Bosnia Business Visa: Application, Fees and Documentation

Getting a Bosnia Business Visa can be all kinds of tricky, but it doesn’t have to be with the right knowledge. So, how do you know if you need a business visa for Bosnia? What qualifies as “business” in the country, and how can you participate?

Bosnia, known officially as Bosnia and Herzegovina, is a country in South-Eastern Europe. With its wealth of resources and ever-growing economy, it is a great place to do business. Bosnia does not belong to the European Union, nor is it a Schengen area state yet, but the country is an applicant for the former and looks to join the latter soon after.

What, then, does this mean for their visa and travel policies? Does it differ much from standard European country policies? Do Europeans have any privilege when traveling to Bosnia? Who needs a visa, and who does not? How can those who need a Bosnia business visa get one? This article will answer these questions.

About Bosnia Business Visa

A Bosnia visa is authorization from the Bosnian authorities for foreign nationals to enter the country legally. The freedom a visa holder has in Bosnia depends on what is specified by their visa. Freedom in this context could mean how long you stay in Bosnia or what activities you can engage in.

Depending on the length of stay, there are the Bosnia long-stay visa (known as Type D visa) and the Bosnia short-stay visa (known as Type C visa). In addition, based on activities, there are multiple kinds ranging from a student visa, tourist visa, work visa, business visa, etc.

The Bosnia business visa authorizes foreign nationals to come to Bosnia for business, commercial, or corporate reasons. Usually, the business visa falls under the short-stay category (which means if you’re coming for business reasons, you will apply for a type C visa). Still, in exceptional cases, it could also need a long-stay visa. However, the defense stays the same; you get a Bosnia business visa only if you’re going for business purposes.

Who Needs a Bosnia Business Visa?

Under normal circumstances, any foreign national going to Bosnia and Herzegovina for business reasons requires a Bosnia business visa. However, there are some exceptions to this rule.

As already stated, Bosnia is not an EU member state. However, as an applicant to the union, EU citizens still enjoy certain travel benefits from the country. One of such benefits is that EU citizens don’t need a Bosnia short-stay visa. Essentially, they can enter Bosnia for 90 days out of every 180 days with their national passport as the sole required travel document. The same favors apply to citizens of Schengen member states and the United States.

Other groups who can enter Bosnia without a visa include;

• Citizens of the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
• Foreigners with a visa or residence permit issued by an EU country, a Schengen member-country, or the United States. These, however, are restricted to 30 days, along with Russian and Ukrainian citizens.
• Citizens or refugees of several countries, including; Bahrain, Albania, Lichenstein, Serbia, Andorra, Switzerland, Montenegro, Albania, San Marino, Monaco, etc.

If you do not fall into any of the categories above and you wish to do business in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the answer to the question is you; you need a Bosnia business visa.

Documents Required for Visa-Exempt Foreigners in Bosnia

Suppose you’re a citizen of one of Bosnia’s visa-exempt countries. In that case, you still need some documents to prove your identity and purpose so that the Bosnian authorities can permit your entry into the country. Since you don’t need a visa, your requirements are pretty straightforward;

#1. National Passport

A national passport is an identity document a country issues to its citizens. This document identifies you as a citizen of your country, wherever you are. For citizens from visa-exempt countries, the national passport is considered valid for entry into Bosnia only if it will remain valid for up to six (6) months beyond your intended stay in Bosnia and has at least one blank page left on it.

#2. Itinerary

An itinerary is documentation of your plans for when you get to Bosnia. It contains documents that prove the reason for your trip (e.g., a business meeting invitation), how long you plan to stay, when you intend to be back, and possibly, your return flight tickets.

#3. Proof of Funds

You must present your bank statement showing you have enough financial power to see you through your stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

Documents Required for Bosnia Business Visa

On the flip side, those who need to obtain a Bosnia visa often have to go through stiffer guidelines. Some of the documents you will need to present to get your Bosnia business visa include;

#1. National Passport

As with the visa-exempt citizens, those who need visas still need to get their national passports. The terms for validity are similar, except that instead of one blank page, you need two blank pages on your passport. One of those blank pages will bear the visa sticker if it gets approved. If you have recently changed your passport, you’ll need to submit the old one to let them review your recent travel history.

#2. Application Form

It goes without saying that when you apply for a Bosnia business visa, you can’t do so without the Bosnia visa application form. You’ll need to fill out this form, stating clearly your reasons for coming to Bosnia and answering every question directly. Ensure you sign the document yourself; however, if you’re a minor, get a parent or legal guardian to sign it.

#3. Passport-Sized Photographs

It would help if you also have a passport-sized photograph, full color, and at least 80% of your face visible. It must also be a recent photo; that is, taken within the last six months.

#4. Health Insurance

Furthermore, you must purchase travel health insurance for your trip to Bosnia. This insurance will cover any medical emergencies you may have while in Bosnia. It should be valid 10 – 3 days before your travel date and beyond your proposed return date.

#5. Itinerary

The itinerary requirements here are the same as those of visa-exempt country citizens. You must explain what business activity you must go to Bosnia for and present documents to back it up. Such documents include an invitation (or entry ticket) to the meeting or convention you plan to attend and details about the event. They’ll contact you to provide any additional documents the embassy may need for clarity.

#6. Proof of Accommodation

A hotel reservation, an Airbnb ticket, a letter from your friend or relative willing to house you during your stay; any of these stated above can serve as proof of accommodation. As long as your show you have a place to stay when you get there.

#7. Visa Fee Receipt

You will also need to pay the visa fee at the embassy on the day you submit the rest of your documents. However, ensure you have the cash handy when you visit the embassy.

Application Procedure for Bosnia Business Visa

The application procedure for a Bosnia business visa can be broken down into five (5) simple steps;

1. Gathering the documents: Ensure you gather all the documents listed above. All of those documents are equally important, so if there are any you don’t have, try and procure them.
2. Get the application form online. Download it and fill it out carefully as earlier instructed.
3. Contact your country’s Bosnian embassy, consulate, or visa application center. Book an appointment for your interview and general application.
4. Prepare for your interview once you have agreed on the date. Dress appropriately and be punctual during your interview.
5. Pay the visa fee when you get to the application center. Attend the interview and go home while you wait for feedback from the embassy.

Bosnia Visa Fees and Processing Time

Bosnia has visa fees that can be described as somewhat friendly. We already mentioned that the Bosnia business visa is a short-stay visa. However, two kinds of short-stay visas can be given to people coming in for business purposes; single-entry and multiple-entry visas.

The Bosnia single-entry business visa allows you to enter the country just once, for up to 90 days every 180 days. It costs €35.

The multiple-entry visa is for business people who intend to travel back and forth to Bosnia; it helps them save in the long term and keeps them from multiple visa applications. This visa costs €65 and, like the former, allows entry into Bosnia for 90 days every 180 days.

Processing time for Bosnian visas varies between five (5) to 30 working days. Delays, work volume, etc., usually cause the variation. Hence, you’re advised to apply up to 2 months before your proposed travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

#1. Am I allowed to work in Bosnia as a foreign national?

To work in Bosnia, you have to obtain a Bosnia work visa; that is, unless you’re a citizen of one of Bosnia’s visa-exempt nations. The work visa will allow you to gain employment and earn in the country while living there for as long as you have work.

#2. How do I get a residence permit in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

Foreign nationals who wish to stay in Bosnia for more than 90 days, regardless of nationality (visa-exempt or not), must obtain a temporary residence permit. You can apply to get one at the Foreign Affairs Department of the Ministry of Security in the city you live in Bosnia.

#3. What happens if my visa application is rejected?

If the embassy rejects your Bosnia business visa application, you can either accept and reapply or write a return letter to appeal the decision. The rejection notice usually explains why your visa was rejected. Hence, your appeal letter must clearly state why you think the reason is not valid or why there must have been an error. Attach substantial evidence if applicable.

#4. What could cause the Bosnia embassy to reject my business visa application?

There are many reasons the embassy could reject your visa application, including; false documents, too many missing requirements, invalid passport, unsatisfactory interview, unconvincing itinerary or reason for travel, insufficient funds, etc.

#5. What is the Bosnia visa health declaration?

The Bosnia visa health declaration is a document you must fill out during your application for any Bosnia visa. Through it, you verify that you do not have any health conditions that should concern the Bosnian society; to wit, COVID-19. 

Conclusion

There are various kinds of Bosnia short-stay visas, but the Bosnia business visa is made especially for you if you visit Bosnia for commercial purposes. This is especially true for the multiple-entry visa, which helps you enter the country back and forth. Therefore, it would benefit you to leverage this opportunity and explore the growing economy of Bosnia and Herzegovina. So, contact your country’s embassy today and send that application through.