Bosnia Travel Visa
A visa may be required. We cannot assist in processing this document, but we provide instructions on how to apply.
All About the Bosnia Visa
Are you dreaming of holidaying in this Southern European country where East meets West? Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) boasts stunning vistas, a vibrant culinary scene, plus an easily navigable entry policy for foreign visitors.
Fortunately for travellers, this small nation has adopted a similar visa policy to its Schengen neighbours. As such, visitors from countries who enjoy visa-free access to Europe’s Schengen zone, such as the US, UK, Canada and Japan, can also enjoy this country’s warm hospitality and clear coastal waters without a travel pass. In this case, you can stay for up to 90 days per 180 days with your national passport.
Similarly, citizens of all Schengen Member States (that is, the 26 European countries that have abolished passport control at their mutual borders) can enjoy Bosnia’s medieval castle ruins and stunning waterfalls with just a valid passport for 90 days in a 180-day period too.
What are you waiting for? Keep reading to find out if you can enter this Balkan country visa-free. And, for those who can’t, get all the must-know information on how to travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina on a tourist visa.
Contents
Bosnia Visa Application Process
The first step of this process is easy. You can find the form to apply for a Bosnia visa online on your nearest BiH embassy’s website. Here you fill in some personal information and some details about your trip. It’s important to include your dates of entry and exit from BiH on this form, so be sure to have your itinerary finalised when applying.
The next step is to visit the nearest embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina to drop off your printed application and the other required documents. In some cases, you may also be required to conduct an interview. To do this you’ll need to book an appointment with the embassy’s consular section well in advance. If you need help finding the one nearest to you, check out our handy Worldwide Embassies Finder Tool.
Like most traditional applications, embassies will require that you bring originals and copies of all the requested documents. Eliminate stress the day of your appointment by preparing clear photocopies of everything beforehand.
The amount of time it takes to process your entry document depends on your nationality. Once it’s ready, you’re good to go! The embassy will inform you by email that your passport with the entry permit is ready to be picked up. The next step is to pack your bags and set off on your Balkan adventure.
Bosnia Visa Requirements and Eligibility
If you’re a national of one of the many Bosnia and Herzegovina visa-free countries, you don’t need to apply for a visa for visits of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. All you need is a passport valid at least 90 days past your date of entry and with 1 blank page.
To see if you’re eligible for this scheme, just enter your nationality in our eligibility checker tool below:
Or, alternatively, see our list below:
Albania
Andorra
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Bahrain
Barbados
Belgium
Brazil
Brunei
Bulgaria
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Dominica
El Salvador
Estonia
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Grenada
Guatemala
Holy See
Honduras
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Kiribati
Kuwait
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macau
Malaysia
Malta
Marshall Islands
Mauritius
Mexico
Micronesia
Moldova
Monaco
Montenegro
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nicaragua
North Macedonia
Norway
Oman
Palau
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Republic of Korea
Romania
Russia (30 days only)
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino
Serbia
Seychelles
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Timor-Leste
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Turkey
Tuvalu
Ukraine (30 days only)
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
Uruguay
Vanuatu
Venezuela
While nationals of these countries can enter without a travel authorisation, please note that if you’re flying directly, airlines reserve the right to deny boarding if you only hold a 1-way ticket or if your return date is more than 3 months past your date of entry.
On the other hand, if you do require a visa, you’ll be pleased to hear that Bosnia and Herzegovina visa requirements are quite straightforward. To be eligible to apply, make sure you hold:
- A valid birth certificate if you’re under 18 years of age.
- A passport that is no older than 10 years and valid for at least 90 days past your expected date of arrival in BiH. This document must have at least 2 blank pages
It’s also important to mention that all foreign nationals, whether entering with a visa or not, must register with the police within 72 hours of arrival in the country. If you’re staying in a hotel or registered hostel, your hosts will generally complete this step for you.
Bosnia and Herzegovina Visa Form and Documents
If you’re not eligible for visa-free entry, you will likely apply for a Category C (short-term) authorisation. This travel pass will allow you to visit BiH for up to 90 days in a 180-day period. The document you apply for will depend on your reason for visiting. Here’s an overview of some of the entry options:
- Touristic Entry Permit – the most commonly issued type of authorisation, intended for holidaymakers interested in sightseeing.
- Business or Fair Participation Entry Permit – for individuals or groups who are attending meetings, training or business-related affairs.
- Family, Relative or Friend Visit Entry Permit – for friends or relatives of Bosnian citizens.
- Cultural, Sports or Conference Visit Entry Permit – for those attending cultural activities, sports competitions, training or filmmaking.
- Short-Term Education or Internship Entry Permit – issued to international students who wish to study in BiH for university projects or special occasions for less than 3 months.
With the exception of the tourist entry permit, all applications must include a letter from the inviting party. This might be a BiH-based company, family in the country, or a university where you plan on completing a course. All letters must be duly certified by the Ministry of Security – Department for Foreign Citizens.
For the purpose of this article, we will focus more on the tourist visa. However, many of the steps will be the same.
Before heading to the embassy for your appointment, be sure to prepare the following documents, each with 1 copy:
- A printed application form, completed in block letters.
- Your original passport (valid at least 90 days past your date of entry and with at least 2 blank pages).
- A passport-sized photo.
- Visa fee receipt.
- Proof of a return flight.
The application itself will ask for some personal and passport details such as:
- Your full name and any former names (ie maiden name).
- Your place and country of birth.
- Your passport number and date of issue/expiry.
- The full names of your mother and father.
- Your marital status and spouse’s full name (if applicable).
- Whether you currently reside in another country and if you have permission to return to that country.
- Your current occupation or the name of your university.
- The number of entries requested (Single, Double or Multiple).
- Details on previous visits to BiH.
Certain applicants may be asked to provide additional supporting documentation:
For applicants who are employed:
- An employment contract.
- A letter from your company that states the duration of your stay in the country and confirms that you will be returning to the company after your travel.
- A bank statement of the last 6 months.
For applicants who are students:
- Proof of enrollment and no objection certificate from the registered school.
- Sponsorship documents in the case that you cannot support yourself financially during your stay.
For applicants who are self-employed:
- A copy of your business license.
- Company bank statements from the last 6 months.
A long-term Bosnia work visa or Bosnia study visa would require a different application process. For more details on this, please contact your nearest embassy.
Bosnia Tourist Visa Status Check
To check the status of your document, you must reach out to your embassy’s consular section. However, keep in mind that many embassies have a strict policy not to inform applicants of their status until a final decision has been made.
When your entry permit has been processed, you will receive a confirmation that contains information on when you can pick up your passport. If you’re unable to go to the embassy yourself, most consular sections will give your passport to a third party provided they present a valid ID and written authorisation.
How Much Is a Bosnia Visa?
Fees vary based on your nationality and on the embassy where you apply.
If you’re a US permanent resident (green card holder) applying at the Bosnian Embassy in Washington, D.C., for example, you can expect to pay 39 USD for a Single-Entry permit and 70 USD for a Multiple-Entry document.
Most embassies only accept payments made by money order/cashier’s check. It’s a good idea to check with your embassy beforehand to confirm.
More Bosnia Visa Information
We hope the sections above provided you with some useful insights on how to travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina with a tourist visa. See our FAQ section below for some additional helpful information.
Please note that this country does not issue visas to US nationals prior to arrival, regardless of the purpose of your visit or length of stay. Your visit can be extended once in the country by contacting the local police or the Department for Foreigners.
- An invitation letter.
- Proof of a fully paid hotel voucher.
- Bank statements for the past 3 months.
- Travel insurance with coverage in BiH.
- Return flight tickets.
Travelling the Balkans by bus is an incredible way to see some truly awe-inspiring landscapes. Be aware, however, that border crossings can be time-consuming and bus routes typically take longer than stated online. Plan on adding a little extra time to your travel days, so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.