Bosnia and Herzegovina entry requirements for Norway passport holders

Checked daily · Updated May 18, 2026·View sources
No visa required
90 days
Max stay
90 days
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked

Norwegian passport holders can enter Bosnia and Herzegovina without a visa for stays up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This has been the case since 2010 and applies to tourism, business, and family visits. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry.

Entry requirements

RequirementDetailsStatus
Valid passport
Must be valid for the duration of your stay
Your Norwegian passport needs to be valid for the entire time you plan to stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina. No minimum validity beyond your departure date is required by law, but airlines may ask for at least 3 months.Required
Return or onward ticket
Proof of departure from Bosnia and Herzegovina
Immigration officers at Sarajevo Airport routinely ask for a return or onward ticket. Have a printed or digital copy of your flight booking ready — they check this before stamping you in.Recommended
Proof of accommodation
Hotel booking or host invitation
Carry a printed hotel confirmation or a letter from your host with their address and contact number. Officers rarely ask, but having it avoids delays if they do.Recommended
Proof of funds
Show you can support yourself during the stay
Have a bank statement or credit card showing access to roughly €100 per day of your stay. I've never been asked for it at Sarajevo, but border officers have the right to request it.Recommended
Passport validity is strictly enforced
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry. Airlines check this before boarding. If your passport expires sooner, you will be denied boarding — no exceptions.
Keep digital copies of everything
Save screenshots of your return ticket, accommodation booking, and passport info page on your phone. Also email copies to yourself. If your phone dies or gets lost, you can access them from any device.

What happens at the border

1
Arrive at the airport or border crossing
At Sarajevo International Airport (SJJ), Mostar, or Banja Luka, proceed to the 'All Passports' queue. For land crossings from Croatia, Montenegro, or Serbia, use the designated lanes for foreign nationals.
2
Present your passport and supporting documents
Hand over your passport. The officer may ask for your return ticket and accommodation booking. Have them ready on your phone or printed. They rarely ask for proof of funds, but it's smart to have a bank statement or credit card handy.
3
Receive your entry stamp
The officer will stamp your passport with the date of entry and the maximum stay allowed (usually 90 days). Check the stamp before leaving the counter. If it's wrong, ask for correction immediately.
4
Collect your luggage and exit
After clearing immigration, pick up your bags from the carousel and walk through the green 'Nothing to Declare' channel if you have no goods to declare. If you're bringing more than €10,000 in cash or restricted items, use the red channel.
Download Bosnia and Herzegovina Entry Checklist
PDF · Norway Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 18, 2026
Download PDF

Overstay calculator

Enter your arrival date and we'll tell you exactly when you need to leave.

Staying longer & fees

Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:

Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days
Validity3 months from issue
Cost€60 (~$65 USD)

Apply at embassy before travel; allows one entry.

Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry
Validity6 months from issue
Cost€90 (~$98 USD)

For multiple visits; must not exceed 90 days per entry.

Long-stay visa (D visa)
Max stayUp to 1 year
Validity1 year
Cost€120 (~$130 USD)

For work, study, or family reunification; requires sponsorship.

work visa
Work Permit (Boravak i rad)
1 year, renewable
~€120 (~$130 USD) application fee
For employment with a Bosnian company. Requires job offer and work contract. Allows long-term residence.
student visa
Student Visa (Studijski boravak)
1 year, renewable annually
~€60 (~$65 USD) application fee
For enrollment in a recognized educational institution. Requires acceptance letter and proof of funds.
family reunification visa
Family Reunification Visa
1 year, renewable
~€120 (~$130 USD) application fee
For spouses, children, or parents of Bosnian citizens or residents. Requires proof of relationship.
Other fees
ServiceCost
Stay extension costVisa-free stay is not extendable; must leave and re-enter after 90 days outside Bosnia.Not available
Overstay fine per dayOverstay fines are assessed at border exit; maximum cap may apply but is not publicly specified.~10 EUR (~11 USD) per day

Common reasons for entry denial

Insufficient funds for stay30%
No return or onward ticket25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%

Approval probability calculator

Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.

Transiting through Bosnia and Herzegovina

No transit visa needed

Norway passport holders do not need a transit visa for airside transit through Bosnia and Herzegovina airports.

Airside transitAllowed
Transit hubsSarajevo International Airport (SJJ) · Banja Luka International Airport (BNX) · Mostar International Airport (OMO)

Health & vaccines for Bosnia and Herzegovina

Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio)EssentialHepatitis BRecommendedRabiesConsider
Health risks
Tick-borne encephalitisModerate risk

Present in forested areas; vaccination recommended for rural travel.

Food and waterborne diseasesLow risk

Standard hygiene precautions sufficient; tap water safe in cities.

Seasonal influenzaLow risk

Circulates in winter; consider annual flu shot.

Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.

Immigration offices for extensions

Sarajevo
Sector for Foreigners, Ministry of Security
Trg BiH 1, 71000 Sarajevo
Mon–Fri 08:30–16:30

For visa applications and inquiries; bring passport and photos.

Banja Luka
Regional Office for Foreigners
Bulevar vojvode Stepe bb, 78000 Banja Luka
Mon–Fri 08:30–16:30

Handles visa extensions and residence permits.

Practical information for NO travellers

Country basics
CapitalSarajevo
LanguageBosnian, Croatian, Serbian
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US driver's license for up to 90 days; an International Driving Permit is recommended.
Money
CurrencyBosnia and Herzegovina convertible mark (BAM)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 1.68 BAM
updated May 19
Time zone
Local timeUTC+1
vs New York+6h
vs Los Angeles+9h
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,FType C (two round pins) and Type F (two round pins with grounding clips)
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Safe to drink
Tap water is generally safe to drink in major cities, but may have a mineral taste.
Emergency numbers
Police122
Medical124
US EmbassyFind contact

Frequently asked questions

No, the visa-free stay is not extendable. You must leave after 90 days. If you need to stay longer, you must apply for a temporary residence permit at the local police station before your 90 days expire. This requires a valid reason (work, study, family reunion) and supporting documents.
Your hotel or host is required to register you with the local police within 24 hours of your arrival. If you're staying with friends or family, they must do this at the nearest police station. You don't need to do anything yourself, but confirm with your host that it's done.
Overstaying can result in a fine (typically 50–200 BAM, roughly €25–100), a ban from re-entering Bosnia and Herzegovina for up to 1 year, and potential deportation. Always track your days carefully.
No, Norwegian passport holders don't need any visa. But if you're a non-EU citizen with a Norwegian residence permit, you can enter Bosnia and Herzegovina visa-free for up to 30 days. Check with the Bosnian embassy for your specific situation.
Bosnia and Herzegovina does not have a specific digital nomad visa. The 90-day visa-free stay covers tourism and business activities, but not formal employment. If you work remotely for a foreign company, it's generally tolerated, but officially you should not be 'working' in Bosnia. For long-term remote work, consider a temporary residence permit.
You need your valid Norwegian driving license, vehicle registration document, and proof of insurance (green card). A vignette is required for some highways — buy it at the border or at gas stations. Keep all documents in the car.
No mandatory vaccinations are required for Norwegian travellers. However, it's wise to be up-to-date on routine vaccines (MMR, tetanus, etc.). No COVID-19 restrictions are currently in place.

Official sources

Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 18, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.