Bosnia and Herzegovina Family Reunification Options for Foreign Workers

Bosnia and Herzegovina (Bosna i Hercegovina, BiH) allows foreign workers to bring close family members through temporary residence for family reunification (privremeni boravak — spajanje porodice) under the Law on Foreigners. A foreign worker can sponsor family once they hold temporary residence for one year or longer with reasonable prospects of permanent residence, and must show adequate accommodation, stable income or sufficient funds, and health insurance for the whole family. Family members receive permits for the same period as the sponsor, up to one year, from the Service for Foreigners' Affairs (Služba za poslove sa strancima). This EU Helpers guide explains who qualifies and how to apply — international candidates can explore opportunities in Bosnia and Herzegovina through EU Helpers. Bosnia and Herzegovina is NOT an EU member (it has been an EU candidate country since December 2022, and the European Council agreed in March 2024 to open accession negotiations), NOT a Schengen member (its citizens have had visa-free short-stay Schengen travel since December 2010), NOT a eurozone member (it uses the convertible mark, BAM, pegged to the euro), NOT a NATO member (it is a NATO partner), and has been a Council of Europe member since 2002.

Essential Context: How Family Reunification Works in BiH

Family reunification is regulated at state level, so the same rules apply across the country.

Who Can Be Reunified

• Your spouse, or your unmarried partner if you have lived together for at least three years or have a child together.
• Your children under 18.
• Dependent children up to age 26 who are in regular education.
• Dependent adult children who cannot work and live in your household.
• Your dependent parents.

Eligibility Conditions

For the Sponsor

• You hold permanent residence, a blue card, recognised refugee status, or temporary residence for one year or longer with reasonable prospects of permanent residence.
• You have adequate accommodation for the family.
• You have a stable income or sufficient funds to support the family.
• You have health insurance covering yourself and your family members.

For Family Members

• A passport valid beyond the requested permit period.
• A medical certificate.
• A certificate showing no criminal proceedings, for adults.
• Proof of the family relationship — marriage, birth or partnership evidence.

Financial and Accommodation Requirements

The Law on Foreigners requires stable income or sufficient funds to support the whole family, but the exact amount is set in implementing rules and assessed case by case. In practice, your employment contract and payslips, together with bank statements, are the main evidence. Accommodation must be adequate for the family size — usually shown with a rental contract certified as required or a property title — and health insurance must cover every family member in BiH.

Step-by-Step Reunification Process

1. Check that you have held temporary residence for a year or longer (or another qualifying status).
2. Arrange suitable accommodation and health insurance for the family.
3. Gather marriage and birth certificates and other civil documents, apostilled or legalised and translated into an official language of BiH.
4. Family members apply for temporary residence for family reunification, usually in person at a BiH embassy or consulate abroad; those who entered on a type D visa or come from visa-free countries can apply in BiH.
5. The Service for Foreigners' Affairs examines the application and decides.
6. After approval, family members enter BiH, register their address and collect their residence permits.

Documents Checklist

Timing: How Long Family Reunification Takes

Can Family Members Work in BiH?

Family members of a blue card holder have the right to work in BiH without a labour market test, except in jobs reserved for BiH citizens. Other family members generally need their own work permit, obtained by an employer within the quota rules, unless an exemption applies. Spouses of BiH citizens and family members of permanent residents have easier access to work.

Children's Schooling

Public schools in BiH are free and teach in Bosnian, Croatian or Serbian, depending on the area. Sarajevo, Banja Luka and Mostar have international and private schools, including English-language options. Bring children's school records, translated where needed, and register early.

Renewal of Family-Member Permits

Family members' temporary residence lasts as long as the sponsor's permit, up to one year, and must be renewed every year together with the sponsor's. If a marriage or partnership ends, special rules in the Law on Foreigners apply, so get advice early.

Pathway to Permanent Residence for Family Members

Family members can apply for permanent residence after five years of uninterrupted temporary residence, if they meet the conditions on funds, accommodation, health insurance, language knowledge and criminal record. Absences of up to 10 months in total, or one absence of up to 6 months, do not break continuity.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying too early — most foreign workers need temporary residence of a year or longer before sponsoring family.
• Weak income evidence — bring your contract, recent payslips and bank statements.
• Missing translations or apostilles — foreign documents must be legalised and translated.
• Inadequate accommodation — housing must suit the family size.
• Assuming the spouse can work — most need their own work permit.
• Forgetting annual renewals — family permits last only as long as yours.

Final Guidance

Family reunification in Bosnia and Herzegovina is available to foreign workers once they have held temporary residence for a year or longer with prospects of permanent residence. You can bring your spouse or partner, children under 18, dependent children in education up to 26 and dependent parents, provided you show adequate accommodation, stable income and health insurance. File through a BiH embassy or in BiH where allowed, with legalised and translated documents, and renew the family's permits every year together with yours. Always confirm current requirements with the Service for Foreigners' Affairs. International candidates can explore opportunities in Bosnia and Herzegovina through EU Helpers. EU Helpers supports foreign workers with eligibility checks, income and accommodation evidence, document legalisation and translations, embassy filings and school research.