Is Serbian citizenship required for the procedure of recognizing foreign school documents?
No, the recognition procedure is the same for everyone, regardless of citizenship.
Is it necessary to come to Belgrade and submit the application and documentation for recognition of school documents to the Qualifications Agency?
It is not necessary to come and submit the application and documentation in person. There is an online application form on the Qualifications Agency website.
If someone other than the diploma holder is submitting the application, is authorization needed?
The applicant can be another natural or legal person, with the appropriate documentation confirming this. It does not have to be an official authorization notarized by a notary.
Is it necessary to be an asylum seeker to apply for the recognition of school documents for further education or employment?
No, the application for recognition can be submitted by all refugees and migrants, not just asylum seekers. If fee exemption is requested, documentation must be provided confirming that the candidate has been granted asylum (refugee status or subsidiary protection) or temporary protection, or that they are an asylum seeker in the Republic of Serbia.
Can refugees be exempt from paying the fee?
They can be exempted from paying, according to the decision of the Qualifications Agency director, in accordance with the relevant documentation that needs to be provided. Each request is considered individually.
Is knowledge of the Serbian language at a certain level required for further education or employment in the Republic of Serbia?
It is advisable for candidates to learn Serbian as soon as possible for easier and faster integration into the community, schools, and workplaces, but national legislation does not prescribe knowledge of the Serbian language for further education or employment. An employer may require knowledge of the language as a special condition, especially in the field of medicine.
Is a decision on the recognition of foreign school documents necessary for further education and employment in the Republic of Serbia?
For further education, this is a mandatory procedure (an alternative is a knowledge test in schools), as it is in most cases for employment purposes.
Can informal education (knowledge and skills acquired outside the formal education system - primary, secondary, and higher education) be recognized?
The Qualifications Agency (Enic/Naric center) recognizes only formal education, and it is up to employers to decide whether to employ candidates who have completed training programs and courses abroad for specific jobs based on certificates confirming this.
How can I apply electronically?
On the Qualifications Agency website, there is an electronic form:
- for primary education:
http://212.200.100.106:81/enicnaricosnovno/prijava/index.cfm
- for secondary education:
http://212.200.100.106:81/enicnaricsrednje/prijava/index.cfm
- for higher education:
http://212.200.100.106:81/enicnaric/prijava/index.cfm
What is the fee for recognition?
- For primary school documents:
domestic payment
foreign payment
- For secondary school documents:
domestic payment
foreign payment
- For higher education documents:
domestic payment
foreign payment
How can I get a confirmation that the recognition process is in progress for employment, enrollment in university, secondary, or primary school?
After successfully completing the electronic application, a confirmation that the application has been accepted and the recognition process has begun is automatically sent to the email address provided in the application. If the application and documentation are submitted in person at the Qualifications Agency office, which is allowed for the recognition procedure of primary and secondary school documents, the confirmation is issued immediately at the counter after the request is submitted.
What is the legal deadline for issuing the decision?
- 60 days from the duly submitted application;
- 8 days if the higher education institution that issued the diploma is on the Shanghai list, the US News and World Report ranking list, or the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
What if I don't have complete documentation at the time of application?
In that case, you will receive a request for supplementation with a deadline for compliance. If you do not comply within the deadline, the Agency will issue a decision to dismiss the application.