Serbia Family Reunification Visa
A Serbia Family Reunification Visa is a long-stay visa (Visa D), followed by a temporary residence permit (privremeni boravak) issued by the Ministry of Interior (MUP), granted to family members joining a Serbian citizen or a foreign national who already holds a valid Serbian residence permit. It allows spouses, minor children, and certain other close relatives to live together with their sponsor in Serbia for an extended period.
Immediate family members of a Serbian citizen are exempt from providing proof of financial means and health insurance, under a 2023 amendment to the Law on Foreigners — a notable simplification compared to other residence categories. Applicants must provide documentary proof of the family relationship, such as a marriage or birth certificate. Foreign nationals who have resided in Serbia for four years on the basis of family reunification may apply for an independent residence permit, removing the ongoing sponsor requirement — relevant in cases such as the death of a spouse, divorce, or the sponsor relocating without them.
Approval of a Serbia Family Reunification Visa/residence permit is determined solely by Serbia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (for the D visa) and the Ministry of Interior (for the subsequent residence permit).
Eligibility
- Applicant must be a qualifying family member — spouse, minor child, or in some cases another close relative — of a Serbian citizen or a foreign national holding a valid Serbian residence permit.
- The family relationship must be documented (marriage certificate, birth certificate, or equivalent).
- Applicant must hold a valid passport with sufficient remaining validity.
- Immediate family members of a Serbian citizen are exempt from proof of financial means and health insurance requirements.
- Family members of a foreign sponsor (rather than a Serbian citizen) generally must still meet standard financial means and insurance requirements, unless another exemption applies.
- Applicants must not have a record of prior marriages of convenience connected to obtaining a residence permit.
Government Visa Fees
| Fee Type | Government Fee (EUR) |
| Long-Stay Visa (Visa D) | EUR 50 (paid in RSD at the National Bank of Serbia’s exchange rate) |
| Temporary Residence Permit (privremeni boravak), via MUP | Approx. EUR 193 plus a small registration fee (indicative; confirm with MUP) |
Information may vary depending on the visa category and individual circumstances. Fees are subject to change. Exchange rates fluctuate daily, so confirm the current INR equivalent before payment.
Processing Time
Visa D applications should be lodged at least three months before the intended date of entry into Serbia, per Ministry of Foreign Affairs guidance. Once in Serbia, the temporary residence permit application for family reunification, submitted to MUP, has been reported to typically take 30 to 60 days, depending on the completeness of the documentation and the workload of the reviewing office.
Because Serbian authorities examine evidence of the family relationship closely — including checking for any indication that a marriage was entered into solely to obtain a residence permit — applicants should ensure their documentation is thorough and consistent before submission. Information may vary depending on the visa category and individual circumstances.
Required Documents Checklist
Step-by-Step Application Process
Important Notes
Why Choose Shivansh Consultants
A Serbia Family Reunification Visa application depends on clear, consistent documentation of your family relationship and your sponsor’s status, since Serbian authorities scrutinise these closely. Shivansh Consultants offers Documentation Support and a clear Eligibility Assessment to confirm exactly what your specific family relationship requires.
We provide thorough Application Review, Personalized Guidance, and a Transparent Process throughout, with End-to-End Assistance from document preparation through to your residence permit application in Serbia. We do not guarantee approval, as this decision rests entirely with the competent Serbian authorities.