Work Permit and Immigration Support in Serbia via Employer of Record
International companies employing foreign professionals in Serbia must establish both the legal basis for employment and the employee’s right to enter, reside and work in the country. The requirements depend on the individual’s nationality, intended duties, employment arrangement and duration of stay.
Serbia modernised its immigration system in February 2024, introducing a single residence and work permit and expanding electronic applications. The changes have simplified some procedures, but employers must still select the correct immigration route, supply supporting documentation and meet any applicable labour market requirements.
Acumen International provides work permit and immigration support in Serbia as part of its Global Employer of Record (EOR) services. We support international companies employing foreign professionals through appropriate local employment arrangements, including specialist appointments, international assignments and long-term employment.
Our services include:
- Immigration eligibility assessment – Establishing the appropriate visa, residence and work authorisation requirements.
- Employer sponsorship support – Managing employer-side documentation and applications for eligible hires.
- Single permit applications – Handling the required employment and residence authorisation process.
- D visa support – Managing employment-related documentation for foreign nationals who require a long-stay visa.
- Employee onboarding – Administering employment contracts, registration and local onboarding.
- Payroll and benefits – Managing salary payments, statutory contributions and employee benefits.
- Dependant immigration – Supporting eligible family members with the applicable residence arrangements.
- Ongoing immigration administration – Managing renewals and assessing changes affecting employment authorisation.
Your company selects the professionals and directs their business activities, while Acumen manages the agreed local employment and immigration responsibilities.
Acumen International does not provide standalone immigration services to individuals seeking employment overseas. Our immigration support is provided in connection with eligible corporate employment engagements.
Hiring Foreign Employees in Serbia
Serbia employs foreign professionals across technology, manufacturing, engineering, construction, energy and other industries.
International companies may need foreign nationals to establish technical operations, manage projects, supervise production, develop regional business activities or fill specialist positions.
The immigration route depends on the actual employment arrangement.
Foreign professionals employed locally
A foreign national may be hired under a Serbian employment contract for an ongoing position.
The individual must have the appropriate right to work, either through a qualifying residence status or an employment-based authorisation.
International assignments
A company may need an existing employee to work in Serbia for a defined project or business requirement.
Depending on the circumstances, the appropriate immigration route may involve local employment, an intra-company transfer or another recognised basis.
The employee’s immigration status must reflect the actual duties and legal relationship.
Senior executives and specialists
International companies may appoint foreign executives, technical directors, engineering managers or other specialists to Serbian operations.
These positions can involve additional employment, immigration and corporate considerations, particularly where the individual exercises management authority.
Short-term project personnel
A foreign professional may need to work in Serbia for several weeks or months.
The duration alone does not establish whether a work permit is required.
The nature of the activities, nationality, employing arrangement and applicable immigration exemptions must be assessed before work begins.
Serbia’s Single Residence and Work Permit
Serbia introduced its electronic single permit system in February 2024.
The single permit combines temporary residence and work authorisation in one document for qualifying foreign nationals.
This replaced the former general approach under which foreign employees often needed separate residence and work permits.
Who needs a single permit?
Foreign nationals who intend to work in Serbia may require a single permit unless they qualify for another legal basis allowing employment.
The requirement depends on the individual’s nationality, immigration status and intended activities.
How long is the permit valid?
A single residence and work permit may be issued for up to three years.
The actual validity depends on the approved circumstances and supporting evidence.
A permit may also be extended where the relevant conditions continue to be satisfied.
Which employment arrangements qualify?
Serbia recognises several grounds for a single permit, including:
- Employment under a qualifying employment contract.
- Self-employment.
- Intra-company transfers.
- Certain assignments of personnel.
- Independent professional activities.
- Professional training and development.
The documentation and eligibility requirements differ according to the selected ground.
Where are applications submitted?
Applications for a single permit are submitted electronically through Serbia’s official Portal for Foreign Nationals.
The foreign national or an authorised employer representative may submit the application.
The authorities issue the approved single permit as a biometric document.
Official reference: Welcome to Serbia – Information about the single permit.
Employment-Based D Visa in Serbia
Foreign nationals who require a visa to enter Serbia and intend to work may need a long-stay D visa issued on employment grounds.
What is a D visa?
A D visa permits entry and residence in Serbia for a period of 90 to 180 days.
Where issued on qualifying employment grounds under the current rules, it also provides the right to work during its validity.
This is an important distinction from the former system.
When is a D visa required?
The requirement depends on the foreign national’s citizenship and the applicable Serbian visa regime.
Some nationalities can enter Serbia without a visa and apply for the relevant residence and work authorisation.
Others must obtain a D visa before travelling for employment.
Can a D visa holder apply for a single permit?
Yes. A foreign national who requires longer-term employment authorisation may apply for a single permit while holding the appropriate D visa.
The application must satisfy the relevant requirements.
Does a business visa permit employment?
A short-stay C visa or visa-free business visit does not automatically authorise ordinary employment in Serbia.
Permitted business visitor activities must be distinguished from work requiring employment authorisation.
Companies should establish the correct status before assigning professional duties in Serbia.
Official reference: Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Visa requirements.
Work Permit Sponsorship Through an Employer of Record in Serbia
International companies without a Serbian employing entity may need an appropriate local employment arrangement to support a foreign professional’s immigration application.
An eligible EOR arrangement can provide the formal local employment relationship and associated employer documentation.
However, Serbia does not have a separate statutory EOR category. The proposed arrangement must comply with the applicable employment legislation, including agency employment rules where relevant.
Employer responsibilities
Depending on the immigration route, the local employer may need to:
- Provide a qualifying employment contract or employment documentation.
- Supply evidence of its legal registration.
- Establish the role and proposed working conditions.
- Initiate a labour market test where required.
- Submit or support the relevant immigration application.
- Maintain the required employment registration.
- Report changes affecting the employee’s authorisation.
Acumen International’s role
Acumen assesses the proposed employment and immigration requirements before confirming the appropriate arrangement.
For eligible hires, we manage employer-side documentation, immigration applications and local employment administration.
This connects the employee’s immigration status with the employment contract and payroll arrangements.
Client company responsibilities
The international client defines the position, selects the professional and supplies the business information necessary to assess the proposed employment.
The client also directs the employee’s professional duties under the agreed arrangement.
Labour Market Test for Foreign Employees in Serbia
Serbia requires a labour market test for certain employment-based single permit applications.
The procedure is administered through the National Employment Service.
When is the test required?
For applications based on employment under an employment contract or another qualifying contract, the employer must generally initiate the labour market test.
Different immigration categories may be subject to different requirements.
Vacancy registration
The employer submits the relevant vacancy registration request, commonly associated with the PPZ form.
The procedure can be initiated through the official electronic systems.
Timing
The employer may initiate the labour market test up to 60 days before the single permit application and no later than the application date, under the relevant procedure.
Where the application is submitted electronically by the employer, the labour market test request may be included in the same process.
Why the test matters
Failure to complete a required labour market test can delay or prevent approval of the employment authorisation.
The correct immigration category must therefore be established before the application is submitted.
Official reference: National Employment Service – Employment of foreigners in Serbia.
Documents Required for Employment Immigration in Serbia
The required documents depend on the applicant’s nationality, the immigration route and the proposed employment.
The official electronic application identifies the supporting evidence required for the selected category.
Documents from the foreign employee
These may include:
- Valid passport.
- Personal identification information.
- Evidence of qualifications or professional experience where required.
- Evidence of the intended residence address.
- Supporting documents relevant to the selected immigration ground.
- Other documentation requested by the competent authorities.
Documents from the employer
These may include:
- Employer registration information.
- Employment contract or qualifying employment documentation.
- Job description and proposed working conditions.
- Labour market test information, where required.
- Evidence supporting the selected employment category.
- Other employer declarations or documentation required by the application.
Translation and document formalities
Foreign documents may require certified translation, legalisation or an apostille, depending on the document and applicable international arrangements.
The requirements should be established before submission.
Document consistency
The immigration application, employment contract and supporting employer information must describe a consistent employment arrangement.
Differences in job title, employing entity, employment dates or duties can create difficulties during the assessment.
How Long Does It Take to Obtain Work Authorisation in Serbia?
The official single permit procedure provides for a decision within 15 days of submission of a properly completed application.
This is a statutory decision period, not a guarantee that every employee can begin work within 15 days.
What affects the actual timeline?
The overall process may also involve:
- Establishing the correct immigration category.
- Obtaining employer and employee documentation.
- Completing a labour market test where required.
- Applying for a D visa, if necessary.
- Obtaining translations or legalised documents.
- Responding to requests for additional evidence.
- Completing biometric formalities.
A visa-required employee applying from overseas may therefore need more time than a visa-exempt applicant who can submit a single permit application directly.
Planning the employment start date
The proposed start date should reflect the employee’s actual right to work.
A pending application does not automatically authorise the individual to undertake employment.
The employer must confirm the applicable legal status before work begins.
Official reference: Welcome to Serbia – Single permit processing.
Immigration Support for Short-Term Assignments in Serbia
International companies often need foreign specialists for temporary projects.
These may involve equipment installation, technical supervision, engineering work, training or other defined business requirements.
Business visits versus employment
A short visit for meetings or other permitted business activities may be treated differently from productive work in Serbia.
The distinction depends on the actual activities and the applicable immigration rules.
Temporary project assignments
A specialist assigned to a Serbian project may require a particular employment-based authorisation, even where the assignment lasts only a few months.
Intra-company transfers
Where the individual is employed by a foreign group company and assigned to a Serbian operation, an intra-company transfer may be relevant.
The requirements depend on the corporate relationship and the proposed duties.
Local employment through an EOR
For qualifying positions requiring a Serbian employment relationship, an eligible EOR arrangement may provide an alternative to establishing a separate local employing entity.
The employment and immigration model must be assessed together.
Immigration Support for Senior Executives and Specialist Professionals
Senior appointments can involve immigration requirements beyond a routine employment application.
A company may need to employ a foreign managing director, technical director, engineering specialist or other senior professional in Serbia.
Executive appointments
The individual’s corporate authority, legal role and actual duties may affect the appropriate immigration and employment arrangements.
Technical specialists
Foreign engineers, technology specialists and other professionals may need to demonstrate relevant qualifications or experience where required by the selected immigration category.
Regulated professions
Certain professions require local recognition of qualifications, licensing or registration.
Immigration approval does not replace a separate professional authorisation where one is required.
Family requirements
Senior international appointments may also involve spouses, partners and children who require appropriate residence arrangements.
Acumen International supports eligible specialist and executive employment requirements alongside the associated immigration administration.
Residence Permits for Dependants in Serbia
Foreign professionals working in Serbia may wish to be accompanied by family members.
Serbian immigration legislation provides family reunification routes for eligible relatives.
Eligible family members
Depending on the circumstances, family reunification may be available to:
- A spouse.
- A qualifying unmarried partner.
- Minor children.
- Other family members who meet the relevant statutory conditions.
Supporting documentation
Applications may require evidence of the family relationship, identity, the principal applicant’s residence status and other prescribed conditions.
Residence duration
A dependant’s residence permission may be linked to the principal applicant’s status and the applicable immigration rules.
Right to work
A dependant’s right to work depends on the relevant residence status and statutory provisions.
The individual should not assume that family reunification automatically creates unrestricted employment rights in every circumstance.
Acumen International can support eligible dependant immigration arrangements in connection with the principal employee’s corporate engagement.
Immigration Costs and Government Fees in Serbia
Employers should account for immigration costs when budgeting for foreign hires.
These may include:
- Visa application fees.
- Single permit application and approval fees.
- Translation and legalisation costs.
- Supporting document expenses.
- Biometric and administrative requirements.
- Immigration service fees.
- Eligible dependant applications.
Single permit government fee
Serbia’s official immigration portal publishes the applicable administrative fees.
The current portal guidance lists a single permit approval fee of RSD 22,770, with a separate submission fee potentially applicable.
Government fees may change and can differ according to nationality or qualifying exemptions.
Employers should confirm the amount applicable to the specific application before payment.
Official reference: Welcome to Serbia – Frequently asked questions and fees.
Immigration Compliance After the Employee Starts Work
Immigration obligations continue after a foreign employee begins working in Serbia.
The employer must ensure that the individual’s employment remains consistent with the authorisation granted.
Permit renewals
Employers should monitor permit expiry dates and prepare renewal applications within the permitted period.
Changes of employment
A change in employer, role or other relevant employment conditions may require further authorisation or notification.
Changes of residence status
Changes to the employee’s personal or immigration circumstances may affect their right to remain and work in Serbia.
Employment termination
When employment ends, the employer must consider any applicable immigration reporting obligations.
The employee’s continued right to reside or work may be affected by the change.
Payroll and social insurance
Foreign employees must also be administered under the applicable Serbian payroll and social insurance rules.
Immigration status and employment tax treatment are separate legal questions, although both must be considered when establishing the employment arrangement.
For more information, see our dedicated Payroll and Employee Benefits in Serbia and Global HR Compliance in Serbia guides.
Employing Foreign Professionals Without a Serbian Entity
A company may need foreign professionals working in Serbia without intending to establish a subsidiary.
For example, an international manufacturer may require a technical manager to oversee a project, or a technology company may appoint a foreign specialist to support a Serbian engineering team.
An eligible EOR arrangement can provide a local employment route for selected positions.
Employment feasibility
The first consideration is whether the proposed role and activities can be supported through an appropriate local employment arrangement.
Immigration eligibility
The employee must qualify for the relevant visa or residence and work authorisation.
Employer documentation
The local employing entity must provide the required documentation and meet any applicable sponsorship obligations.
Payroll and benefits
Once the employee is lawfully employed, salaries, statutory contributions and benefits must be administered under Serbian requirements.
Ongoing employment
Contractual changes, leave, renewals and termination must comply with the relevant employment and immigration rules.
Acumen International manages these responsibilities as part of its Global Employer of Record services.
Learn more about Acumen International’s Global Employer of Record services and global mobility and immigration support.
How Acumen International Supports Immigration and Employment in Serbia
Acumen International combines immigration support with local employment administration for international companies hiring foreign professionals.
Immigration assessment
We establish the proposed employee’s nationality, intended activities, employment arrangement and relevant immigration requirements.
Employment arrangements
We assess the appropriate local employment model and manage the required contractual documentation for eligible engagements.
Visa and permit applications
We handle agreed employer-side documentation and application requirements for D visas and single residence and work permits.
Labour market procedures
Where required, we manage the employer’s labour market test documentation and associated application requirements.
Employee onboarding
We administer the local employment registration and onboarding requirements.
Payroll and employee benefits
We manage salary payments, statutory deductions, social insurance contributions and agreed benefits.
Dependant support
We assist with eligible family residence applications connected to the principal employee’s corporate engagement.
Renewals and employment changes
We manage the relevant immigration administration as the employee’s circumstances or employment requirements change.
International coverage
Acumen International supports employment and immigration requirements across more than 190 countries through centralised account management.
Frequently Asked Questions About Work Permits in Serbia
Do foreign nationals need a work permit to work in Serbia?
Many foreign nationals require appropriate employment authorisation, although some qualify for exemptions or residence statuses that already provide the right to work.
What is Serbia’s single residence and work permit?
It is a combined authorisation allowing eligible foreign nationals to reside and work in Serbia under the approved conditions.
How long is a Serbian single permit valid?
A single permit may be issued for up to three years, depending on the approved circumstances.
How long does the single permit application take?
The official decision period is 15 days from submission of a properly completed application. The overall immigration process may take longer.
Does a D visa allow employment in Serbia?
A qualifying employment-based D visa can provide the right to reside and work during its validity.
Can an employer apply for a single permit on behalf of an employee?
Yes. An employer or authorised representative may submit the application through the official electronic portal.
Is a labour market test required?
A labour market test is generally required for certain employment-based applications. The requirement depends on the selected immigration category.
Can an employee apply for a permit before arriving in Serbia?
The electronic system permits applications in relevant circumstances. Whether the individual must first obtain a D visa depends on nationality and the applicable visa regime.
Can foreign professionals work in Serbia on a business visa?
A business visit does not automatically authorise employment. The permitted activities must be assessed against Serbian immigration rules.
Can an EOR support a foreign employee’s immigration application?
An eligible local employing arrangement may support the relevant employer-side immigration requirements, subject to Serbian law.
Can family members accompany a foreign employee?
Eligible family members may qualify for residence through the applicable family reunification provisions.
Can Acumen International provide immigration support without employment services?
No. Acumen provides immigration support in connection with eligible corporate employment engagements, not as a standalone service for individuals seeking work overseas.
Work Permit and Immigration Support in Serbia with Acumen International
International companies employing foreign professionals in Serbia must establish the correct immigration route, prepare employer documentation and ensure that the employee’s right to work matches the proposed employment arrangement.
Serbia’s single permit system has simplified residence and work authorisation, but eligibility, labour market requirements and supporting documentation remain important.
Acumen International provides immigration support in Serbia as part of its Global Employer of Record services.
We manage eligible employment arrangements, work authorisation applications, onboarding, payroll, employee benefits and ongoing immigration administration for international companies employing foreign professionals.
Our services cover more than 190 countries, including specialist and executive employment requirements.
Contact Acumen International to discuss your proposed foreign hires in Serbia and establish the appropriate employment and immigration route.