If you like beaches, mountains or even just cafés, Montenegro might be just the holiday destination you're looking for. If you need a visa, though, you have to get one before you travel; you can't pick one up at the airport when you arrive. If you're not sure if you need one, read on.

No visa required for

US and Canadian citizens

EU citizens

Australian / New Zealand citizens

Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR residents

Visa on arrival

not available

Where to get the visa

A visa application can be submitted at an embassy or consulate of Montenegro. If there is no Montenegrin diplomatic mission available, applications can be submitted at an embassy or consulate of the Republic of Serbia or (in Armenia, Azerbaijan or Georgia only) the Republic of Bulgaria.

Which documents have to be provided

• Completed visa application form

• Passport, which must be valid for three months beyond the expiry of the visa

• Copy of the passport's personal data pages

• 35 x 45mm photo showing full face without hat

• Letter of invitation from a Montenegrin citizen or legal entity within Montenegro (e.g. a state institution or a company)

• Return or onward travel ticket

• Proof of valid health insurance

• Evidence of sufficient funds to cover the planned stay

• Evidence of ensured accommodation for the planned stay

Full details of visa requirements by country are available on the website of Montenegro's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration.

Visa characteristics

A Short Stay visa is valid for one year, although it may be extended to a maximum of five years. It allows for one or more visits to Montenegro, but the total length of stays cannot exceed 90 days in a six month period from the date of first entry.

A Long Stay visa is valid for one year. It also allows for multiple visits, but the total length must not be more than 6 months in a one year period from date of first entry.

Visa fee

All visa fees must be paid in Euros. Prices are as follows:

Short Stay visa:

• One entry: 22 EUR (about 28 USD )

• Two entries: 52 EUR (about 66 USD )

• Multiple entries: 62 EUR (about 80 USD )

Long Stay visa: 82 EUR (about 105 USD )

Process at the immigration desk of airport or land border

Montenegro is a member of the Schengen Zone, so there's a separate immigration channel for EU citizens. If you're travelling with a visa don't use this channel. When going through immigration make sure your passport gets stamped. If it isn't you will have problems later, as it's an offence to leave Montenegro without a valid entry stamp.

Tips

• Have your letter of invitation, return travel ticket and proof of health insurance, accommodation and funds on you while going through immigration, as these may be checked.

• If you're driving into Montenegro make sure you have valid insurance, such as a European Green Card. Some hire car companies won't cover travel to Montenegro, so check if yours does. Cars without valid insurance will be refused entry.

• Declare any money above 2,000 EUR, as you won't be able to take it out of the country unless you can prove you brought it in with you.

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