Work Permits for International Employees in Serbia | Employer Guide

Hiring foreign talent in Serbia often feels easy at first. You shortlist a great candidate, agree on a role, and send the offer.

Then the admin part kicks in. Portals, residence rules, work authorisations, appointments, and timelines. If the sequence goes wrong, even a strong hire can get stuck in limbo.

The good news is that Serbia has moved a lot of this process online and introduced a Single Permit route that combines temporary residence and work authorisation, submitted electronically through a dedicated government portal.

This guide explains the process in plain language so that employers can hire international workers in Serbia with fewer surprises.

First decision: Visa D or the Single Permit?

Before you prepare documents, decide which route your hire actually needs.

Option 1: Visa D (long-stay visa)

Visa D is Serbia’s long-term entry visa, generally allowing a stay of 90-180 days.
It is commonly used when the person needs a visa to enter Serbia, and the employment plan starts with a long-stay entry pathway.

Option 2: Single temporary residence and work permit (Single Permit)

For most standard employment situations, the main route is the Single Permit, which covers temporary residence and the right to work in one permit. Applications are submitted exclusively online through the official portal, and may be submitted by the foreign citizen or by the employer on their behalf. 

A Single Permit (or temporary residence permit request leading to a Single Permit) can be issued for up to three years, depending on the basis. 

If you want stable, long-term staffing, this is usually the route you plan around.

What slows employers down (and how to avoid it)

Most delays are not due to Serbia’s process being “too hard.” They happen because the order matters.

1) Labour market test and the “ID number.”

For Single Permit cases, a labour market test step is handled through Serbia’s National Employment Service (NES). The NES process generates an ID number that needs to be entered into the Single Permit request.

Important update: Serbia has reduced duplication in some D-visa cases. From March 1, 2025, employers generally no longer need a labour market test as part of a D-visa application for local employment. However, a labour market test is still required as part of a Single Permit application after entry. 

2) Contract and role alignment

The portal is structured. That is good, but it also means inconsistencies create friction. If the job title, role scope, contract terms, and selected “basis” do not match cleanly, you risk back-and-forth and resubmissions.

The process in plain English (employer-friendly flow)

Here is a practical flow most companies follow:

1. Confirm the route: Visa D only, or Visa D followed by Single Permit, or Single Permit directly (depending on entry rules and length of employment). 
2. Define the employment basis: What exactly will the person do, and under which category will they apply (employment basis matters in the portal). 
3. Run the NES step (if needed): Complete the labour market test process and obtain the ID number for the Single Permit request.
4. Prepare documents that match the selected basis: Keep everything consistent (role, contract, supporting proofs).
5. Submit the Single Permit online via the official portal (either the employee or the employer may submit, depending on who is applying).
6. A biometrics appointment may be required as part of temporary residence processing. 
7. Decision and issuance: Official guidance highlights a target of 15 days from a properly completed Single Permit request.
8. Onboarding and compliance tracking: Save expiry dates, track changes, and renew early if needed.

Timelines to plan with (and why buffer matters)

Even with faster systems, timing still depends on how cleanly the application is prepared.

• Single Permit: guidance indicates decisions within 15 days from a properly completed request. 
• Visa decisions: Serbia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs notes that visa procedures often take 15 days and, in some cases, up to 30 days.

Real-world tip: build a buffer for corrections, portal issues, and appointments. Most project delays come from starting the process too close to the planned start date.

Common mistakes that trigger delays

These are the issues employers complain about most:

• Applying under the wrong basis, or mixing up Visa D vs Single Permit logic
• Uploading incomplete documents or documents that do not match the chosen category
• Assuming “15 days” means “guaranteed start date” without time for appointments and fixes
• Forgetting compliance after onboarding (expiry dates, role changes, employer changes)

How Oman Agencies supports employers hiring in Serbia

If you are hiring foreign manpower for Serbia at scale, the real workload is not just filing a request. It is keeping everything consistent across role requirements, candidate readiness, documentation, and timelines.

Oman Agencies supports employers by:

• Shortlisting job-ready foreign candidates aligned to Serbia roles
• Coordinating documentation requirements in a structured way
• Reducing avoidable back-and-forth during the permit journey
• Supporting mobilisation and onboarding planning so projects stay on track

(Internal links you can add on your site: Overseas Recruitment Services, Contact Oman Agencies, Serbia Hiring Support)

Quick checklist before you make the offer “official.”

• Final role scope and contract terms are clear
• You know whether the hire needs a Visa D or the Single Permit route
• NES labour market test steps are planned where applicable.
• Documents match the selected basis for the portal. 
• Your timeline includes a buffer for appointments and corrections

FAQs

1) Is the Single Permit mandatory for foreign employees in Serbia?
For many standard employment situations, Serbia’s system centres on a Single Permit for temporary residence and work, submitted electronically through the official portal.

2) Can the employer apply on the worker’s behalf?
Yes. Official government communication states that a Single Permit request can be submitted by a foreign citizen or by the employer on their behalf (provided the proper accounts are set up).

3) How long can a Single Permit be valid?
Official portal guidance indicates that a temporary residence or Single Permit can be issued for up to three years, depending on the basis.

4) Is a Visa D the same as a work permit?
Visa D is a long-stay visa (90–180 days). Longer-term employment typically relies on the Single Permit route for residence and work authorisation.

5) Where do we apply for the Single Permit?
Single Permit applications are submitted exclusively online through Serbia’s official portal for foreign nationals.

Final thoughts

Work permits in Serbia become much easier when you treat them like a repeatable process, not a paperwork scramble. Choose the correct route early, keep documents aligned with the selected basis, and plan your timeline with breathing room.

If you want to hire foreign employees in Serbia with fewer delays and clearer compliance, Oman Agencies can support the journey end-to-end, from sourcing to mobilisation, so your workforce arrives ready, and your project stays on schedule.