Residence & Visa D in Kosovo is required when planning to do business here. If you’re planning to start or expand a business in Kosovo (Why invest in Kosovo?), you’ll run into two pillars of immigration: the long-stay entry visa (Visa D) and the residence permit. This guide keeps it high-level and practical, what entrepreneurs actually do, who needs a Visa D, what documents matter, and how to avoid the common mistakes that slow files down.
Quick facts (what’s true across most cases)
Visa D is Kosovo’s long-stay entry visa for stays over 90 days and is typically the route for applicants who must secure a residence permit tied to work, study, or family categories. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs explains the D-visa path as the entry step for residence-permit applications.
For stays longer than 90 days, you’ll need a temporary residence permit. U.S. Embassy guidance (mirroring local practice) notes everyone resident in Kosovo for 90+ days must obtain a residency card, with annual renewal.
The overall framework is set by Law No. 04/L-219 on Foreigners (amended 2018 & 2024) and detailed by Administrative Instruction 09/2019 on residence-permit procedure & criteria.
What this means in practice: plan for two steps, enter (with Visa D if your nationality requires it for long stay) and stay (temporary residence permit). Your exact path depends on your passport and purpose of stay. Law on Foreigners in Kosovo.
The entrepreneur’s path in Kosovo
Entrepreneurs usually take one of these tracks:
Track A: Incorporate, then seek residence as a company owner/employee
You register a company (commonly an LLC / sh.p.k.), appoint yourself as a manager/employee, and apply for temporary residence for employment/self-employment with your corporate documents, clean background, insurance, and proof of means. The concept paper on foreigners explicitly contemplates residence tied to an established business in Kosovo (coordinated with competent economic authorities).
Track B: Employment route via a Kosovo employer
If an existing Kosovo entity will employ you, you apply for temporary residence for work under the Foreigners Law and sub-legal acts (employment confirmations, labor-market notes, etc.). The legal basis is the Foreigners Law; procedures & criteria sit in the 2019 instruction.
Tip: Most founders choose Track A to control the timeline and evidence (charter, appointment decision, corporate bank letter once open).
Do you need Visa D before residence in Kosovo?
If your nationality is visa-exempt for short stays: you may enter visa-free for up to 90/180 days, but for a stay beyond 90 days you will still need a residence permit. Official guidance for U.S. citizens states: “For work, study, or visits over 90 days, apply for a temporary residence permit once in Kosovo.”
If you’re not visa-exempt or plan a long stay from day one: apply for Visa D at a Kosovo mission and then proceed with the residence-permit filing (the MFA page anchors the D-visa as the residence track).
Rule of thumb: Check your nationality’s entry regime. Short-stay visa-exempt founders often enter first and apply in-country. Others start with Visa D and then complete residence formalities after entry.
What Documents Entrepreneurs Should Expect when Applying in Kosovo
The Foreigners Law and Administrative Instruction09/2019 outline the core set; exact lists vary by purpose and municipality, but you’ll usually prepare:
Valid passport (sufficient validity).
Clean police/background check from your home country (apostilled/legalized as applicable).
Health insurance covering your stay.
Proof of means (bank statements, corporate funding) consistent with your plan.
Accommodation address in Kosovo.
Business evidence, such as: company extract/registration, charter & appointment decision, tax numbers (once issued), any sectoral licenses if relevant.
Practical note: Arrange sworn translations into Albanian where required, and keep names/addresses identical across all documents to avoid re-filings. Obtaining Residence and Visa D in Kosovo is a procedure during which documentation is crucial, and must be precise.
Validity, renewals, and the long game
Temporary residence permits are commonly issued for up to one year, renewable while your purpose (employment/business) continues. Several reputable summaries and practice notes reflect this 1-year baseline.
A long-term plan usually looks like: Year 1–2 renewals, then assess eligibility for longer-term residence and, much later, naturalisation (separate rules and timeframes; Kosovo increased the residence period for general naturalisation in past reforms).
Timelines for Residence & Visa D in Kosovo:
Visa D is filed at the Kosovo mission covering your location (if required by your nationality/route).
Temporary residence is filed in Kosovo with the Ministry of Internal Affairs/competent regional unit (Division for Foreigners) after entry; expect biometrics and in-person steps. Embassy guidance underscores the in-country residence step for stays over 90 days.
Planning beforehand: Device a travel plan that fits your 90-day short-stay window if you’re visa-exempt, or secure Visa D first if you need the long-stay entry
Common Pitfalls for Entrepreneur Files in Kosovo
- Mismatched identities (name spellings between passport and translations).
Insufficient proof of business activity (e.g., registering a company but not showing capital, contracts, or an operating plan).
Expired or non-apostilled background checks: check apostille/legalisation rules before you order the document.
Timing mistakes: arriving visa-free, then letting the 90-day clock run out before your residence filing. Embassy guidance is explicit about 90-day stays triggering residence requirements.
Do all nationalities need Visa D to get a residence permit?
No. Some visa-exempt nationals can enter first and apply in Kosovo for residence if staying over 90 days; others need a Visa D as the long-stay entry route. Check your passport’s regime and the MFA D-visa guidance.
Is there a special investor visa for Kosovo?
No dedicated “golden visa.” Entrepreneurs typically use company-based employment/self-employment routes under the Foreigners Law and Administrative Instruction 09/2019. Our Lawyers in Kosovo will guide you.
How long is a temporary residence permit valid?
Commonly up to one year, renewable while your purpose continues. You must talk to our Lawyers and let them know your intention, your situation as a whole, then you will be guided properly. The circumstances play its role.
Where do I find the legal basis?
Law No. 04/L-219 on Foreigners (as amended) and Administrative Instruction 09/2019 for procedures and criteria; MFA page explains Visa D as the residence path. But, we always recommend that you consult a Lawyer to interpret the law for you!
