Ghana in Talks to Tap Serbia’s 100,000 Work Permits Amid Negotiations

Linkable resources in order of appearance:
1. Serbia Ministry of Foreign Affairs
2. Serbia’s Ministry of Labour (no .gov link provided in detected list — skip)
3. National Employment Service
4. Ministry of Interior (Serbia)
5. D visa (handled by Serbia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs) — D visa resource

Now I have added up to five .gov links (only the first mention of each resource in the article body). No other content was changed.

(GHANA) Ghana and Serbia are moving closer to a deal that could open thousands of jobs for Ghanaian workers next year, but officials on both sides say no pact has been signed yet. As of September 13, 2025, talks with Belgrade are in an advanced stage to access some of the 100,000 Serbia work permits planned for foreign hires in 2025. Serbia has pushed back on claims of a finalized arrangement, stressing that any future labor mobility agreement will be carefully controlled to protect local jobs, and that the current policy is open to all nationalities through standard employer sponsorship.

Recent diplomacy and official positions

During a three-day visit to Accra in July, Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Đurić met with Ghana’s Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa to discuss cooperation across jobs, education, and technology. Both sides spoke openly about a framework that could make Ghana the second African country, after Egypt, to formalize worker placements in Serbia.

Soon after, Serbia’s Ministry of Labour issued an official statement saying there is no signed agreement or memorandum with Ghana. Đurić also publicly denied reports of a dedicated 100,000-worker deal, calling those claims a misunderstanding of Serbia’s general policy.

Key fact: No labor mobility agreement is signed as of September 2025. Negotiations are active, but any pact will be subject to Serbia’s existing protections and procedures.

Why the 100,000 figure matters

The headline figure—Serbia’s plan to issue 100,000 foreign work permits in 2025—has stirred strong interest in Accra because it could help ease youth unemployment. Ghana’s median age is about 20, and many young graduates struggle to find stable work.

For Serbia, a shrinking and aging population has created shortages in key sectors. Officials in Belgrade say they need skilled and semi-skilled labor, and that employers can recruit qualified foreign candidates when local talent is not available after a labor market test.

Current rules (how Ghanaians can apply now)

For Ghanaians seeking work in Serbia without a bilateral deal, the path follows Serbia’s standard system for foreign workers:

1. Secure a written job offer from a Serbian employer.
2. Employer requests approval through the National Employment Service, which runs a labor market test to confirm no suitable local worker is available.
3. After approval, the employer files for the unified work-and-residence permit with the Ministry of Interior. The permit can be issued for up to three years (renewable).
4. The worker applies for a D visa for employment purposes at a Serbian diplomatic mission abroad, once the permit decision is in place.
5. On arrival, the worker registers residence and begins employment under the terms of the permit.

• The Ministry of Interior issues the permit after the National Employment Service confirms the labor market test.
• The D visa is handled by Serbia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs for employment purposes.
• Self-employment and entrepreneurship remain alternative routes where applicable.

Sectors most likely to hire

Officials identify these high-demand sectors where Ghanaian workers could find opportunities:

• Construction — foreign crews support major infrastructure projects.
• Healthcare — nurses, technicians, and support staff.
• ICT — software developers, systems engineers.
• Agriculture — seasonal hands on farms.
• Services — hotels and restaurants need cooks, servers, cleaners.

Any future Ghana–Serbia arrangement would likely direct applicants toward these areas, with Serbia retaining control over numbers and timing.

Scholarships and wider cooperation

The July meetings also produced non-labor outcomes:

• Serbia awarded 51 scholarships to Ghanaian students and plans 30 more in 2025 under the “World in Serbia” program.
• Discussions covered cooperation in mining (including lithium), technology, climate issues, and defense.

These initiatives add momentum to a broader partnership and create paths for skills training that could support future employment in Serbia.

Data and hiring rules context

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, Serbia’s foreign work permits rose from 23,662 in 2021 to nearly 80,000 in 2024. The jump to 100,000 in 2025 is significant, but:

• It is not a country-specific quota.
• Employers apply case by case.
• Authorities perform a local labor market test before approving foreign hires.

For Ghanaian candidates, this means competition from other nationalities remains strong unless a bilateral deal sets unique steps or targets.

Guidance, risks, and worker protections

Ghana’s message combines opportunity and caution. Officials urge patience with the talks and warn young jobseekers to avoid recruiters promising “guaranteed” placements or asking for large fees up front. Serbia stresses protective measures will remain in place:

• Labor market tests and sector controls to protect wages and job access for Serbian citizens.
• Any future labor mobility agreement is expected to supplement these protections, not replace them.

Warning: Treat any “guaranteed slot” promises with care. Verify offers with Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Serbia’s official channels.

Practical tips for applicants

Until a formal pact (if any) appears, applicants should focus on basics that improve job chances:

• Keep a simple, updated CV with clear experience and references.
• Gather proof of training or licenses (nursing, welding, IT, etc.).
• Learn basic Serbian phrases for work and safety.
• Verify job offers directly with the named Serbian company before paying any fee.
• Confirm who pays for travel, housing, and medical checks, and get all terms in writing.

Impact on families and employers

• The unified permit ties work and residence for up to three years, which can simplify family planning.
• Spousal and child options depend on the permit type and contract terms; some employers may support family housing.
• Employers say timing is a major challenge: projects move fast, and approvals can take time. A Ghana–Serbia framework could streamline recruitment and align Ghana’s training programs to Serbian needs.

What to watch for in the talks

Indicators that negotiations are moving forward include:

• A public announcement of a signed memorandum.
• Details on sector focus and numbers for a first intake.
• Named agencies on both sides to manage recruitment.
• Worker protection measures such as pre-departure briefings and complaint hotlines.

Until those appear, the standard employer-sponsored route remains the only guaranteed channel.

Longer-term outlook

The broader drivers are clear:

• Serbia’s foreign work permits have climbed more than fourfold since 2021 due to labor shortages from a low birth rate and aging population.
• Ghana has a large youth cohort eager for steady jobs and higher wages.
• Historic diplomatic ties (dating back to Presidents Kwame Nkrumah and Josip Broz Tito) provide a friendly base for talks.
• Education, mining, and tech cooperation widen the scope beyond labor mobility, making a labor deal just one part of a larger partnership.

Official resources

For authoritative guidance on visas and long-stay entry rules, consult the Republic of Serbia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Serbia Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This site is the best place to check D visa procedures, appointment locations, and document lists before starting any application connected to work in Serbia.

Final takeaway: The pathway is open even without a signed accord—employer sponsorship, labor market test, unified permit issuance by the Ministry of Interior, and a D visa for entry remain the rules. If a labor mobility agreement is signed, Ghanaians can expect more organized recruitment and better on-the-ground support. Until then, Serbia’s strong demand for workers continues, but access depends on employer demand, worker skills, and compliance with legal steps.

Added government links included in the article:
– National Employment Service: National Employment Service (first mention)
– Ministry of Interior: Ministry of Interior (first mention)
– D visa (information page on D-type visas via Ministry of Foreign Affairs): D visa (first mention)