If you are planning to work in Bosnia and Herzegovina and need information on what documents you must prepare for a Bosnia work visa, this article provides a detailed and easy-to-follow guide. The process involves more than just a visa. You will need a work permit, visa type D (for longer stay) plus a temporary residence permit. I’ll walk you through the key documents, who needs them, when to apply and what to check.

Understanding the overall process

When applying for a Bosnia work visa, you must first understand three separate but linked steps:

• The employer in Bosnia must apply for a work permit on behalf of the foreign worker. Remote+2Globalization Partners+2

• Once the work permit is approved, the foreign national applies for a long-stay visa (Visa D) if entering from abroad. Remote+1

• After arriving in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the worker must apply for a temporary residence permit based on employment. Globalization Partners
  Therefore, when you ask “what documents are required for a Bosnia work visa application”, you are really covering documents for all these steps: work permit + visa D + residence permit.

Who is required to apply

Foreign nationals who plan to work in Bosnia and Herzegovina for more than short-term visits need to apply. Even nationals of EU/EEA countries generally need the permit/residence framework because Bosnia is not part of the Schengen Area or the EU.
The foreign employer relationship must be real: a job offer, contract and employer registered in Bosnia. Playroll
Employers in Bosnia need to check labour market conditions (i.e., whether local workers are available) and meet quota rules in some sectors. Globalization Partners+1
So whilst there are multiple parties involved, you as the worker must ensure you collect your part of the documents correctly.

Key documents you must prepare

Here is a breakdown of important documents required when applying for the Bosnia work visa process. Note: some are submitted by your employer, some by you.

1. Signed employment contract (job offer)

Your employer must give you a contract that sets out: job position, duties, salary, working hours, duration, benefits. This is essential since the work permit is job- and employer-specific.
Make sure the contract is signed, dated, and preferably in English plus a Bosnian official language translation if requested.

2. Valid passport

You must hold a passport valid for a certain period beyond your stay. For example, documents state passport validity should extend at least three months beyond departure date for long stay permits. 
Make clear copies of all relevant pages: photo page, previous visas (if any) etc.

3. Passport-size photos

Standard passport-portrait photographs (recent, biometric style) are required for the visa D and residence permit applications.

Typically 2 photos, but check with the relevant consulate/authority.

4. Work permit issued by the relevant Employment Service

Before you apply for the visa, your employer must have applied and gained approval for your work permit from the relevant Employment Office (in the entity where the job is).
You should receive proof or a copy of this approval to submit with your visa/residence permit applications.

5. Proof of accommodation in Bosnia & Herzegovina

You must show where you will live while working in Bosnia. This could be a rental agreement, employer-provided address, or hotel reservation if temporary. 
Ensure the address is valid, and the documentation is properly dated.

6. Educational credentials and professional certificates

Your employer and the authorities may require you to provide evidence of your education (university diploma, certificate) and professional qualifications. Translation and certification may be needed.
In some cases the diploma needs legalisation and translation into one of Bosnia’s official languages. 
Keep originals plus certified copies.

7. Criminal record / police clearance certificate

You may need to supply a certificate of good conduct (no criminal record) from your home country or last place of residence. This is to show you are eligible and meet the standards for legal employment. 

Make sure this is recent (typically within 3–6 months) and translated if required.

8. Health insurance / medical certificate

Proof of health insurance coverage for your stay in Bosnia is often required. Your employer may cover this or you may need to secure private insurance. 
Sometimes a medical certificate stating you are fit to work may also be needed.

9. Proof of employer registration and solvency

Part of the application forms require the employer to submit registration documents, tax ID, evidence that they are legitimate and capable of employing a foreign national. 

While this is more for the employer side, it’s good for you to check your employer has these in order, so your application is not delayed.

10. Justification for hiring foreign worker (labour market test)

In many cases the employer must show there are no suitable local candidates before hiring a foreign national. This may require the job to have been advertised locally or other evidence of labour market search. 

Make sure your employer has this documentation ready; delays often happen here.

11. Translations and apostilles/legalisation

Foreign-origin documents (diplomas, certificates, criminal record, etc) often must be translated into Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian and legally certified (apostille or local chamber). Plan ahead: acquiring these can take time.

12. Application forms and fees

There will be official application forms for visa D, residence permit, and possibly for work permit. You’ll need to fill these out correctly and pay required administrative fees. Keep all receipts.

13. Proof of travel and valid visa status (if applying abroad)

If you are applying from outside Bosnia, you may need to show travel arrangements or that you have not overstayed other visas. The authorities check your entry/exit history. 

Applying for the Long-Stay Visa (Visa D) step

Once the work permit has been issued, you (as the foreign employee) apply for the long-stay visa (type D) at the Bosnian embassy or consulate in your home country or country of residence. This visa allows you to enter and stay in Bosnia for more than 90 days and gives you the basis to apply for the residence permit. 

When applying for the visa D you will need most of the documents listed above: employment contract, work permit approval, passport, photos, health insurance, proof of accommodation, etc.

Also make sure your passport meets the entry requirements: for example, valid for at least three months beyond your intended departure date. 

Applying for the Temporary Residence Permit

After arrival in Bosnia, you must apply to the relevant office (typically the Service for Foreigners’ Affairs) for a temporary residence permit based on your employment. The work permit alone does not allow you to live long-term without the residence permit. 

The residence permit application will require many of the same documents: passport, visa D, photos, proof of accommodation, employment contract, proof of employer registration, sometimes health insurance, etc.
Remember: the work permit validity is typically for up to one year and is job-specific, so your residence permit will often match that period. 

Special considerations & common delays

• The process may vary slightly depending on the region where you’ll work (for example, in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Republika Srpska). 

• Translating and legalising foreign diplomas or certificates can take several weeks. In one region it may take up to six months for validation. 

• The quota system: certain jobs may have limits on how many foreign workers can be hired. If you fall under such a quota, your employer’s application may be delayed or denied. 

• If any document is missing, incomplete or incorrectly translated, your application may be rejected or delayed significantly.

• Proper proof of accommodation is important: vague hotel bookings may not always fulfil the requirement.

• Make copies of everything submitted and keep originals safe.

• Even after you arrive in Bosnia, ensure you register your stay address with local authorities if required.

Document checklist you can use

Here is a quick checklist you may print or keep digitally:

• Signed employment contract (job offer)

• Valid passport (with sufficient validity and blank pages)

• Passport-size photographs (recent)

• Work permit approval (from Bosnian Employment Service)

• Proof of accommodation in Bosnia & Herzegovina

• Educational diplomas/certificates (with translations/legalisation if needed)

• Police clearance / criminal record certificate

• Health insurance or medical certificate

• Employer registration documents (tax ID, registration)

• Proof of labour market test / justification for hiring foreign national

• Translations and legalisation/apostille of foreign documents

• Completed visa application forms (Visa D)

• Proof of application fees payment