View Full Version : Temporary Resident Visa
Hi there
Thank you to Jonathon for the 'Rough Guide To Serbia's Law on Foreigners' document.
Let me fill you in on my situation. I'm an English guy who has been in Serbia since the middle of August. I'm considering staying in Belgrade a bit longer if it isn't a ton of hassle.
I'm thinking about the ancestral route to a temporary visa, my mother is Serbian, does anyone think this may qualify?. If not then perhaps the fact that I am engaged to my girlfriend could be a good route in. Failing that I do work here, but its for myself internet related.
Of course the biggest problem I can see is the fact that I have little time in the country left to apply for the visa and get it processed etc.
Does anyone know whether it might be possible to apply for the visa outside of the country?.
Oh and one more small complication is I dont have my white card(as some of you on the forum may be aware!)
Any advice?
Cheers
Sash
Hi, I am really up to my eyes today so cannot respond to this right now but just wanted you to know that I will tomorrow and try and find out some of the answers to your questions for you.
Jules
UKBelgrader
05-11-09, 15:30
There's several ways to remain in Serbia. The ancestral one and the enganged one look like the best bet for you. But failing that, I believe you can get visas if you enroll at some sort of educational course (perhaps Serbian language even).
And you'll definitely need that little white card if you want a visa. ;)
Ok great, let's say I enrol in the Serbian class,which I would like to do anyway, is it not too late to apply for the visa whilst I am in Serbia?, I have to be out in about 10 days
UKBelgrader
05-11-09, 17:27
As I said I think you'd be able to get a visa to stay if you were enroled in a class but I can't be sure, I know it was possible before but again the new law is leaving lots of us a bit confused!
You should really take someone who knows the language and make some enquiries at the police station on Savska ulica.
Considering you don't have a visa yet, you'd have to leave the country and re-enter and then apply for the visa within a few days. I don't know if the new law has this covered explicity, but I do know that before you had 3 days from the last date you entered the country to apply for your first temporary visa on whatever grounds. If you were to saunter on down now, say you found a job or whatever, you'd be fined cos you've been here for some time already.
Again, don't quote me on any of this, I'm just going from general memory of stuff and what's happened to friends and me in the past. It may be different now. Best to go down and speak to the officers really.
Yes, the white card is a problem, if I go to the Police Station now for advice they will ask me for white card and probably tell me to leave the country after giving me a hefty fine.
Perhaps my best option is to leave the country via the airport(as they don't bother with asking for white cards at airport) re-enter country, then apply for temporary residence.
After some consideration, I think I would apply on the grounds of marriage or having a serbian Mother who owns property in Serbia(although i'm not sure that would count).
^
I've never been asked for that stup*d white card when leaving the country by car either...
Yeah I heard by car it might be ok, but they asked me for it when I went to Budapest recently by train, they said I might get 200 euro fine or be banned from country, but after a while let me off
danilo_vancouver
05-11-09, 23:59
I'm confused and nervous about this.
I overstayed 10 days and got a stern talking to at the airport as I was leaving. I'm coming back in a few weeks and I hope I have no problems.
I've gone to MUP on Savska 3 times and have gotten 3 different answers on how I need to regulate my status (or told not to bother/worry about it).
The law says that a foreigner MAY get a permanent residence based on heritage, but it doesn't say under what conditions it MAY be granted. I was told I can't apply for this because neither of my parents were Serbian citizens (but who knows if it's true), but I could apply for citizenship. I do not want Serbian citizenship.
Reading this, I'm thinking the best course of action for me is to sign up for a course in Serbian - something I want to do anyway.
How do I sign up for Serbian lessons and parlay that into a temporary residency permit?
danilo_vancouver
06-11-09, 00:01
what about starting a company?
I'm told this costs about 1000 euros. This seems an outrageous price to start a company. Have I been misinformed?
Anyone with any experience in this?
UKBelgrader
06-11-09, 09:59
I don't know the inner workings or whether it's possible now to get a visa based on being enroled in a Serbian class or something. I'm just sort of throwing out options for you and others to look into.
You *should* be able to register as self-employed as a foreigner. I know you could in the past, but with this new law who knows. That would be a hell of a lot easier and cheaper than starting a proper limited/d.o.o company.
Again, I can't be sure about any of the above, but they are options you could look into. Best bet is to speak to MUP - tho they don't seem to be particularly helpful...
Sasha: Yeah you're going to need that white card. You'll have to leave the country and re-enter and get the white card before you show your face down the police station for a visa. Tho it would be wise to figure out what sort of visa you're going to go for before you do that. I've never been asked for my white card at the border ever, whether on train, plane or bus. Maybe they're being more strict now with the new law?
I finally get to collect my Temporary Residence Papers from MUP on Monday - YAYAYAYY!!!!
UKBelgrader
06-11-09, 14:37
Congrats, Zach! It's a nice feeling that first visa! :)
Hi, what exactly is MUP?. Yes I think I will nip over the the nearest border tomorrow, and get the white card. As far as visas are concerned, i'm confused like most people I guess.
Was thinking of doing the Serbian course thing, but the start dates my not be when I want them to be for purpose of visa, and also I'd rather get private personal tuition
As far as registering as self-employed goes, does anyone have an idea of the cost of this?, and what lengths I will have to go to to satisfy their requirements for this visa.
My mother is Serbian, so ancestry could be the best way, I also have a Serb fiancee, and have spent alot of time and cash here. If they don't let me in because of this they can kiss my backside anyway, I wouldn't WANT to stay here!.
I suppose a big thing for me is that I have approximately 11 days left in this country, if I do a trip to the border tomorrow and get my white card, that leaves me about 10 days left in the country to get a visa sorted out, i'm guessing that isn't enough time. Is it possible to apply for a visa outside of Serbia?
danilo_vancouver
06-11-09, 20:20
MUP - Ministry of Internal affairs. Also knows as "the police" as they run the police force.
Hi Guys, so i'm due to do my white card run tomorrow. I'm still wondering whether I can apply for a temporary visa outside of Serbia, because my 3 months are up in about a week, and its not going to be ong enough to process my visa
I finally get to collect my Temporary Residence Papers from MUP on Monday - YAYAYAYY!!!!
Congratulations Z-man!
Hi, what exactly is MUP?. Yes I think I will nip over the the nearest border tomorrow, and get the white card. As far as visas are concerned, i'm confused like most people I guess.
Was thinking of doing the Serbian course thing, but the start dates my not be when I want them to be for purpose of visa, and also I'd rather get private personal tuition
As far as registering as self-employed goes, does anyone have an idea of the cost of this?, and what lengths I will have to go to to satisfy their requirements for this visa.
My mother is Serbian, so ancestry could be the best way, I also have a Serb fiancee, and have spent alot of time and cash here. If they don't let me in because of this they can kiss my backside anyway, I wouldn't WANT to stay here!.
I suppose a big thing for me is that I have approximately 11 days left in this country, if I do a trip to the border tomorrow and get my white card, that leaves me about 10 days left in the country to get a visa sorted out, i'm guessing that isn't enough time. Is it possible to apply for a visa outside of Serbia?
If you have already had a Visa then you have to apply 30 days before it lapses. I think there is no such restriction for your first visa, so you may have time after all.
I suggest you speak to the club lawyers. They will give you a free consultation. ( Offer withdrawn after a member saw them for the consultation but then decided to use another firm that was a cheaper, which is fair enough but pissed them off. They are the best I know, but not cheapest. )
Stojkovic and Prekajski
011 2346295
Tell them you are from the Belgrade Foreign Visitor's Club. These guys are superb.
If you have already had a Visa then you have to apply 30 days before it lapses. I think there is no such restriction for your first visa, so you may have time after all.
I suggest you speak to the club lawyers. They will give you a free consultation.
Stojkovic and Prekajski
011 2346295
Tell them you are from the Belgrade Foreign Visitor's Club. These guys are superb.
Many Thanks Jonathon, I will give them a call in the morning. I'm feeling like Harrison Ford in 'The Fugitive' right now!.
If you have already had a Visa then you have to apply 30 days before it lapses. I think there is no such restriction for your first visa, so you may have time after all.
I suggest you speak to the club lawyers. They will give you a free consultation.
Stojkovic and Prekajski
011 2346295
Tell them you are from the Belgrade Foreign Visitor's Club. These guys are superb.
Well I gave this number a call, and told some guy who I was, and about bgfvc etc, and he hung up on me!.
Well I gave this number a call, and told some guy who I was, and about bgfvc etc, and he hung up on me!.
Really? I must have posted the wrong number?
Call this guy: Dusan Stojkovic - 063 347560
He is one of the partners and personal friend.
hey guys, anybody of you tried to get temporary residence on basis of studies? What documents did you present?
Hi Sis,
I think this just requires a letter from the school confirming you are a student.
Shoot a private message to magnusbroadpark (aka Magnus the Moneterwegian) who has his visa thanks to a studying here (I think).
UKBelgrader
12-11-09, 16:07
When I studied for a year at Belgrade University, as part of my degree in the UK, we had a letter from Belgrade university and another one from somebody in the Serbian Education Ministry.
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