Kosovo Travel Visa

Keep in mind that all foreign visitors exploring this country for short stays of 90 days or less must register with the police if you’re staying at a homestay or with friends or family. This applies even if you’ve entered through the visa-free scheme. For travellers staying in a hotel or registered hostel, your hosts will usually register your stay on your behalf.

Kosovo Visa Application Process

To travel to Kosovo, the visa requirements are pretty straightforward. No more than 3 months before your trip, you’ll need to gather some basic travel documents and present them at the nearest Kosovo embassy. Your embassy’s consular section will provide nationality-specific application information and schedule you an appointment to drop off your documents.

Before making your final appointment, make sure that your passport will be valid at least 90 days from your planned date of departure. In addition, it should have at least 2 blank pages for the visa sticker and entry/exit stamps.

Once approved, you’ll need to pick up your passport in person from the embassy. From here, you’ll have 90 days to roam this nation’s scenic country roads and explore Pristina’s music and nightlife scene. If applying for a Multiple-Entry document, these entries must be used in a 180-day period.

Kosovo Visa Form and Documents

Once you’ve contacted the embassy and finalised your appointment, it’s time to gather your paperwork. To apply you’ll need:

• A completed and signed application form.
• A recent (no older than 1 month) passport-size photo.
• Your passport (valid at least 90 days after your date of departure from Kosovo and with at least 2 blank pages).
• Documents indicating the purpose of your journey (hotel bookings, a round-trip flight itinerary).
• Proof of financial means (bank statements or a certificate of employment from your company).
• Travel insurance that is valid for the Republic of Kosovo.
• A non-refundable application fee.

When evaluating your documents, consular officers will want to see proof that you can support yourself during your travels to the Republic, as well as evidence of your intention to return to your country of residence. Documents such as a round-trip ticket and a certificate of employment on official letterhead are an important way to support your application.

When filling in the actual application form, it’ll be helpful to have this information at hand:

• Your passport information such as the number, date of issue and date of expiry.
• Your nationality and place of birth.
• Your itinerary, including your date of entry/departure.
• The full names of your parents.
• Your marital status details.
• Evidence of permanent residence if you are currently living in another country (proof that you can re-enter legally after visiting Kosovo).
• Your occupation and employer details.

Please submit all original documents, plus 2 copies of each. Keep in mind that all supporting documents should be in Albanian, Serbian or English.

Can I Enter Kosovo With a Schengen Visa?

Yes, a valid Multiple-Entry Schengen Visa can take the place of a Kosovo entry authorisation. This document will allow you to enter or transit through the Republic for up to 15 days within a period of 6 months.

Keep in mind that you’ll have to have entered another Schengen Member State prior to entering Kosovo’s territory for this authorisation to be recognised.

Likewise, foreign visitors who otherwise must apply for a travel permit can enter for up to 15 days, if one of the following applies:

• You hold a valid biometric residence permit issued by a Schengen Member State.
• You hold a diplomatic or service passport issued by the Russian Federation, China, Egypt, Indonesia or Ukraine.
• You hold a United Nations Laissez-Passer.

Visa Status Check

When you visit the embassy to drop off your documents, the consular section will indicate the approximate time frame for processing your application. Typically, embassies do not give updates on the status of entry permits until a final decision has been made.

After processing, you will receive an email from the consular section directly that indicates:

• If your document was approved or rejected.
• When you can pick up your passport.
• How to authorise a third party to pick up your document if needed (usually they will need a copy of your photo ID and a signed authorisation letter).

How Much Is a Kosovo Visa?

The Kosovo visa fee is 40 EUR. This amount will be paid directly into the embassy’s bank account. For bank details, please check with the particular embassy where you apply.

Keep in mind that this amount is not refundable in the case that your application is rejected. You can greatly reduce the risk of this happening by minding the details on your application and following our suggestions outlined above.

More Kosovo Visa Information

We hope you’ve found the information in the above sections to be helpful. For more tips that may be useful when planning your trip, please check out our FAQs below.