FAQs about Residence Permits in Serbia for Education
By Pavlo Boyko · 5 minute read · Updated on June 4, 2024
What is a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP)?
In this article, TRP refers to a temporary residence permit or privremeni boravak.
Notice for Russian citizens: under Russian law, privremeni boravak is considered a temporary stay permit (RVP) 1.
Why is a TRP needed in Serbia?
A TRP is required for a foreigner intending to stay in Serbia longer than the validity of a long-term visa or the period defined by an international visa-free entry agreement.
For Russian citizens without a diplomatic or service passport, this period is 30 days from the date of entry 2.
For Ukrainian citizens without a diplomatic passport or temporary protection status for displaced persons, this period is 90 days 3.
What does a TRP look like?
Until 2024, the TRP was issued as a holographic sticker in the passport. Since February 2024, it has been issued as a plastic card with a chip and biometric information.
What is the unified permit?
The unified permit (jedinstvena dozvola) combines the TRP and a work permit into one document.
On what grounds can a TRP be obtained in Serbia?
The grounds for obtaining a TRP are listed in Paragraph 40 of the Law on Foreigners 4. This list is not exhaustive and can be expanded by the Serbian government.
For the purposes of our article, the following points are important:
- Point 2) Education in primary or secondary school, or learning the Serbian language (školovanja ili učenja srpskog jezika).
- Point 3) Higher education (studiranja).
- Point 7) Family reunification (spajanja porodice).
How to obtain a TRP for education in primary or secondary school?
Education in an accredited primary (osnovna škola) or secondary (srednja škola, e.g., gymnasium or vocational school) school is a basis for obtaining a TRP for the student.
The documents confirming education are 5:
- A certificate of enrollment in the school and a copy of the contract with the school, if available.
- A copy of the school’s accreditation certificate.
For minors under 18 years old, additional documents are needed:
- A statement from the parents, guardians, or legal representatives that an adult residing in Serbia will take responsibility for the minor.
- A written guarantee from the adult residing in Serbia that they will be responsible for the minor during their stay in Serbia, especially regarding accommodation, medical care, and financial support.
Please note that this is not a complete list of documents; see below for details on preparing and submitting a TRP application.
Is a TRP needed for school enrollment?
No, it is not required.
Does the school have to be public?
No, education at a private school accredited by the Serbian Ministry of Education also qualifies for a TRP.
How to check if a private school is accredited?
This information is usually clearly indicated on the school’s website. In case of any doubts, request a copy of the accreditation certificate.
Does kindergarten count?
No, it does not.
How to obtain a TRP for higher education in Serbia?
Similar to primary or secondary school education, studying at an accredited Serbian university is a basis for obtaining a TRP. The confirming documents are also similar 5:
- A certificate of enrollment indicating the program and duration of study, and a copy of the tuition contract (if it is a paid program).
- A copy of the university’s accreditation certificate.
For extending a TRP based on university education, a certificate of actual participation in the study program indicating the year of enrollment and duration of study is also required.
Please note that this is not a complete list of documents; see below for details on preparing and submitting a TRP application.
What about a TRP based on learning the Serbian language?
Learning the Serbian language at a language school with the intention of continuing education in a Serbian school or university is a basis for obtaining a TRP in Serbia.
The confirming documents are:
- A certificate of enrollment in Serbian language courses indicating the start and end dates.
- A certificate of the legal entity’s accreditation managing the courses.
- Confirmation of the intention to continue education in Serbia after completing the language courses (e.g., evidence of the initiation of the recognition procedure for a foreign education document, proof of paid tuition fee, letter from the educational institution, etc.).
Please note that this is not a complete list of documents; see below for details on preparing and submitting a TRP application.
Can the family of a student also get a TRP based on education?
Family members of a person who has received a TRP based on education can obtain a TRP for family reunification (spajanja porodice).
Who are considered family members in this case?
Family members include legal spouses, cohabitants, minor and unmarried children. For minors under 18 years, parents or guardians and minor unmarried siblings are also considered family members.
If the child is over 18, can their parents obtain a TRP for family reunification?
No, they cannot.
What if the family obtained a TRP based on education and the child then turned 18?
In this case, the parents’ TRP remains valid, but it cannot be extended based on family reunification next time.
Should we wait until the child’s TRP based on education is approved before applying for a TRP for the parents and siblings?
No, you can submit TRP applications for all family members simultaneously.
How to prepare and submit documents for a TRP?
The full list of documents, as well as the processes for submitting and reviewing TRP applications, are regulated by the Law on Foreigners 4 and the corresponding instruction 6. A convenient summary of the provisions of the Law and the instruction in English is available on the Ministry of Internal Affairs portal 5.
Detailed and regularly updated guides in Russian are available “from Oleg” 7 on online and offline TRP application submission.
For how long is the TRP issued?
The TRP is issued for up to 3 years at the discretion of the inspector 4.
A TRP based on education is issued for a period not exceeding the duration of the education.
A TRP based on family reunification is issued for a period not exceeding the validity of the TRP of the family member being reunited with.
If the adult providing the written guarantee for a minor is a foreign citizen, the minor’s TRP is issued for the period for which the guarantor’s TRP is valid.
What if the TRP expires before the end of the education period?
The TRP can be extended. Applications for TRP extension should be submitted no earlier than 3 months before the expiration of the current TRP but not later than its expiration.
The procedure for preparing and submitting documents for TRP extension is largely similar to the initial application.
Does a TRP based on education grant the right to work in Serbia?
No, it does not.
Does a TRP based on family reunification grant the right to work in Serbia?
No, it does not.
Is it true that after three years of residence with a TRP, you can apply for permanent residence and citizenship?
Yes, after three years of residence in Serbia, a foreigner can apply for permanent residence (stalno nastanjenje), see details in 4, 8, 9.
A foreigner can also apply for Serbian citizenship after three years of continuous residence in the country with permanent residence (i.e., immediately after obtaining permanent residence).
However, note two points related to a TRP based on education:
First, to apply for permanent residence, you will need to first change the basis of your TRP from education to another, such as property ownership or employment (Article 67, Paragraph 3 of the Law on Foreigners 4).
Second, only half of the time spent in Serbia with a TRP based on education counts towards the “residence” requirement for permanent residence (Article 67, Paragraph 4 of the Law on Foreigners 4). Therefore, you can apply for permanent residence, for example:
- After 6 years of residence in Serbia with a TRP based on education (subject to fulfilling point 1 above);
- Or after 4 years with a TRP based on education and 1 year based on property;
- Or after 2 years with a TRP based on education and 2 years based on property, etc.
