Update
January 10, 2024

Information for U.S. Citizens in the Middle East

U.S. Visas

English

U.S. Visa: Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina

Reciprocity Schedule

Select a visa category below to find the visa issuance fee, number of entries, and validity period for visas issued to applicants from this country*/area of authority.

Explanation of Terms

Visa Classification: The type of nonimmigrant visa you are applying for.

Fee: The reciprocity fee, also known as the visa issuance fee, you must pay. This fee is in addition to the nonimmigrant visa application fee (MRV fee).

Number of Entries: The number of times you may seek entry into the United States with that visa. "M" means multiple times. If there is a number, such as "One", you may apply for entry one time with that visa.

Validity Period: This generally means the visa is valid, or can be used, from the date it is issued until the date it expires, for travel with that visa. If your Validity Period is 60 months, your visa will be valid for 60 months from the date it is issued.

Visa Classifications

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V
 
Visa
Classification
Fee Number
of Entries
Validity
Period
A-1 None Multiple 60 Months
A-2 None Multiple 60 Months
A-3 1 None Multiple 12 Months
B-1 None Multiple 120 Months
B-2 None Multiple 120 Months
B-1/B-2 None Multiple 120 Months
C-1 None Multiple 36 Months
C-1/D None Multiple 36 Months
C-2 None Multiple 15 Days
C-3 None Multiple 48 Months
C-W-1 11 None Multiple 12 Months
C-W-2 11 None Multiple 12 Months
D None Multiple 36 Months
E-1 2 None Multiple 12 Months
E-2 2 None Multiple 12 Months
E-2C 12 None Multiple 12 Months
F-1 None Multiple 24 Months
F-2 None Multiple 24 Months
G-1 None Multiple 60 Months
G-2 None Multiple 60 Months
G-3 None One 6 Months
G-4 None Multiple 60 Months
G-5 1 None Multiple 12 Months
H-1B None Multiple 12 Months 3
H-1C None Multiple 12 Months 3
H-2A None N/A N/A3
H-2B None N/A N/A3
H-2R None Multiple 12 Months 3
H-3 None Multiple 12 Months 3
H-4 None Multiple 12 Months 3
I None Multiple 12 Months
J-1 4 None Multiple 24 Months
J-2 4 None Multiple 24 Months
K-1 None One 6 Months
K-2 None One 6 Months
K-3 None Multiple 24 Months
K-4 None Multiple 24 Months
L-1 None Multiple 12 Months
L-2 None Multiple 12 Months
M-1 None Multiple 12 Months
M-2 None Multiple 12 Months
N-8 None Multiple 60 Months
N-9 None Multiple 60 Months
NATO 1-7 N/A N/A N/A
O-1 None Multiple 12 Months 3
O-2 None Multiple 12 Months 3
O-3 None Multiple 12 Months 3
P-1 None Multiple 12 Months 3
P-2 None Multiple 12 Months 3
P-3 None Multiple 12 Months 3
P-4 None Multiple 12 Months 3
Q-1 6 None Multiple 12 Months 3
R-1 None Multiple 12 Months
R-2 None Multiple 12 Months
S-5 7 None One 1 Month
S-6 7 None One 1 Month
S-7 7 None One 1 Month
T-1 9 N/A N/A N/A
T-2 None One 6 Months
T-3 None One 6 Months
T-4 None One 6 Months
T-5 None One 6 Months
T-6 None One 6 Months
T-D 5 N/A N/A N/A
U-1 None Multiple 48 Months
U-2 None Multiple 48 Months
U-3 None Multiple 48 Months
U-4 None Multiple 48 Months
U-5 None Multiple 48 Months
V-1 None Multiple 120 Months
V-2 None Multiple 120 Months 8
V-3 None Multiple 120 Months 8

Country Specific Footnotes

Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.

ALL /

Visa Category Footnotes

  1. The validity of A-3, G-5, and NATO 7 visas may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the person who is employing the applicant. The "employer" would have one of the following visa classifications:

    • A-1
    • A-2
    • G-1 through G-4
    • NATO 1 through NATO 6

  2. An E-1 and E-2 visa may be issued only to a principal alien who is a national of a country having a treaty, or its equivalent, with the United States. E-1 and E-2 visas may not be issued to a principal alien if he/she is a stateless resident or national of a country without a treaty.  *When the spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 principal alien are accorded derivative E-1 or E-2 status and are themselves a national of a country that does not have a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the principal alien’s country of nationality should be used.  **Spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 visa principal applicant, where the spouse and children are also nationals of a country that has a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the spouse and children’s country of nationality should be used.  

    *Example 1: John Doe is a national of Country A that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country B which has no treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the same reciprocity as John Doe, the principal visa holder.

    **Example 2:  Mike Doe is a national of Country Y that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country Z that also has a treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the reciprocity issued to nationals of Country Z.

  3. The validity of H-1 through H-3, O-1 and O-2, P-1 through P-3, and Q visas may not exceed the period of validity of the approved petition or the number of months shown, whichever is less.

    Under 8 CFR §214.2, H-2A and H-2B petitions may generally only be approved for nationals of countries that the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated as participating countries. The current list of eligible countries is available on USCIS's website for both H-2A and H-2B visas. Nationals of countries not on this list may be the beneficiary of an approved H-2A or H2-B petition in limited circumstances at the discretion of the Department of Homeland Security if specifically named on the petition.  

    Derivative H-4, L-2, O-3, and P-4 visas, issued to accompanying or following-to-join spouses and children, may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the principal alien.

  4. There is no reciprocity fee for the issuance of a J visa if the alien is a United States Government grantee or a participant in an exchange program sponsored by the United States Government.

    Also, there is no reciprocity fee for visa issuance to an accompanying or following-to-join spouse or child (J-2) of an exchange visitor grantee or participant.

    In addition, an applicant is eligible for an exemption from the MRV fee if he or she is participating in a State Department, USAID, or other federally funded educational and cultural exchange program (program serial numbers G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-7).

    However, all other applicants with U.S. Government sponsorships, including other J-visa applicants, are subject to the MRV processing fee.

  5. Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian and Mexican nationals coming to engage in certain types of professional employment in the United States may be admitted in a special nonimmigrant category known as the "trade NAFTA" or "TN" category. Their dependents (spouse and children) accompanying or following to join them may be admitted in the "trade dependent" or "TD" category whether or not they possess Canadian or Mexican nationality. Except as noted below, the number of entries, fees and validity for non-Canadian or non-Mexican family members of a TN status holder seeking TD visas should be based on the reciprocity schedule of the TN principal alien.

    Canadian Nationals

    Since Canadian nationals generally are exempt from visa requirement, a Canadian "TN' or "TD" alien does not require a visa to enter the United States. However, the non-Canadian national dependent of a Canadian "TN", unless otherwise exempt from the visa requirement, must obtain a "TD" visa before attempting to enter the United States. The standard reciprocity fee and validity period for all non-Canadian "TD"s is no fee, issued for multiple entries for a period of 36 months, or for the duration of the principal alien's visa and/or authorized period of stay, whichever is less. See 'NOTE' under Canadian reciprocity schedule regarding applicants of Iranian, Iraqi or Libyan nationality.

    Mexican Nationals

    Mexican nationals are not visa-exempt. Therefore, all Mexican "TN"s and both Mexican and non-Mexican national "TD"s accompanying or following to join them who are not otherwise exempt from the visa requirement (e.g., the Canadian spouse of a Mexican national "TN") must obtain nonimmigrant visas.

    Applicants of Iranian, Iraqi, Libyan, Somalian, Sudanese, Syrian or Yemeni nationality, who have a permanent resident or refugee status in Canada/Mexico, may not be accorded Canadian/Mexican reciprocity, even when applying in Canada/Mexico. The reciprocity fee and period for "TD" applicants from Libya is $10.00 for one entry over a period of 3 months. The Iranian and Iraqi "TD" is no fee with one entry over a period of 3 months.

  6. Q-2 (principal) and Q-3 (dependent) visa categories are in existence as a result of the 'Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998'. However, because the Department anticipates that virtually all applicants for this special program will be either Irish or U.K. nationals, the Q-2 and Q-3 categories have been placed only in the reciprocity schedules for those two countries. Q-2 and Q-3 visas are available only at the Embassy in Dublin and the Consulate General in Belfast.

  7. No S visa may be issued without first obtaining the Department's authorization.

  8. V-2 and V-3 status is limited to persons who have not yet attained their 21st birthday. Accordingly, the period of validity of a V-2 or V-3 visa must be limited to expire on or before the applicant's twenty-first birthday.

  9. Posts may not issue a T-1 visa. A T-1 applicant must be physically present in the United States, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or a U.S. port of entry, where he/she will apply for an adjustment of status to that of a T-1. The following dependents of a T-1 visa holder, however, may be issued a T visa at a U.S. consular office abroad:

    • T-2 (spouse)
    • T-3 (child)
    • T-4 (parent)
  10. The validity of NATO-5 visas may not exceed the period of validity of the employment contract or 12 months, whichever is less.

  11. The validity of CW-1 and CW-2 visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (12 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.

  12. The validity of E-2C visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (24 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.

 

 

ALL / ALL /

General Documents

There are no general documents

Birth, Death, Burial Certificates

Birth Certificates

Available       

Fees:  There are fees

Document Name:  Izvod iz maticne knjige rodenih

Issuing Authority:  The Civil Registrar ("Maticar") having jurisdiction over the locality where the event occurred. If the event occurred abroad, the BiH citizen may report it to the BiH authorities and is then issued the corresponding document, listing the foreign country as the place of occurrence of the event. 

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format:  There is no special seal(s)/color/format

Issuing Authority Personnel Title:  Maticar

Registration Criteria:  There are no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining:  Can only be requested in person or upon a presentation of power of attorney in the Municipal Registrar’s office

Certified Copies Available:  Certified copies are available

Alternate Documents:  There are no alternate documents

Exceptions:  None

Comments:  The practice in BiH has been that changes in civil status, such as divorce or name change are entered onto birth certificates. Thus, the BiH authorities usually require submission of a recently issued (within the past six months) birth certificate when BiH citizens request issuance of government documents.

 

Death Certificates

Available

Fees:  There are fees

Document Name:  Izvod iz maticne knjige umrlih

Issuing Authority:  The Civil Registrar ("Maticar") having jurisdiction over the locality where the event occurred.

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There is no special seal(s) color/format

Issuing Authority Personnel Title:  Maticar

Registration Criteria:  There are no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining:  Can only be requested by next of kin in person or upon a presentation of power of attorney in the Municipal Registrar’s office

Certified Copies Available:  Certified copies are available

Alternate Documents:  There are no alternate documents

Exceptions:  None

Comments:  None

Marriage, Divorce Certificates

Marriage Certificates

Available

Fees:  There are fees

Document Name:  Izvod iz maticne knjige vjencanih

Issuing Authority:  The Civil Registrar ("Maticar") having jurisdiction over the locality where the event occurred. If the event occurred abroad, the BiH citizen may report it to the BiH authorities and is then issued the corresponding document, listing the foreign country as the place of occurrence of the event.

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format:  There is no special seal(s)/color/format

Issuing Authority Personnel Title:  Maticar

Registration Criteria:  There are no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining:  Can only be requested in person or upon a presentation of power of attorney in the Municipal Registrar’s office

Certified Copies Available:  Certified copies are available

Alternate Documents:  There are no alternate documents

Exceptions:  None

Comments:  The fact that a marriage took place by proxy is not usually evident from the marriage certificate. Only civil marriages are legal in BiH.

 

Divorce Certificates

Available

Fees:  There are fees

Document Name:  Presuda o razvodu braka

Issuing Authority:  Civil Courts

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format:  A divorce certificate is typewritten

Issuing Authority Personnel Title:  There is no issuing authority personnel title

Registration Criteria:  There are no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining:  Can only be requested in person or upon a presentation of power of attorney in the Court Registrar’s office

Certified Copies Available:  Certified copies are available

Alternate Documents:  There are no alternate documents

Exceptions:  None

Comments:  Only divorces obtained through the civil courts are legal.

Adoption Certificates

Available

Fees: There are fees

Document Name:  Rjesenje o usvajanju

Issuing Authority:  Centre for Social Work

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: This is no special seal (s)/color/format

Issuing Authority Personnel Title:  There is no issuing authority personnel title

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining: Can only be requested in person or upon a presentation of power of attorney in the Center for Social Work’s office

Certified Copies Available:  Certified copies are available

Alternate Documents:  There are no alternate documents

Exceptions:  None

Comments:  None

Identity Card

Available

Fees:   There are fees

Document Name:  Licna Karta

Issuing Authority:  CIPS (Citizens' Identification Protection System) 

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format:  Format of a plastic credit card

Issuing Authority Personnel Title:  There is no issuing authority personnel title

Registration Criteria:  There are no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining:  Can only be requested in person or upon a presentation of power of attorney in the Municipal Registrar’s office

Certified Copies Available:  Certified copies are not available

Alternate Documents:  There are no alternate documents

Exceptions:  None

Comments:  As of October 31, 2005 the "old" identity cards (those issued based on the entity and cantonal regulations in BiH or those issued at the time of the former Yugoslavia) ceased to be valid. All BiH citizens over the age of 18, whose place of residence is in BiH, must carry an identity card ("licna karta"), which is issued by the CIPS (Citizens' Identification Protection System) office in their place of residence.

Police, Court, Prison Records

Police Records

Available

Fees:  There are fees

Document Name:  Policijsko Uvjerenje o nekaznjavanju

Issuing Authority:  Ministry of Interior, Local Police Department (Ministarstvo unutrasnjih poslova)

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format:  There is no special seal(s) color/format

Issuing Authority Personnel Title:  There is no issuing authority personnel title

Registration Criteria:  There is no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining:  Can only be requested in person or upon a presentation of power of attorney in the Local Police Department

Certified Copies Available:  Certified copies are not available

Alternate Documents:  A similar document is issued by the Municipal Court (Opstinski Sud) of the district in which the applicant last resided, and shows whether the applicant is currently under investigation in any criminal matter.

Exceptions:  None

Comments:  A certificate (Uvjerenje) issued by the Ministry of Interior (Ministarstvo unutrasnjih poslova) shows whether the applicant has been convicted of any crimes and the articles of law involved. Both the Policijsko Uvjerenje o nekaznjavanju and Opstinski Sud are required for immigrant visa purposes.
Send a copy of the police certificate to the National Visa Center

Court Records

Available

Fees: There are fees

Document Name:  Uvjerenje da se ne vodi krivicni postupak – Sudsko uvjerenje o nekaznjavanju

Issuing Authority:  Civil Courts

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format:  There is no special seal(s)/color/format

Issuing Authority Personnel Title:  There is no issuing authority personnel title

Registration Criteria:  There are no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining:  Can only be requested in person or upon a presentation of power of attorney in the Court  Registrar’s office

Certified Copies Available:  Certified copies are not available

Alternate Documents:  There are no alternate documents

Exceptions:  None

Comments:  A certificate issued by a Municipal Court states whether the Municipal Court having jurisdiction over the applicant’s place of residence is conducting a proceeding against the applicant.
 

Prison Records

Available: Only as a part of criminal record check i.e. Police certificate

Fees:  There are no fees

Document Name:  Uvjerenje

Issuing Authority:  Ministry of Interior  

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format:  There is no special seal(s)/color/format

Issuing Authority Personnel Title:  There is no issuing authority personnel title

Registration Criteria:  There are no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining:  Can only be requested in person or upon a presentation of power of attorney in the Police Department

Certified Copies Available:  Certified copies are not available

Alternate Documents:  There are no alternate documents

Exceptions:  None

Comments:  None

Military Records

Available

Fees:  There are no fees

Document Name:  Uvjerenje iz vojne evidencije  and Military Record Books" ("Vojna Knjižica")

Issuing Authority:  Municipality of residence

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format:  There is no special seal(s)/color/format

Issuing Authority Personnel Title:  There is no issuing authority personnel title

Registration Criteria:  There are no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining:  Can only be requested in person or upon a presentation of power of attorney in the Municipal Registrar’s office

Certified Copies Available:  Certified copies are available

Alternate Documents:  There are no alternate documents

Exceptions:  None

Comments:  As of January 1, 2006, obligatory military service in BiH has been discontinued (BiH now has only a professional army). All men who in the past completed their obligatory military service (including the service in the former Yugoslav People's Army, "JNA") are in possession of so-called "military record books" ("vojna knjižica"), which lists the dates of their mandatory service, reserve duty, participation in wars, etc. This information is also included in the Military certificate issued by the Municipal Military records department (Odsjek za vojna pitanja)

Passports & Other Travel Documents

Types Available (Regular, Diplomatic, Official, etc.):  Tourist, Official, Diplomatic,

Fees:  There are fees

Document Name:  Pasos/Putovnica/Passport

Issuing Government Authority:  Ministry of Interior

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Following the Swiss example, the text throughout is in four languages: Bosnian and Croatian (Latin alphabet), Serbian (Cyrillic), and English.

The passports are machine-readable and contain anti-fraud technology. The front cover is dark blue with gold lettering and features a gold and blue version of the national crest bisected by a diagonal row of stars. The inside back and front cover are printed in multicolored ink that fluoresces, and the binding threads fluoresce blue and yellow, the colors of the Bosnia and Herzegovina flag. Micro printing is included in the wavy design which is carried over from the front to the back cover.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title:  There is no issuing authority personnel title

Registration Criteria:  There are no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining:  In person only

Alternate Documents:  There are no alternate documents

Exceptions:  None

Comments:  Adult passports are valid for 10 years, and minor passports are valid for from 3 to 5 years depending on the minor’s age.

Other Documents Available:  None

Other Records

There are no other records

Visa Issuing Posts

Post Title:  Sarajevo, Bosnia, Embassy

Address:  

            1 Robert C. Frasure Street
            71000 Sarajevo

Phone: +387 33 704-000

Fax: +387 33 659-722

Phone Number:  None

Comments / Additional Information:  NIV and IV services for citizens and permanent residents of Bosnia only are processed by the U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo.

Visa Services

Nonimmigrant, including K, and Immigrant visas.  All of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Additional Information for Reciprocity

Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.