Visa to Bosnia and Herzegovina: is it necessary, how to get it for Russians

Holidays in the countries of the Balkan Peninsula are a fairly popular tourist destination among Russian citizens. One of the key factors contributing to this is the preferential visa regime, and in some cases travelers do not need to obtain a special permit. So, for example, a visa to Bosnia and Herzegovina is not needed for Russians in 2021 if they plan to visit the country for tourism purposes.

The blue color on the flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina symbolizes the UN, the stars symbolize Europe, and the yellow triangle symbolizes the peoples inhabiting the country (Serbs, Croats and Bosniaks)

Visa-free entry

Back in 2013, the government of Bosnia and Herzegovina, together with the Russian leadership, signed an agreement introducing a mutual visa-free regime for tourists.

A visa to Bosnia and Herzegovina is not required if visiting the country is at the invitation of a private individual or business partner. However, commercial activities are not permitted during such a trip. There is an opportunity to participate in meetings, negotiations, visit local institutions and events held on the territory of the state.

Permissible length of stay

Citizens of the Russian Federation visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina for tourism purposes can stay in the country for a total of 30 days without obtaining a special visa. The next entry will be available only after 60 days , that is, at least two months must pass between trips to the country from the first visit if the thirty-day limit has been exhausted.

Holders of service passports have the right to stay in the country for three months, and employees of diplomatic missions - for the entire period of work. The same rule applies to their family members.

Those visiting friends or relatives permanently residing in Bosnia and Herzegovina can stay in the state for up to 90 days. Similar deadlines are established for persons traveling to Bosnia and Herzegovina for treatment, participation in competitions, and educational activities.

Required documents

The main condition giving the right to stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina without a visa to Russian citizens is the presence of a tourist voucher .

So, to enter Bosnia and Herzegovina, tourists will need to have with them and present at customs:

A foreign passport that will be valid for another three months after leaving the country;
Original tourist voucher issued by a Bosnian company;
Medical insurance;
Confirmation of availability of funds to stay in the country.

In practice, customs officers rarely check whether a tourist has insurance or funds, but it is better to take care of this in advance. The amount of insurance coverage of the policy must be from 30 thousand euros. Additionally, at the border you may be asked to provide a return ticket. It is acceptable to confirm the availability of reservation for it.

The package of necessary documents for a business or private visit, as well as entry into the country for treatment, is supplemented by an invitation from residents of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The invitation must be in the original, copies are not accepted, with a seal if issued by a legal entity. The invitation must be certified by the Service for Foreigners or the internal affairs authorities.

When entering the country by car you will need to obtain:

Driver's license, preferably international;
Insurance policy – Green Card;
Technical passport for the car.

There are no direct flights between Russia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Therefore, if along the route you encounter one state that is a member of Schengen, then you do not need to apply for a transit Schengen visa.

If a tourist travels with animals , then the following documents must be presented at the airport or at the border:

Certificate from a veterinarian;
Vaccination certificate.

When departing from Bosnia and Herzegovina, an airport tax of $12 is charged.

Visa-free rules

The rules allowing Russians to visit BiT without a visa came into force several years ago, and during this time, tens of thousands of people took advantage of the opportunity. To be one of them.

Simple rules must be followed:

visa-free travel is valid exclusively for tourists, business travelers, participants in humanitarian programs and projects, and persons entering on a private visit;
At the border you must present a passport valid for more than 90 days from the date of entry.

Passport control workers can also check the availability of tickets in the direction of work, documents confirming the availability of a place of residence (hotel reservation, rental agreement, invitation from a private or legal entity) for the entire duration of stay in the Republic, as well as issued medical insurance.

As the experience of a previous visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina shows, checking such documents during official passport control is carried out extremely rarely, and only in exceptional cases.

If there are no complaints against the foreigner, he receives an entry stamp with the date of crossing the border, from which the period of stay in the country begins.

Traveling with minors

When traveling with a child, in addition to a passport for traveling abroad, parents should prepare an additional package of documents:

birth certificate and passport where the minor is registered, for persons from 0 to 14 years old, and a foreign passport for citizens aged 14 to 18 years;
a notarized permit, the content of which gives the right to the second parent or third party to take the minor to Bosnia and Herzegovina for a specified period. If a minor citizen is accompanied by both parents, such paperwork is not necessary.

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Transit

Visa-free transit through the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina is allowed. According to the new rules, the maximum period of stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina for transit tourists is 7 days, the standard is 3 days. If transit is carried out by air or train travel, you will need to provide tickets to a third country. If a Russian travels in a personal car, then no tickets are needed.

When traveling in transit, you may be asked for a route map. It is also important to observe the time between entry and exit from the country - 7 days. Time is counted by days, not hours, that is, leaving at 00:01 is another plus one day.

Customs regulations

As elsewhere, Bosnia and Herzegovina has its own customs rules, which should be taken into account when applying for a visa, buying tickets and planning your visit to this state. It is not very different from other EU countries in terms of customs policy. As a result, complying with border control rules will not be difficult. It is also necessary to take into account the length of stay in the territory of this state, as well as the validity of the visa.

In 2021, when traveling to Bosnia, as well as to other Schengen countries, all restrictions on the import of cash have been lifted. However, large amounts are still subject to declaration upon entry into the country of destination. In addition, you need to declare other valuable things. The most difficult thing is with pets, for the import and export of which you need to undergo many examinations and receive all the necessary vaccinations.

The import and transportation of any drugs, weapons and other dangerous items is also prohibited. It is also prohibited to export antiques and items of cultural value from Bosnia to Herzegovina. However, products purchased on the Internet are not subject to this ban and can be safely exported outside the country.

Long-term visa

The visa is issued for Russians visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina for other purposes, or wishing to stay in the country for more than 30 days. It must be formalized at the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Russian Federation, located in Moscow. There are no regional branches for residents of other regions .

The Embassy's website always contains the most up-to-date information on the procedure for obtaining visas. Unfortunately, at the moment, official information from the Consulate is presented mainly in Bosnian, which is quite inconvenient for Russians.

A long-term visa to Bosnia and Herzegovina will be required for those who wish to stay in the country for more than 30 days in two months. To obtain a visa you will need to complete the following steps:

Prepare a package of required documents;
Apply personally to the Embassy;
Wait until the application is reviewed;
If necessary, appear for an interview to answer questions from the consul;
Receive a passport with a ready-made visa.

Documents for a long-term visa to Bosnia and Herzegovina

To obtain a visa for a long-term stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina, you must prepare and submit the following documents to the Embassy:

Questionnaire;
International passport valid for 90 days after return;
A photograph measuring 3.5 x 4.5 cm, taken against a light background, from the front (sunglasses and hats are not allowed);
A copy of your previous passport, if it contains Bosnian visas;
Receipt for payment of the fee.

Based on the purpose of the trip, you need to provide additional documents:

For tourists:
Certificate from work or study;
Confirmation of finances for living in the country;
A copy of the ticket or reservation for it.

For a guest visit:

For a business visit:
original letter from a Bosnian partner inviting him to visit Bosnia and Herzegovina.

At the discretion of the Embassy employee, other information about the applicant may be requested. For example, confirmation of sources of income if the applicant does not have a permanent place of work, or availability of a reservation for a hotel room if the trip is not based on a tourist voucher.

Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Moscow

Address: Moscow, Mosfilmovskaya street, building 50с1;
Telephone.

The time for accepting documents at the Embassy is from Monday to Friday except Wednesday from 10:00 – 14:00. There is no need to make an appointment in advance; they are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, but it is recommended to check opening hours and the possibility of submitting documents before your visit. Consultations by phone are carried out by employees of the consular department of the Embassy from 13:00 to 15:00 daily (except Wednesdays and weekends).

In what cases is it necessary to apply for a visa?

Russians who need to stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina for longer than 30 days must obtain a visa. Also, a long-term residence permit will be needed for students and people who will officially work here or run their own business.

There are such categories of visas that are issued to Russians:

Single C – valid for 90 days.
Multiple C – valid for three months.
Multiple D – valid from 90 to 180 days.

Where to contact

You can obtain a visa at the consular section of the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Moscow, where applicants apply in person. The address of the diplomatic mission is Mosfilmovskaya street, 50/1.

Visitors are received from 10 to 14 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Wednesday is a day off, like Saturday and Sunday.

Documentation

Before visiting the Embassy to apply for a Bosnian visa, Russians must collect the following documents:

International passport.
Visa application form for obtaining a visa, which is filled out in block letters.
Photo 3.5 by 4.5 cm.
Medical insurance.
Financial documents - bank statements, photocopies of bank cards, salary statements from work.
An invitation from friends, a company hiring a foreigner, or a medical institution.
Tourist voucher.
Paid plane tickets or other means of transport.
Hotel reservation.

Cost and production time

A single-entry visa will cost 31 euros, and a multiple-entry visa will cost 57 euros. A multiple entry visa category D costs 72 euros. Payment can only be made via money transfer, as the Embassy does not accept cash.

There is no need to pay a service fee at the Embassy. The processing time is 14 working days, an urgent visa is issued in 5 days. Sometimes applicants are invited to an interview, the results of which are taken into account when deciding whether to issue a visa.

Permit cost

The consular fee for issuing a visa to Bosnia and Herzegovina for Russians is as follows:

Type of visa	Duration of stay	Price
Single-entry tourist, business or transit	up to 30 days	31€
Multiple tourist, business or transit	up to 90 days	57€
Multiple tourist, business or transit	from 90 days	72€

Payment of the consular fee is carried out by bank transfer; cash cannot be paid . Details for transferring money and advice on filling out payment forms can be obtained directly from the Embassy staff.

Visas and border stamps

You will not need to wait, sometimes for several months, until your visa to Bosnia and Herzegovina is ready. However, the visa-free regime is provided only for private trips for the purposes of tourism and recreation. A completely visa-free regime was never introduced: for a longer stay (more than 30 days) on the territory of the republic, you must contact the embassy and obtain a visa. It is mandatory to receive it in the following cases:

Stay in the country for more than 30 days. A large number of tourists find Herzegovina a very attractive country and many want to stay here for a longer period. Visa-free entry into the country for more than 30 days is not provided;
Education. Education received abroad is considered prestigious. This country gives foreign citizens the opportunity to obtain a student visa with subsequent study on its territory;
Job. If you are applying for an official job in Herzegovina, then a work visa is required.

Moving to family. If you have close relatives living in Bosnia and the purpose of your trip is family reunification, you must apply for a separate category of immigration visa in order to obtain permission to enter the country. To obtain a visa, a potential tourist must submit a passport and an application to the embassy of the republic, and collect all the required documents. The required package may include:

International passport. An original foreign passport that is valid for at least several months longer than the expected date of return home;
Visa application form. You can find and download it on the official website of the embassy, or you can get it during a visit to the consular section. It must be filled out for each tourist, including children;
Photo 3.5X4.5 cm. The photo must be taken against a light background. It is advisable to do it a few days before your visit to the embassy;
Confirmation of material well-being. A bank statement issued a few days before entering the holiday destination and also cash. You must confirm your ability to support yourself for all the days you plan to stay abroad;
Round trip tickets. A tourist package, hotel or hotel reservation can also be confirmation of the purpose of your trip;
Certificate from place of study or work. This document must contain confirmation of your position, as well as information about your employer. Or a certificate about your educational institution;
Invitation. A document from an organization that is interested in your visit, if available. The invitation must be formalized and certified by a notary. This can make obtaining a visa much easier;
Documents for the car. If you are traveling by car, you must have all the documents, a power of attorney, and insurance with you;
Employment contract. If the purpose of your trip is of a business nature, you must have an employment contract with you;
Birth certificate. A required document if you are traveling with children under 18 years of age. The permission of both parents is also required for the child to travel abroad, even if he is leaving for only a few days and traveling with one of the parents.

It is worth mentioning separately about children. If the child is under 14 years old, there is no need to issue him a separate visa, and he can cross the border using the documents of his parents. It is also necessary to have a birth certificate with you, and consent from the second parent if traveling with only one of them. Starting from the age of 14, you must have your own passport and your own separate visa.

The visa processing time can vary from several days to several months, depending on the urgency and the queue that exists at the moment.

Urgent visa application does not require a personal visit to the embassy and can reduce the waiting period to 2-3 working days, however, it will cost an order of magnitude more.

To Bosnia and Herzegovina with children

When traveling to Bosnia and Herzegovina with minors, additional documents must be completed:

Child's birth certificate;
Children's passport for children over 14 years old;
An entry in the parent's passport and an attached photograph for children over 6 years old.

Additionally, if you are not traveling with both parents, permission to import and export the child from the country is required.
The power of attorney is notarized by the parent who remains in Russia. The said permit is presented when crossing the Bosnian border. You must have the original document with you, it is advisable to make copies in advance. If the minor is accompanied by another person, including a relative, powers of attorney must be issued by both parents. If it is impossible to obtain permission from the other parent, you must provide evidence of this. For example, a death certificate or a court decision on deprivation of parental rights.

Bosnia and Herzegovina without a visa: conditions of entry and stay for Russians

So, as we noted above, Russians do not need a visa to visit Bosnia and Herzegovina, but subject to a number of requirements.

the period of stay in the country should not exceed 30 days within 60 days from the date of first entry;
Entry is possible only with a valid foreign passport;
Within 2 days of arrival you must register at the local police station.

Other requirements and rules of the visa-free regime include the following factors:

Crossing the state border takes place only at points open for international transport.
Russians without a residence permit will have problems, as they face deportation and a ban on entry into Bosnia for up to 5 years. In addition, you must pay a fine of 300 to 1.5 thousand convertible marks.
When entering the country by car, foreigners must correctly fill out documents for the vehicle. This is a car registration certificate, registration plates, an international car insurance policy, an international driver’s license, a power of attorney to drive a car, etc.
Adhere to customs rules when entering and leaving the country, including not moving weapons, art objects, antiquities, ammunition and explosives across the state border without special permission.
Apply for a visa if your stay in the country is of a commercial, educational or business nature.

How many days

So, the mandatory requirements for visa-free stay of Russians in Bosnia and Herzegovina include the permissible number of days of stay. Russians are allowed to stay in this Balkan state without a visa for no more than 30 days during each period of 60 days starting from the date of first entry.

Passport requirements

The foreign passport must be valid for at least three months from the date of departure from Bosnia and Herzegovina. The document needs at least two blank pages so that border guards can stamp entry and exit at an airport or land border crossing.

What other documents are needed to cross the border?

When entering Bosnia and Herzegovina, citizens of the Russian Federation must have the following documents with them:

Health insurance policy. You can apply for an insurance policy for a visa to BiH online.

Availability of sufficient funds to live in the country. This could be: cash (international convertible currency or national currency), bank cards or other non-cash means of withdrawing currency, an invitation letter, a hotel reservation or a rental agreement in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Documents for children

To enter the country with a minor child, parents or one of them must have the following documents when crossing the border:

Children under 14 years of age – child’s birth certificate.
Children 14-18 years old - their own passport and birth certificate, if the surname of the child and the accompanying parent are different.
Consent from the parent(s) to remove the child from the Russian Federation if the minor is traveling accompanied by third parties or with only one of the parents.

The power of attorney must be signed by a notary, have seals and signatures, and be translated at a legal institution into one of the official languages of the country.

Russian minors can have a representative if they fly to Bosnia and Herzegovina by plane, travel to this country as part of a school group, or participate in cultural, educational and sports events.

Registration at the place of stay

Every foreigner who wishes to stay in the country for more than three days must register. To do this, you need to contact the local office for work with foreigners, the regional police department or the Terensky Center. This must be done within 48 hours of entry into Bosnia and Herzegovina. There is a statement written there indicating the following data:

Last name, first name and patronymic.
Residence address.
Length of stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Foreigners living in a hotel, hostel, motel or apartment do not register themselves, since the owners of the accommodation independently transfer data about the guests to the department of the service for working with foreigners.

Russians should be aware that landlords should not take away passports from guests, but only write down the data on a special form. A foreigner can ask the landlord for a certificate of residence and an invoice for paid services. Such documents must be carried with you in case of inspection by the police or border guards when departing or leaving the country.

Refusal

A visa to travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina is rarely refused. Often a comment is attached to the refusal explaining the reason for the negative response. The main reasons why permission may not be given:

Incomplete package of necessary documents;
Passport validity is less than three months;
Deception or submission of false information about yourself by the applicant;
Committing an offense during a previous trip.

After eliminating the reasons that served as the basis for the refusal, you can immediately resubmit documents for a visa.

The Balkan countries are a relatively young destination for Russians. Usually a visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina takes place as part of a tour of the Balkans. The country offers Russian tourists an excellent holiday on pebble Bosnian beaches, the amazing atmosphere of Sarajevo, like going back in time for half a century, and the most beautiful natural pyramids included in the list of UNESCO sites. In addition to tourist trips, pilgrimages to Bosnia and Herzegovina are also popular.

Do Russians need a visa to Bosnia in 2021?

Russians in BiH can stay without a visa for 30 days within 2 months after the first entry. This may be one or more tourist, “guest” trips.

Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

When planning a trip to Bosnia, you need to take into account that choosing road or rail transport entails the need to obtain a Schengen transit visa. You can bypass the need to obtain a Schengen visa if you choose air travel to European countries with a visa-free regime for Russians (Montenegro, Serbia). Buses and trains run from them to Bosnia.

Crossing the border by car

To enter the country by car, the driver must have:

international driver's license;
technical passport of the car;
"Green card";
power of attorney to drive a vehicle with a note indicating permission to leave Russia if the driver is not the owner.

To enter the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina, you will most likely need a Schengen visa, since on the way to the country you will have to travel through the eurozone. You can choose a route through Romania and Serbia. To enter Romania, you must obtain an internal visa to the country, but Russian citizens do not need a visa to visit Serbia.

When can a visa be refused?

In special cases, entry may be denied. This usually happens for the following reasons:

insufficient package of required papers;
the validity of the international passport expires earlier than 3 months from the date of return from Bosnia and Herzegovina;
the presence of a criminal or administrative case against the recipient in the territory of the state;
providing false information about yourself.

In this case, the applicant receives a cover letter indicating the reason for the refusal. After eliminating all inaccuracies in the preparation of documents or termination of criminal or administrative cases against the applicant (the statute of limitations has expired), it is necessary to re-apply to the embassy to obtain permission from the state.

Important

The country's legislation provides for the possibility of filing an appeal. If the recipient of the Bosnia and Herzegovina pass is convinced that some of the data provided by him was incorrectly interpreted, then a written request for a review of the decision must be made. Such tactics will allow you to get by with the same package of certificates and reduce the waiting time for an answer.