Serbia is a rapidly developing country. It is a member of the United Nations (UN), the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and a signatory to the Free Trade Agreement in Central Europe. But the most significant point is that this Balkan country is a potential candidate for accession to the EU (European Union).
A country whose passport value is growing rapidly
The reality is that the United States of America, or any other Western country, is now the country with the strongest passports. However, they have potential competitors.
Serbia is a country whose passport value is growing rapidly. Over the past decade, the Serbian government has done an excellent job of making life easier for citizens who frequently travel the world. The local foreign ministries have successfully held a series of negotiations on expanding the visa-free regime with many friendly countries.
In general, the number of countries with a visa-free regime for Serbs is growing steadily. Only in recent years, Serbia has been included in the list of countries whose citizens have the right to visa-free entry to the Schengen zone (according to Annex II – Annex II Countries).
What makes a Serbian passport a valuable tool?
Serbia received the right to visa-free travel to Europe back in 2009, along with Montenegro and Macedonia. Serbia is also one of the very few countries on Earth whose citizens can visit united Europe, Russia, and China without a visa (Mauritius and Seychelles, among other things, also offer this opportunity).
Around the same time that Serbia was negotiating its visa policy with Russia and the EU, its citizens also gained visa-free access to Israel. Then, Turkey was added to the list of countries that Serbian citizens and residents of Serbia can visit without a visa.
Further, the Serbs were allowed to visit Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Brazil, and Moldova without a visa. Then it was Japan, known as a hard country to visit for people from countries outside the Western Geopolitical Bloc. Last year Serbs also gained visa-free access to Indonesia, which recently opened its doors to many foreigners.
Serbia is also completing negotiations on visa-free travel with Azerbaijan, Colombia, Guatemala, Jamaica, Panama, Paraguay, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, and Venezuela.
Most of these countries are difficult to visit, even for citizens of some Western countries. Therefore, the opportunity to travel there without the need to obtain a visa will be a real gift for those who have a Serbian passport.
What places cannot be visited with a Serbian passport?
In principle, these places can be visited by citizens of very few countries in the world. These are the USA, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, and New Zealand. These English-speaking countries are “taboo” for most holders of economic citizenship, as well as for those who come from the vast majority of countries outside the Western Geopolitical Bloc. Unfortunately, these countries also have the most burdensome visa requirements, which often involve writing letters and sending blood samples.
In the past, Serbia’s Western European neighbors, such as the UK, have hinted at the possibility of lifting visa restrictions, but this has not happened. One way or another, Serbia wants to restore its tarnished image and is taking all the necessary actions for this, which favorably distinguishes this state from many other countries.
Who can apply for Serbian citizenship?
The following categories of persons can apply for Serbian citizenship:
- Newborn children of Serbian citizens;
- Foreigners living in the country based on permanent residence;
- Spouses of Serbian citizens who have been in the country for a residence permit for three years;
- Emigrants from Yugoslavia planning to return to Serbia;
- People of Serbian nationality.
Renunciation of first citizenship is optional for persons receiving a Serbian passport:
- Persons who receive citizenship for special services to the country;
- Ethnic Serbs applying for repatriation;
- Spouses of citizens of the country;
- Investors and entrepreneurs;
- People apply for citizenship based on family reunification.
To obtain citizenship, first of all, a foreigner must be the owner of a Serbian permanent residence. To do this, he will need:
- Reside in the country permanently for 5 years;
- Either stay in the country for 2.5 years for a working residence permit;
- Or be legally married to a Serbian citizen for three years.
After five years of residence for permanent residence, you can apply for citizenship. One of the conditions for obtaining a Serbian passport is passing a test for knowledge of the customs and laws of Serbia.
Required documents for obtaining a Serbian passport
A foreigner applying for Serbian citizenship will need the following documents:
- Statement;
- International passport;
- Confirmation of solvency;
- Medical insurance;
- Police clearance certificate in the country of origin;
- Marriage / divorce certificate;
- The photo;
- Birth certificates of children / other documents.
All papers must be submitted either in notarized translations or Serbian.