Over 7,000 foreign workers in BiH as demand for waiters, builders and cleaners rises

Due to the ongoing labour shortage in certain sectors, the need for foreign workers in Bosnia and Herzegovina is expected to grow further in the coming years.

According to available data, 5,798 work permits were issued to foreign workers in 2024, while in 2025 the number increased to 6,702, according to data from the Labour Agency of BiH. Of that number, 3,588 permits were issued in the Federation of BiH, 2,789 in Republika Srpska, and 325 in the Brčko District, according to UNIDAD.

They note that certain categories of foreigners, under the law, are not required to have a work permit, meaning the actual number of foreign workers employed in the country is somewhat higher.

“The need for foreign workers in BiH is truly great and constantly growing. As an agency that employs foreign workers, we notice that the number of employers who contact us is increasing year by year. The greatest demand is currently for professions such as waiters, cooks, cleaners, carpenters, reinforcement workers, bricklayers, production workers, carpenters, but also other auxiliary and qualified workers,” they added.

According to UNIDAD, foreign workers in Bosnia and Herzegovina come from various countries, with the largest number currently arriving from India, followed by Turkey, Nepal and Bangladesh, as well as from neighbouring countries such as Serbia and Croatia.

The biggest labour shortages are currently recorded in the construction sector, hospitality and manufacturing industries, and companies from these sectors most often employ foreign workers in order to maintain business continuity.

The tourism and hospitality sector also records increased demand for labour every year ahead of the tourist season. Employers are already preparing for the season and some are trying to secure workers in advance, including foreign workers, to avoid staff shortages during the most intense part of the season.

However, the Agency notes that procedures for employing foreign workers are still complex and time-consuming.

“In the last few months, certain changes have been introduced with the aim of speeding up the process, especially through the Protocol between the Service for Foreigners’ Affairs of BiH and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of BiH signed in August 2025. This step has somewhat facilitated the procedure, but in practice the process can still be slow,” UNIDAD assessed.

They emphasize that the process of hiring foreign workers is administratively demanding and requires compliance with multiple procedures and regulations.

“As an agency, we conduct all processes strictly in accordance with the law, precisely in order to avoid any irregularities. That is why we often advise employers to involve agencies that have experience in employing foreign workers in this process. Such an approach helps ensure that all necessary documentation is properly prepared and submitted, which significantly reduces the possibility of errors and potential problems in practice,” they say.

They also stress that domestic workers have priority when it comes to employment.

“The law itself is set up in such a way that a foreign worker cannot be employed if there are domestic citizens on the register who meet the requirements for that job position. In addition, for employers, employing domestic workers is simpler, faster and more financially advantageous,” UNIDAD concluded.