International Candidate Mobility
Without risk and administrative burden.
Ensure business continuity with reliable, qualified foreign workers and full support throughout every step, from selection and documentation to integration into your team.
Why employees hire foreign workers?
When the local labor market cannot meet business needs, engaging workers from abroad represents a sustainable and long-term solution. A qualified workforce supports continuity, reduces employee turnover, and provides a reliable operational capacity even during periods of increased workload.
Key benefits:
Reduced employee turnover
Stability of business processes
Reliable operational capacity
High motivation and readiness for long-term engagement
How Workforce manages risks in foreign employment
In conditions of declining availability of local labor, international mobility becomes a strategic tool for maintaining productivity and business stability.
Employing foreign workers requires a precisely managed process. Irregular documentation, insufficient candidate verification, or non-compliance with applicable regulations may result in legal, financial, and reputational risks.
Workforce assumes full responsibility for managing the entire process.
With more than 30 years of experience in human resources services, we have developed precise and transparent procedures that guarantee legal security, full compliance with local legislation, and uninterrupted operations for our clients.
Workforce – your trusted HR partner
As part of the Heads Adriatic Group, we are one of the leading HR companies in the region. Our model enables you to engage qualified foreign workers without administrative risk, while ensuring a high level of operational support.
We are particularly specialized in recruiting workers from the Philippines, a country with one of the most structured international employment systems and a clearly defined regulatory framework for the protection of both workers and employers.
years of experience in the HR industry
candidates across the region
foreign employees hired in Serbia
Process
End-to-end process - from workforce planning to integration
Defining your workforce needs
Together, we assess and define positions, competencies, work dynamics, timelines, and seasonal requirements in order to establish the optimal workforce engagement plan.
Candidate selection and hiring
In cooperation with licensed partners in the Philippines and other markets, operating in compliance with local and international regulations, we conduct thorough candidate selection and verification.
Legal and administrative procedures
We fully manage all legal and administrative procedures, including obtaining visas and work permits, drafting employment contracts, and ensuring full compliance with the laws of the Republic of Serbia. This guarantees a lawful, controlled, and secure hiring process.
Employee integration and support
We organize onboarding, induction training, and cultural orientation, covering both the local environment and your company’s culture, rules, and expectations. Throughout the engagement, we provide continuous HR and legal support to ensure smooth operations.
Highest standards of compliance and transparency
Through consistent application of local and international regulations, Workforce ensures full legal security, process control, and complete transparency for its clients.
Workforce does not charge fees to candidates, in line with international standards and principles of ethical recruitment.
What we guarantee:
All workers possess valid documentation
Full compliance with immigration regulations
Pre-departure medical examinations
Mandatory cultural training
Certified contracts and documentation
Mandatory employee insurance
The Philippines – primary workforce sourcing market
The Philippines represents our primary workforce sourcing market and accounts for the majority of foreign workers we bring to Serbia.
The reason is clear, the Philippines has one of the most structured international employment systems in the world, with a well-defined regulatory framework, strong worker protection, and tightly controlled processes.
Filipino workers have proven particularly reliable in manufacturing, construction, logistics, hospitality, and industrial sectors.
For employers, this means:
High level of legal security
Transparent and controlled hiring process
Workers with international experience
Excellent English language proficiency
Strong work ethic and professionalism
Loyalty and readiness for long-term engagement
Other workforce sourcing markets
In addition to the Philippines, we also recruit workers from Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, and Turkey.
These markets are utilized when specific profiles or additional capacity are required. In all cases, recruitment and employment processes are conducted in full compliance with the laws of the Republic of Serbia and international ethical recruitment standards.
Fast integration into your team
Our team places special emphasis on ensuring that foreign workers understand your company culture, rules, and expectations.
Integration support includes
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Introduction to internal procedures and policies
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Training on workplace culture in Serbia
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Employer education on the cultures of workers’ countries of origin
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Continuous HR support
Accommodation and logistical support
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Accommodation near the workplace
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Transportation organization
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Assistance upon arrival in Serbia
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Individual or shared accommodation options
Staff leasing model – Workforce as the formal employer
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Employment contract signing
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Payroll calculation and payment
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HR administration
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Employee registration and deregistration
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Tax and legal compliance
Your team receives a worker ready to perform, without administrative burden.
Hiring costs
Costs depend on the position, qualifications, duration of engagement, type of accommodation, meals, and transportation.
Employers achieve long-term savings through lower turnover, shorter training periods, and operational stability.
The cost model is fully transparent and defined in advance, with no hidden fees or unexpected administrative costs.
Skills assessment
For specialized roles requiring practical verification of skills – such as welders, chefs, bakers, carpenters, or skilled workers in construction and manufacturing – we organize on-site testing in the worker’s country of origin.
We conduct testing and selection locally to ensure candidates truly possess the required qualifications, experience, and motivation. This approach ensures that clients receive reliable, competent workers ready to start immediately.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the process of hiring foreign workers take?
There are two options, depending on whether you are hiring candidates from abroad or those already in Serbia:
Hiring workers from abroad – This process typically takes 3 to 6 months. During the first month, we carry out the selection and recruitment of candidates from countries such as the Philippines, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and others. This is followed by an administrative process lasting several months, which includes obtaining work permits, visas, and residence permits.
Hiring foreign workers already in Serbia – If candidates are already in the country and have the required documentation, and are looking to change employers, the process is significantly faster. In these cases, after interviews and agreement, the worker can start within a few weeks, as most administrative steps have already been completed.
In both scenarios, Workforce manages the entire process — from candidate selection and qualification checks to the completion of all administrative formalities.
Who handles administrative obligations?
All administrative obligations related to hiring foreign workers are handled by Workforce. This includes submitting applications for work permits, residence permits, and visas; preparing and signing employment contracts (in the agency employment model); providing health insurance; and managing all necessary documentation required for legal employment in Serbia. In this way, you are relieved of bureaucratic procedures and can focus on managing your team and achieving business results.
Are foreign workers employed legally and with all required work permits?
Yes. All foreign workers engaged through Workforce are employed strictly in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Serbia and possess all necessary documentation prior to starting work. This includes:
- a valid work permit issued by the National Employment Service
- a residence permit (temporary stay)
- a Type D visa
- a signed employment contract in accordance with the Labour Law
Our team manages the entire administrative procedure and ensures full compliance with legal regulations for all engaged workers. This means that, as an employer, you carry no legal risk — workers hired through our agency are fully legally employed and ready to start working immediately.
Which countries do foreign workers come from?
We most commonly engage workers from the Philippines, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. These countries are recognized for workers with a strong work ethic, willingness to work in demanding conditions, flexibility regarding shift work and holidays, as well as the ability to quickly adapt to a new work environment.
Do foreign workers speak Serbian or English?
All candidates from the Philippines have a good command of English, which significantly facilitates workplace communication. For other countries, the level of language proficiency varies and depends on the individual. In many cases, their skills are limited to basic understanding and elementary communication. In addition to language preparation, we also support the integration of foreign workers to help them better understand the work environment, local customs, and expectations.
How do foreign workers adapt to our work environment?
The integration of foreign workers into existing teams is a process we give special attention to. Workforce organizes onboarding sessions covering internal procedures, safety rules, and workplace culture. We also provide training for employers on the cultural backgrounds of workers arriving from abroad. Based on our experience, foreign workers from the Philippines, Nepal, and similar countries adapt quickly and value stable, long-term employment.
Who provides accommodation for foreign workers?
Accommodation is organized in cooperation with the employer. Workforce works with a network of real estate agencies and landlords, which enables us to find suitable housing close to the workplace. Depending on the employer’s preferences and the nature of the job, we can arrange either individual apartments or shared accommodation.
Who signs the employment contract?
In the agency employment model, Workforce acts as the formal employer and signs the contract with the worker. This means we assume all legal employer responsibilities, including payroll processing, employee registration and deregistration, as well as HR administration management.
What are the costs of hiring foreign workers?
Costs depend on the type of position, duration of engagement, worker qualifications, and additional benefits such as accommodation, transportation, and meals. Although there is an initial investment, experience shows that employers achieve significant long-term savings — employee turnover is reduced, productivity increases, and onboarding time is shortened. Workforce always provides a clear and transparent offer with no hidden costs. Contact us to schedule a meeting and, based on your needs, we will prepare a customized proposal.
What happens if a worker leaves before the contract expires?
At Workforce, we place special emphasis on thorough candidate selection — we choose workers who not only meet professional requirements but are also genuinely motivated to work and remain in the position. Due to this approach, cases of employees leaving before the end of the contract are extremely rare. However, if such a situation occurs for any reason, we are responsible for providing a suitable replacement as quickly as possible, ensuring uninterrupted business operations for the client. This guarantee is part of our standard cooperation model and provides additional security for our partners.
Is hiring foreign workers legal in Serbia?
Yes. Workforce operates in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Serbia and holds a licensed authorization for agency-based employment of foreign workers. All our workers arrive with valid work and residence permits, and the entire hiring process is fully compliant with labor regulations and legislation governing foreign nationals.
What if we need workers for skilled positions requiring skills testing?
For specialized roles that require practical assessment of knowledge and skills — such as welders, chefs, bakers, carpenters, or professionals in construction and manufacturing — our team, together with the employer, travels to the candidates’ country of origin. On-site, we organize testing and selection to ensure that workers truly possess the required qualifications, experience, and motivation. This approach ensures that the client receives reliable and competent workers who are ready to start work immediately, and to date we have had highly positive results with this practice.
Can foreign workers bring their families to Serbia?
Yes, Serbian law allows foreign workers to bring their families, subject to meeting the requirements for family reunification. Once a worker obtains a temporary residence permit and a work permit, their family members (spouse and children) may apply for family reunification. Workforce, in cooperation with the relevant authorities, can also support this process by assisting workers who wish to have their families join them.
What kind of healthcare do foreign workers have?
What are the tax obligations for foreign workers?
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