Temporary residence permit for family reunification: Everything you need to know

A temporary residence permit based on family reunification allows the spouse and children of a foreign national, who already has an approved residence in Montenegro, to join them and legally reside in the country.

Below is an overview of the key rules, required documentation, and procedures.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE PERMIT?

The right to apply for this permit is granted to:

• the spouse of a foreign national who already holds an approved temporary residence permit,
• the children of a foreign national with approved residence.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

To submit the application, among other documents, it is necessary to provide:

• Marriage certificate (for the spouse),
• Birth certificate (for the children).

These documents confirm identity and family ties with the foreign national already residing in Montenegro.

VALIDITY OF THE PERMIT

The permit is issued for a duration of:

• one year, or
• up to three months before passport expiration, or
• until the expiration of the residence permit of the family member with whom reunification is requested.

ISSUANCE PROCEDURE

• After submitting the complete documentation, the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP) issues the permit within 40 days.
• Before the current permit expires, an application for extension must be submitted – from one month before expiration up to no later than one day before expiration.

EXTENSION OF THE PERMIT

If the extension application is not submitted on time, the right to extension is lost.
In this case, the procedure must start over, with the full set of documentation.

WORK RIGHTS

• During the first year of residence, a foreign national holding a family reunification permit does not have the right to work in Montenegro.
• After the first year, the foreign national may be employed:
• at ¼ of full working hours,
• at ½ of full working hours,
• or at full-time working hours.

A temporary residence permit based on family reunification enables families to live together and provides security for family life in Montenegro. However, the procedure can be demanding and may easily result in delays or rejections if the documentation is not properly prepared.

The Perfectum team offers complete support – from collecting and verifying documentation, through application submission, to advising on rights and obligations.
Our goal is to ensure your family reunification process is fast, stress-free, and fully compliant with legal regulations.