Entry/Exit Requirements

You need a passport to travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). U.S. citizens do not need a visa for stays up to 90 days. The Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina does not issue visas to U.S. travelers prior to travel for any length of stay and purpose of travel, including diplomatic assignments. If you are not staying at a hotel but in a private residence, you or your host must register your stay with the local police within 12 hours of arrival if you are planning to stay in BiH for more than three days

U.S. citizens who wish to stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina for more than 90 days must apply for a temporary residence permit from the local field office of the Foreigners’ Affairs Department of the Ministry of Security. Eligibility requirements are limited to certain specific circumstances and the necessary documentation is extensive. You must submit your application for a temporary residence permit at least 15 days prior to the expiration of the initial 90-day visa-free period of stay. However, due to the complexity of the process, those planning to apply should begin gathering the required documentation well in advance and should submit the application as soon after arriving in-country as possible. After the application is made, there are often months of delays before a residence permit is finally issued, but the U.S. applicant can remain in the country while awaiting the decision as long as the Ministry of Security has accepted the application as complete. An application will not be accepted until all documentation requirements are met. The maximum duration of a temporary residence permit is 12 months, with the possibility of renewal. The fee is 100 convertible marks (KM), or approximately 70 USD. 

The documents required for a temporary residence permit vary in accordance with the purpose of stay, but you will always be asked to present evidence that you have accommodation, funds/income, and health insurance in Bosnia and Herzegovina. One of the mandatory documents is a police certificate from your U.S. state of residence indicating that you have no criminal record. Your U.S. passport must be valid for at least three more months after the end of the period for which a temporary residence permit is requested. More information on the process of applying for a temporary residence permit can be obtained on the web page of the Foreigners’ Affairs Department of the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina. For additional information on entry requirements, please contact the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina at 2109 E Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037, telephone 202-337-1500. Visit the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina website for the most current visa information. 

Bosnia and Herzegovina immigration authorities strictly enforce a law requiring any unaccompanied minor (under 18) to have written permission from both parents in order to enter and leave the country. If traveling with only one parent, the minor is required to have written permission for the trip from the non-traveling parent. 

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information page.