The Rulebook on the Process and Procedure for Issuing Work Permits has been submitted for publication in the Official Gazette of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Rulebook further regulates the implementation of amendments to the Law on Employment of Foreign Nationals in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH), with the aim of establishing clearer procedures for employers, specifying the required documentation, and ensuring predictable deadlines for the competent authorities.
One of the key changes concerns the employment of foreign nationals in occupations facing labour shortages. For occupations officially designated as shortage occupations, the verification of unemployment records will no longer be required, thereby simplifying administrative procedures in sectors where labour shortages have already been identified in accordance with the law.
The Rulebook stipulates that the competent cantonal employment service must issue a decision within 30 days of receiving a complete application. It also specifies the deadlines for processing applications by cantonal employment services and the Federal Employment Institute, as well as the possibility of submitting applications through an authorised representative at an employer's branch office, subject to the conditions prescribed by the Rulebook.