Marriage to a Serbian citizen and spousal sponsorship to Canada under the marriage immigration initiative is a complex process.
This page is designed to guide you through your marriage to a Serbian citizen and the spousal sponsorship process.

Marriage to a Serbian Citizen

Every country has its own laws that apply to its citizens marrying a person from a different country. Getting married to a Serbian citizen with the goal of eventually bringing them to Canada to live is a process with many steps.

If you want to bring your Serbian spouse or partner to live in Canada, you must then file a sponsorship application for them to become a permanent resident. If they would like to visit you in Canada while their application is in process, they must also apply for a visitor visa. For more information, please see our family sponsorship page and our visitor visa page.

 

Processing Time

If you file a Canadian sponsorship application for your Serbian spouse or partner, this application takes an average of 10-12 months.

A visitor visa application for your spouse or partner to visit you in Canada while the sponsorship applications are processing takes an average of 3 –14 days.

Please see our pages on family sponsorship and Canadian visitor visa for more information on the processing times of these applications.

 

Serbian Marriage Basic Requirements

The law in the Republic of Serbia recognizes only civil marriages. Application for marriage is made at a municipal registrar’s office in the city where you wish to marry. The marriage ceremony will take place two to three days after all documents have been submitted.

Documents to be submitted:

1. Valid Canadian passport as a proof of Canadian citizenship
2. Birth Certificate. You should submit a certified copy of the birth. The birth certificate must be notarized with the “Apostille” seal under the terms of the Hague Convention. The birth certificate must be translated by a court interpreter. The interpreter will affix his/her official seal on the translated copy
3. Statement that he or she is free to marry. This statement is made in front of the Canadian Consular Officer in Belgrade.
4. Certificate issued by Canadian Consular Officer that the marriage contracted in the Republic of Serbia will be valid in Canada
5. Proof of termination of any previous marriages (divorce decree or death certificate). This document must also be translated to Serbian
6. Documents under 3 and 4, after being notarized by the consular officer, are taken to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) for the final notarization. The MFA address is Bircaninova St. No. 3, Belgrade.

Marriage Certificate

The marriage is recorded in the civil Registry. A Serbian marriage certificate will be issued. One version will be in Serbian and the other in so-called international form (which includes English). In order to use a Serbian public document in Canada it must be certified with an Apostille under the terms of the Hague Convention.

 

Family Members

If your Serbian spouse has dependent children, this does not affect the Serbian Marriage document application.

If you have dependent children, they have no effect on the application to marry a Serbian citizen.

 

List of Serbian Consulates in Canada

Click here

Calling Serbia from Canada

011 – 381 – Area Code – local number

Area Codes of Serbia (landlines only)

Belgrade	11	Kraljevo	36	Pirot	10	Smederevo	26
Bor	30	Kruševac	37	Požarevac	12	Užice	31
Čačak	32	Leskovac	16	Prijepolje	33	Valjevo	14
Jagodina	35	Niš	18	Prokuplje	27	Vranje	17
Kragujevac	34	Novi Pazar	20	Šabac	15	Zaječar	19

 

Area Codes of Vojvodina (landlines only)

Kikinda	230	Pančevo	13	Sremska Mitrovica	22	Zrenjanin	23
Novi Sad	21	Sombor	25	Subotica	24

 

Cellular Codes

• Telekom Serbia: 64, 65 or 66
• Telenor Serbia: 62, 63 or 69
• VIP Mobile: 60, 61 or 68

 

Calling Canada from Serbia

00 – 1 – Area Code – local number

Follow the dialing format shown above while calling Canada from Serbia.

• 00- Exit code for Serbia, and is needed for making any international call from Serbia
• 1 – ISD Code or Country Code of Canada

Area Codes of Canada

Province	Code	Province	Code
Alberta	403 / 587 (southern Alberta) 587 / 780 (central and northern Alberta)	Nunavut	867
BC	236 / 250 / 778 (majority of BC) 236 / 604 / 778 (Metro Vancouver)	Ontario	226 / 519 (southwestern Ontario) 249 / 705 (northeastern Ontario) 289 / 365 / 905 (Greater Toronto Area) 343 / 613 (eastern Ontario) 416 / 647 (Toronto) 807 (northwestern Ontario)
Manitoba	204 / 431	PEI	782 / 902
New  Brunswick	506	Quebec	418 / 581 (eastern Quebec) 438 / 514 (Montreal) 450 / 579 (Greater Montreal) 819 / 873 (remainder of Quebec)
Newfoundland and Labrador	709	Saskatchewan	306 / 639
Northwest Territories	867	Yukon	867
Nova Scotia	782 / 902

 

Time Difference

Serbia is on Central European Time (GMT+1). As with the rest of Europe, Serbia uses Daylight Saving Time but observes it over a slightly different period. During late March and late October the time differences below are off by an hour. Saskatchewan does not participate in DST and so the time difference is an hour greater in the summer.

Canadian Time Zone	# of Hours Serbia is Ahead
Pacific (BC, Yukon)	9 hours
Mountain (Alberta, western Nunavut, Lloydminster, Saskatchewan)	8 hours
Central (Manitoba, Northwest Territories, central Nunavut, northwestern Ontario, Saskatchewan*)	7 hours
Eastern (most of Ontario, most of Quebec)	6 hours
Atlantic (Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI, eastern Quebec)	5 hours
Newfoundland	4.5 hours

 

Emergency Information for Canadians in Serbia

Embassy of Canada in Belgrade Kneza Milosa 75 111711 Belgrade Serbia Telephone: 381 (11) 306-3000 Fax: 381 (11) 306-3042 Email: bgrad.consular-consulaire@international.gc.ca Website: serbia.gc.ca

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Emergency Numbers

• 19191 – BIA (Security Information Agency)
• 192 – Police
• 193 – Fire Department
• 194 – Ambulance
• 195 – Exact time
• 1961 – Telegram service
• 19011 – International calls
• 1976 – Military ambulance
• 19771 – Landline technical support
• 1987 – Road assistance (AMSS – Automobile and Motorcycle Association of Serbia)
• 11811 – Subscribers numbers
• 19811 – Wake-up service
• 19812 – Various information centre
• 19813 – Landline phone company info centre
• 19822 – Meteorological data (option 1), National lottery (option 2), Liturgical calendar (option 3)
• 19860 – Military police

Canadian Government’s Travel Alerts for Serbia

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Serbia : Exercise normal security precautions (with regional advisories)

Last Updated: June 26, 2025 02:19 PM EDT1. RECENT UPDATESHealth – editorial update2. ADVISORIESSerbia - Take normal security precautionsTake normal security precautions in Serbia.Areas bordering Kosovo - Exercise a high degree of cautionExercise a high degree of caution within 10km of the border with Kosovo due to the potential for political tensions, possible civil unrest and the presence of landmines.3. SECURITYAreas bordering KosovoExercise a high degree of caution within 10km of the border with Kosovo due to the potential for political tensions, possible civil unrest and the presence of landmines.Stay on the main roads. Unexploded landmines and other unexploded ordnance remain in Serbia, particularly in the southern Serbian district of Pčinja, including the municipalities of Bujanovac and Preševo.Disputes between ethnic Serb communities and local authorities in Northern Kosovo could lead to tensions and security incidents near the border.If you are near the border with Kosovo:expect an increased presence of military and security forcesfollow the instructions of local authoritiesdon't attempt to enter Kosovo directly from SerbiaAreas bordering North MacedoniaExpect possible delays at the border with North Macedonia due to the migrant situation.CrimePetty crimePetty crime, such as pickpocketing, occurs. Thieves target tourists, particularly in crowded public areas such as:buses, trains, bus and train stations and airportslarge crowds or public marketsDuring your trip:keep your personal belongings, including passports and other travel documents, in a secure placedon't show signs of affluence or wear expensive jewellerydon't carry large sums of cash or valuables unnecessarilyCar thieves target luxury vehicles and four-wheel-drive models. Avoid leaving any luggage or valuables in the vehicle and use secure parking facilities.FraudCredit card fraud is common. When using credit cards:pay careful attention when your cards are being handled by othersuse ATMs located in well-lit public areas or inside a bank or businessavoid using card readers with an irregular or unusual featurecover the keypad with one hand when entering your PINcheck for any unauthorized transactions on your account statementsCybercrimeCybercrime occurs. Criminals may compromise public Wi-Fi networks to steal credit card or personal information. Use secure public Wi-Fi networksAvoid making purchases on unencrypted websitesBe cautious when posting information on social mediaBe particularly vigilant when contacting or meeting individuals known over the internetNever click a suspicious link in an email or text message asking for your credit card detailsOverseas fraudTerrorismThere is a threat of terrorism in Europe. Terrorist attacks have occurred in a number of European cities. There is a potential for other violent incidents.Targets could include:government buildings, including schoolsplaces of worshipairports and other transportation hubs and networkspublic areas such as tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, shopping centres, markets, hotels and other sites frequented by foreignersAlways be aware of your surroundings when in public places.DemonstrationsDemonstrations may occur. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking placeFollow the instructions of local authoritiesMonitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrationsMass gatherings (large-scale events)2SLGBTQI+ persons2SLGBTQI+ persons have been targets of harassment and violence. Some Pride events have met organized counter-protests, which may create an intimidating or threatening environment.Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristicsSoccer matchesConfrontations, which at times become violent, may occur between opposing fans at soccer matches. This is especially true for matches between Belgrade clubs Partizan and Red Star. Traffic and public transportation may also be affected.Exercise caution if you attend a soccer match or if you stay near sporting venuesBe aware of large groups of supporters during a soccer matchRoad safetyRoad conditionsRoad conditions and road safety can vary greatly throughout the country.Secondary roads are often narrow and poorly maintained. State Road 22 connecting Belgrade to the border with Montenegro, commonly known as “Ibarska Magistrala,” is dangerous due to poor road conditions.Serbian licence platesTravellers driving to neighbouring countries with Serbian plates could face tensions, especially when driving on the roads and at border crossings in:Kosovo Bosnia and Herzegovina Croatia Albania.If you plan on travelling in the region with a car registered in Serbia, be aware of your surroundings.Dial 987 for roadside assistance.Public transportationSafety standards vary on public transportation. Buses and trams are often in poor condition and are frequently out of order or forced to stop mid-route for repairs.TaxisUse only officially marked taxis and pre-negotiate fares where a meter is not in use. At Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport, use the taxi reservation service in the baggage claim area to avoid being charged exorbitant rates for transportation to the city centre.If departing from a hotel or restaurant, consider calling for a radio taxi. Operators usually speak English and will guarantee an official taxi.TrainsRail service is slow and often subject to delays due to extensive repairs on outdated railway tracks. Railway equipment is old and poorly maintained. Rail service is not an efficient means of domestic or regional travel.International busSeveral companies offer domestic and international bus services. The larger companies have modern, well-maintained fleets.Air travelWe do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.Information about foreign domestic airlines4. ENTRY / EXIT REQUIREMENTSEvery country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination's entry or exit requirements.We have obtained the information on this page from the Serbian authorities. It can, however, change at any time.Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada.PassportEntry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country's entry rules. Regular Canadian passportYour passport must be valid for the expected duration of your stay in Serbia.Ensure to have your passport stamped when you enter and leave Serbia to avoid issues exiting and re-entering the country.Passport for official travelDifferent entry rules may apply.Official travelPassport with “X” gender identifierWhile the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.Other travel documentsDifferent entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.Useful linksForeign Representatives in CanadaCanadian passportsVisasTourist visa: not required for stays up to 90 daysBusiness visa: not required for stays up to 90 daysStudent visa: not required for stays up to 90 daysIf you plan to stay in Serbia longer than 90 days, contact the Embassy of Serbia or one of its consulates for information on requirements that apply to your specific situation.Foreign diplomatic missions and consulates in CanadaRegistrationYou must register with the local police within 24 hours of arrival in Serbia. Registration will normally be arranged by your hotel or your host. Failure to register can result in fines and difficulties when departing.KosovoSerbia does not recognize any border crossing points from Kosovo as official international entry points. Don't attempt to enter Serbia directly from Kosovo unless you initially travelled into Kosovo from Serbia and obtained a valid entry stamp from the Serbian immigration authorities. Otherwise, you should transit via a third country such as Albania, North Macedonia or Montenegro.Entry to Kosovo from Serbia is subject to delays or may be prohibited entirely. Some border posts have been closed for short periods. Verify the border situation before you undertake travel. If travelling by road, you may have to provide proof of the purpose of your visit to Kosovo at the checkpoint between Serbia and Kosovo. Some travellers may be exempted, such as holders of a Serbian identity card.Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of SerbiaChildren and travelLearn more about travelling with children.Yellow feverLearn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).5. HEALTHMedical services and facilitiesGood health care is limited in availability outside of major cities. Quality of care varies greatly throughout the country. Doctors and nurses in major cities will often speak English. Physicians and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. Medical evacuation can be very expensive and you may need it in case of serious illness or injury.Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.Health and safety outside CanadaMedical tourismCanadian citizens have had serious health complications following dental, cosmetic or other elective surgeries abroad.Before leaving for medical travel:make sure you have done your researchuse competent health-care providers onlyReceiving medical care outside Canada6. LAWS AND CULTUREYou must abide by local laws.Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad.Transfer to a Canadian prisonCanada and Serbia are signatories to the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons. This enables a Canadian imprisoned in Serbia to request a transfer to a Canadian prison to complete a sentence. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and Serbia authorities.This process can take a long time, and there is no guarantee that the transfer will be approved by either or both sides.DrugsPenalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect long prison sentences and heavy fines.Drugs, alcohol and travelPhotographyPhotography of military or police installations, vehicles and personnel is prohibited, unless authorized by the Ministry of Defence.IdentificationYou must carry identification, such as a passport, at all times. Keep a photocopy of your passport in case it is lost or confiscated.Dual citizenshipDual citizenship is legally recognized in Serbia.If you are a Canadian citizen, but also a citizen of Serbia, our ability to offer you consular services may be limited while you're there. You may also be subject to different entry/exit requirements.Dual citizensInternational Child AbductionThe Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. The convention applies between Canada and Serbia.If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Serbia, and if the applicable conditions are met, you may apply for the return of your child to the Serbian court.If you are in this situation:act as quickly as you cancontact the Central Authority for your province or territory of residence for information on starting an application under The Hague Conventionconsult a lawyer in Canada and in Serbia to explore all the legal options for the return of your childreport the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children's Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response CentreIf your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country's judicial affairs.Useful linksList of Canadian Central Authorities for the Hague ConventionInternational Child Abductions: A guide for affected parentsChildren and travelThe Hague Convention – Hague Conference on Private International LawCanadian embassies and consulates by destinationRequest emergency assistance2SLGBTQI+ personsSerbian law does not prohibit sexual acts between individuals of the same sex. However, homosexuality is not widely socially accepted.Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristicsDrivingYou should carry an international driving permitYou can drive in Serbia with a Canadian driver's license for up to 90 days.International Driving PermitEquipmentVehicles must be equipped for emergency situations:a first aid kita warning triangle a tow ropefunctional spare tire; a reflective vest that must be worn immediately when leaving a vehicle that is stranded or involved in an accident.Children under the age of 12 may not sit in the front seat. All children under 135cm must sit in a child car seat.ImportsIn order to avoid customs charges, you are required to declare items of value, such as jewellery, photographic and computing equipment, that you are temporarily importing into Serbia. These items should be intended for your own personal use and you must take them with you when leaving the country.MoneyThe currency of Serbia is the Serbian dinar (RSD).Euros are not legal tender in Serbia. All banks and exchange offices will readily convert euros.If you are carrying €10,000 or more, or the equivalent in other currencies, you must make a declaration to customs when you enter or leave Serbia. It includes sums in:banknotes and coinsbearer negotiable instruments such as cheques, travellers' cheques, promissory notes and money ordersbonds, sharesgold coins with a gold content of at least 90 %gold bars, nuggets or clumps with a gold content of at least 99.5 %any other convertible assetYour funds could be confiscated if you fail to make a declaration when leaving the country.7. DISASTERS AND CLIMATEClimate changeClimate change is affecting Serbia. Extreme and unusual weather events are becoming more frequent and may affect your travel plans. Monitor local news to stay informed on the current situation.Seismic activitySerbia is located in an active seismic zone.Earthquakes - What to Do?Bush and forest firesBush and forest fires are common in the summer months. The air quality in areas near active fires may deteriorate due to heavy smoke. In case of a major fire, stay away from the affected area, particularly if you suffer from respiratory ailments.Always follow the instructions of local emergency services personnelMonitor local media for up-to-date information on the situationFloodingHeavy rains and thunderstorms during spring and summer may result in flooding and may cause significant damage to roads and generate localized landslides.SnowstormsSnowstorms throughout winter may lead to problems along transportation routes and with power and telecommunications systems. Pay close attention to road conditions and refrain from driving during or immediately after severe stormsMonitor local weather forecasts

 

Sponsoring Your Serbian Spouse

The sponsorship process is lengthy and can be frustrating. To learn more about it, click the button below:

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Want to know more about marrying in Serbia? Let us know

Sponsorship Review

Immigroup will review your completed spousal sponsorship application.. Immigroup will make sure you have not made any mistakes on your application or in gathering the documentation of your relationship. We will assess your sponsorship letter and give you peace of mind that you are submitting an application with a very good chance of success. Don’t lose sleep at night worrying about whether you’ve done enough. Call us at 1-866-760-2623 for a review.