This page serves as a quick guide for interested persons to check for their requirement of visas, and the duration of stay allowed in the country. It should not be used as an exhaustive guide, and we encourage always to check with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Montenegro for country/case specific requirements. Alternatively for clients, we are available for help by booking a quick consultation call.
A visa to Montenegro is not required for citizens of a number of CIS countries (Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Azerbaijan) subject to special conditions. This permits a stay for a period of stay in the country from 30 to 90 days, however it does not allow for a person to engage in any work with monetary benefits (i.e. provide any paid services or work even part time).
If you plan to stay in Montenegro continuously for more than 90 days, you will need to apply for a Residence Permit. We write about that process on a separate post.
Entry Visa Types to Montenegro
Here we continue with the details of the various visa types available to enter Montenegro – and the purposes for their utilisation. Specifically, there are 4 different kinds.
Airport Visa (Visa A)
This is issued for one or more crossings of the international transit zone at the airport in Montenegro. Note this does not allow you to leave the airport to transit between two different airports (i.e. Podgorica to Tivat or vice-versa). It also requires you to show the flight tickets for which you might need to check-out and then check-back-in on the same day for another flight within a period of 12 hours in case of a break between flights, without entering the territory of Montenegro. This type of visa is valid for up to 3 months.
Transit Visa (Visa B)
This is issued for single, double or multiple transit crossing the territory of Montenegro. This type of visa is valid for up to 6 months. If you have a type B transit visa, a foreign citizen can stay on the territory of Montenegro for no more than 5 days. This is the type of visa that allows to move from Tivat to Podgorica airport in case you need to take flights from different airports. Flights tickets must be provided while applying for the visa.
SHORT STAY VISA (C visa)
“Entry to Montenegro on the basis of real-estate – applicants are usually provided with a Multiple entry 3 Month Visa C.”
based on Ministry of Foreign Affairs
This is issued for tourist, business or other trips to Montenegro, allowing either single or multiple entries depending upon successful application with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs . A multiple entry visa may be issued for a period of up to 1 year, and in exceptional cases – up to 5 years. This visa allows persons to spend a total time of 90days within a 180 day period starting from the 1st day of Entry into the territory of Montenegro. It is rarely extended, and does not get reset if people choose to exit and try to return to the territory of Montenegro before the 180 days period has lapsed.
“None of the above Visa types allow for any person to engage in gainful employment, nor can they be converted to a residency visa.”
based on Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Long Stay Visa (Visa D)
This is issued to foreign citizens planning to stay on the territory of Montenegro for more than 90 days, but not more than six months within one year, counting from the date of the first entry. The Visa D is issued for single or multiple entries.
Visa D is required to apply for a residence permit on the basis of employment, if a visa regime is provided for a foreign citizen. Most nationals who require a visa to enter the territory of Montenegro, fall under this category. We provide services to aid in the application process for a Visa-D. This visa type, as with others cannot be applied for within the territory of Montenegro, nor can it be converted from one of the other visa types.
The Rule of Stay
Any foreign citizen, irrespective of the visa type cannot stay in the territory of Montenegro for more than a period of 90 days within a 180 day period. This rule stays the same even for citizens of countries who do not require a visa to enter the territory of Montenegro.
“Montenegro accepts the usage of valid Schengen & USA visas to enter and stay in the territory of Montenegro for 30 days for tourism purposes.”
based on Ministry of Foreign Affairs
This rule does not apply in case of Citizens of Russia.
Visa Application
All visas types need to be applied for in the country of your residence at the Embassy of Montenegro by taking a prior appointment. In nations without diplomatic representation from Montenegro, certain consulates of Serbia or Bulgaria maybe used for an application. In any case, if you are unable to locate the appropriate diplomatic representation for your nation, we advise to reach out to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro.
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