Quick answer
For studying in Bosnia and Herzegovina, you may need a short-stay visa (Visa C) for education purposes [11], which can be valid up to five years [10]. However, this visa does not allow you to apply for temporary residence [12]. For longer studies, you must apply for temporary residence on grounds of education , which is granted for up to one year and can be extended . The application is submitted to the Service for Foreigners' Affairs using Form 10 , with supporting documents including evidence of sufficient means of subsistence , accommodation , and health insurance . The fee is 150 BAM .
Key facts
| Visa validity | Up to 5 years for short-stay visa[10] |
| Entry requirements | An alien may cross the state border of Bosnia and Herzegovina with a valid travel document only at border crossings open for international traffic, and within their working hours.[1] |
| Visa types | Short-Stay Visa (Visa C) enables alien’s transit as well as one or multiple entries or stays in BiH. Airport Transit Visa (Visa A) enables alien’s pass through an international transit area of an airport without an actual entry to the country.[8][15] |
| Visa-free entry | Nationals of countries enlisted in Article 2 of the Decision on Visas are exempt from the requirement to obtain a visa for BiH. Also, nationals of countries with whom BiH has a visa regime may enter with a valid multiple-entry Schengen visa or residence permit in Schengen/EU countries or the USA.[27] |
Am I eligible?
Short-Stay Visa (Visa C)
- Meet general requirements for entry to BiH under Article 19 of the Law on Aliens.
- Possess sufficient means of subsistence for the intended stay and exit from BiH.
- Hold a valid travel document.
- Not be subject to a refusal, cancellation, or annulment of visa under Articles 37-39 of the Law on Aliens.
Airport Transit Visa (Visa A)
- Pass through an international transit area of an airport without actual entry to the country.
- Meet general requirements for entry to BiH under Article 19 of the Law on Aliens.
- Possess sufficient means of subsistence for the transit period.
Don't want to read through this yourself? Answer a few questions and see exactly which category fits your situation.
Requirements in detail
Passport must be valid for at least three months beyond the intended departure date and issued within the past ten years.
You must have at least 150 BAM per day of intended stay, in cash, non-cash payment means, or other assets, to cover subsistence and health care.
Evidence can include cash, bank statements, a letter of invitation, proof of paid accommodation, or other assets.
You must have health insurance coverage for the duration of your stay, either through travel insurance or other recognized means.
You must not pose a threat to public order, national security, or public health.
Documents you'll need
This list adjusts automatically based on your nationality and category.
How to apply
- 1
Obtain a short-stay visa (Visa C) for education purposes if required [11].
- 2
Apply for temporary residence on grounds of education at the Service for Foreigners' Affairs using Form 10 .
- 3
Submit supporting documents including evidence of means of subsistence, accommodation, and health insurance [66,68,70].
- 4
Pay the administrative fee of 150 BAM .
Frequently asked questions
What are the requirements for a short-stay visa (Visa C) to Bosnia and Herzegovina?
To obtain a short-stay visa, you must meet the general entry requirements under Article 19 of the Law on Aliens, possess sufficient means of subsistence (at least 150 BAM per day), and hold a valid travel document. You must also not be subject to visa refusal or cancellation.
Can I enter Bosnia and Herzegovina without a visa if I have a Schengen visa?
Yes, nationals of countries with whom BiH has a visa regime may enter without a visa if they hold a valid multiple-entry Schengen visa or a residence permit issued in Schengen, EU countries, or the United States of America.
Related visas
Sources
One numbered entry per specific claim — several entries may point to the same underlying document, each with its own locator.
- [1]
Additional to a travel document, the nationals of the following countries are entitled to use a valid ID card for entry, exit, transit or stay on the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina for a total pe
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced - [2]
Uninterrupted stays or the total duration of consecutive stays in BiH may not exceed 90 days during any period within 180 days
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced - [3]
**Long-Stay Visa – Visa D** Long-Stay Visa (Visa D) enables alien’s entry and stay in BiH within the period of up to 180 days within a year, and does provide a ground for applying for temporary reside
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced - [4]
A Long-Stay Visa is issued for a period not exceeding one year for situations requiring the stay in BiH over 90 days within the period of 180 days
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced - [5]
**Visa issuance at the border** In exceptional cases caused by reasons of national security of BiH, humanitarian reasons, serious professional or personal reasons, the BiH Border Police is entitled to
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced - [6]
Aliens exempt from the visa requirement are entitled to enter and stay in BiH up to 90 days within a 180-day period which precedes each day of stay, unless otherwise determined by an international agr
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced - [7]
In these cases, a total stay in BiH may not exceed 90 days in any period of time within the 180-day , with the possibility of a continuous stay in BiH no longer than 30 days and within the validity of
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced - [8]
Letter of invitation is valid for maximum of 180 days from the date of its verification
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced - [9]
**Entry of minors to BiH** An alien under 14 years of age holding a personal travel document may cross the BiH border if accompanied by one or both parents, a legal representative or guardian, or a pe
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced - [10]
Application for **the first temporary residence permit** is to be filed no later than 15 days before the expiry of a long-term visa (Visa D) or 15 days before the expiry of the visa-free stay
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced - [11]
** ** Application for** extension of temporary residence** is to be submitted not earlier than 60 days and not later than 15 days before the expiry of the approved stay
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced - [12]
- children under 18 years of age or dependent adult children attending regular education until the age of 26, as well as dependant adult children residing in the same household, regardless if born in
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced - [13]
It is considered that a Blue Card holder uninterruptedly resides in BiH even if he/she had repetitively left BiH for up to 18** **months in total or up to 12 months on a single occasion within period
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced - [14]
Entry requirements include valid passport and visa if required
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced - [15]
Short-stay visa for education purposes
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced - [16]
Short-stay visa validity up to five years
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced - [17]
Short-stay visa does not allow applying for temporary residence
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced - [18]
Temporary residence for education
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced - [19]
Temporary residence validity and extension
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced - [20]
Application for temporary residence submitted to Service for Foreigners' Affairs
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced - [21]
Application form for temporary residence
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced - [22]
Documents supporting application must be original or certified copies
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced - [23]
Translations required for foreign documents
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced - [24]
Evidence of sufficient means of subsistence
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced - [25]
Evidence of accommodation
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced - [26]
Evidence of health insurance
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced - [27]
Temporary residence for education requires evidence per Article 49 and Rulebook
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced - [28]
Administrative fee for temporary residence permit
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced - [29]
Entry requirements and visa types
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced
This page reflects Bosnia and Herzegovina's officially published requirements as of the dates above. It is not legal advice, and final approval is solely at the discretion of Bosnia and Herzegovina's immigration authorities. For a case-specific compliance check against your own documents, try VisaBook free.