Have you recently gained employment to work in the Republic of Montenegro? That would explain why you’re looking for information on the Montenegro Work visa. This visa is open to all foreign nationals who come to Montenegro for all forms of paid work.
Montenegro (meaning Black Mountain) is a country in South-Eastern Europe, in the Balkan region. It shares borders with countries like Serbia, Albania, and Bosnia. Montenegro is known for its mountainous landscapes (as the name implies), beaches, and tourist-worthy sites, from canyons to lakes and what have you.
When it comes to international relations, Montenegro is no stranger. It is part of several conglomerates, including the United Nations Organization and the Central European Free Trade Association. However, it does not yet belong to the European Union or the Schengen Area, two bodies whose member-states have standardized visa processes. This makes the country’s visa application procedure different from most.
In this article
About Montenegro Work Visa
A Montenegro work visa is a travel document that authorizes foreigners to come into the country and partake in paid labor. It usually goes with a work permit/residence permit that lets you live and work in the country. The Montenegrin economy is growing, seen as an upper-middle class economy. Hence, it is a great place to grow your career.
Types of Montenegro Work Permits
The Montenegrin government issues three distinct types of work licenses to control the hiring of foreign nationals in the country;
- Personal Work Permit: Foreign nationals who live in Montenegro may be granted an individual work permit. A personal work visa may be granted for up to one year; during that time, the bearer is free to enter the job market.
- Employment Permits: This is a type of work permit that your employer requests for you from the Montenegrin authorities
- Labor Permits: Work permits are given out for temporary or seasonal employment, training, contract work, and other commercial objectives. This type is typically for those seeking what is known as seasonal work.
Montenegro Work Visa Exemptions
Every foreign national coming to Montenegro for work should ordinarily get a Work Visa. However, not all of them need it. Montenegro has visa-free agreements with several countries that permit those nationals to come in without a visa. There are various categories of Montenegro visa exemptions we shall list below;
90 Days Visa Exemption
For 90 days within 180 days, citizens of the nations listed below do not require a visa to visit Montenegro.
- Australia
- El Salvador
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Azerbaijan
- Hong Kong
- Saint Lucia
- Andorra
- Honduras
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Iceland
- Seychelles
- Argentina
- Israel
- Singapore
- Taiwan
- Japan
- Malta
- Brazil
- Kuwait
- South Korea
- the Bahamas
- Mauritius
- Timor-Leste
- Barbados
- Mexico
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Brunei
- Moldova
- Turkey
- Costa Rica
- Macau
- Ukraine
- Colombia
- Malaysia
- the United Arab Emirates
- Canada
- New Zealand
- the United States
- Chile
- Nicaragua
- Uruguay
- Dominica
- Panama
- The United Kingdom
- Georgia
- Paraguay
- Vatican City
- Grenada
- Qatar
- Venezuela
- Guatemala
- Samoa
- Vanuatu
30 Days Visa Exemption
Citizens of the nations listed below can stay in Montenegro for 30 days without a visa;
- Citizens of EU countries
- Kazakhstan
- San Marino
- Albania
- Monaco
- Kosovo
- Bosnia and Herzegovina (can enter with just an ID Card)
- North Macedonia
- Serbia
- Lichtenstein
- Norway
- Switzerland
Diplomatic Passport Exemptions
You are also exempt from applying for a visa to Montenegro if you have a diplomatic passport from any of the following nations;
- Armenia
- China
- Egypt
- Guinea
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Kyrgyzstan
- Mongolia
- Morocco
- North Korea
- Pakistan
- Tajikistan
- Thailand
- Vietnam
- Zimbabwe
You also don’t need a visa if you have a passport or are issued a residence permit from Ireland, the US, the UK, or Schengen countries.
Documents Required for Obtaining a Montenegro Work Visa
The following paperwork must be gathered and submitted by foreign nationals to apply for a Montenegrin working permit:
- A passport-size photograph
- Montenegro visa application form
- A National Passport
- Evidence of health insurance
- A police report showing your criminal records
- Montenegrin police background check
- An employment offer letter from a Montenegrin business
- Bank Statement/Proof of Funds
Montenegro loosened the conditions for work and residency permits in 2022. Thus, it no longer needs further verification, such as a bank statement or employer-issued proof of earnings, to show that the applicant has the financial resources to maintain himself in Montenegro. A job offer now requires the employer to promise to pay at least the minimum wage to qualify as credible proof.
Steps to Apply for the Montenegro Work Visa
You can get your Montenegro work visa at the Montenegro Embassy, consulate, or visa application center in your country. Listed below are the steps you’ll take to complete the process.
- The first thing you must do is complete the Application Form. The application form is available online, where you may complete it, print it, and sign it. Make sure to include all of your details on the application form. Don’t leave blank spots; doing so might result in your visa application being rejected. Add it to the other required documents listed above.
- Next, you need to contact the Embassy in Your Country. Schedule an appointment with them for the day you’ll come for your application interview and to submit your visa application. Be careful to arrive at your appointment promptly.
- Finish Paying the Charge. Complete the fee payment after finishing the application form. The payment must be made in cash and only in euros at the embassy or consulate when presenting the documents. Make sure the receipt is included with any other documentation needed.
- Submit all Required Documents, then send them to the Montenegro embassy. Make sure you compile all necessary paperwork and deliver it to the embassy on the day of your interview. Include your application form, filled out and signed. Any missing document might result in the denial of your visa.
- Wait for The Verdict. The embassy or consulate to which you have submitted your documents must respond to you within 15 days.
Obtaining a Montenegro Work Permit
Foreign nationals who need a work visa must also apply for a work permit in the same embassy where they obtain a work visa. Then, when they get to Montenegro, they can apply for a residency permit. On the other hand, those who don’t need a visa only need to visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Montenegro to get one.
Remember that as a work visa holder, your Montenegro residency permit won’t be valid unless you have a work permit.
Montenegro Work Visa Processing Time
Getting a Montenegro work visa usually takes 15 days to a month. Therefore, you should start taking early steps to procure your visa. A nominal period would be two months before the date you intend to travel. However, you cannot begin the process earlier than three months before the travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
#1. What is a Type D visa in Montenegro?
A long-stay visa of type D is required for visitors who want to stay in Montenegro for more than 90 days but fewer than six months. One can apply for a Type D Visa if they desire to live, work, or study abroad. In Montenegro, you’ll need a guarantee from a person who is either a citizen, a resident, or a business.
#2. How do I become a permanent resident in Montenegro?
A foreigner who has lived legally in Montenegro for five years in a row before applying for a permit based on a temporary residence permit or authorized further protection under the asylum legislation may be granted a permanent residence permit.
#3. How long does it take to get a Montenegro visa?
From the day the application is received at the Embassy, the standard visa processing period is 15 calendar days.
#4. How long does it take to get Montenegro permanent residency?
To get a Montenegro visa, you must have been living in the country on a temporary residency permit for at least five (5) years. Alternatively, suppose you’ve been married to a Montenegrin citizen or permanent resident for more than three (3) years. In that case, you can apply for permanent residency.
#5. What are the most in-demand jobs in Montenegro?
As Montenegro is a growing economy, many in-demand jobs are currently in the country. However, some of the most popular ones include;
- Engineers
- Geophysicists
- Real-estate professionals
- Construction workers
- Tour guides
Conclusion
Getting a job in Montenegro can be a significant step forward in your career. If you want to move and begin your new life, the Montenegro work visa is the key. Similarly, there are lots of other visas for Montenegro, including business visas, student visas, research visas, etc.
