Montenegro introduces visas for five countries

Montenegro has fully aligned its visa policy with that of the European Union, fulfilling one of the final benchmarks for closing Chapter 24 – Justice, Freedom and Security of its EU accession negotiations, as well as one of the key commitments under its Reform Agenda.

The move confirms the country's commitment to European integration and creates the conditions for accessing approximately €4 million under the EU's Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, CE Report informs via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro's official website.

On July 23, 2026, the Government of Montenegro adopted amendments to the Regulation on the Visa Regime. Under the new rules, citizens of the countries that previously represented discrepancies between Montenegro's visa policy and that of the EU—Belarus, China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey—will require a visa to enter Montenegro starting November 1, 2026.

Although the alignment means that nationals of these countries will now need visas to enter Montenegro, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it has undertaken comprehensive measures to minimize any negative impact while making the visa application process as simple and accessible as possible.

The most significant change is that applicants will no longer be required to submit visa applications exclusively through Montenegro's diplomatic and consular missions. Through a partnership with VFS Global, the world's leading provider of visa services, applications for Montenegrin visas can already be submitted at VFS application centers in India, Bangladesh, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Russia.

In the coming period, additional VFS centers will open in Pakistan, China, Armenia, Kazakhstan, the Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Belarus, Nepal, and Uzbekistan, with further expansion planned to Jordan, Kuwait, Thailand, and Indonesia.

This will allow foreign nationals to apply for a Montenegrin visa at the nearest VFS application center without having to travel to a Montenegrin embassy or consulate, significantly simplifying the procedure and making it faster and more accessible.

At the same time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is implementing one of its most significant projects in visa management—the establishment of a new, modern Visa Information System that will be fully compatible with European Union information systems and compliant with Schengen security standards.

The project's ultimate objective is to introduce an electronic visa (e-Visa) system, enabling applicants to submit visa applications online while ensuring faster processing times and more efficient services for foreign nationals.

By aligning its visa policy with that of the European Union, Montenegro is fulfilling another important obligation on its path toward EU membership while simultaneously modernizing its visa system and facilitating access to the country for travelers from numerous key source markets.

According to the ministry, these measures will strengthen national security, advance the digitalization of public administration, and enhance Montenegro's competitiveness as a tourist and investment destination.

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