For employment in Bosnia and Herzegovina covered by an issued work permit.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina sits in Southeast Europe. Its immigration system runs 51 distinct routes — led by work, family and cultural, religious & volunteer, each set out in official law. All 51 cite an official government source, shown on the route with the date we last read it. Who actually qualifies depends on your full profile.
- Immigration routes
- 51across 15 route categories, each set out in official law
- Source-cited routes
- 51 of 51cite an official government source, with the date we last read it
- Largest category
- Work10 of the 51 routes — see them under Work below
- Region
- Southeast Europe
- Capital
- Sarajevo
- Population
- 3,140,095
- Official language
- Bosnian, Croatian · +1
- Currency
- BAM
- Time zone
- UTC+01:00
Immigration routes
All 51 routes, grouped by purpose — 51 of 51 cite an official government source directly.
Work
10 routes
For a seasonal worker whose employment is covered by the dedicated work-permit procedure.
For work as an expert, teacher or lecturer from a foreign cultural or educational institution, within a statutory class that may obtain temporary residence without a work permit.
For accredited international-correspondent or foreign-media work, within a statutory class that may obtain temporary residence without a work permit.
For training delivered by a person sent by a foreign employer, within a statutory class that may obtain temporary residence without a work permit.
For research in an international scientific mission approved by the Council of Ministers, within a statutory class that may obtain temporary residence without a work permit.
For specialist medical services at the invitation of a Bosnia and Herzegovina medical institution, within a statutory class that may obtain temporary residence without a work permit.
For tasks connected with machinery or equipment delivery, installation or servicing, within a statutory class that may obtain temporary residence without a work permit.
For engagement as an expert or key person on a project important to Bosnia and Herzegovina, within a statutory class that may obtain temporary residence without a work permit.
For work as a university professor or scientist, within a statutory class that may obtain temporary residence without a work permit.
Investment
1 route
For a foreign national who owns real estate in Bosnia and Herzegovina and meets the residence conditions.
Business & self-employment
2 routes
For founder status in a company or enterprise seated in Bosnia and Herzegovina, within a statutory class that may obtain temporary residence without a work permit.
For participation in a fair or exhibition where the foreign employer is represented, within a statutory class that may obtain temporary residence without a work permit.
Talent & merit
1 route
For recognition as an important person under the residence rules, within a statutory class that may obtain temporary residence without a work permit.
Study
5 routes
For a foreign national undertaking higher education enrolment in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
For a foreign national undertaking regular primary education in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
For a foreign national undertaking regular secondary education in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
For expert education or training, within a statutory class that may obtain temporary residence without a work permit.
For a foreign national undertaking an unpaid internship in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Family
8 routes
For a child joining a parent who is a Bosnia and Herzegovina citizen.
For a child joining a foreign parent with approved residence.
For a legally recognized common-law partnership with a Bosnia and Herzegovina citizen.
For marriage to a Bosnia and Herzegovina citizen.
For a newborn child joining parents resident in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
For a parent joining a child who is a Bosnia and Herzegovina citizen.
For a spouse joining a foreign partner with approved residence.
For a foreign national relying on being the minor child of a foreign national under the humanitarian residence rules.
Independent means
1 route
For a foreign national relying on admission to and stay in a nursing home.
Residence-based status
1 route
For a foreign national with five years of uninterrupted qualifying temporary residence who meets the integration and admissibility conditions.
Cultural, religious & volunteer
6 routes
For work as an artist, technical staff member, author or performer, within a statutory class that may obtain temporary residence without a work permit.
For employment in a circus or amusement park, within a statutory class that may obtain temporary residence without a work permit.
For expert work in cultural heritage, library science or archival science, within a statutory class that may obtain temporary residence without a work permit.
For voluntary work in a humanitarian organization, association or foundation, within a statutory class that may obtain temporary residence without a work permit.
For religious service for a registered religious community, within a statutory class that may obtain temporary residence without a work permit.
For a foreign national undertaking voluntary work under the education grounds in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Short stay & visit
3 routes
For a visa-required short visit for tourism, business, education, training, events, religion or another temporary purpose.
— No eligibility summary published for this route yet
For a national or qualifying document holder covered by Bosnia and Herzegovina's visa-free regime.
Humanitarian protection
5 routes
For a foreign national relying on a humanitarian proposal by the competent ministry.
For a person in Bosnia and Herzegovina seeking protection from persecution or serious harm in the country of origin.
For persons covered by a temporary-protection decision responding to mass displacement caused by war, generalized violence, conflict or severe rights violations.
For a foreign national relying on recognized statelessness on humanitarian grounds.
For a foreign national relying on recognized victim-of-human-trafficking circumstances.
Medical treatment
1 route
For a foreign national relying on medical treatment or rehabilitation.
Sports
1 route
For participation in a sports or chess event, within a statutory class that may obtain temporary residence without a work permit.
Transit
1 route
For a visa-required traveller passing through the international transit area of a Bosnia and Herzegovina airport.
Other & special
5 routes
For a visa-required person whose intended stay requires more than 90 days within a six-month period.
For duties or specialist training under an agreement with a competent Bosnia and Herzegovina authority, within a statutory class that may obtain temporary residence without a work permit.
For service as a civil or military official under an intergovernmental cooperation agreement, within a statutory class that may obtain temporary residence without a work permit.
For a legitimate residence reason not covered by a more specific published ground.
For a foreign national whose residence is expressly supported by an international treaty binding Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Official sources
- Ministry of Security MigrationGovernment
- Language SelectionGovernment
See which Bosnia and Herzegovina routes you actually qualify for.
Take the free 3-minute check for your verdict, country by country — then unlock the full report.
