Are you planning to work in Montenegro? Then you will need a Temporary Residence and Work Permit to live and work there legally. If you don’t know the process or what to do, then read our article. Here’s how to get a Work Permit in Montenegro.

One reason for getting a Temporary Residence Permit in Montenegro is having employment, work, or a business. For foreigners, a few of your options include setting up a business and hiring yourself as a director, or getting employed by a Montenegrin Company. Before coming here, you will also need to ready your documents. Learn more below!

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What is a Work Permit?

As per Montenegro’s Kaw on Employment of Foreign Citizens, a work permit is a document on the basis of which a foreign citizen may be employed for work in Montenegro. There are three types of work permit:

Personal Work Permit

Granted to the following:

Permanent residents of Montenegro
Foreign refugees
Foreign citizens with additional protection.

Perks: Free access to the labor market within an unlimited period of time (with some exemptions to those with additional protection).

Granted on the Request of: The foreigner whenever s/he wants to.

End of Validity if the holder:

Cancels it
Becomes a Montenegrin Citizen
Change of status (e.g., not a refugee anymore)
Death

Employment Permit

Granted: When an Employer signs a labor contract with a foreigner

Granted on the Request of: Employer

Validity: Up to a year or after expiry, may be extended for up to 2 years

End of Validity:

Permit Expires
End of Contract
Foreigner becomes a Montenegrin Citizen
Death of the Foreigner

Work Permit

Granted: Employer signs a labor contract with a foreigner with a specified duration (e.g. Seasonal Work, Training, Contracted Services)

Granted on the Request of: Employer or Legal Entity in Montenegro

Validity: Depending on the contract

End of Validity:

Permit Expires
End of Contract
Death of the Foreigner

What Are The Main Eligibilities For Foreign Citizens To Be Employed And Work In Montenegro?

Foreigners may be employed in Montenegro if:

S/he has a working permit
Approval for permanent or temporary residence
Signed Labor Contract
The employee has registered the work of the Foreigner following the Law

The in-charge of issuance, rejections, and cessations of the work permit is the Employment Agency of Montenegro or Zavod za zapošljavanje Crne Gore.

How Do You Get A Temporary Residence And Work Permit?

STEP 1: Choose which way you would want a work permit:

(1) Do you want to set up a business in Montenegro and you will work as a director of the company?

(2) Do you want to be hired by a company in Montenegro?

If you choose setting up a Business:

You will need to register a business in Montenegro. In setting up a business, you can come to Montenegro (if you are visa-free or exempt) and open up a business here. Or, if you cannot come, you can contact our company and set it up on your behalf.

After that, you can get an employment offer (from your company) stating your position, salary, etc. This will be required in getting a Long Term D visa as well as a resident permit.

Another option is to apply for a Long-Term D Visa first and have us as your guarantor. When you arrive here, we can assist you in setting up the company. The difference with the other options above is that you won’t have a visa run to another country for a D Visa(in case your visa-exempt). Also, if you process your business ahead, then the Long Term D Visa application is easier, and you can start your business immediately.

If you choose to be hired:

You will need to find a job in Montenegro and an employer willing to guarantee you as well as process your papers. You can find a job online through this website. You will need to get an employment offer and a labor contract for your Long Term D Visa application.

STEP 2: Get a Long Term D Visa.

When you have set up a company there (or will set up) or have been offered work, you will need a Long Term D Visa which will be converted to a Temporary Residence Permit. You can’t convert your tourist visa to a Residence Permit unless you buy a property or get married to a Montenegrin Citizen or Resident.

For a Long-Term D Visa, you can read this guide.

STEP 3: After getting a Long-Term D Visa, you can now fly to Montenegro. However, for your work permit, it’s better to prepare the following before going:

Proof of Education - Apostilled Transcript of Records, Diploma, etc.
Police Certificate or certificate of no criminal record - issued within the past six months, by your home country or country of citizenship (For Filipinos, it’s an NBI Clearance. )
Birth Certificate and Marriage Certificate – for minor children and applying as a family

They required to have an Apostille. You can read this guide on How to Get an Apostille in the Philippines.

STEP 4: When you arrive in Montenegro, prepare your documents to apply for a Temporary Residence and Work Permit.

1. Evidence of possession of means of subsistence for the issuance of a temporary residence permit

You will need to have money at least EURO 10 per day
Deposit at least EURO 3,650 in a Montenegrin Bank to serve as your evidence
For a work permit, you’ll need to submit a written offer of an employer for employment in which net earnings are at least EURO 310.

2. Evidence of secured accommodation - a property certificate or a lease agreement

Can be:

A written statement from someone where the foreigner secured accommodation from
Certificate from the employer that they are accommodation
Certificate of accommodation from someone providing accommodation services

This may need to be translated to Montenegrin and/or Notarized.

3. Evidence of health insurance

You can get it from SafetyWing
Or from local insurance provided

You may also need to pay monthly insurance for public healthcare in Montenegro.

For the purpose of employment or seasonal work, these may also be asked.

A written offer of an employer for employment of a foreigner with complete details
A decision on a recognized educational document of a foreigner could be the TOR, Apostilled, Translated, and Notarized.
Certificate on medical fitness - from an accredited health institution in Montenegro.

Additional requirements include: (Check STEP 3)

Passport – must be valid before your residency expires
Police Certificate or certificate of no criminal record - issued within the past six months, by your home country or country of citizenship
Birth Certificate and Marriage Certificate

These may need to be translated or Apostilled.

STEP 5: Submit your temporary residence and work permit to the appropriate authorities; you will also pay fees. They will check whether the applicant.

Possesses a valid travel document
Legally stays in Montenegro
Has long-stay visa for the purpose of work
The employer is registered in the Central Registry of Business Entities
And appropriate evidence is submitted.

STEP 6: Once you are approved, you can get your Temporary Residence and Work Permit. This can be valid for a year and can easily be extended provided that your business is still going or you are still working.

That’s how to get a Temporary Residence and Work Permit in Montenegro. It’s quite straightforward, but you’ll need to hire lawyers, translators, etc. But what if you don’t know one? You can hire an agency like ours to help you migrate and get a temporary residence and work permit. You can read more about immigrating to Montenegro at this link.

About the Writer

Hey, I’m Lyza! I once was a person who just imagined going to places “one day” but decided to pursue my dreams. My first travel abroad was in Japan, solo, last 2018, and I fell in love with the experience. I aim to visit 10 countries before turning 30 and 2 new places in the Philippines every year. Besides traveling, I love organizing trips, taking pictures, reading, and making new friends. Follow my adventures through my Instagram.