Montenegro aligns with EU visa policy launching New E-Visa System
If Montenegro were a student, it’d currently be that overachiever in the front row trying to impress the teacher — in this case, the European Union. The small Balkan nation is busy aligning its visa policies with EU standards and, in true 21st-century style, working on its very own electronic visa (e-Visa) system.
That’s right — soon, applying for a Montenegrin visa could be as easy as ordering a pizza online (minus the toppings and extra cheese, unfortunately).
So What’s Changing?
On October 9, Prime Minister Milojko Spajić and his Cabinet decided it’s time to tighten things up. Montenegro suspended visa-free travel for citizens of Armenia, Uzbekistan, and Egypt, a move designed to better match the EU’s common visa policy — and show Brussels that it means business about joining the club.
The government called it “a clear signal” of commitment to EU membership. Translation: “We’re ready for the big leagues, and we’ve done our homework.”
These updates are all part of Montenegro’s grand plan to manage migration more effectively, strengthen border controls, and tick all the boxes under Chapter 24 of the EU accession process — the chapter that deals with justice, freedom, and security. Basically, the part where the EU says, “We’ll let you sit with us if you play by our rules.”
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Visa Swaps and Diplomatic Makeovers
To match EU practices, Montenegro has shuffled its visa list. Kuwaiti nationals will now need a visa to visit, while citizens of Nauru (yes, the world’s third-smallest country) get to enjoy visa-free access.
And that’s not all. Montenegro is going global — opening new embassies in places like India, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. So if you’ve ever dreamed of applying for a Montenegrin visa in Tokyo or Riyadh, your time is coming.
It’s all part of a bigger plan to make the visa process smoother, more transparent, and frankly, less of a headache for everyone involved.
Coming Soon: Montenegro’s E-Visa Magic
Now, here’s where things get exciting. The government is preparing to launch its own e-Visa system, turning the old-fashioned embassy line into a sleek digital process.
Under a new amendment to the Law on Foreigners, Montenegro will roll out a Visa Information System (VIS) — a centralized platform inspired by the EU’s own setup. Once it’s live, travelers will be able to:
- Apply online (no more waiting rooms with bad coffee)
- Upload their documents
- Pay fees electronically
- And get their visa issued digitally, complete with a barcode, photo, and personal details.
For short stays (Type C), you’ll need to apply 15 days before travel, and for long stays (Type D), 60 days ahead. Once approved, your visa will arrive straight to your inbox — no paper, no stamps, no stress.
Why This Matters
Besides making life easier for travelers (and embassy staff who’ve had enough of paper jams), the e-Visa launch marks Montenegro’s digital leap into Europe’s future. It’s faster, safer, and smarter — and a major step toward the country’s dream of Schengen compatibility.
So, next time you plan a trip to the Adriatic, don’t be surprised if Montenegro greets you with a digital “Welcome” instead of a rubber stamp.
After all, it’s not just catching up with Europe — it’s dressing for the part.
