Another post from someone who needs help moving to Serbia

I can give you only advice about vise since my husband is Greek.All you hvve to do is to get married in city hall,ivana needs to ask which documents excatly you need then you need to translete them and to verify them in UK embassy.After that l think you you free to start looking for a job.Good luck!

Hi Natalija

Thank you for your reply.

Unfortunately, we are not planning on getting married for a few years yet, which makes me anxious about quitting my job here in case things fell through with the work permit/visa should I move there without a job..

Hi there,

Ivana should ask at the Police, at the ODSEK ZA STRANCE, what documents you exactly need for your particular situation. I guess even if you are not married, she can "sponsor" you to apply for a temporary residence permit. For this she has to prove that she has a job and/or sufficient means to support both of you financially, that she has a place for you both to live in (if rented, she must prove she can afford it),  you must bring the registration card (which you need to fill up every time you come), then also to make proof of having Serbian health insurance (after requesting the visa, they give you a local ID code and a written statement with which you go to the local health department and you register with them, you have to pay about 20 euro per month - once you have paid for the first few months, you take the proof of that to the police, and they add that to the visa file). The visa itself costs something like 80 Euro - and innitially you have to renew it every 6 months (they are very strict about it, too, you need to file for renewal latest a month before the expiry date, else they can even send you to court and make you pay a hefty - for Serbs - fine). Later, you have to renew it once a year and after 5 years of uninterrupted temporary permits (or 3 years of marriage) you can finally apply for final/permanent residence and then even citizenship.
It is a bit confusing, but in broad lines this is what I had to go through myself, and I am sure Ivana can get more info just by calling the police - they were quite nice in my case (I report to Smederevo police, but in Belgrade they must be nice too).

As for finding a job, as a Native English speaker, I am sure you will not lack in opportunities, even if it may be just for teaching your mother toungue in one of the local private schools, kindergardens, etc - or tutoring people in private.
A job in your own field requires a lot more searching/luck/connections, etc and I would say a bit more knowledge of the local language. Do keep track of classifieds on this web site, also check out INTERNATIONS.ORG and have Ivana check out some of the local recruiting agencies (HILL, DEKRA, ADECCO, etc)

good luck!

Alina

you have few ways to live move in Serbia
you can marriage Ivana its easy way and for this you dont have any problem
you can start your own business in Serbia thats also is easy if you dont want to married
or you can start to work in some British company who have business in Serbia and try to go in Serbia as their employee
you dont have any other solution for moving to Serbia
my advice is to get married its easier way to move legally to Serbia   and with this visa you can stay and work in Serbia also you must start improve your Serbian language skills immediately cos in Serbia most people talk on English but they are not happy to talk in English and most people dont want to talk on English
and for the end you can get Ivana to England then both you go to Tenerife and live happy its the best way

If you would be interested, I know of a business opportunity if you were looking to start your own business in Serbia. The opportunity has just opened up and it has serious potential.

Hi Jamie, I can give you a few leeds. My husband and I, we are frequent visitors to Belgrade. Please mail me if you have not found anything as yet. - dil_k51@yahoo.com.

Hi Jaime, small world. I'm from St.Johns, Worcester and currently live in Belgrade.

In my experience after living and working in Serbia for one year now I can safely say you don't need a visa for either. I'm and English language teacher for a couple of private schools and they are not concerned that I don't have a visa. All of the English teachers in the school are in this position and I have never heard of anyone having a problem. You can open bank accounts, get insurance, rent a flat, drive a car easily without it.

The police are not overly concerned either, my landlord was a copper and he didn't mind one bit. I have also been late a couple of times signing in and again the police don't mind.

The only thing you have to do is register as a tourist at the local police station, your girlfriend can be your sponsor easily. This lasts for 3 months, so every 3 months hop on a train to budapest, spend the day there, some back with your passport stamped and register with the police again. It takes no time and a return ticket to Budapest is only £20.

I also shared your concerns before I arrived but I really haven't had an issue.

If you make it keep in touch.

Hey Milo,

Just wondering about where you teach? I'm looking into opportunities in the future to work in Serbia.

Would appreciate any information.

Cheers!!!

Sharon