The short answer
The cost of a Pakistani worker in Serbia has two parts: a one-time cost to bring the worker in, and the running cost of employing them. The one-time part is usually recovered within the first months of production if the worker is trade-tested properly. The running cost is governed by Serbian labour law, which gives foreign workers the same rights on pay and conditions as Serbian staff.
We do not publish fixed salary figures. Wages depend on the trade, the region and your collective terms, so we work to your budget and tell you honestly what calibre of worker it attracts.
1. Permits: the unified residence and work permit
Serbia replaced separate residence and work permits with a single unified permit (jedinstvena dozvola za boravak i rad). Applications are filed online through the Foreigners’ Portal, and the authorities have a statutory deadline of around 15 days to decide. The National Employment Service checks the labour-market side as part of the same procedure, so a complete, consistent file is what keeps you inside that window. Budget for the administrative fees for the permit and the biometric card, plus translation and legalisation of the worker’s documents.
2. Visa and travel
- Type D visa at the Serbian embassy responsible for Pakistan, where required, with its consular fee.
- One-way flight Lahore or Islamabad to Belgrade, usually via the Gulf or Istanbul. Book early for batch departures.
- Airport pick-up and first-day transport to the site.
3. Worker-side documents in Pakistan
Police character certificate, medical fitness, trade test, education and experience attestation, and Protector of Emigrants registration. Through a licensed agency these are handled in Pakistan as part of the deployment process; the employer’s job is to confirm the job offer and contract terms.
4. Accommodation and onboarding
Most employers provide shared accommodation near the site, either directly or as a deduction agreed in the contract. Add basic onboarding: safety training, PPE, a bank account and SIM card, and a Serbian-speaking supervisor or interpreter for the first weeks. These small costs are what keep workers past the first 90 days.
5. The agency’s role and cost
Our service covers sourcing, trade testing with work videos, document verification, permit-file support, visa preparation, orientation and departure. We quote per brief, based on the trade, headcount and timeline, and we never charge the worker for the job. Ask any agency you speak to for the same clarity: what is included, what is extra, and who pays what.
Where budgets usually go wrong
- Choosing workers late, so flights are booked at peak prices.
- Documents that do not match the permit application, forcing a resubmission.
- No plan for housing on arrival, leading to expensive short-term rentals.
- Skipping trade tests and paying later through low productivity or replacements.
Next step
Send us the trades, headcount, city and start date. We will reply with a shortlist plan, timeline and a clear quote, built around the budget you set.
Related: Hiring Pakistani workers for Serbia · Why Serbian employers hire Pakistani workers · All insights
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to hire a Pakistani worker in Serbia?
The total depends on the trade, headcount and your wage level. One-time costs cover the unified permit and card fees, visa, document legalisation, flight and onboarding; running costs are wages and benefits on equal terms with Serbian staff. We quote per brief to your budget.
How long does the Serbian unified permit take?
Applications are filed online and the authorities have a deadline of about 15 days to decide on a complete file. Worker selection, documents and visa in Pakistan add to the overall timeline.
Do Pakistani workers in Serbia get the same pay as Serbian workers?
Serbian law requires equal treatment on pay and working conditions. Wages must at least meet the legal minimum and the terms agreed in the contract.
Does the worker pay a fee to the agency?
No. We do not charge workers for the job. The employer pays the agency service fee as agreed in writing.