Last checked: November 2026
Whether you need a Bosnia and Herzegovina visa depends on your passport. Citizens of many countries can enter without a visa for up to 90 days, according to the official government list, while others must apply at a Bosnian embassy or consulate first. Always confirm the rule for your own passport before you book.
Many travellers can enter Bosnia and Herzegovina without a visa for up to 90 days, including citizens of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, the European Union and several Gulf and Asian states. Others need a visa from a Bosnian embassy or consulate, unless they hold a valid multiple-entry Schengen, EU or US visa or residence permit.
Who can enter without a visa?
The Bosnian government’s visitor information page lists the countries whose citizens do not need a visa. Check the full list, because it changes.
| Group | Examples on the official list | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Europe | All EU member states, the United Kingdom, Norway, Switzerland, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, Turkey, Georgia | Carry a valid passport |
| North and South America | United States, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Uruguay | Carry a valid passport |
| Asia and the Pacific | Japan, South Korea, China, Singapore, Brunei, Australia, New Zealand | Carry a valid passport |
| Gulf states | United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain | Carry a valid passport |
| Agreement for ordinary passports | Russia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Israel, Malaysia | Check the conditions of the agreement |
| Not on the lists | For example India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nigeria | Apply for a visa, unless an exception applies |
Saudi Arabia and Oman are not on the permanent list. A temporary exemption for Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman applied from 1 June to 30 September 2025, and the government page does not show a newer one, so check before you travel.
How do you apply if you need a visa?
Bosnian visas are issued at Bosnian diplomatic and consular missions abroad. For a private visit, you need an invitation (guarantee) from a citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina, certified by the competent authority. For business travel, you need an invitation from a business partner, also certified. You also submit one passport photograph.
The government page lists these visa fees: 31 euros for a single-entry or transit visa, 57 euros for a multiple-entry visa of up to 90 days, and 72 euros for a multiple-entry visa of more than 90 days. The page does not give processing times, so ask the embassy or consulate that handles your application, and do not buy non-refundable tickets before the visa is issued.
How does the Schengen, EU or US visa exception work?
Travellers from countries that need a Bosnian visa can enter without one if they hold a valid multiple-entry visa or residence permit from a Schengen state, an EU member state or the United States. According to the government page, the total stay can be 90 days in any 180-day period. A single uninterrupted stay cannot exceed 30 days, and your stay must fall within the validity of the visa or permit.
Border police check the documents on arrival. Do not assume a single-entry visa qualifies, and carry the original documents.
What passport rules and documents apply?
- A valid passport. The US State Department says it must be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure date and have one blank page per stamp.
- Your visa, or the Schengen, EU or US visa or residence permit you rely on.
- Proof of accommodation, such as a hotel booking or an invitation.
- A return or onward ticket.
- Proof that you can pay for your stay, and travel insurance.
The UK FCDO advises travellers to get their passport stamped on entry and exit, and says UK visitors can stay up to 90 days in a six-month period. Read the FCDO entry requirements for details.
What happens at the border?
Bosnia and Herzegovina is not in the Schengen Area, so you will face a separate border check even if you arrive from Croatia, Montenegro or Serbia. The FCDO warns of significant delays at crossings with Croatia because of the EU Entry/Exit System, with long queues possible on the Bosnian side in hot weather. It also says the GradiΕ‘ka crossing has moved to a new facility.
If you arrive by air, the check takes place at the airport, and our guide to flights to Bosnia and Herzegovina explains the airports. For road and bus crossings, see getting around Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Do you have to register, and what about longer stays?
Foreign visitors must be registered. The US State Department says to register within 48 hours, and the UK FCDO says within 72 hours, so use the shorter period. Hotels and registered hostels do this for you. If you stay in private housing, confirm the steps with local police or the Service for Foreigners’ Affairs.
US travellers who stay more than 90 days must apply for a temporary residence permit at the local field office of the Department for Foreigners, according to the US State Department. Leave before your permitted stay ends, because overstaying can cause fines and problems at exit or on future entry. If you plan to stay in a hotel, see where to stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina for areas and booking tips.
What safety notes should you know?
The US State Department lists Bosnia and Herzegovina at Level 2, exercise increased caution, in an advisory issued on 27 August 2026, citing crime, landmines and terrorism. The UK FCDO says terrorist attacks cannot be ruled out and that unexploded landmines remain a real danger, particularly in isolated mountain and countryside areas. Neither advisory tells travellers to avoid any region. Stay on paved roads and marked paths, and read the US travel information before you go.
Common mistakes
- Assuming a neighbouring country’s visa rules apply to your passport.
- Relying on a single-entry Schengen visa for the exception.
- Travelling with a passport that has no blank page or is close to expiry.
- Forgetting that a land border check can take hours in summer.
- Not checking whether your nationality’s status has changed since your last trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a visa on arrival in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Do not plan on it. The government page says visas are issued at Bosnian diplomatic and consular missions abroad. If your nationality needs a visa, apply before you travel and wait for the visa before you book non-refundable tickets.
Is Bosnia and Herzegovina part of the Schengen Area?
No. You still go through border checks when you arrive from an EU country. A Schengen visa does not give automatic entry, but a valid multiple-entry one may qualify under the exception described above, within its conditions.
How long can I stay without a visa?
Visa-free nationalities can stay up to 90 days. The FCDO describes this as 90 days within a six-month period, and the Schengen exception allows 90 days in 180 with no single stay over 30 days. Check the rule for your passport.
Do children need their own passports?
Yes, every traveller needs a valid travel document. For minors travelling with one parent or with another adult, ask the Bosnian embassy whether a consent letter or other documents are needed before you travel.