Bosnia and Herzegovina
BIHBosnia and Herzegovina is an EU candidate country with a complex post-Dayton governance structure (Federation of B&H + Republika Srpska + Brčko District). Residency is administered separately by entity. Bosnian passport holders enjoy visa-free Schengen access. Long-stay residency for foreigners is via employment, family reunification, or business investment; investor-residency thresholds vary by entity.
The Bosnian diaspora is large (~2 million worldwide, particularly in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the US, Australia, and Sweden — a legacy of the 1992-95 war) and reacquisition pathways exist. Sarajevo and Mostar have growing remote-worker scenes despite the absence of a formal digital-nomad visa.
- Naturalisation
- 8 years
- Tax system
- Residence Based
- Currency
- Convertible mark (BAM)
- Dual citizenship
- Allowed
- Capital
- Sarajevo
- Region
- europe
- Population
- 3,230,000
- Cost-of-living
- 38 /100
Passport Rank
#44
Visa-Free
107
destinations
Visa-free travel
A Bosnia and Herzegovina passport has visa-free access to 107 destinations. See the full Bosnia and Herzegovina passport breakdown →
Passports that enter Bosnia and Herzegovina without a prior visa (97)
Visa-free, visa on arrival, or on an eTA.
Community-sourced (passport-index, synced 2026-08-18) — verify with the embassy before travel.
Immigrating to Canada from Bosnia and Herzegovina
Current IRCC processing times for Bosnia and Herzegovina nationals, by application type.
| Visitor visa (outside Canada) | 45 days |
| Super visa | No processing time available |
| Study permit | No processing time available |
| Work permit | No processing time available |
| Sponsor a dependent child | No processing time available |
| Adopted child (citizenship) | Not enough data |
| Government-assisted refugees | Not enough data |
| Privately sponsored refugees | sponsor: Not enough data / refugee: Not enough data |
Your application may take longer than the times shown here. They’re not a maximum or a guarantee.
As of 2026-09-22 (IRCC). See all Canada processing times →
Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada — “Check processing times”. This is a copy of the version available at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html. Reproduced under the Government of Canada’s non-commercial reproduction terms; not endorsed by or affiliated with IRCC.
Sources & last verified
Government of Canada — non-commercial reproduction (canada.ca Terms and conditions)
Country Details
- Capital
- Sarajevo
- Currency
- Convertible mark (BAM)
- Languages
- Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian
- Population
- 3,230,000
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Dual Citizenship
- Allowed
- Naturalisation
- 8 years
- Schengen / EU
- No
- Climate
- Continental / Mediterranean
- English Proficiency Rank
- #35
- GDP per capita
- $10,382
- Life expectancy
- 78.04 yrs
- Population growth
- -0.77%/yr
GDP per capita, life expectancy, and population growth: World Bank (2025).
Indices
Cost of Living
38
Safety
65
Healthcare
50
Quality of Life
100
Tax Summary
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Territorial Taxation
- No — worldwide income taxed for residents
- Naturalisation
- 8 years of legal residency
- Dual Citizenship
- Allowed
Cost of Living by City
← scroll the table →
| City | Rent 1BR centre | Rent outside | Groceries | Utilities | Transit pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sarajevo | $380 | $250 | $220 | $130 | $28 |
Monthly USD figures. Typical central 1-bedroom rent, grocery basket for one, household utilities, monthly transit pass.
Climate
Sarajevo
Rainfall range: 60–85 mm/month · Daylight 9h (winter) to 15h (summer)
Banja Luka
Rainfall range: 65–90 mm/month · Daylight 9h (winter) to 15h (summer)
Mostar
Rainfall range: 30–130 mm/month · Daylight 9h (winter) to 15h (summer)
Visa Categories & Immigration Authority
Major Visa Categories
- Tourist
- Type C Short-stay
- Type D Long-stay
- Temporary Residence
- Work
- Family Reunification
- Investor
- Permanent Residence
- Student
- Authority
- Service for Foreigners' Affairs
- Official Portal
- www.sps.gov.ba
- Phone
- +387 33 492-400
- info@sps.gov.ba
Naturalisation Details
- Residence Years
- 8
- Language Test
- Yes (Bosnian / Croatian / Serbian conversational)
- Civic Test
- No
- Oath Required
- Yes
- Dual Allowed
- Yes
- Fee
- $250
- Processing
- ~18 months
International Schools
← scroll the table →
| School | City | Curriculum | Tuition (USD/yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| QSI International School of Sarajevo | Sarajevo | American / IB | $9,000–$16,000 |
Daily Life Logistics
Internet
35 Mbps median
35% fibre coverage
eSIM: BH Telecom, m:tel, HT Eronet
Safety
GPI Rank
#64
Global Peace Index ranking (lower is safer)
Common Risks
- ⚠Taxi overcharging in Sarajevo, particularly unmarked vehicles near the Old Bazaar (Baščaršija) and the airport — always use metered cabs or Bolt/Pink Taxi app
- ⚠Currency-exchange scams near tourist areas where touts offer unfavourable rates or sleight-of-hand shortchanging — use official exchange offices (mjenjačnica) or ATMs
- ⚠Bar and nightclub inflated bills in Sarajevo's Ferhadija strip and Banja Luka entertainment venues — confirm prices before ordering and request itemised receipts
- ⚠Counterfeit goods sold as authentic Bosnian handicrafts near the Baščaršija — genuine copperwork and kilims carry maker's marks
Examples of areas to avoid: Sarajevo — certain periphery housing estates in Dobrinja (near the airport) and Ilidža have higher petty-crime rates after dark; stick to well-lit central areas at night, Banja Luka — industrial outskirts towards Laktaši can feel unsafe late at night for solo visitors
LGBTQ+ Legal Status
- Same-Sex Marriage
- Not legal
- Civil Partnerships
- Not recognised
- Anti-Discrimination Law
- Yes
- ILGA Rank
- #42
Religious Life
- Halal Food
- Widely available
- Kosher Food
- Limited
- Prayer Facilities
- Common
Regulators & official sources
Bodies that regulate immigration advice in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the official sources indexed for it by Visa Atlas. Descriptions are verbatim; each links to its source.
Ministry of Justice of Bosnia and Herzegovina
MoJ BiHState-level justice ministry and legal-system portal. Immigration status is administered by the Service for Foreigners' Affairs; there is no separate immigration-adviser regulator identified in the public route guidance.
Related Guides
Related on The Citizenship Desk
Visa routes
Official visa and residence routes for Bosnia and Herzegovina, indexed from Visa Atlas. Each links to its government source. This is a licensed external index, distinct from our own curated visa guides.
Residence
Permanent Residence Permit
ResidenceIndefinite residence after at least five years of qualifying temporary residence and other statutory conditions.
Temporary Residence Based on Real Estate Ownership
ResidenceTemporary residence ground for ownership of real estate in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Short-term / business
Visa-Free Stay
Short-term / businessShort stay for nationals covered by Bosnia and Herzegovina visa-free arrangements.
Work (sponsored)
Temporary Residence for Employment with Work Permit
Work (sponsored)Temporary residence route for employment specified in an issued Bosnia and Herzegovina work permit.
Family
Temporary Residence for Family Reunification
FamilyTemporary residence route for marriage to a Bosnia and Herzegovina citizen, extramarital community with a citizen or family reunification.
Study
Temporary Residence for Education
StudyTemporary residence route for education in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Work (unsponsored)
Temporary Residence for Work without Work Permit
Work (unsponsored)Temporary residence basis for listed work categories that may apply without a separate work permit.
Sources & last verified
Route index from Visa Atlas (CC BY 4.0), as of 2026-09-12. Each route links to its official government source.
Citizenship by Descent
Sources & last verified
- Last verified