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Serbia

Nationality · visas, permits and migration

Moved to OECD countries, 2023
40,848
Top destination, 2023
Germany
U.S. non-immigrant visas, FY2025
21,287
UK visas issued, 2025
15,164
Schengen visa refusal rate, 2024
6.3%
NationalityRSISO 3166
Year by year
Data as at 2025
NA<RSSERBIA<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
RS3<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<6

Visa requirements for a short visit

Whether citizens of Serbia 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 KongDepends on the passport held; some passports need a visaImmigration 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 Serbia move

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

Inflows to OECD countries, 2023
  1. Germany24,155
  2. Austria5,362
  3. Slovenia3,048
  4. Switzerland1,149
  5. Hungary1,084
  6. United States790
  7. Italy760
  8. France759
  9. Sweden593
  10. Norway485
  11. Czechia481
  12. Netherlands409
  13. Belgium339
  14. Canada280
  15. Türkiye227

Inflows to all OECD countries by year

30k59k200020032006200920122015201820212023
30k59k2000200420082012201620202023
Data table
2000350
2001348
2002308
2003232
2004405
2005427
2006707
200727,149
200835,891
200927,500
201038,177
201133,046
201239,153
201344,862
201456,744
201559,236
201642,886
201746,212
201850,064
201951,542
202037,964
202139,910
202242,159
202340,848
Share going to the top destination
59.1%
Destinations recording arrivals
15
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Living abroad

People born in Serbia 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. Germany303,740
  2. Austria145,580
  3. France96,840
  4. Switzerland68,585
  5. Hungary56,850
  6. Slovenia53,729
  7. Croatia45,887
  8. Italy34,138
  9. Canada30,355
  10. Australia28,629
  11. Sweden20,194
  12. North Macedonia18,073

Living abroad by year

482k963k19901995200020052010201520202024
482k963k19902000201020202024
Data table
1990366,262
1995428,537
2000476,586
2005510,878
2010620,292
2015775,447
2020859,370
2024963,307
Living abroad, 2024
963,307
Change since 2000
+102.1%
Share living in the largest destination, 2024
31.5%
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 Serbia by U.S. consulates (fiscal years, October–September) and certified PERM labor certifications.

Non-immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. B1/B215,000
  2. J11,627
  3. C1/D1,519
  4. F11,065
  5. H2B744
  6. L1170
  7. H1B152
  8. A2138
  9. B1133
  10. L2116

Non-immigrant visas by fiscal year

11k22k201720182019202020212022202320242025
11k22k20172019202120232025
Data table
201714,408
201818,729
201917,468
20207,961
20217,443
202215,530
202321,595
202422,295
202521,287
Immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. DV55
  2. IR547
  3. IR143
  4. IR243
  5. CR129
  6. F324
  7. E323
  8. F411
Immigrant visas, FY2025
325
Certified PERM labor certifications, FY2024 (latest year with citizenship)
57
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 Serbia who became U.S. lawful permanent residents (green cards) or U.S. citizens, and admissions of citizens of Serbia with an I-94 record (DHS, fiscal years).

Green cards by fiscal year

7651,5302015201620172018201920202021202220232024
7651,530201520172019202120232024
Data table
20151,280
20161,350
20171,410
20181,220
20191,530
20201,080
2021810
2022640
2023690
2024830
Green cards by class of admission, FY2024
  1. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens700
  2. Employment-based preferences110
  3. Refugees and asylees20
  4. Diversity visa lottery10
Green cards, FY2024 (born in Serbia)
830
Naturalizations, FY2024 (born in Serbia)
1,070
I-94 admissions, FY2024 (citizenship)
0
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 Serbia (Home Office) and students with a permanent address in Serbia (HESA).

Visas issued by group, 2025
  1. Visitor14,580
  2. Work206
  3. Other172
  4. Study156
  5. Family50

Visas issued by year

7,98916k201020122014201620182020202220242025
7,98916k201020132016201920222025
Data table
201013,176
201113,890
201213,719
201313,654
201412,714
201511,858
201612,677
201713,573
201814,503
201915,977
20204,428
20213,701
202210,204
202313,094
202414,564
202515,164
Students at UK universities, 2024/25
270
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 Serbia, by year the permit took effect (IRCC).

YearTFWP workIMP workStudyPermanent residentsExpress Entry invitations
2025115205951705
202418028014522510
202322533517528025
20221952551703550
202116528519039555
202018020513020030
201912037513054540
201810530010549550
201711532511037085
2016552909048045
2015952309061045
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 Serbia, by financial year ending 30 June (Home Affairs).

Primary visas granted by financial year

21422006–072008–092010–112012–132014–152016–172018–192020–212022–232024–252025–26
21422006–072010–112014–152018–192022–232025–26
Data table
2006–077
2007–0823
2008–0922
2009–1012
2010–1125
2011–1232
2012–1342
2013–1428
2014–1532
2015–1638
2016–1740
2017–1829
2018–1927
2019–2027
2020–2111
2021–2217
2022–2330
2023–2424
2024–2513
2025–2630
By stream, 2025–26
  1. Core Skills20
  2. Specialist Skills7
  3. Labour Agreement2
  4. Short-term1
Granted, 2025–26
30
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 Serbia 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

1352702012201420162018202220242025
1352702012201420162018202220242025
Data table
2012134
2013152
2014188
2015180
2016197
2017222
2018236
2019261
2022268
2023262
2024264
2025270
By status of residence, December 2025
  1. Permanent Resident66
  2. Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services51
  3. Spouse or Child of Japanese National38
  4. Student28
  5. Dependent18
  6. Designated Activities13
  7. Entertainer12
  8. Skilled Labor12
  9. Instructor5
  10. Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident5
Residents, December 2025
270
In work-related statuses
95
Share in work-related statuses
35.2%
Students
28
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 Serbia

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

Schengen stateApplicationsIssuedNot issuedRefusal rate
Spain2,5912,23926510.2%
Germany2,0691,934864.2%
Hungary1,8221,6451779.7%
Italy1,7331,641915.3%
Bulgaria1,6661,382191.1%
Switzerland1,6331,529925.6%
France1,5741,4591147.2%
Austria1,3761,340110.8%
Greece668643142.1%
Croatia6575329814.9%
Slovenia5864985910.1%
Czechia571560111.9%
Netherlands32830510.3%
Belgium244211197.8%
Portugal17516510.6%

Applications by year

248k497k2009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
248k497k200920122015201820212024
Data table
2009496,855
201010,487
20116,660
20126,225
20136,862
20147,080
20156,688
20166,756
20177,238
20188,572
20198,982
20202,576
20213,576
20226,572
202312,174
202418,149
Refusal rate, 2024
6.3%
Refusal rate, 2019
2.8%
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 Serbia in EU and EFTA countries, 2025 (Eurostat).

First permits by reason
  1. Work21,656
  2. Family16,070
  3. Other reasons5,141
  4. Education2,428
First permits by country
  1. Germany17,074
  2. Croatia6,738
  3. Austria4,168
  4. Slovenia3,993
  5. Hungary2,537
  6. Switzerland1,543
  7. Slovakia1,501
  8. Italy1,178
  9. France870
  10. Sweden602
  11. Spain566
  12. Czechia556
Work permits by type, 2025
  1. EU Blue Card353
  2. Highly skilled workers (national schemes)853
  3. Researchers105
  4. Other paid activities20,345
EU Blue Cards granted, 2024
660
Citizenships acquired in the EU, 2024
12,081
Students in EU/EFTA tertiary education, 2024
10,582
Refused entry at EU external borders, 2025
5,530
Valid residence permits, 31 Dec 2025
580,817
Long-term residence permits issued, 2025
31,543
Changed status into work, 2025
908
Intra-corporate transferee permits, 2025
49
Seasonal work authorisations, 2024
7,008
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 Serbia 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
Denmark20253062301643017
Sweden2025403834283330
CountryYearImmigrationEmigrationNet migration
Finland202526224
Austria20254,5974,001596
Work-related, latest year
  1. Denmark230
  2. Sweden83
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 Serbia 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 title120,725
  2. Family reasons40,805
  3. Application for a residence title pending30,730
  4. Employment23,735
  5. EU free movement15,625
  6. Neither tolerated nor permitted15,095
  7. International law, humanitarian or political reasons13,125
  8. Tolerated stay (Duldung)6,315
  9. Special residence rights and national visas3,830
  10. Education and training795
  11. Permission to reside during the asylum procedure355

Residents in Germany (31 Dec)

136k273k201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
136k273k2014201620182020202220242025
Data table
2014220,908
2015230,427
2016223,100
2017225,535
2018231,230
2019237,755
2020242,620
2021252,335
2022263,065
2023270,750
2024272,690
2025271,285
Residents in Germany, 31 Dec 2025
271,275
With a residence title for employment
23,735
Permanent residence title
120,725
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 Serbia, by year and reason, and permits valid on 1 January 2026 (Istat).

New permits by year

7601,5192016201720182019202020212022202320242025
7601,519201620182020202220242025
Data table
20161,371
20171,437
20181,519
20191,136
2020584
20211,264
20221,176
20231,161
2024933
20251,193
New permits by reason, 2025
  1. Family589
  2. Study236
  3. Work173
  4. Other reasons109
  5. Asylum and protection86
New permits, 2025
1,193
Valid permits, 1 Jan 2026
22,804
EU long-term residents, 1 Jan 2026
14,924
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 Serbia

Countries with an embassy or consulate in Serbia, as recorded in Wikidata.

CountryEmbassiesConsulates-generalConsulates
Albania1——
Algeria1——
Angola1——
Argentina1——
Australia1——
Austria1——
Azerbaijan1——
Belarus1——
Belgium1——
Bosnia and Herzegovina1——
Brazil1——
Bulgaria1——
Cambodia1——
Canada1——
China1——
Croatia1——
Cuba1——
Cyprus1——
Czechia1——
DR Congo1——
Egypt1——
Finland1——
France1——
Germany1——
Greece1——
Guinea1——
Hungary1——
India1——
Indonesia1——
Iran1——
Iraq1——
Israel1——
Italy1——
Japan1——
Kazakhstan1——
Kuwait1——
Lebanon1——
Libya1——
Malaysia1——
Mexico1——
Montenegro1——
Morocco1——
Myanmar1——
Netherlands1——
North Macedonia1——
Norway1——
Pakistan1——
Palestine1——
Poland1——
Portugal1——
Qatar1——
Romania11—
Russia1——
Slovakia1——
Slovenia1——
South Korea1——
Spain1——
Sweden1——
Switzerland1——
Syria1——
Tunisia1——
Türkiye111
Ukraine1——
United Arab Emirates1——
United Kingdom1——
Venezuela1——
Countries
66
Missions
69
Source: Wikidata (CC0)Data as at Oct 2026

Remittances

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

Remittances received by year, US$ million

3,2796,5582007201020132016201920222025
3,2796,558200720112015201920232025
Data table
20073,764
20083,545
20094,650
20104,117
20113,961
20123,546
20134,025
20143,696
20153,370
20163,205
20173,590
20184,446
20194,238
20203,869
20214,598
20225,704
20235,772
20245,763
20256,558
Remittances received, 2025
US$6,558 million
Share of GDP, 2025
6.6%
Average cost of sending US$200 to Serbia, 2023
1.9%
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

All corridors from Serbia

Destinations with a dedicated page for citizens of this country.

  • Serbia → Germany
  • Serbia → Austria
  • Serbia → United States
  • Serbia → Slovenia
  • Serbia → Switzerland
  • Serbia → Hungary
  • Serbia → Italy
  • Serbia → France
  • Serbia → Sweden
  • Serbia → Spain
  • Serbia → Czechia
  • Serbia → Croatia
  • Serbia → Slovakia
  • Serbia → 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