General Rule
- Up to 3 months before the expiration of the temporary residence permit - change the basis through extension. Submit an application for extension and indicate a new basis. No need to renounce the temporary residence permit, fees are the same as for a regular extension, and the period for permanent residence is preserved. Exception - talent: extension only through self-employment or employment.
- More than 3 months and the basis is lost (termination, closure of self-employment, divorce, sale of real estate) - see below.
30-Day Rule (Employment and Self-Employment)
If the temporary residence permit is based on employment or business, the law (Zakon o zapošljavanju stranaca, čl. 9 st. 5) provides 30 days from the moment of losing the basis. During this time:
- Conclude a new employment contract or open a new self-employment/DOO;
- Submit an application to the NZS:
- if you have an ID card - application for promenu osnova rada;
- if you have a "stick-on" - application for work permit (radna dozvola).
It is important to submit the application to NZS within 30 days - the processing time of the service is not considered. No need to visit MUP, the card is not changed, and the basis will change during the extension, so the period for permanent residence is preserved. Family members who came for family reunification do not need to do anything.
Transition to a "Non-Working" Basis
If you want to switch to family reunification, real estate, study, etc., do it only through renunciation of the temporary residence permit and submission of a new application on the required basis. With simultaneous renunciation and submission (on the same day), the period for permanent residence is not reset.
Talent
For holders of the "talent" status, extension is possible only through transition to employment or self-employment (through extension with a new basis). For any other basis - through renunciation + submission of a new application, or on the day of expiration of the temporary residence permit, leave for a day and submit as a "fresh" tourist.
If You Didn't Make It Within 30 Days
There are two options:
- Renounce the temporary residence permit (within 30 days from the moment of losing the basis);
- Leave before the end of the temporary residence permit.
You cannot do a visa run - this is a violation of the migration law and can lead to a fine, deportation, entry ban, as well as refusal of extension and permanent residence.
Renunciation of the Temporary Residence Permit
- It is done only personally (not online, not by proxy). In Belgrade and Novi Sad, appointment by email, in other cities - visit the local MUP.
- Request renunciation within 30 days from the moment of losing the basis (the date of the letter serves as proof).
- If you are the main applicant - all who are with you for family reunification also renounce (it is better to do it on the same day and immediately submit a new application - then the period is not reset).
- On the spot, you will sign an izjava about renunciation, the card will be returned pierced, and you will be given 29 days to submit a new temporary residence permit or leave.
Official Sources
- Zakon o strancima and Zakon o zapošljavanju stranaca (čl. 9);
- NZS (nsz.gov.rs) - sections promenu osnova rada and labor market test;
- MUP - renunciation of the temporary residence permit;
- eUprava - payment of fees.