VISA REGIME
For holders of national passports and other travel documents: Visa is required
For holders of diplomatic and official passports: Visa is required
Note: Visa is required for holders of an emergency travel document in transit
ENTERING AND LEAVING THE COUNTRY
Citizens of the Republic of Serbia require a visa to enter the United States. Visas cannot be obtained at border crossings. Information about the visa application process and the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade can be found at https://rs.usembassy.gov/. For tourist travel or when arranging a stay, the passport's validity should be at least as long as the intended period of stay in the U.S.
Upon entering the U.S., it is common for a border official to ask about the reasons for your visit, the place, and the duration of your planned stay. A valid U.S. visa does not guarantee entry into the U.S., and there is a possibility that an already issued visa may be canceled. A border official may deny entry to a foreign national, even if they possess a U.S. visa, if reasons for denial are identified.
When entering the U.S., it is necessary to complete and submit Form I-94 (white form) to the immigration officer approving entry. The form can be obtained on the plane or at the passport control line. The data is stored electronically, and a copy of Form I-94 can be found and printed from https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/, which may be required for certain requests (e.g., obtaining a driver’s license). Additionally, a customs declaration form must be completed and submitted to a U.S. Customs Service officer. Bringing food, alcohol, and products of plant or animal origin is highly restricted. Medications for personal use for a stay of up to 90 days are permitted, provided they cannot be obtained in the U.S. However, medications strictly prohibited by the relevant U.S. authority (Food and Drug Administration) cannot be brought in. Information about prohibited or restricted items can be found at https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/know-before-you-go/prohibited-an…
If you are a dual citizen of Serbia and the U.S., please note that, under U.S. law, U.S. citizens must use only a U.S. travel document when entering or exiting the U.S.
It is not necessary to transfer a valid U.S. visa from an old passport to a new one. In such cases, when entering the U.S., you must carry both the valid passport and the old passport containing the valid U.S. visa.
SOCIAL SECURITY AGREEMENT
No social security agreement has been concluded.
USEFUL INFORMATION
HEALTH SITUATION — Although having health insurance is not required for entering the United States, it is recommended that visitors obtain one, as healthcare services are rather expensive. Medical examination by a general practitioner, for example, can cost between 150 and 200 U.S. dollars.
SECURITY SITUATION — Visitors should be aware that the United States could be a target of terrorist attacks.
Crime is present in most cities, more specifically, in certain neighbourhoods which are considered less safe. Serbian citizens are therefore advised to avoid places and areas which are not safe enough, if possible. A matter of particular concern is drug-related crime which prevails in the U.S. states bordering Mexico, specifically California, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona.
In case of any trouble, you should call the police at 911 immediately. Additionally, you are advised to contact the competent diplomatic or consular mission of the Republic of Serbia in the United States. The hurricane season in south-eastern U.S. states lasts from June to the end of November. Current information about hurricanes can be found on the National Hurricane Center website: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/. A dry and very warm climate in California often gives rise to forest fires which can spread very quickly, especially if accompanied by strong winds. Visitors should therefore keep themselves updated with the information provided by local authorities and the media.
TRANSPORT — During a short stay in the United States, Serbian citizens may drive a motor vehicle with their national (Serbian) driver’s licence if it is for the appropriate category of vehicle. Citizens whose licences are on the old form must have an international driving permit. Please note that certain U.S. states may have special rules or restrictions on using a national driver’s licence.
To purchase your own motor vehicle, you need to have a driver’s licence issued by the U.S. state of residence.
Operating a vehicle by an uninsured motorist constitutes a serious violation of road safety regulations (a felony).
OTHER INFORMATION — All types of credit cards (VISA, MasterCard, American Express) are accepted. Exchange offices are very rare and can be found mainly at airports and in larger hotels. Therefore, if you are planning to travel to the United States and want to bring some money in cash, you should exchange it for U.S. dollars ahead of journey. Under U.S. law, U.S. citizens and foreign nationals staying in the U.S. are prohibited from travelling to Cuba. The law specifies the cases when this is possible with the appropriate approval given by U.S. authorities. Furthermore, the import of all types of Cuban products and publications into the United States is prohibited. Purchase and consumption of alcohol is regulated by U.S. state laws. Most states prohibit the purchase or consumption of alcohol by persons under the age of 21.
When going shopping, you should keep in mind that displayed product prices do not include taxes. Tax regulations vary from state to state.
Contact information:
For consular assistance and protection while in the United States, you may contact:
1. Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Washington, D.C. (1333 16th St NW
Washington, DC 20036), at the telephone number: +1 (202) 706-0209, and e-mail addresses: info@serbiaembusa.org and consular@serbiaembusa.org;
*The Embassy covers the following U.S. states: Alabama AL, Arkansas AR, Delaware DE, District of Columbia DC, Florida FL, Georgia GA, Louisiana LA, Maryland MD, Mississippi MS, North Carolina NC, Oklahoma OK, South Carolina SC, Tennessee TN, Virginia VA, and West Virginia VVV.
2. Consulate General of the Republic of Serbia in New York (address: 62 West 45th Street, 7 Floor, New York, NY 10036), at the telephone number: 00 1 212 59 64 241, and e-mail address: consulate.newyork@mfa.rs;
*The Consulate General in New York covers the following U.S. states: Connecticut CT, Maine ME, Massachusetts MA, New Hampshire NH, New Jersey NJ, New York NY, Pennsylvania PA, Puerto Rico PR, Rhode Island RI, Vermont VT, and Virgin Islands VI.
3. Consulate General of the Republic of Serbia in Chicago (address: 201 East Ohio Street, Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60611), at the telephone number: 00 1 312 67 06 707, and e-mail address: info@scgchicago.org.
*The Consulate General in Chicago covers the following U.S. states: Alaska AK, Arizona AZ, California CA, Colorado CO, Guam GU, Hawaii HI, Illinois IL, Indiana IN, Idaho ID, Kansas KS, Kentucky KY, Michigan MI, Minnesota MN, Missouri MO, Montana MT, Nebraska NE, Nevada NV, New Mexico NM, North Dakota ND, Ohio OH, Oregon OR, South Dakota SD, Texas TX, Utah UT, Washington WA, Wisconsin WI, and Wyoming WY.