What is a White Card?
The white card is a document that gives the Service for Affairs with Foreigners access to your place of residence in Zenica during mobility. This is the way foreigners can register the address where they will stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina. According to the law, if you want to stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina for more than three days without booking a hotel or hostel room, you must apply for a White Card within 48 hours of entering the country. You will need a white card if you intend to apply for a temporary residence permit at any time during your stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina. You should know that if you do not get a white card, you cannot apply for temporary residence without exiting and re-entering Bosnia and Herzegovina.
How to get a White Card?
If you are staying in a hotel/hostel/student dormitory in Zenica, then the owner of the hotel/hostel should regulate/issue you this document (make sure to keep one copy of the document for yourself). If you are staying in private accommodation, you will have to go to the Immigration Service in person to get this document. Before going there, you should prepare the following documents and bring them with you:
- your passport (make a copy)
- identification document of the landlord - identity card (certified copy)
- proof of accommodation – explained below
- administrative tax for white card – explained below
What is proof of accommodation and how to get it?
This is the apartment rental agreement or your landlord's statement about your accommodation, which includes their and your personal details, address, length of tenancy, etc. The statement must be certified in the Municipality or by a notary. You can usually find the declaration form in the Municipality or at a notary, but in any case the document must be written in Bosnian and must contain the following:
- Name and surname of the landlord
- Address in Zenica
- Landlord ID number (JMBG)
- Landlord Phone:
- Declaration with the following text: Under moral, material and criminal responsibility, I declare that _ (your name) citizen____ (your citizenship) passport number (your passport number) will stay with me in the period ____________ (duration of accommodation)
- Landlord's signature
- Date and place
What is the administrative fee for the White Card?
Issuance of the White Card is subject to residence tax/tax, so you have to pay it. You cannot pay the fee directly with cash or card, but with a money order (available at any post office or bank). After completing the transaction, you will receive two certified copies of the payment slip, and you should forward one to the Service for Affairs with Foreigners.
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