Study in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) offers a mix of public and private higher education, mainly taught in Bosnian, Croatian, or Serbian, with some English programs, particularly at the master's level. Students require a **D-type Long-stay Visa for Education** and a **Temporary Residence Permit**.
Application timeline
4-8 weeks (Visa D) + 2-4 weeks (Residence Permit post-arrival).
Living cost
BAM 800 - 1,500/month (USD 430 - 810, low cost of living).
Hourly wage
BAM 5 - 12 BAM/hr (USD 2.70 - 6.50/hr).
Study visa confidence
Our AI compares your grades, finances, and previous visas with real student approvals to predict how admissions officers will view your application for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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Student visa pathways
Processing times, work rights, required documents, and dependent rules for each permit route.
D-type Long-stay Visa for Education + Residence Permit
Long-stay, Academic
Validity
1 year (renewable)
Processing time
4-8 weeks (Visa D) + 2-4 weeks (Residence Permit post-arrival).
Fee
BAM 120 (Visa D) + BAM 200 (Residence Permit).
Work rights
Yes, permission is granted after obtaining the residence permit.
Documents required
Acceptance Letter, Proof of Sufficient Funds, Health Insurance, Passport, Application Form, Criminal Record Certificate.
Dependents
Yes, Dependents can apply for a Family Reunion Visa/Residence Permit. · No (Dependents may not work without a specific Work Permit).
Top universities & flagship programs
Shortlist globally-ranked institutions with tuition benchmarks.
University of Sarajevo
Sarajevo · #1 in BiH (varies regionally)
Faculty of Electrical Engineering
3-5 years · BAM 1,500 - 3,000/yr (Intl)
University of Banja Luka
Banja Luka · Top University (Republika Srpska)
Faculty of Economics
3-5 years · BAM 1,500 - 3,000/yr (Intl)
Scholarships & exchange routes
Reduce tuition costs and build international exposure.
Scholarships
Merit + needs-based opportunities
BiH Government Scholarships
Limited, typically tuition fee waiver.
Highly competitive, for students from specific partner countries.
University of Sarajevo Merit Scholarships
Partial tuition waiver.
High academic merit; competitive for international applicants.
Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC) Scholarships
Varies (often focuses on specific fields).
Students from specific priority countries.
Exchange partners
1-2 semester mobility
ERASMUS+
1 semester or 1 year
Students from EU/EEA partner universities.
CEEPUS (Central European Exchange Program)
Varies
Students from partner universities in Central and South-Eastern Europe.
Announcements & policy watch
Stay ahead of IRCC and embassy updates.
Register with Foreigners' Service
Upon arrival, all foreigners must register their address and apply for the Temporary Residence Permit within 3 days.
Visa success playbook
Action items that consistently strengthen study permit approvals.
Secure accommodation before arrival for quicker residence registration; start learning the local language (Bosnian/Serbian/Croatian) for social and job integration; utilize the allowed part-time work hours.
Country fast facts
Key embassy + lifestyle data
Official language
Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian
Currency
Bosnia and Herzegovina Convertible Mark (BAM)
Time zone
UTC+01:00
Visa portal
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Part-time work ideas
Average hourly wages
Student Jobs (Študentski poslovi)
BAM 5 - 10/hr
Common part-time jobs in hospitality, retail, or tutoring, especially in Sarajevo and Banja Luka.
Call Center Agent
BAM 8 - 12/hr
Opportunities for multilingual speakers (especially English, German) in international call centers.
Nearest embassies
Plan biometrics & interviews
Job market insights
Moderate. Part-time work is allowed during studies. Post-study work is possible but requires a job offer and a change to a single work/residence permit, which is easier than in countries with strict local protectionism.