The Central European nation of Serbia has ended the visa-free travel rules for nationals of India in light of the demands of EU visa policy and actions to control illegal migrants. Concerning this, the Indian Embassy in Belgrade, Serbia, had also released a travel advisory informing all Indian visitors that, starting on January 1, 2023, they need a visa to enter Serbia.
The Serbian government has officially ended the practice of granting all Indian passport holders visa-free entrance and stays of up to 30 days in Serbia. Before this rule, Indian citizens with ordinary passports and other required travel documents could enter Serbia without a visa for up to 30 days within a calendar year.
The Serbia Embassy has advised to apply for a visa at the Serbian Embassy in the respective country of residence in light of the most recent development.
Indian citizens who hold a valid Schengen, UK, or US visa may still enter Serbia without a visa for a period of up to 90 days, according to the Embassy. Be aware that as of November 20, Serbia has also ended its visa-free regime with Burundi, Tunisia, and Guinea-Bissau.
What prompted this?
Serbia has seen an increase in the number of refugees from several nations, particularly Cuba, with the number rising from 36 to 339. However, the increase in Turk arrivals, which rose from 1,653 to 6,186, outpaced all other figures, alarming Serbia and the European Union.
Additionally, immigration from India increased dramatically during this time, from 557 to 4,469, indicating that the government had to take measures to stop the nation from becoming a migratory hub. India, Turkey, Burundi, Tunisia, and Cuba accounted for 2.5% of all unlawful border crossings on the Western Balkan Route in 2021, which saw a 20% increase this year. For all hassle free visa services contact houseoftours.com.
