Bosnia Tourist Visa – Requirements, Exemption and Validity
If Bosnia is your choice of country for a Tourist Visa, this article is for you. Not only is Bosnia a good choice, but it is also an amiable country. So join the excited crowd of tourists to Bosnia, and discover what makes the country a tourist haven.
It is easy to get a tourist visa to Bosnia. Still, you must first find out if you are eligible for a Bosnia Tourist Visa. Furthermore, you must know the requirements for obtaining a tourist visa to Bosnia and how long your visa will last.
Lots of foreigners can travel to Bosnia without a Tourist Visa. However, there are other requirements they are expected to meet too. For example, you will not need a visa if you are a citizen of one of the Schengen Member countries. But if you are not visa-exempt, not to worry; here’s all you need to know about the Bosnia Tourist Visa. But first, a little about Bosnia.
About Bosnia
Bosnia is a country in south-eastern Europe on the Balkan Peninsula. Over 3.2 million people currently populate it. Sarajevo is the official National Capital of Bosnia and the most populated city. Bosnia became an independent nation in 1992, but before then, it was a region of Yugoslavia. Bosnia is home to a combination of Bosnians, Croats, and Serbs.
This constituency is represented in the Bosnian flag, which is shaped like a triangle. The stars that line the flag from top to bottom, starting and ending as half stars, represent Europe forever. The colors blue, white, and yellow signify peace. This is quite apt when one considers that Bosnia paid a costly price for its independence.
Despite the small reminders of the Bosnia war, which you see in the shelled buildings that were never rebuilt, or in the war monuments spread on the streets, Bosnia is still a wonderful country. Travnik is in central Bosnia, with its extreme temperatures. Zenica is a large industrial city made more popular with the Chinese Wall – a name the locals gave to the vast apartment complex near the Irski Pub. Other towns are Neum and Gore Turbe.
About the Bosnia Tourist Visa
The Bosnia Tourist Visa is an authorization given to foreign nationals to visit the country for tourism. The Tourist Visa is Bosnia’s most popular visa type and the most frequently issued. The tourist visa is valid for 90 days within 180 days. Still, the holder is not permitted to be employed in the country during this period.
Who Can Apply For A Bosnia Tourist Visa?
There are about 97 countries whose citizens must obtain a Bosnia Tourist Visa to enter the country for a short stay. Some of them are:
- Afghanistan
- Algeria
- Cameroon
- Guinea-Bissau
- Liberia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Somalia
- South Africa
- Zambia
Who is Exempted From Bosnia Tourist Visa Application?
There are about 101 countries that are free to enter and stay in Bosnia for up to 90 days without a visa.
The list includes:
- Nationals of the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- Residents of the Kingdom of Bahrain
- Citizens of European Union (EU) member countries
- Citizens of Schengen member countries
- Citizens of Andorra, Montenegro, Serbia e.t.c can use their ID cards as a travel document
- Holders of Diplomatic Passports who the Department of Diplomatic Protocol recognizes at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia. These holders will be issued a special card.
- Holders of ordinary passports who are recognized by the Department of Diplomatic Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia. These holders will be issued a special card.
- Foreigners with multiple Schengen or EU member State visas or Residence Permit of any Schengen or EU country, as well as holders of USA Visa, can travel to Bosnia and stay for up to 30 days.
- Also, citizens of Russia and Ukraine can only remain in Bosnia for up to 30 days without a visa.
Documents Required For Those Who Are Visa-Exempt
Indeed, the above 101 countries do not need visas to enter Bosnia for a period of up to 90 days. After that, however, they are required to present certain documents to gain entry into the country.
- A Passport that will be valid for up to six months after exiting Bosnia. It must have at least one blank page.
- Proof of return flights
- Documents showing the next destination
- Documents showing the reason for travel
- Proof of sufficient funds
Please confirm from your airline that they can let you board without a visa.Â
Requirements for Visa Eligibility
For citizens of countries that are eligible for the Bosnia Tourist Visa, the following requirements must be met:
- A Passport that is valid for at least 90 days from the date your visa was issued
- Identification Card and a copy of it
- Completed Visa Application Form
- One Passport size Photo
- A payment voucher from a travel agency confirming that the trip has been paid in full.
- Proof of Residence, if you don’t live in your home country
- Proof of Funds
- Return tickets
- Visa Fee Receipt
- Travel Insurance
- Note: All visitors to Bosnia must have a Health Declaration.
How to Apply for A Bosnia Tourist Visa
These are the steps to apply for a Bosnia Tourist Visa:
1. Download and fill out your Application for a Tourist Visa. You can get this from the official Bosnia Visa website or from the Bosnia Embassy or representative office near you
2. Book an appointment for your visa application. You will be required to appear in person at the visa office. Your biometrics may also be required.
3. Pay your visa fee. This is not refundable.
4. Submit your documents and your visa application at the Bosnian embassy or visa office nearest you. Please ensure that your documents are complete to avoid delaying your application response.
5. Wait for a response. You will get an answer from the visa office where you submitted your documents. Rest assured, it will be a positive response.
Validity Period For Bosnia Tourist Visa
The Bosnia Tourist Visa is a Short-Stay Visa. A holder of this visa is allowed to stay in Bosnia for a maximum of 90 days with a window period of 180 days. If he gets a Tourist Visa to Bosnia, he can decide to leave the day he receives his visa or any day before the end of 180 days.
However, he must not stay more than 90 days within the 180 days he has been given. Also, Bosnia does not count its days in hours; it counts in days.
For instance, if your 180 days expire after midnight on a particular day, you should not remain in Bosnia at 1 am on the next day. In addition, your days start counting from the moment you receive your visa, not the moment you travel to Bosnia.
Furthermore, you have the option of entering and leaving as often as you want before your 180 days expire.
Read also:Â Bosnia Visa Requirements: Documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of applying for a Bosnia Tourist Visa?
A foreigner who wishes to travel to Bosnia for a short stay on a Tourist Visa should expect to pay the sum of €35 for a single entry visa. However, if he plans to enter Bosnia multiple times within 90 days, he must pay €65 for a multiple-entry visa. Please note that visa fees are not refundable, no matter the outcome of your application.
How long does it take to process a tourist visa application for Bosnia?
It takes seven business days to one month to process a visa application. Therefore, the clock starts ticking when you submit your application at the visa office.
Is Bosnia a Schengen Country?
No, Bosnia is not a Schengen country. However, Bosnia recognizes Schengen member countries as nationalities that do not need a visa to enter the country.
When should I submit my application for a Bosnia Tourist visa?
You should submit your application for a Bosnia Tourist Visa at least ten days and 30 days before your departure date. Remember that visa fees are not refundable, no matter the outcome of your application.
What is a Health Declaration?
A Health Declaration is a document that anyone traveling to Bosnia must complete. This document will prove that the holder is not suffering from any contagious ailment like COVID.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Bosnia is a country struggling to get back on its feet after experiencing war. So, don’t expect many things to work correctly when you get to the country. But one thing you can be sure of is that a lot is waiting for you to discover as a Tourist in Bosnia.
In addition, Bosnians are mostly Muslims, and though they are inclusive and modern, you must respect their way of life. For instance, respect the mosques and other holy places. Drunkenness is frowned upon, as well as revealing attires. Expect to wake up to prayer calls every morning, at least five times a day. On a lighter note, watermelon in Bosnia is cheap and delicious, so eat a lot of it.
