Article Overview
Serbia has become an option for workers from outside Europe, especially in construction, manufacturing, transport and services. Since 2024, Serbia uses a single permit that combines residence and work, applied for online. This guide explains how the process works and what workers from Pakistan should check.
The unified permit
Foreign nationals who want to live and work in Serbia generally need a unified residence and work permit (jedinstvena dozvola). It replaced the earlier system of separate residence and work permits, and it is issued for a specific employer and role.
Step 1: A Serbian employer and contract
The process starts with a genuine Serbian employer who wants to hire you. The employer prepares an employment contract or job offer that meets Serbian labour law. Depending on the type of permit and current rules, the employer may need to complete additional steps, such as confirming the need to employ a foreign worker.
Step 2: Visa D, if needed
Pakistani nationals generally need a long-stay visa (visa D) to enter Serbia for work, unless they apply for the permit while already legally in Serbia. The visa D for employment is applied for at the Serbian embassy or consulate, and its process can be linked to the employer's documents.
Step 3: The online application
The unified permit application is filed electronically through the official government portal for foreigners. It can be submitted by the worker, the employer or an authorised representative, and in many cases the worker does not need to be in Serbia when it is submitted. Documents are uploaded online and fees are paid electronically.
Step 4: Decision and biometrics
After the application is approved, the worker gives biometrics in Serbia and receives the permit card. Processing times vary, from a few weeks for straightforward cases to longer when additional checks are needed.
Documents commonly required
- Valid passport.
- Employment contract or job offer.
- Proof of qualifications for the role, where required.
- Proof of accommodation in Serbia.
- Health insurance.
- Photos and, where required, other documents specified by the portal.
Rights and limits
- The permit allows residence and work in Serbia for the stated employer.
- Changing employer usually requires a new application.
- Serbia is not an EU member and not part of the Schengen area, so the permit does not allow work in EU countries.
- Long-term stays can lead to permanent residence under the general rules.
Avoiding scams
Many online offers promise Serbian jobs or permits in exchange for large payments. A genuine process always involves a real registered employer in Serbia, an official online application and fees paid to the state. Check the employer's registration independently and do not pay informal agents for a job offer.
How ZANS Consultants can help
Once you have an offer from a Serbian employer, we help you understand the process, prepare documents and complete the visa and permit steps. Learn more about our Serbia Work Visa service and our Serbia immigration services, or book a consultation.
General information only: Serbian permit rules and procedures change. Check the current requirements on the official portal and with the Serbian embassy before applying. The Serbian authorities make the final decision on every application.
