3. SAFETY AND SECURITY
Most Canadian visitors to Serbia do not experience problems. However, unexploded landmines may remain along the Kosovo border.The incidence of street crime is similar to that elsewhere in Europe, particularly in large urban centres. Pickpocketing may occur on public transportation and in other public places. Foreigners may be targeted by thieves. Four-wheel-drive and luxury vehicles are targeted by car thieves more than other models. Exercise caution and ensure personal belongings, passports, and other travel documents are secure, particularly on public transportation and in large crowds or public markets. Do not show signs of affluence or carry large sums of money. Use common sense in determining the need to drive with car windows closed and doors locked. Carry your passport at all times. For emergency assistance dial 92 for the police, 93 for the fire department and 94 for ambulance service.
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4. LOCAL TRAVEL
Public transportation is old and overcrowded. Use only officially marked taxis and pre-negotiate fares if a meter is not in use. Periodic disruptions of bus and international rail services could occur without warning.
Secondary roads are often narrow and poorly maintained. The Ibarska Magistrala road is dangerous due to poor road conditions and traffic congestion. Expect delays due to road construction and occasional roadblocks set up by striking workers along both major and minor routes. Roadside assistance is available by calling 987.
Drivers of vehicles bearing foreign licence plates must pay for compulsory third-party Green Card insurance. Road tolls may be paid in local currency. The posted speed limits are strictly enforced. There have been incidents where police target vehicles with foreign plates, often demanding immediate cash payment for alleged traffic violations. If stopped, Canadians should request a full explanation and, if an explanation is not forthcoming, request permission to speak to the Embassy of Canada in Belgrade (see Section 7 below). Always carry identification and vehicle registration papers.
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended.
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5. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE
Serbia is located in an active seismic zone. Canadians should know the address and telephone number of the Embassy of Canada in Belgrade (see section 7 below) in the event of an emergency.
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6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons. However, Canada and Serbia are signatories to the European Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons, which enables a Canadian imprisoned in Serbia to request to be transferred to Canada to complete the sentence in a Canadian prison. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and Serbian authorities.
Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 7 below. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.
The Department publishes A Guide for Canadians Imprisoned Abroad, specifically targeted at incarcerated Canadians. Its prime objective is to inform Canadian detainees, their families, and friends about available assistance and advice.
Penalties for use of illegal drugs can result in long jail sentences and heavy fines.
Canadians with ties to Serbia who hold Yugoslav citizenship may no longer be subject to forced conscription due to changes in regulations. Such persons should check with the Embassy or a consulate of Serbia prior to travelling to ensure that their draft status has been resolved. The obligations pertaining to compulsory military service remain the same as before for permanent residents of Canada who do not have Canadian citizenship.
Photography of military or police installations, vehicles, and personnel is prohibited.
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7. ASSISTANCE FOR CANADIANS ABROAD
You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address:
Serbia - BELGRADE, Embassy of Canada
Address: Kneza Milosa 75, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Postal Address: Belgrade, Serbia
Tel.: 381 (11) 306-3000
After hours tel.: 381 (11) 306-3050
Fax: 381 (11) 306-3042
E-mail: bgrad@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.international.gc.ca/canadaeuropa/serbia/
The Visa section in Belgrade operates normally for non-immigrant cases (visitors, temporary workers, and students). Immigration cases are processed by the Embassy of Canada in Vienna, Austria.
For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Belgrade and follow the instructions. You may also make a collect call to the Department in Ottawa at 613-996-8885.
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8. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS
The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with Serbian authorities and was valid on July 5, 2006. However, entry and exit requirements are subject to change.
It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the Embassy of Serbia and its consulates, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements.
A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Serbia. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure from the country.
Tourist Visa: Not required
Business Visa: Not required
Student Visa: Not required
Canadians travelling to Serbia do not require visas for stays of up to 90 days. For stays of over 90 days, visas must be obtained from the Embassy of Serbia prior to departure.
The Ministry of the Interior does not extend visas issued abroad to dual or possible dual nationals. In most cases, dual nationals must leave the country and obtain a new visa before they are allowed to return.
Upon arrival, all visitors with large amounts of cash or jewellery must obtain and complete a stamped customs declaration for all imported currency and valuables. Failure to produce the stamped declaration upon departure will result in delays and/or seizure of all currency and valuables.
Canadian should pay careful attention to the fact that Serbia does not recognize entry points with Kosovo or those on Kosovo's external borders with Albania or the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Travellers wishing to travel from Kosovo to Serbia should obtain further information from the Embassy of Serbia.
Canadians travelling from Macedonia to Kosovo should enquire about multiple-entry visas for Macedonia. A multiple-entry visa is needed to return to Macedonia after travelling to Kosovo.
A visa to enter or return to Macedonia must be obtained before visiting Kosovo at the Macedonian Commercial - Economic Representative Office in Pristina at the following address: Str. 24 Maj No. 121, Pristina, Kosovo (Tel: 381 38 247 462, Fax: 381 38 247 463). Working hours are Monday to Friday from 11:00-12:00.
It is recommended that any Canadian travelling to Kosovo obtain a Macedonian multiple-entry visa in the event of an emergency road departure from Kosovo.
Canadians staying in private dwellings must register with local police immediately upon arrival. Failure to do so may result in a fine, incarceration, and/or expulsion from the country.
Travellers should obtain an entry and exit stamp in their passport when they enter and leave Serbia.
Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.
Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.
Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.
Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.
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9. MONEY
The economy is largely cash-based. The currency is the new Serbian dinar (CSD). Cash and traveller's cheques exceeding 5,000 euros must be declared upon entry into the country, and a customs declaration must be presented upon departure. Banking facilities are limited, but ATM machines are spreading rapidly throughout the country and provide the easiest access to local currency. Traveller's cheques (American Express) are honoured at only a few banks in Belgrade, including the Eksimbanka, Komercijalna Banka AD, ProCredit Bank, Raiffaissen Bank, Société Générale Bank, and the Vojvodjanska Banka. More and more hotels, restaurants, and shops accept credit cards. Travellers are advised to carry moderate amounts of cash in euros or U.S. dollars.
Check with your bank for information on ATM services in other countries. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ATMs around the world. Your bank can advise if you need a new personal identification number (PIN) for overseas access to your account. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ATMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.
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10. GENERAL INFORMATION
Serbia (capital: Belgrade) is located in southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and Albania. Since June 1999, Kosovo has been under the administrative control of the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). Tourist facilities are widely available, but conditions may vary outside major cities. The official language is Serbian.
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11. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM
The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program Web site.
The Public Health Agency of Canada continues to closely monitor and report on occurrences of avian influenza A (H5N1), or "bird flu", in humans and in birds. Further information on avian influenza A (H5N1) and recommendations for travellers can be found on the Public Health Agency of Canada's Travel Medicine Web site as well as on the World Health Organization's Web site. For more information, see our Current Issues on Avian Influenza.
The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.
Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.
The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.
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12. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION
Carry a sufficient supply of medications, as shortages of prescription medicine are common outside major cities. Medical care is not up to Western standards. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services.
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13. RETURNING TO CANADA
Please consult the Current Issue on returning to Canada.
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14. INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS
Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child from another country, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.
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15. TRAVEL TIPS
Please consult our Traveller's Checklist.
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16. HEALTH AND TRAVEL INSURANCE
Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.
Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.
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17. FOR MORE INFORMATION
KOSOVO
Kosovo (capital: Pristina) is a province in Serbia under UN administration. Kosovo's north and northeast limits are its internal administrative boundaries with Serbia. The province also borders Montenegro, Albania, and Macedonia (FYR). Phone, electricity, and water services are unreliable throughout Kosovo. Tourist facilities are very limited outside the capital. Most residents speak Albanian.
Canadian citizens should maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. If you see an unattended bag, suspicious device, or anything out of the ordinary, you should report it immediately to the appropriate local authorities. The UN has advised its staff to check under and around their vehicles before they are driven.
As Kosovo begins the process to determine its future political status, it is possible that tensions may rise and demonstrations occur. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. Accordingly, Canadian citizens are urged to exercise caution and avoid demonstrations if possible.
Canadians in Kosovo should avoid demonstrations, maintain a high level of vigilance, monitor local developments and news broadcasts, and review their security arrangements carefully.
Extensive inter-ethnic conflict erupted in Kosovo in March 2004, causing numerous deaths and injuries. Fighting involving gunfire and hand grenade attacks occurred, as well as an assault on a police station, clashes with international peacekeeping forces, widespread civil unrest, extensive destruction of property, and the blockade of the southern highway to Macedonia. While the security situation in Kosovo has since stabilized, Canadians are advised to exercise caution when travelling outside of Pristina.
International explosive ordnance disposal teams have cleared all major routes and population centres, in addition to marking remaining sites known to contain mines or other unexploded ordnance (UXO). However, unexploded landmines may remain along the Albania-Kosovo border. UXO, particularly cluster bombs, is a problem throughout rural areas but can also be found elsewhere, including urban areas. Off-road travel and hiking in wooded areas can be dangerous. Exercise vigilance and risk-avoidance strategies.
Third-party automobile insurance is mandatory and can be purchased upon entry into Kosovo. Visitors can enter and leave Kosovo by road or through Pristina airport. Travel to Mitrovica North may be restricted and requires approval from UNMIK. There are no acceptable train services.
A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Kosovo. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure from the province. Canadian visitors do not require a visa to enter Kosovo.
As of July 1, 2005, those travelling by road from Serbia will be asked to provide proof of the purpose of their visit to Kosovo at the checkpoint between Serbia and Kosovo. Some categories of travellers will be exempted, for example holders of a Serbian ID card. Canadians intending to stay for more than 90 days must apply for an extension of stay to a police officer at a designated UNMIK police station.
Travellers should pay careful attention to the fact that Serbia does not recognize entry points direct from Kosovo or those on Kosovo's external borders with Albania or the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Therefore, Canadian travellers who wish to travel from Kosovo to Serbia must transit via a third country unless they already have a valid Serbian entry stamp in their passport. The only option available to travellers who wish to make the journey from Kosovo to Serbia by road is to transit via Macedonia.
A visa to enter or return to Macedonia must be obtained before visiting Kosovo at the Macedonian Commercial - Economic Representative Office in Pristina at the following address: Str. 24 Maj No. 121, Pristina, Kosovo (Tel: 381 38 247 462, Fax: 381 38 247 463). Working hours are Monday to Friday from 11:00-12:00.
It is recommended that any Canadian travelling to Kosovo obtain a Macedonian multiple-entry visa in the event of an emergency road departure from Kosovo.
Tourist Visa: Not required
Business Visa: Not required
Student Visa: Not required
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18. ANNEX
N/A
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