Kosovo Business Visa – Application, Types and Documentation
Is it your plan to set up a new business in Kosovo? Or do you already have an existing one and want to expand to Kosovo but are confused about it? And this could be because you don’t know the right action to take. Don’t worry again. The answer to the situation is to get a Kosovo Business Visa.
Maybe you have heard about the business opportunities in this Balkan country. And probably, you are confused about the right action to take. It could even be that you have taken some actions that didn’t work your way. But, do not lose hope because there is a solution now.
This guide will help you with ideas on how to get a Business Visa to Kosovo. It will also explain the application process, eligibility criteria, validity, processing fees, and time for your visa. So dive in as it promises to be a great read.
Kosovo Business Visa
If you plan a trip to Kosovo for a business-related purpose, you will surely need a Kosovo Business visa. This visa allows you to go on a business trip to Kosovo and stay up to 90 days. However, it also means you cannot stay in Kosovo for more than this period. Otherwise, you may get a visa ban for a long time.
If you plan to stay in the country for more than 90 days, you can apply for a long-term visa.Â
Who needs a Kosovo Business Visa?
Citizens of Schengen nations do not need a visa to stay in Kosovo for only 90 days. Therefore, they can only apply for a Kosovo visa if they stay in the country for more than 90 days. In like manner, citizens of countries with bilateral agreements with Kosovo don’t also need a visa to enter Kosovo for a short visit.
On the contrary, citizens of the following countries must get a Business visa to enter Kosovo for business purposes. They include:
- Afghanistan
- Algeria
- Angola
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Bangladesh
- Belarus
- Bhutan
- Bolivia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Côte D’Ivoire
- Cape Verde
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- The central African Republic
- Chad
- China
- Comoros
- Congo
- Cuba
- The Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Djibouti
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Gabon
- The Gambia
- Georgia
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea Bissau
- Guyana
- Haiti
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Iraq
- Jamaica
- Kazakhstan
- Kenya
- Kiribati
- North Korea
- Kyrgyzstan
- Lao People’s Democratic Republic
- Lebanon
- Liberia
- Libya
- Madagascar
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Mongolia
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Myanmar
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Peru
- Philippines
- Republic of Moldova
- Russian Federation
- Rwanda
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Sri Lanka
- Sudan
- Suriname
- The Syrian Arab Republic
- Chinese Taipei
- Tajikistan
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Turkmenistan
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- Uzbekistan
- Vietnam
- Yemen
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Exemptions for these countries
The citizens of the countries above are still exempt from Kosovo Business Visa on certain occasions. Such occasions include:
- !5 days stay if you have a valid residence permit from a Schengen Nation.
- If you have a multiple-entry Schengen visa, you can stay in Kosovo for 15 days without a Business Visa.
- If you have a diplomatic service passport from China, Russia, Ukraine, Indonesia, or Egypt. With this, you can stay in Kosovo for 15 days.
- Holders of travel documents from EU countries, Schengen countries, the USA, Australia, Japan, and Canada. However, you must have refugee status or as a stateless person. Then, you can stay without a visa for 15 days.
- Visitors with valid documents from Special administrative Regions of the Republic of China, including Hong Kong and Macao. They can stay in Kosovo for 15 days visa-free.
- Finally, holders of Laissez-Paser from UN, NATO, OSCE, Council of Europe, and EU don’t need a visa in Kosovo.
Requirements for a Kosovo Business Visa
All applicants for a visa to Kosovo for business purposes need some documents. These documents are vital because you will not obtain your visa without them. Therefore, you must enquire about the documents you need when applying for a visa. You will need the following supporting documents for your visa to Kosovo for business.
#1. Passport
For you to qualify for this visa, you will need a passport. It will act as a confirmation of your identity and nationality. Besides, it will confirm that you have a clean criminal record. The passport must be valid for at least three months from leaving Kosovo. Then, make sure that your passport has at least two blank spaces.
#2. Your previous visas
If you already have a visa to Kosovo, you must provide them. In addition, you can provide your previous visas to other countries like the US, Schengen nations, the UK, and others.
#3. Kosovo Business Visa application form
You have to fill out an application. The form is where you provide certain information. The information you provide must be true. Otherwise, you may not obtain your visa if the officials discover it. Such information includes your name, nationality, the purpose of your travel, and the duration of your stay. You can find more information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora.
#4. Photo
You will need a recent photo. Make sure that the photo meets Kosovo visa photo requirements.
#5. Cover letter
You will need to write a cover letter. In this letter, you must explain your reason for applying for the visa. Also, you will demonstrate that you intend to return to your country once your visa expires.
#6. Proof of financial means
You must prove that you have enough money to stay in Kosovo. Therefore, you need to provide a statement of account showing such.
#7. Proof of your return to your country
Another essential document is proof that you intend to return to your country. Simply put, you must provide a document showing your desire to return to your parent country. For instance, you can present your return ticket or a letter from your employer. Or prove that you have a business back home.
#8. Health insurance
You must provide travel health insurance from a Kosovo insurance company. This will be able to cover your health for the duration of your stay in Kosovo. Therefore, you have to find a qualified insurer in Kosovo concerning this.
#9. Proof of accommodation
While in Kosovo, you must live in a house. For this reason, you must provide proof of accommodation in Kosovo. It can be a hotel reservation or a letter from the company. It can as well be a letter of invitation from a business associate.
#10. Letter of invitation
Because you are going on a business trip, you must get a letter of invitation. It can either come from the company or a business associate. This letter will give details of why you are invited to Kosovo. Without a letter of invitation, you may not be issued a Kosovo Business Visa. Therefore, you must ask your invitee to provide it.
#11. Receipt of Kosovo Business Visa fee
Above all, you must attach your receipt of payment in your application form. Without this, all other documents you provide are in vain. Furthermore, even if your application has been processed, you cannot receive it until you show evidence of payment. Therefore, make sure you pay the right fee for your Business Visa in Kosovo.
A quick tip:Â All your documents must be in any of these languages: English, Albanian or Serbian. Otherwise, it would help if you translated the document into any of them. Then, contact the embassy to know which document to legalize.
Steps to apply for a Kosovo Business Visa
So, you have decided to apply for a Kosovo Business Visa. If you are confused about what to do, then the steps below will guide you.
Step 1. Firstly, you must find out if you need a visa to Kosovo for business. So, if you need one, you will go to the next step.
Step 2. The second step is to fill out an application form. In the form, you must fill in the correct information in each space provided.
Step 3. Gather all the documents you need to apply for a Kosovo Business Visa.
Step 4. Pay your visa fee. Then, attach proof of payment on the application form.
Step 5. Book a date with the embassy to submit your application and supporting documents. Thus, you have to contact the embassy. If you do not get to the embassy, they will not attend to you when you come to the embassy.
Step 6. Submit your Kosovo Business Visa application. You can do this in the embassy. Then, wait for the embassy to process your visa. Usually, it can take 15 days. But then, if there is an issue, it can take longer. Therefore, you must be patient as you wait.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the processing cost of a Kosovo Business Visa?
The application fee for a Kosovo Business Visa is €40. This cover only your visa processing. So, if you incur further debts, you will also pay them.
Where can I apply for a business visa to Kosovo?
You can apply for a Kosovo Business Visa at the nearest embassy or consulate. Again, you can apply in a consular outlet near you. Some diplomatic missions accept Kosovo visa applications. This is for countries without a Kosovo embassy.
How long is Kosovo Business Visa valid?
Your business visa to Kosovo is valid for 90 days. However, you can travel to Kosovo within three months. Then, depending on the type of visa, you can enter Kosovo many times within this period.
What is the processing time for Kosovo Business Visa?
Generally, it takes 15 days to process your visa for business trips to Kosovo. But in certain situations, it can take up to 30 days.
Conclusion
In summary, all applicants who qualify for a Kosovo Business Visa must provide the documents above to apply. Besides, they must follow the guidelines in this article. It will be easy for them to obtain their visas to Kosovo if they follow the right instruction.