Visa Requirements For Entry To Bosnia And Austria

Bosnian citizens can enter Austria without a visa, but they must have a valid passport and their intended stay must not exceed 3 months. On the other hand, Austrian citizens can enter Bosnia and Herzegovina without a visa if they have a valid multiple-entry Schengen visa, a valid visa from the US, or a valid visa from an EU state.

Visa requirements for Bosnia and Herzegovina citizens

As an applicant country for membership in the European Union, Bosnia and Herzegovina maintains a visa policy similar to the visa policy of the Schengen Area.

Visa-Exempt Countries

Citizens of the following countries do not need a visa to enter Bosnia and Herzegovina:

• All European Union member states
• Andorra
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Australia
• Austria
• Azerbaijan
• Bahrain
• Belgium
• Brunei
• Bulgaria
• Canada
• China
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Ireland
• Israel
• Italy
• Japan
• Jordan
• Kuwait
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Macedonia
• Malaysia
• Malta
• Monaco
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Oman
• Poland
• Portugal
• Qatar
• Romania
• Russia
• San Marino
• Saudi Arabia
• Serbia
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• South Korea
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Turkey
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom
• United States
• Vatican
• Holders of diplomatic and official passports of Albania, Iran, China, Pakistan, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, and the United Arab Emirates.
• Holders of diplomatic passports of Algeria and Armenia.

Visa Requirements

Citizens of countries not mentioned above are required to obtain a visa from one of the Bosnia and Herzegovina diplomatic missions to enter the country. The requirements for obtaining a visa are:

• A valid passport
• Application form
• Copy of a valid passport or visa
• Copy of a round-trip ticket or itinerary
• One passport-size picture
• Voucher of travel agency stating that the trip has been paid in full
• Copy of your last bank statement
• Letter of invitation from the person(s) you intend to visit, certified by the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Letter from the employer stating the purpose of the trip
• Letter of invitation from a company in Bosnia, certified by the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Additional Information

• Citizens of countries that signed the Schengen Agreement and citizens of the European Union can use their identity cards as a travel document to enter, exit, and pass over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
• Citizens of all other countries are required to have an entry visa when entering Bosnia and Herzegovina.
• Nationals of countries for which a visa is required may enter Bosnia and Herzegovina without a visa for a stay of up to 30 days if they hold a valid multiple-entry Schengen visa, a US visa, an EU state visa, or a permanent residency permit in a Schengen or EU state.
• All foreigners, regardless of whether they require a visa, may be asked to demonstrate financial sufficiency during their intended stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina (75 EUR or the equivalent in convertible currency per day).

Visa requirements for Austria

Austrian citizens can travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina without a visa for up to 90 days within a 6-month period. This is because Bosnia and Herzegovina have adapted their travel policies to align with the Schengen zone dispositions.

However, for those who wish to stay longer than 90 days, or who are travelling from countries that do not have a visa exemption agreement with Bosnia and Herzegovina, a visa will be required.

Visa Application

The visa application process for Bosnia and Herzegovina involves contacting the nearest Bosnian embassy or consulate, filling out an application form, and providing various documents. These documents include:

• A valid passport
• Copies of previous visas (if applicable)
• An ID document
• A photo
• Travel health insurance
• Proof of accommodation in Bosnia and Herzegovina
• A letter of invitation from friends or family in Bosnia and Herzegovina
• A bank statement
• A flight itinerary

Visa Types

Bosnian visas are typically divided into short-stay (C) visas and long-stay (D) visas. Short-stay visas allow visitors to stay in Bosnia for 90 days within a 180-day period, while long-stay visas permit visitors to stay for up to one year.

Short-stay visas can be used for tourism, business, education, and training, among other purposes. Long-stay visas are required for those who wish to stay longer than a year in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and they can be used to apply for a temporary residence permit.

Visa Fees

The fees for Bosnian visas vary depending on the embassy or consulate, but they typically range from €35 for a single-entry short-stay visa to €81 for a long-stay visa. It's important to note that visa application fees are non-refundable, even if the application is rejected.

Processing Time

The processing time for a Bosnian visa typically ranges from 5 working days to one month, starting from the date that the embassy or consulate receives the application form. For short-stay visas, applications must be submitted at least one month before the intended travel date, while long-stay visa applications must be submitted three months in advance.

Visa exemptions for Bosnia and Herzegovina citizens

As of 2024, Bosnia and Herzegovina citizens can enter 123 countries and territories without a visa or with a visa on arrival, ranking the Bosnia and Herzegovina passport 43rd in the world.

Visa-Exempt Countries

• European Union member states: Bosnia and Herzegovina citizens can enter without a visa and stay for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
• Antigua and Barbuda: Visa-free for 90 days within any 180-day period.
• Saint Kitts and Nevis: Visa-free entry with a valid passport for up to 90 days within 180 days.
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: Visa-free entry with a valid passport for up to 90 days within 180 days.
• United Arab Emirates: Visa-free entry with a valid passport for up to 90 days within 180 days.
• Argentina: Visa-free for holders of ordinary Bosnian passports.
• Belarus: Visa-free access for 30 days if arriving via Minsk International Airport.
• China: Visa exemption agreement signed; visa-free entry.
• Colombia: Visa-free entry.
• Japan: Visa-free for holders of diplomatic passports for 90 days. Visa requirements abolished for holders of regular biometric passports.
• Kosovo: Visa-free access with only ID cards from January 1, 2025.
• Lesotho: e-Visa available.
• Mexico: Visa requirements abolished for holders of regular biometric passports.
• Morocco: Visa-free for holders of diplomatic passports for 90 days.
• Qatar: e-Visa available.
• Taiwan: e-Visa available.
• United Kingdom: Simplified visa regime.

Visa-Exempt Countries for Specific Passport Holders

The following countries offer visa-free entry for specific types of passport holders:

• Azerbaijan: Visa-free for diplomatic passport holders.
• Kuwait: Visa-free for diplomatic and service passport holders.
• Oman: Visa-free for diplomatic and service passport holders.
• Russia: Visa-free for diplomatic and service passport holders.
• Turkey: Visa-free for diplomatic and service passport holders.

Visa-Exempt Countries for Stateless Persons and Refugees

Stateless persons and refugees residing in countries whose citizens do not require a visa for Bosnia and Herzegovina (except for countries in Central and South America and the Caribbean) are also exempt.

Visa exemptions for Austria

Austria is among the countries whose citizens do not require a visa to enter Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is also the case for the following countries:

• Andorra
• Australia
• Belgium
• Brunei
• Bulgaria
• Canada
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Ireland
• Israel
• Italy
• Japan
• Kuwait
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Macedonia
• Malaysia
• Malta
• Monaco
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Qatar
• Romania
• Russia
• San Marino
• Serbia
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• South Korea
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Turkey
• United Kingdom
• United States
• Vatican

Holders of diplomatic and official passports from Albania, Iran, China, Pakistan, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, and the United Arab Emirates are also exempt from requiring a visa.

Holders of ordinary passports from the following countries and territories (including resident stateless persons and refugees) may enter Bosnia and Herzegovina without a visa:

• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago
• United Arab Emirates
• All European Union member states
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Saint Kitts and Nevis

In addition, valid multiple-entry visa holders and residents of the European Union, Schengen Area member states, and the United States of America can enter Bosnia and Herzegovina without a visa for a maximum stay of 30 days. This does not apply to holders of Kosovan passports.

Visa application processes for Austria

Visa-Exempt Countries

Austria is a signatory to the Schengen Agreement, and as such, Austrian citizens can travel freely between other Schengen member states. Austrian citizens can also travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina without a visa.

The following countries are also visa-exempt for Bosnia and Herzegovina:

• Andorra
• Australia
• Belgium
• Brunei
• Bulgaria
• Canada
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Ireland
• Israel
• Italy
• Japan
• Kuwait
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Macedonia
• Malaysia
• Malta
• Monaco
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Qatar
• Romania
• Russia
• San Marino
• Serbia
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• South Korea
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Turkey
• United Kingdom
• United States
• Vatican

Visa Requirements

If you are not a citizen of one of the visa-exempt countries, you will need to obtain a visa from one of the Bosnia and Herzegovina diplomatic missions. The requirements for obtaining a visa are as follows:

• A valid passport
• A completed application form
• A copy of a valid passport or visa from your country of origin
• A copy of a round-trip ticket or itinerary
• One passport-sized photo

Additionally, you must provide documentation based on the purpose of your trip:

• If travelling as a tourist, you must provide a voucher from a travel agency stating that the trip has been paid in full, as well as a copy of your last bank statement
• If visiting friends or relatives, you must provide a letter of invitation from the person(s) you intend to visit, certified by the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina – Department for Foreign Citizens
• If travelling on business, you must provide a letter from your employer stating the purpose of the trip, as well as a letter of invitation from a Bosnian company, certified by the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina – Department for Foreign Citizens and the competent chamber of commerce by business residence of the guarantee provider

You must also appear in person at the Embassy, and there is a visa fee depending on the type of visa.

Visa Types

There are three main types of visas for Bosnia and Herzegovina:

• Short-stay (C) visa: This visa is for foreign citizens who want to visit Bosnia for 90 days within any 180-day period. It can be issued for one, two, or multiple entries.
• Long-stay (D) visa: This visa is for foreign citizens who want to stay in Bosnia for six to twelve months. It can be issued for one, two, or multiple entries.
• Transit visa: This visa is for foreign citizens who need to transit through a Bosnian airport when travelling to another country. It does not allow the holder to leave the airport and is valid for one, two, or exceptionally more, transits, with a total time during one transit not exceeding five days.

Frequently asked questions