Comparison of visas by country from Serbia: how and where to apply, visa processing times, and approval/rejection statistics based on community members' experience. The table can be filtered by Schengen and sorted by approval percentage.
Clicking a row opens a detailed article for the country (documents, nuances, exact submission address with route). Statistics are collected from community members' experience and updated.
General changes in visa procedures (2026)
- Many countries have tightened requirements for Russian citizens. Processing times can reach 45 days (Germany) and up to a month (Spain).
- Biometric passports are mandatory in several countries (Germany, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania). Passports without biometrics older than 5 years are not accepted.
Electronic visas (eVisa)
- The United Kingdom has fully moved to an online system: after a positive decision a UKVI Account is created, and the passport chip is scanned through the UK Immigration: ID Check app.
- Other countries are also introducing eVisas, but the details vary.
Schengen visas - general rules
- The basic document package is the same for all countries: passport with Serbian residence permit (minimum 3 months after the trip), photo 3.5 × 4.5 cm, insurance ≥ 30 000 EUR, proof of accommodation, transport documents, financial guarantees.
- The 90/180-day rule applies to all Schengen visas.
- When entering the Schengen area with a visa from another country, border officers may ask questions - it is advisable to have an explanation for any change of plans.
Common mistakes
- Choosing a country without considering the actual length of stay.
- Insufficient financial guarantees, especially when sponsoring.
- Late submission of documents, not taking the new processing times into account.
- Incomplete package (especially for Germany).
- "Visa shopping" - obtaining a visa in one country for a trip to another without supporting documents.
- Ignoring the 90/180-day rule.
- Creating the eVisa account late (for the United Kingdom - after approval).
Financial issues
- A sponsorship letter can cover the whole family; minimum €50 per day per person.
- For sole proprietors (ИП) you need decisions from APR, invoices for the last 3 months, and a bank statement.
- Employees need a certificate from the employer and a statement from the PIO fund.
Processing times (as of 2026)
- Bulgaria - 6-9 days
- Hungary - 1-2 weeks
- Germany - up to 45 days
- United Kingdom - 2-4 weeks
- Croatia - 15-45 days
- Slovenia - 1-2 weeks
- Spain - up to a month
Recommendations for choosing a country
- For the first Schengen: Bulgaria (high chance of multi-entry visa), Hungary (fast processing), Slovenia (lenient approach).
- With an existing visa history: the same country where visas were previously obtained; Germany (if you are ready to wait); France (stable timelines but slots are needed).
- For urgent trips: Bulgaria, Hungary (direct submission in Subotica), Croatia.