Visa-free entry was introduced by Serbia in September 2017. Indians traveling to Serbia cannot travel to other countries including Serbia’s neighboring countries and other European countries on the basis of visa-free entry in Serbia.
In order to control illegal migration and comply with the European visa policy, the Government of Serbia has decided to abolish visa-free travel for Indians. According to the statement, from January 1, 2023, Indian passport holders will no longer have the facility to travel to Serbia without a valid visa.
Earlier, holders of diplomatic and official Indian passports were allowed to visit the country without a visa for 90 days, while this period was 30 days for ordinary passport holders. In a statement, the government said that the existing arrangement of visa-free entry in Serbia for all Indian passport holders for a stay of up to 30 days in Serbia has been withdrawn.
Arrangement was in place for five years
Visa-free entry was introduced by Serbia in September 2017. Indians traveling to Serbia cannot travel to other countries including Serbia’s neighboring countries and other European countries on the basis of visa-free entry in Serbia. Following the announcement by the Government of Serbia, the Indian Embassy in Belgrade, Serbia issued an advisory informing Indian nationals about the change in visa rules.
Issued advisory
As per the advisory, from January 1, 2023, all Indian nationals traveling to Serbia will require a visa to enter the Republic of Serbia. The existing arrangement of visa-free entry in Serbia for all Indian passport holders for a stay of 30 days in Serbia has been withdrawn by the Government of Serbia.
Indian citizens, who are visiting Serbia on or after January 1, 2023, will have to apply for a visa at the Embassy of Serbia in New Delhi or at the country of their residence. The advisory also states that Indians with valid Schengen, UK visa, or United States of America visa or with resident status in these countries can still enter Serbia for up to 90 days.
