New Regulation on Electronic Visa Issuance in Serbia
As of 2025, Serbia has introduced a new regulation governing the issuance of visas in electronic format, officially published in the “Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia”, No. 31/2025. The regulation outlines the design, conditions, and issuance procedures for electronic visas (e-Visas), aligning the country with international standards in digital travel documentation.
According to the regulation, an e-Visa is an electronic document available to foreign nationals holding national passports, provided they meet specific conditions such as reciprocity in visa policy, low risk of illegal migration, and protection of Serbia’s national security and interests. Applications for e-Visas must be submitted from abroad, and cannot be filed during a foreigner’s legal stay in Serbia.
The e-Visa format adheres to international ICAO standards for Machine Readable Travel Documents. It includes advanced security features such as:
• A 2D QR code for electronic verification at border crossings,
• An electronic signature for data validation,
• A digital seal issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure data integrity,
• An additional QR code linking to a verification website for authenticity and validity checks.
The regulation also ensures interoperability through international systems such as ICAO and IATA, facilitating easier travel verification processes globally.
The Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will notify other countries via diplomatic channels about the introduction of the e-Visa and provide relevant technical information to support its recognition and use.
This regulation was entered into force on the eighth day following its publication in the Official Gazette, April 11th 2025.
At present, the e-visa is available for C-type visas and a limited number of low-risk countries. Plans are in place to gradually expand this service to include other visa types, such as the D-type visa, as well as additional nationalities over time.
