Visas

Do I need a visa for Montenegro?

• Citizens of the European Union do not need a visa to travel to Montenegro. With a valid ID card, they can stay in Montenegro for up to 30 days, while with a valid passport, they can stay for up to 90 days .
• Citizens of the following countries may enter, transit through and stay in Montenegro for up to 90 days, with a valid travel document issued by the competent authorities of those countries, without a visa: Republic of Albania, the Principality of Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, the Argentine Republic, Aruba, Azerbaijan, Commonwealth of Australia, Republic of Austria, Bahamas, Kingdom of Bahrain, Barbados, Kingdom of Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Federal Republic of Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Republic of Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Republic of Chile, Kingdom of Denmark, Dominica, Republic of Estonia, Republic of Finland, French Republic , Grenada, Georgia, Republic of Guatemala, Hellenic Republic, Kingdom of the Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, Republic of Honduras, Republic of Croatia, Republic of Ireland, Republic of Iceland, Republic of Italy, State of Israel, Japan, Canada, Qatar, Republic of Cyprus, Kiribati, Colombia, Republic of Korea , Republic of Kosovo, Republic of Costa Rica, Kuwait, Republic of Latvia, Principality Liechtenstein, Republic of Lithuania, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Hungary, Republic of North Macedonia, Malaysia, Republic of Malta, Mauritius, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, United Mexican States, Republic of Moldova, Principality of Monaco, Republic of Nicaragua, Kingdom of Norway, New Zealand, Federal Republic of Germany , Republic of Palau, Republic of Panama, Republic of Paraguay, Republic of Poland, Portuguese Republic, Romania, Republic of El Salvador, Samoa, Republic of San Marino, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Republic of Singapore, United States of America, Slovak Republic, Republic of Slovenia, Solomon Islands , Republic of Serbia, Saint Lucia, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Holy See, Kingdom of Spain, Kingdom of Sweden, Swiss Confederation, Taiwan, Timor-Leste, Kingdom of Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Turkey, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates , Vanuatu, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Ukraine, the Eastern Republic of Uruguay and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, as well as holders of valid travel documents issued in the British Overseas Territories: Anguilla, Bermuda, British Antarctic Territory, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Pitcairn Island, Saint Helena, Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha, South Georgia and the Sandwich Islands and the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong of the People's Republic of China and Macao of the People's Republic of China
• Holders of valid foreign travel documents with a valid Schengen visa, a valid visa of the Commonwealth of Australia, the Republic of Bulgaria, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, Romania, the United States of America Nationals of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland may enter, transit through and stay in Montenegro for up to 30 days, and no longer than until the expiry of the visa, if the validity of the visa is less than 30 days.
• Holders of valid foreign travel documents who have a residence permit in the Schengen zone countries, the Commonwealth of Australia, the Republic of Bulgaria, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, Romania, the United States of America and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland or who are holders of business travel cards issued by the member states of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) can enter, transit through the territory and stay in Montenegro for up to 30 days, and no longer than until the expiration of the residence permit or that business travel card, if their validity period is shorter than 30 days.
• Holders of valid travel documents issued by the United Nations or its specialized agencies (Laissez-Passer) may enter, transit through and stay in Montenegro for up to 90 days without a visa.
• Holders of valid travel documents issued by the Member States of the European Union, the Commonwealth of Australia, the Republic of Iceland, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, the Kingdom of Norway, the United States of America, the Swiss Confederation and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, on the basis of the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees of 1951 or the Convention relating to the Legal Status of Stateless Persons of 1954, as well as special travel documents for foreigners, may enter, cross the territory and stay in Montenegro for up to 30 days, without a visa.
• Citizens of the following countries may enter, transit through and stay in Montenegro for up to 30 days without a visa, with a valid identity card issued by the competent authority of those countries:
  • Citizens of the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Peru and the Russian Federation may, in accordance with concluded international agreements on mutual travel of citizens, enter, transit through and stay in Montenegro for up to 30 days, with a valid travel document issued by the competent authorities of those countries.
  • Citizens of the People's Republic of China who hold a valid business passport, issued in accordance with the regulations of that country, may enter, transit through and stay in Montenegro for up to 30 days, if they hold a letter of invitation in accordance with the regulations governing the detailed conditions for issuing a short-stay visa (visa C).
  • Citizens of the People's Republic of China who hold a valid travel document issued in accordance with the regulations of that country may enter, transit through and stay in Montenegro for up to 30 days, as an organized tourist group that enters, stays and leaves Montenegro together, if they have a confirmation of the paid tourist arrangement and proof of an assured return to the country of origin or transit.

Validity of travel documents

A foreigner may enter, move and stay in Montenegro with a valid foreign travel document with a visa or a valid foreign travel document accompanied by a temporary residence permit, a temporary residence and work permit, or a permanent residence permit, unless otherwise provided for by this Law or an international agreement.

A foreign travel document issued within the last ten years and whose validity will not expire at least three months after the planned date of departure from the territory of Montenegro is considered valid.

In justified cases of emergency, the validity period of a foreign travel document may be shorter, but it may not expire before the planned date of departure from the territory of Montenegro.

A foreigner whom Montenegro is obliged to accept on the basis of an international agreement, when required for humanitarian reasons, or reasons of internal security or public health, may enter Montenegro without a valid foreign travel document.

Can I travel to Montenegro with an ID card?

Citizens of certain countries may enter Montenegro with a valid ID card issued by a competent authority of another country, or another document on the basis of which their identity and citizenship can be established, in accordance with an international agreement or regulation on the visa regime.

Citizens of the Member States of the European Union, the Republic of Albania, the Principality of Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Iceland, the Republic of Kosovo, the Kingdom of Liechtenstein, the Republic of North Macedonia, the Principality of Monaco, the Kingdom of Norway, the Republic of San Marino, the Republic of Serbia, the Holy See and the Swiss Confederation may enter, transit through and stay in Montenegro for up to 30 days, without a visa, with a valid ID card issued by a competent authority of those countries.

We also note that citizens of the signatory states of the Agreement on Freedom of Movement in the Western Balkans can enter, transit through the territory and stay in Montenegro for up to 90 days without a visa, with a valid personal document issued by the competent authority.

Conditions and procedure for issuing a Montenegrin visa

A foreigner submits a visa application in person, on a special form.

For a foreigner who is a minor, the application is submitted by a parent or his/her legal representative.

Along with the visa application, the foreigner is obliged to submit certain documentation, depending on the type of visa requested.

A visa is issued by the state administration authority responsible for foreign affairs, through a diplomatic and consular mission. In countries where Montenegro does not have a diplomatic or consular representation, requests for a Montenegrin visa are processed by other countries, specifically the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Bulgaria, in accordance with the signed agreement.

A decision on a visa application is made within ten days of the date of submission of the application. The deadline referred to in paragraph 1 of Article 25 of the Law on Foreigners indicates that the deadline may be extended up to 30 days when additional consideration of the application is necessary. Exceptionally, when additional documentation is required for the issuance of a visa, the deadline may be extended up to 60 days.

Submission of an application for visa and the required documentation

A visa application is submitted to the diplomatic or consular mission in person on the prescribed form. Along with the visa application, the foreigner must attach the necessary documentation.

SHORT-STAY VISA (C)

A short-stay visa (visa C) is issued for the purpose of transit through Montenegro or for the purpose of entry and stay in the territory of Montenegro, which cannot exceed 90 days in a period of 180 days, counting from the date of first entry.

A short-stay visa (visa C) is issued for one, two or more entries into Montenegro.

A short-stay visa (C visa) for multiple entries is issued with a validity period of six months to five years, if the foreigner has proven:

1. the need or justified intention to travel frequently, or regularly, in particular for business or family reasons, and
2. that he will not misuse the issued visa, in particular by using previously issued visas in accordance with the law, possessing financial resources in the country of origin and a real intention to leave the territory of Montenegro before the expiry of the visa he has applied for.

In the case of transit through Montenegro, the period for which the short-stay visa (C visa) is issued should correspond to the time required for transit.

Required documents

• valid travel document - the validity period of the travel document in which the visa is entered must be at least three months longer than the validity period of the visa
• one color photo, size 35 x 45 mm,
• proof of the purpose of stay in Montenegro (letter of guarantee from a natural person or letter of invitation from a legal entity, state authority in Montenegro or organizer of an international meeting or event),
• proof of possession of means of support (certificate or other proof of bank account balance or other appropriate confirmation of possession of means or regular income, as well as cash, traveler's checks, credit cards, etc. A foreigner is considered to have means of support if he or she has financial means in the amount of at least 50.00 euros for each day of the requested stay).
• proof of health insurance,
• proof of payment of consular fee.

The applicant may also submit other evidence on the basis of which the justification of the visa application can be assessed:

• proof of secured accommodation (certificate of paid tourist arrangement, hotel or other accommodation reservation),
• proof of means of travel or intention to return to the country from which he comes or to a third country (return ticket, traffic and driving license).

LONG-STAY VISA (D)

A long-stay visa (D visa) is issued to a foreigner who intends to stay in Montenegro for more than 90 days, but not more than 180 days in a period of one year, counting from the date of first entry. This type of visa is issued to a foreigner who:

• intends to stay in Montenegro for the purpose of carrying out business activities, i.e. work,
• intends to stay in Montenegro for the purpose of performing services in foreign diplomatic and consular missions and missions of international organizations accredited in Montenegro, and
• a digital nomad.

Required documents

For the purpose of carrying out business activities, i.e. work:

• valid travel document - the validity period of the travel document in which the visa is entered must be at least three months longer than the validity period of the visa
• one color photo, size 35 x 45 mm,
• proof of the purpose of stay in Montenegro (a letter of guarantee or invitation from a natural or legal person, or other evidence that the natural or legal person will bear the costs of his stay in Montenegro, including the costs of accommodation and subsistence, as well as the costs of leaving Montenegro, namely: a concluded real estate lease agreement or a certificate of provided or reserved accommodation, a bank account statement showing that the foreigner has sufficient funds for the costs of accommodation, subsistence and leaving Montenegro, an employment contract or other type of certificate of work engagement and personal income that the foreigner will earn during his stay in Montenegro),
• proof of payment of the consular fee,
• as well as other evidence on the basis of which the justification of the visa application can be assessed.
• Optionally, proof that the person has not been convicted of any criminal offense in the country of origin or the country where he/she resided for more than a year before arriving in Montenegro can be attached (this document is mandatory when submitting an application for a work and residence permit to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the regional unit of the Police Administration in the city where the stay in Montenegro is planned).

For the purpose of performing service in foreign diplomatic and consular missions and representative offices of international organizations accredited in Montenegro:

• valid travel document - the validity period of the travel document in which the visa is entered must be at least three months longer than the validity period of the visa
• one color photo, size 35 x 45 mm,
• proof of the purpose of stay in Montenegro (verbal note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country in whose diplomatic and consular mission the foreigner will perform service, or a corresponding act of the international organization, containing: name and surname, date and place of birth of the foreigner; number, type and date of expiry of the foreign travel document; function to be performed in that mission; name and surname of the person who previously held that function; name and surname of a member of the foreigner's immediate family, indicating the relationship; number, type and date of expiry of the foreign travel document of the immediate family member; approximate date of arrival and commencement of the function, and duration of the mandate or function.

Digital nomad:

• valid travel document - the validity period of the travel document in which the visa is entered must be at least three months longer than the validity period of the visa
• one color photo, size 35 x 45 mm,
• proof of the purpose of stay in Montenegro (employment contract or other document proving that it is about performing work electronically for a foreign company or your own company that is not registered in Montenegro),
• a certified copy of the proof of registration of that company issued by the competent authority of the country in which the company is registered,
• proof of payment of the consular fee.

The applicant may submit other evidence on the basis of which the justification of the visa application can be assessed:

• proof that he/she has sufficient funds for living expenses during his/her stay in Montenegro, as well as for returning to his/her home country or for traveling to a third country (salary amount (if not specified in the employment contract), cash, checks, confirmation of funds in the bank account),
• proof of secured accommodation,
• proof that the person has not been convicted of any criminal offense in the country of origin or the country in which he/she resided for more than a year before arriving in Montenegro (this document is mandatory when submitting an application for a work and residence permit to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the regional unit of the Police Administration in the city in which the stay in Montenegro is planned).

NOTE:The application is submitted on the form prescribed in Article 7 of the Regulation on Visas and Visa Forms (“Official Gazette of Montenegro”, No. 122/20). 

Time limit for deciding on a visa application

A visa application shall be decided on within ten days from the date of submission of the application. The deadline referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article may be extended up to 30 days when the application needs to be further considered. Exceptionally, when additional documentation is required for the issuance of a visa, the deadline may be extended up to 60 days.

Reasons for not issuing a Montenegrin visa

In accordance with Article 27 of the Law on Residents ("Official Gazette of Montenegro", No. 12/18, 3/19 and 86/22), a visa shall not be issued to a foreigner if:

• he/she submits a damaged, forged or someone else's travel document with the application;
• he/she does not submit evidence justifying the purpose and conditions of the intended stay;
• he/she does not submit evidence that he/she possesses sufficient means of subsistence during the intended stay in Montenegro, for return to his/her country of origin or residence or for transit to a third country that accepts him/her or is unable to legally obtain these means;
• has stayed in Montenegro for 90 days, and 180 days have not passed since the date of first entry;
• has been banned from entering and staying in Montenegro or is subject to international entry restrictions that are binding on Montenegro;
• is required for reasons of national, or internal security or public health of Montenegro;
• fails to submit proof of travel health insurance;
• there is justified doubt about the authenticity of the submitted evidence and its content, the truthfulness of the foreigner's statements or his intention to leave the territory of Montenegro before the expiry of the validity period of the requested visa.

In cases referred to in paragraph 1 of Article 27 of the Law on Foreigners, the state administration body competent for foreign affairs shall issue a decision rejecting the application for issuing a visa to the foreigner.

An appeal may be filed against the decision referred to in paragraph 2 of Article 27 of the Law on Foreigners to the state administration body competent for foreign affairs, through a diplomatic or consular mission, within eight days from the date of receipt of the decision.

In the event of a visa application being rejected, on the day the decision becomes enforceable or final, the documentation submitted with the application shall be returned to the foreigner.

Exceptionally, a visa may be issued to a foreigner even when there are reasons referred to in paragraph 1 of Article 27 of the Law on Foreigners, if humanitarian reasons, the interests of Montenegro or internationally accepted obligations so require.

In the case referred to in paragraph 5 of Article 27 of the Law on Foreigners, the foreigner may be granted entry only at a specific border crossing.