Montenegro cancels visa-free entry for several countries and launches e-Visa

On 9 October, the Montenegrin cabinet, led by Prime Minister Milojko Spajić, approved suspending visa-free entry for citizens of Armenia, Uzbekistan, and Egypt. The decision was made as part of a phased alignment with common European visa practice on the path to EU membership.

The government stressed that the country "continues to harmonise with EU visa policy," and that the decision demonstrates a "clear commitment to full membership in the European Union." The reform is aimed at more effective migration management and stronger border control, and is regarded as another step toward meeting the requirements of negotiating Chapter 24 (justice, freedom, and security).

Adjusting the visa regime to EU standards

As part of updating the list of countries subject to visa control, citizens of Kuwait will now require a visa to enter Montenegro, while a visa-free regime is being introduced for citizens of the Republic of Nauru. In parallel, national rules have been brought into line with changes to Schengen regulations, including the integration of Bulgaria and Romania into the area of free movement. These steps aim for full compatibility of Montenegro's domestic legislation with European mobility instruments.

To expand consular presence and simplify visa procedures, new diplomatic missions are planned, including in India, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Czechia, and Slovakia. This is expected to speed up visa processing, strengthen international cooperation, and improve support for applicants.

A package of technical regulations aimed at increasing transparency, traceability, and inter-agency cooperation in visa issuance has also been approved. These measures are included in the national reform programme for 2024–2027 and are intended to advance the country to its next stage of European integration.

Preparing to launch an electronic visa

In parallel, Montenegro is preparing to launch an electronic visa (e-Visa). A draft amendment to the Law on Foreigners provides for the creation of a Unified Visa Information System (VIS) — a centralised digital platform modelled on European solutions.

The system will allow applications to be submitted online, supporting documents to be attached, and fees to be paid electronically. For short-stay category C visas, applications will need to be submitted no later than 15 days before travel; for long-stay category D visas, up to 60 days in advance. Once approved, the visa will be issued in digital format with a machine-readable code, photograph, and the applicant's personal data.

The transition to e-Visa is expected to simplify the procedure, reduce processing times, and strengthen security, while modernising the administration of migration processes. The initiative also brings Montenegro closer to technical and regulatory compatibility with Schengen Area mechanisms, combining European harmonisation with greater efficiency of national services.