foreign national, medical care, and means of subsistence. Where the adult providing a guarantee for the minor who is acquiring education is a foreign national, the temporary residence shall be granted to the minor for the period of time for which the temporary residence is granted to the person providing the guarantee.
Special conditions for temporary residence on the grounds of learning the Serbian language
If a foreign national submits an application on the grounds of learning the Serbian language, in addition to evidence demonstrating that the general conditions for approval of temporary residence in the Republic of Serbia have been met, they are also required to submit the following evidence demonstrating that the special conditions for temporary residence on the grounds of learning the Serbian language have been met, as well as the justification for the application:
- a certificate confirming attendance of a Serbian language course, indicating the start date of the course and its duration;
- an extract from the registration of the legal entity or sole proprietor in the Republic of Serbia where the applicant attends Serbian language classes;
- evidence of the intention to study in the Republic of Serbia (evidence of an initiated procedure for recognition of a foreign educational document, evidence of payment of the prescribed instalment of tuition fees, a letter from the educational institution, etc.).
When deciding on the application, the competent authority assesses whether the language learning programme represents a genuine and justified reason for the foreign national’s longer stay in the Republic of Serbia.
Method of submitting an application for approval of temporary residence on the grounds of education or learning the Serbian language
Under the provisions of the Rulebook on Granting Temporary Residence (“Official Gazette of the RS”, No. 6/2024), an application for approval or extension of temporary residence may be submitted:
- electronically, by completing the online application form on the Portal for Foreigners; or
- directly to the competent authority on the prescribed form.
The application shall be submitted on the prescribed form together with the appropriate documentation demonstrating that the general and special legal conditions have been met.
Duration of temporary residence on the grounds of education or learning the Serbian language
Temporary residence on the grounds of education or learning the Serbian language shall be approved for a period corresponding to the purpose for which it is requested, i.e., in accordance with the duration of the education or the Serbian language learning programme.
Upon expiry of the approved period, the foreign national may submit an application for extension of temporary residence if the circumstances for which their residence was initially approved continue to exist.
Obligations of the foreign national during the period of temporary residence on the grounds of education or learning the Serbian language
A foreign national to whom temporary residence has been approved is required to stay in the Republic of Serbia in accordance with the grounds on which their residence was approved.
This means that a person who has obtained temporary residence for the purpose of education or learning the Serbian language must actively attend classes or the language course and maintain the status for which their residence was approved.
A change in the circumstances that constituted the basis for issuing the permit may constitute grounds for termination or non-extension of temporary residence.
Restrictions regarding the right to permanent residence
A foreign national who has been granted temporary residence in the Republic of Serbia on the grounds of studying or education may not submit an application for permanent residence in the Republic of Serbia.
Exceptionally, a foreign national who, in a previous period, spent a certain time on temporary residence on the grounds of studying or education in the Republic of Serbia, and subsequently changed the grounds for their residence in the Republic of Serbia, may submit an application for permanent residence. In that case, only half of the time the foreigner spent in the Republic of Serbia attending a university or pursuing education can be aggregated with the time required to grant permanent settlement.
Read more:
Temporary residence permit »
Permanent residence of the foreigner in Serbia »
Opening a non-resident account in the Republic of Serbia »
