Residence through employment: the unified work and residence permit

One decision instead of two

Previously a foreigner needed a work permit and a residence permit separately. Now it is a unified permit: one procedure producing a single decision that covers both the right to work and the right to stay in the country. The separate 'personal work permit' document has been abolished.

How long it is issued for

The unified permit is usually issued for up to three years and can be extended on the same terms. The term is tied to the employment contract and the employer's details, so if the contract is shorter, the permit will as a rule be shorter too.

Changing employer

This is the key point many underestimate. If you change employer while the permit is valid, notifying the authorities is not enough: a new decision from the National Employment Service is required, along with an amendment to the MUP decision. So changing jobs is a separate procedure rather than a formality, and it is better planned with time to spare.

How long the decision takes

The time depends on how complete the documents are and how busy the authority is, but in practice a decision arrives a few weeks after a properly filed application. The application is usually filed by the employer — they are the ones with an interest in the paperwork being right, because an incomplete file means refusal and lost time.

What to remember

First: the right to work comes from the permit, not from the employment contract as such — you must not start work before receiving it. Second: permanent residents of Serbia have an unlimited right to work and do not need a permit. Third: the permit is tied to the employer and the type of activity, so moving to another employer or field must be arranged afresh.

What to do step by step

Find an employer willing to handle the paperwork. Assemble the file: passport, employment contract or job offer, the employer's details and registration documents, confirmation of address and medical insurance — the exact list is checked at the time of filing and may differ by ground and city. File the application and wait for the decision, without starting work earlier. Fees are paid electronically. If you change employer, plan the new procedure straight away rather than expecting everything to be re-done in a day.

Data checked on 11 October 2026 against the rules in force for issuing the unified permit to foreigners.