Montenegro at a glance
| Visit with an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) | No: a visitor visa is needed |
| E-1 treaty trader visa | Available |
| E-2 treaty investor visa | Available |
| Own line in the Visa Bulletin | No: worldwide line |
| Green card lottery (last published list, DV-2026) | Eligible |
| Entry restrictions | No travel ban; affected by the 2026 immigrant visa pause (set aside by a court, under appeal) |
| Temporary Protected Status (TPS) | Not designated |
| Where visas are processed | The U.S. Embassy in Podgorica processes nonimmigrant visas, while immigrant visas for Montenegrin residents are processed at the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade, Serbia. |
Green card lottery: registration for DV-2027 had not opened as of mid-October 2026. A federal court ordered the State Department to open it, and that order may be appealed.
What is specific to Montenegro right now
- Montenegro was among the 75 countries whose immigrant-visa issuance the State Department paused from January 21, 2026; a federal court set the pause aside on August 21, 2026, and the government's appeal was still pending as of October 2026.
- Montenegro has a treaty with the U.S. that allows both E-1 treaty trader and E-2 treaty investor visas (through the treaty with the former Yugoslavia).
Common U.S. immigration paths for people from Montenegro
B-1/B-2 visitor visaVisit the U.S. for business, tourism or familyF-1 student visaStudy at a U.S. college, university or language schoolMarriage green cardGreen card through your U.S. citizen or resident spouseFamily petitionSponsor children, adult sons and daughters, or siblingsE-2 investor visaTreaty investor visa to run a business you invest inGreen card lottery (DV)Yearly random drawing for green cards from lower-immigration countries
How MyUSVisa helps
- Answer a guided questionnaire in your language and upload your documents once — we read, sort and assemble them into a clear case file and timeline.
- Your organized case is offered to licensed U.S. immigration attorneys who handle this type of case. Interested attorneys send you offers, and you compare and choose — or don't.
- Once you choose, you and your attorney work in one place: messages, documents, deadlines and automatic USCIS status updates, on the web and in the mobile app.
Frequently asked questions
Can people from Montenegro visit the U.S. with an ESTA?
No. Montenegro is not in the Visa Waiver Program, so a visitor visa (B-1/B-2) from a U.S. embassy or consulate is usually needed.
Can people from Montenegro get an E-2 investor visa?
Yes. Montenegro has an E-2 treaty with the United States, so its nationals can qualify for the E-2 treaty investor visa by making a substantial investment in a U.S. business they will run.
Can people from Montenegro enter the green card lottery?
Montenegro was eligible in the last published program (DV-2026). Eligibility is set again every year, so check the official instructions when registration opens.
Where do people from Montenegro have their visa interview?
The U.S. Embassy in Podgorica processes nonimmigrant visas, while immigrant visas for Montenegrin residents are processed at the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade, Serbia.
Can I work with a U.S. attorney while I am still in Montenegro?
Yes. MyUSVisa works online: you tell your story from anywhere, licensed U.S. immigration attorneys review it and send proposals, and you choose. This works before you travel or once you are already in the United States.
More countries in Europe
Last checked by the MyUSVisa team and counsel in October 2026. Country rules change often, especially entry restrictions, TPS and parole programs. Always verify on travel.state.gov and uscis.gov, or ask your attorney.
MyUSVisa is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency.