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Bosnia and Herzegovina

Nationality · visas, permits and migration

Moved to OECD countries, 2023
40,156
Top destination, 2023
Germany
U.S. non-immigrant visas, FY2025
5,953
UK visas issued, 2025
2,717
Schengen visa refusal rate, 2024
3.7%
NationalityBAISO 3166
Year by year
Data as at 2025
NA<BABOSNIA<AND<HERZEGOVINA<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
BA7<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<4

Visa requirements for a short visit

Whether citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina need a visa for a short tourist or business visit, according to the legal lists. Rules change; check the official source before travelling.

DestinationShort visitLegal basis
Schengen areaNo visa for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day periodRegulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30.12.2025)
United KingdomVisa requiredImmigration Rules, Appendix Visitor / ETA National List
CanadaTemporary resident visa requiredIRPR s. 190, Schedule 1.1
Hong KongNo visa for visits of up to 14 daysImmigration Department (HKSAR), visit visa requirements, 31.12.2025
Source: Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30 Dec 2025); UK Immigration Rules, Appendix Visitor and ETA National List; Canada IRPR s. 190 and Schedule 1.1; Immigration Department (HKSAR), visit visa requirements as at 31 Dec 2025Data as at Oct 2026

Where people from Bosnia and Herzegovina move

Inflows of foreign nationals by country of nationality, as recorded by each destination (OECD).

Inflows to OECD countries, 2023
  1. Germany20,449
  2. Slovenia12,036
  3. Austria4,405
  4. Italy443
  5. Switzerland432
  6. United States350
  7. Türkiye317
  8. Sweden308
  9. France247
  10. Belgium161
  11. Norway155
  12. Czechia153
  13. Netherlands137
  14. Hungary132
  15. Luxembourg111

Inflows to all OECD countries by year

24k47k200020032006200920122015201820212023
24k47k2000200420082012201620202023
Data table
200032,282
200147,012
200246,479
200325,533
200429,521
200530,144
200618,243
200727,364
200828,692
200926,675
201018,702
201121,509
201225,151
201328,239
201433,525
201536,143
201636,170
201739,237
201843,395
201947,478
202034,314
202133,186
202239,829
202340,156
Share going to the top destination
50.9%
Destinations recording arrivals
15
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Living abroad

People born in Bosnia and Herzegovina who live in another country: mid-year estimates of the international migrant stock (UN DESA). Where a destination records citizenship rather than country of birth, its foreign citizens are counted.

Largest destinations, 2024
  1. Croatia363,041
  2. Germany320,423
  3. Serbia277,641
  4. Austria180,515
  5. Slovenia138,576
  6. Sweden60,819
  7. Switzerland58,221
  8. Canada36,008
  9. Montenegro31,869
  10. Italy29,671
  11. Australia29,317
  12. Netherlands28,178

Living abroad by year

853k1.71M19901995200020052010201520202024
853k1.71M19902000201020202024
Data table
19901,108,999
19951,705,561
20001,624,537
20051,494,812
20101,481,062
20151,477,261
20201,542,552
20241,608,324
Living abroad, 2024
1,608,324
Change since 2000
-1.0%
Share living in the largest destination, 2024
22.6%
Source: United Nations, DESA Population Division, International Migrant Stock 2024 (CC BY 3.0 IGO)Data as at 2024

United States

Visas issued to citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina by U.S. consulates (fiscal years, October–September) and certified PERM labor certifications.

Non-immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. B1/B23,949
  2. J1968
  3. B1210
  4. C1/D183
  5. A2116
  6. F1108
  7. E2104
  8. P356
  9. P146
  10. K132

Non-immigrant visas by fiscal year

3,2756,550201720182019202020212022202320242025
3,2756,55020172019202120232025
Data table
20174,210
20186,550
20196,056
20202,816
20211,614
20225,834
20236,293
20246,222
20255,953
Immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. IR542
  2. IR131
  3. F322
  4. CR121
  5. DV11
  6. F410
  7. F2A7
  8. FX7
Immigrant visas, FY2025
166
Certified PERM labor certifications, FY2024 (latest year with citizenship)
13
Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, monthly visa issuances (public domain); U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC PERM disclosure data (public domain)Data as at FY2025

Green cards and U.S. citizenship

People born in Bosnia and Herzegovina who became U.S. lawful permanent residents (green cards) or U.S. citizens, and admissions of citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina with an I-94 record (DHS, fiscal years).

Green cards by fiscal year

4859702015201620172018201920202021202220232024
485970201520172019202120232024
Data table
2015860
2016970
2017850
2018680
2019640
2020480
2021480
2022510
2023460
2024470
Green cards by class of admission, FY2024
  1. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens370
  2. Employment-based preferences40
  3. Family-sponsored preferences30
  4. Refugees and asylees20
  5. Diversity visa lottery10
Temporary worker admissions (I-94), FY2024
  1. Athletes, artists and entertainers (P)100
  2. Intracompany transferees (L-1)90
  3. Specialty occupations (H-1B)60
  4. Spouses and children60
  5. Other temporary workers20
  6. Seasonal non-agricultural workers (H-2B)10
  7. Extraordinary ability (O-1, O-2)10
Green cards, FY2024 (born in Bosnia and Herzegovina)
470
Naturalizations, FY2024 (born in Bosnia and Herzegovina)
1,170
I-94 admissions, FY2024 (citizenship)
11,060
Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Homeland Security Statistics, Yearbook of Immigration Statistics 2024 (public domain)Data as at FY2024

United Kingdom

Entry clearance visas issued to nationals of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Home Office) and students with a permanent address in Bosnia and Herzegovina (HESA).

Visas issued by group, 2025
  1. Visitor2,570
  2. Other74
  3. Work31
  4. Study28
  5. Family14

Visas issued by year

1,7453,490201020122014201620182020202220242025
1,7453,490201020132016201920222025
Data table
20103,490
20113,380
20123,173
20133,239
20142,868
20152,422
20162,503
20172,660
20182,862
20192,963
20201,024
20211,013
20222,419
20232,580
20242,837
20252,717
Students at UK universities, 2024/25
25
Source: Home Office, Immigration system statistics (year ending June 2026), Open Government Licence v3.0Data as at 2025

Canada

Permits and invitations for citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, by year the permit took effect (IRCC).

YearTFWP workIMP workStudyPermanent residentsExpress Entry invitations
202510355150
2024155525650
2023206555605
2022152555550
2021155060655
202010305300
2019535201150
201855051550
201710505950
20162060101450
2015204051900
Source: IRCC, monthly open data (rounded to the nearest 5). Open Government Licence – CanadaData as at 2025

Australia

Temporary skilled visas (subclass 457 to 2018, then 482) granted to primary applicants who are citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, by financial year ending 30 June (Home Affairs).

Primary visas granted by financial year

6122005–062007–082009–102011–122013–142015–162017–182019–202021–222023–242025–26
6122005–062009–102013–142017–182021–222025–26
Data table
2005–0612
2006–0711
2007–087
2008–098
2009–107
2010–115
2011–122
2012–138
2013–142
2014–158
2015–165
2016–178
2017–1810
2018–194
2019–205
2020–214
2021–222
2022–239
2023–2410
2024–2510
2025–264
By stream, 2025–26
  1. Core Skills3
  2. Specialist Skills1
Granted, 2025–26
4
Share of all Australian grants, 2025–26
0.0%
Source: Department of Home Affairs (Australia), BP0014 Temporary Resident (skilled) visas granted, data locked at 30 Sep 2026 (data.gov.au, CC BY)Data as at 2025–26

Japan

Citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina living in Japan at the end of each December, by status of residence (Immigration Services Agency of Japan). 2020 and 2021 were published only as database tables.

Foreign residents in Japan

28562012201420162018202220242025
28562012201420162018202220242025
Data table
201229
201327
201428
201528
201633
201737
201850
201954
202249
202356
202455
202556
By status of residence, December 2025
  1. Student11
  2. Permanent Resident9
  3. Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services9
  4. Skilled Labor8
  5. Spouse or Child of Japanese National7
  6. Dependent4
  7. Professor3
  8. Long-Term Resident2
  9. Cultural Activities1
  10. Journalist1
Residents, December 2025
56
In work-related statuses
21
Share in work-related statuses
37.5%
Students
11
Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Statistics on Foreign Residents (在留外国人統計), Table 1, end of December (e-Stat; Government of Japan Standard Terms of Use 2.0)Data as at Dec 2025

Schengen visas in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Short-stay (C) visa applications at Schengen consulates located in Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2024. Applicants are mostly, but not only, its citizens.

Schengen stateApplicationsIssuedNot issuedRefusal rate
Austria1,7011,334221.3%
Croatia228213135.7%
Germany2061642914.1%
Bulgaria20019252.5%
Italy10910187.3%
France867533.5%
Hungary544959.3%
Netherlands4033410.0%
Greece393400.0%
Spain363125.6%
Slovenia2923620.7%
Czechia2319417.4%
Slovakia111100.0%
Poland87112.5%
Sweden64116.7%

Applications by year

60k120k2009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
60k120k200920122015201820212024
Data table
2009119,849
2010100,643
20112,052
20122,239
20131,070
20141,214
20151,245
20161,239
20171,305
20181,830
20192,195
20201,169
20211,787
20222,261
20232,731
20242,779
Refusal rate, 2024
3.7%
Refusal rate, 2019
6.0%
Source: European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs, visa statistics for consulates (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2024

Residence permits in Europe

First residence permits issued to citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina in EU and EFTA countries, 2025 (Eurostat).

First permits by reason
  1. Work18,690
  2. Family14,194
  3. Other reasons1,870
  4. Education1,202
First permits by country
  1. Germany14,427
  2. Slovenia7,250
  3. Croatia7,104
  4. Austria3,245
  5. Italy710
  6. Switzerland496
  7. Sweden415
  8. Serbia353
  9. Hungary318
  10. France276
  11. Belgium173
  12. Slovakia161
Work permits by type, 2025
  1. EU Blue Card185
  2. Highly skilled workers (national schemes)779
  3. Researchers22
  4. Other paid activities17,704
EU Blue Cards granted, 2024
554
Citizenships acquired in the EU, 2024
9,017
Students in EU/EFTA tertiary education, 2024
12,260
Refused entry at EU external borders, 2025
4,645
Valid residence permits, 31 Dec 2025
531,957
Long-term residence permits issued, 2025
36,958
Changed status into work, 2025
1,028
Intra-corporate transferee permits, 2025
15
Seasonal work authorisations, 2024
5,200
Source: Eurostat (migr_resfirst, migr_resbc11, migr_acq, educ_uoe_mobs02, migr_eirfs, migr_pop1ctz), CC BY 4.0Data as at 2024–2025

National statistics in Europe

Citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the figures of national statistics offices: residence permits granted in Denmark, immigrations by grounds for settlement in Sweden and immigrants with a non-EU/EFTA nationality by migration motive in the Netherlands; Finland and Austria publish immigration and emigration by citizenship only.

CountryYearAllWorkStudyFamilyProtectionOther or unknown
Denmark202512810241309
Sweden2025216334153818
CountryYearImmigrationEmigrationNet migration
Finland20251596
Austria20253,0232,068955
Work-related, latest year
  1. Denmark102
  2. Sweden33
Source: Danmarks Statistik, Statistikbanken VAN66 and VAN77M (CC BY 4.0); SCB (Statistics Sweden), Statistikdatabasen TAB1614 and TAB6670 (CC0); CBS (Statistics Netherlands), StatLine 84809NED (CC BY 4.0); Statistics Finland (Tilastokeskus), StatFin 11a8 (CC BY 4.0); Statistik Austria, OGD_bevwan020_AUSSENWAND_100 (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

Germany

Citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina living in Germany on 31 December 2025, by residence status in the Central Register of Foreigners (Destatis).

By residence status, 31 Dec 2025
  1. Permanent residence title121,910
  2. Family reasons42,330
  3. Employment27,555
  4. Application for a residence title pending22,495
  5. Neither tolerated nor permitted10,980
  6. EU free movement9,595
  7. International law, humanitarian or political reasons3,905
  8. Special residence rights and national visas3,890
  9. Tolerated stay (Duldung)2,145
  10. Education and training1,035
  11. Permission to reside during the asylum procedure100

Residents in Germany (31 Dec)

125k250k201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
125k250k2014201620182020202220242025
Data table
2014163,519
2015167,975
2016172,560
2017180,950
2018190,495
2019203,265
2020211,335
2021222,065
2022233,775
2023245,270
2024249,730
2025245,960
Residents in Germany, 31 Dec 2025
245,960
With a residence title for employment
27,555
Permanent residence title
121,910
Source: Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis), Central Register of Foreigners, 31 December 2025 (reproduction permitted with source)Data as at 31 Dec 2025

Italy

New residence permits issued in Italy to citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, by year and reason, and permits valid on 1 January 2026 (Istat).

New permits by year

5271,0542016201720182019202020212022202320242025
5271,054201620182020202220242025
Data table
20161,054
2017963
2018986
2019727
2020416
2021826
2022714
2023737
2024538
2025684
New permits by reason, 2025
  1. Family397
  2. Other reasons80
  3. Work77
  4. Asylum and protection77
  5. Study53
New permits, 2025
684
Valid permits, 1 Jan 2026
15,158
EU long-term residents, 1 Jan 2026
9,921
Source: Istat, residence permits of non-EU citizens: permits issued in the year and valid permits on 1 January (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

Foreign embassies and consulates in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Countries with an embassy or consulate in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as recorded in Wikidata.

CountryEmbassiesConsulates-generalConsulates
Albania1——
Austria1——
Azerbaijan1——
Belgium1——
Brazil1——
Bulgaria1——
China1——
Croatia11—
Czechia1——
Egypt1——
France1——
Germany1——
Greece1——
Hungary1——
Indonesia1——
Iran1——
Italy1——
Japan1——
Kuwait1——
Libya1——
Malaysia1——
Montenegro1——
Netherlands1——
North Macedonia1——
Norway1——
Pakistan1——
Palestine1——
Poland1——
Qatar1——
Romania1——
Russia1——
San Marino1——
Saudi Arabia1——
Serbia11—
Slovakia1——
Slovenia1——
Spain1——
Sweden1——
Switzerland1——
Türkiye12—
United Kingdom1——
Countries
41
Missions
45
Source: Wikidata (CC0)Data as at Oct 2026

Remittances

Money that migrants send home: personal remittances received by Bosnia and Herzegovina, in current US dollars (World Bank).

Remittances received by year, US$ million

1,7483,4952000200320062009201220152018202120242025
1,7483,495200020052010201520202025
Data table
20001,581
20011,500
20021,496
20031,738
20042,053
20052,038
20062,149
20072,686
20082,718
20092,127
20101,822
20111,958
20121,846
20131,958
20142,107
20151,801
20161,846
20172,017
20182,263
20192,333
20201,931
20212,478
20222,575
20232,824
20243,124
20253,495
Remittances received, 2025
US$3,495 million
Share of GDP, 2025
10.7%
Average cost of sending US$200 to Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2023
3.9%
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

All corridors from Bosnia and Herzegovina

Destinations with a dedicated page for citizens of this country.

  • Bosnia and Herzegovina → Germany
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina → Slovenia
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina → Austria
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina → United States
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina → Italy
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina → Croatia
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina → United Kingdom
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Official data, not advice. Visa Atlas publishes figures from government registers and statistics. It does not assess eligibility or give immigration advice; for advice, consult a regulated adviser. Read more