Bosnia and Herzegovina Student permit

Residence for foreigners enrolled full time at an accredited higher-education institution in BiH, granted for up to one year and extendable. ^{1 2 3 4}

What you must show

• Savings of at least BAM 400 a month (≈ $230) · Proof of funds for support during the academic year, in the amount set by the 2016 rulebook on entry and stay of foreigners, or a sponsor's written undertaking with proof of steady income. ²

Requirements

• Applicant is enrolled at an accredited higher-education institution in BiH, or arrives under a student exchange. ^{1 2}
• Funds of KM 400 a month for the academic year, or a written undertaking by a BiH citizen or a foreigner with residence to support the student, with proof of steady income. ²
• Proof of enrolment for the current academic year, and exchange proof if applicable. ²
• Passport valid at least three months beyond the requested stay. ^{1 4}
• Proof of accommodation and of health insurance in BiH. ^{1 2}
• Medical certificate issued not more than three months before the application. ^{1 4}
• Certificate from the country of origin, not older than six months, that no criminal case is pending and there is no conviction. ^{1 4}
• Proof of payment of the administrative tax. ^{1 4}
• The first application is filed in person through a BiH mission abroad, or in BiH with the Service if the applicant holds a long-stay visa (D) or is visa-exempt. ^{1 4}
• The Service decides within 90 days if filed through a mission, or 60 days if filed directly with the Service. ¹
• The permit runs up to one year and is extended each year; for failed years it can be extended for at most two years after the standard study period. ¹
• Study time counts at half toward permanent residence, and permanent residence cannot be requested from a study permit. ¹

Stay

• Permit up to one year, extendable; after the standard study length at most two more years.
• First stay: up to 12 months, decided case by case.
• Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.

Nationality

Open to foreigners generally; nationals who need a visa apply for a long-stay visa (D) with or before the first application.

Work

Students may do temporary jobs through authorised intermediaries without an employment relationship.

Family

Art. 50 does not extend family reunification to holders of study permits.

Checked 2026-10-12

Official sources

1. Law on Foreigners, unofficial consolidated text (Official Gazette of BiH 88/15, 34/21, 63/23) · Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina · checked 2026-10-11
2. Rulebook on entry and stay of foreigners (Official Gazette of BiH 25/16) · Service for Foreigners' Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2016-04-08
3. Administrative tax amounts (Annex 1) · Service for Foreigners' Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2026-04
4. Stay of foreigners in BiH · Service for Foreigners' Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina · checked 2026-10-11