Student Visa Montenegro

If you wish to study at a college, university, or higher vocational education institution at the post-secondary level in Montenegro for more than 90 days, you can apply for a student visa (also known as a temporary residence permit for higher education) at any of Montenegro’s immigration offices (‘MUP’).

The residence permit is issued upon arrival in Montenegro, and in case you are a citizen of a country requiring a visa to enter Montenegro, you must first apply for the type D long-stay visa before being able to submit your application. If you have family members accompanying you, you first must obtain your residency before they can be granted theirs.

Document Requirements

You will be able to apply for a student visa as soon as having been admitted to college or university in Montenegro. As part of your application, you must provide any of the following documents:

  • passport or ID card must be valid for at least 15 months for a 1-year student visa
  • college acceptance letter from the higher-educational institution, confirming that you have been admitted to full-time studies in a multi-year program requiring your physical presence in Montenegro
  • proof of funds: at least 3.650,00€ kept in a Montenegrin bank account
  • proof of accommodation: notarized rental agreement
  • health insurance policy from a Montenegro-based insurer
  • police certificate (not older than 6 months, apostilled) is required for everyone aged 16+
  • written, notarized parental consent for students aged 17 and below

The student visa can be renewed annually until the program has been completed (normal length of the program plus 2 years).

Family Reunification

Your immediate family members (spouse and underage children) can also apply for a temporary residence permit based on family reunification at a later date, once you have been granted your student visa. See below for a list of required documents:

  • marriage certificate (extract not older than 6 months, apostilled)
  • birth certificate for each child (extract not older than 6 months, apostilled)
  • the passports need to be valied for at least 15 months in case you are looking to apply for a 1-year permit
  • bank account statements confirming that you have deposited an additional 3.650,00€ in a Montenegrin bank and are able to support your famly financially
  • medical insurance is required for the duration of the education program
  • proof of accommodation
  • in case your dependants have no visa-free access to Montenegro, they must obtain a visa prior to coming to Montenegro

Working during your studies

As an international student, you have the right to work in Montenegro alongside your studies for no more than 15 hours per week. This weekly limit includes salaried employment as well as voluntary work. So if you have a paid job for 15 hours per week, you can’t do any additional voluntary work alongside it.

Fortunately, holding a valid student visa eliminates the requirement for a separate work permit to be able to earn a little extra money to fund your university experience. When interviewing for jobs, you should take your residency ID with you to show that you have the right to legally stay and work in Montenegro.

You’d also need to open a personal bank account in order to receive your monthly salary. If you are in the process of renewing your student visa within the period of validity, you are allowed to continue working until receiving your new ID.

English Undergraduate Programs

English undergraduate programs are available at several Montenegrin colleges and universities, including the following:

  1. University of Montenegro: the university’s faculty of economics offers the 3-year Bachelor study program in ‘Business and Economics’ (MONTEB), which is entirely taught in English
  2. Vatel Montenegro: earn a Bachelor in ‘International Hotel Management’ from the globally acclaimed Vatel hospitality school located in Donja Gorica, a suberb of Podgorica
  3. Mediterranean University Montenegro: Founded in 2006, it is the first private university in the country, providing an English-taught Bachelor’s degree in English Language and American Literature

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