Many UAE residents can visit Bosnia and Herzegovina without a Bosnian visa if they hold a valid multiple-entry Schengen, EU or US visa, or a residence permit from one of those countries. Each visit can last up to 30 days, with no more than 90 days in any 180.
A UK visa does not qualify, and neither does a UAE residence visa. Emiratis need no visa at all. Everyone else applies to the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Abu Dhabi.
Checked on 5 November 2026 against the Bosnian Council of Ministers’ Foreign Investment Promotion Agency (FIPA) visa page and reporting on the 2023 UAE–Bosnia visa agreement. Here, your passport and the visas already in it decide everything. Your UAE residence only decides where you apply if you do need a visa.
Which rule applies to you?
| You hold… | What you need for Bosnia |
|---|---|
| An Emirati passport | No visa, up to 90 days |
| A valid multiple-entry Schengen, EU or US visa | No Bosnian visa. Up to 30 days per visit, 90 days in 180. |
| A residence permit from a Schengen state, an EU country or the US | No Bosnian visa, same limits |
| A single-entry Schengen visa | A Bosnian visa |
| A UK visa only | A Bosnian visa (UK visas are not on the list) |
| Only a UAE residence visa | A Bosnian visa |
The visa must be valid on the day you enter. Look for “MULT” in the entries field. Carry the passport that holds the visa. If your visa is in an old passport, bring both passports.
Saudi, Bahraini and Omani citizens had a visa-free summer window from 1 June to 30 September 2025. Outside such windows, they use the Schengen/EU visa rule above.
If you need a Bosnian visa
Bosnia has no tourist e-visa. Visas are issued by its embassies and consulates. UAE residents apply to the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Abu Dhabi. Contact the embassy first for an appointment and its current checklist.
| Visa type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Single entry (or transit) | €31 |
| Multiple entry, up to 90 days | €57 |
| Multiple entry, over 90 days | €72 |
Fees are from FIPA’s visa page. Ask the embassy for the amount in AED.
Documents
- Visa application form and one passport photo
- Passport with blank pages, valid well beyond your trip (allow at least 3 months)
- UAE residence visa and Emirates ID
- Private visit: an invitation letter from your host in Bosnia, certified by the competent Bosnian authority
- Business trip: an invitation from your Bosnian business partner, also certified
- Tourism: hotel bookings and a return flight reservation
- Bank statements, an employer letter or NOC, and travel insurance
How to plan the trip: step by step
- Check your passport and visas against the table above.
- If you qualify visa-free, make sure your Schengen, EU or US visa is multiple-entry and valid on your entry date. Keep each visit to 30 days or less.
- If you don’t qualify, contact the Bosnian Embassy in Abu Dhabi at least 4 weeks before travel.
- Visiting a host? Ask them to get the invitation certified in Bosnia early.
- At the border, show your passport, the qualifying visa, a return ticket and your hotel booking.
Combining Bosnia with other countries
Bosnia is outside Schengen, so days there do not count towards your Schengen 90/180 limit. A common route is Croatia (Schengen) to Mostar and Sarajevo, then Montenegro or Serbia. Each border has its own rule; see the Balkans with a US, UK or Schengen visa.
If you enter Bosnia on your Schengen visa and then go back into Schengen, a single-entry visa is already used up. That is another reason the multiple-entry rule exists.
Questions people ask
Can I visit Bosnia with a UK visa?
Not visa-free. The list covers Schengen, EU and US visas and residence permits, not UK ones. Serbia and Montenegro do accept UK visas.
Do Emiratis need a visa for Bosnia?
No. UAE citizens can stay up to 90 days without a visa. The two countries signed a mutual visa exemption agreement in November 2023.
How long can I stay in Bosnia with a Schengen visa?
Up to 30 days per visit and 90 days in any 180, if the Schengen visa is multiple-entry and valid.
Is there a Bosnia e-visa?
No. If you need a visa, you apply at a Bosnian embassy. For UAE residents, that is Abu Dhabi.
Related guides
- The Balkans with a US, UK or Schengen visa
- Montenegro visa for UAE residents
- Serbia visa for UAE residents
Sources
- Foreign Investment Promotion Agency of BiH (Council of Ministers): Visas: information for visitors
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina: visa information (mvp.gov.ba)
- The National: UAE approves visa-free travel for Bosnia and Herzegovina (November 2023)
Written by Asad Waleed M, Dubai. Asad has lived in the UAE for nine years and researches visa rules from government sources. He is not an immigration lawyer or consultant, and Sifqa does not process applications. Read the editorial policy.
Last checked 5 November 2026. Found an error? Email [email protected] and it will be fixed and logged.