Update
January 10, 2024

Information for U.S. Citizens in the Middle East

U.S. Visas

English

U.S. Visa: Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country

Kosovo

Kosovo
Republic of Kosovo

Reciprocity Schedule

Select a visa category below to find the visa issuance fee, number of entries, and validity period for visas issued to applicants from this country*/area of authority.

Explanation of Terms

Visa Classification: The type of nonimmigrant visa you are applying for.

Fee: The reciprocity fee, also known as the visa issuance fee, you must pay. This fee is in addition to the nonimmigrant visa application fee (MRV fee).

Number of Entries: The number of times you may seek entry into the United States with that visa. "M" means multiple times. If there is a number, such as "One", you may apply for entry one time with that visa.

Validity Period: This generally means the visa is valid, or can be used, from the date it is issued until the date it expires, for travel with that visa. If your Validity Period is 60 months, your visa will be valid for 60 months from the date it is issued.

Visa Classifications

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V
Visa
Classification
Fee Number
of Entries
Validity
Period
A-1 None Multiple 60 Months
A-2 None Multiple 60 Months
A-3 1 None Multiple 12 Months
B-1 None Multiple 60 Months
B-2 None Multiple 60 Months
B-1/B-2 None Multiple 60 Months
C-1 None Multiple 36 Months
C-1/D None Multiple 36 Months
C-2 None Multiple 36 Months
C-3 None Multiple 36 Months
CW-1 11 None Multiple 12 Months
CW-2 11 None Multiple 12 Months
D None Multiple 36 Months
E-1 2 None Multiple 12 Months
E-2 2 None Multiple 12 Months
E-2C 12 None Multiple 12 Months
F-1 None Multiple 24 Months
F-2 None Multiple 24 Months
G-1 None Multiple 60 Months
G-2 None Multiple 60 Months
G-3 None Multiple 36 Months
G-4 None Multiple 60 Months
G-5 1 None Multiple 12 Months
H-1B None Multiple 12 Months 3
H-1C None Multiple 12 Months 3
H-2A None N/A N/A3
H-2B None N/A N/A3
H-2R None Multiple 12 Months 3
H-3 None Multiple 12 Months 3
H-4 None Multiple 12 Months 3
I None Multiple 12 Months
J-1 4 None Multiple 24 Months
J-2 4 None Multiple 24 Months
K-1 None One 6 Months
K-2 None One 6 Months
K-3 None Multiple 24 Months
K-4 None Multiple 24 Months
L-1 None Multiple 12 Months
L-2 None Multiple 12 Months
M-1 None Multiple 12 Months
M-2 None Multiple 12 Months
N-8 None Multiple 60 Months
N-9 None Multiple 60 Months
NATO 1-7 1 N/A N/A N/A
O-1 None Multiple 12 Months 3
O-2 None Multiple 12 Months 3
O-3 None Multiple 12 Months 3
P-1 None Multiple 12 Months 3
P-2 None Multiple 12 Months 3
P-3 None Multiple 12 Months 3
P-4 None Multiple 12 Months 3
Q-1 6 None Multiple 12 Months 3
R-1 None Multiple 12 Months
R-2 None Multiple 12 Months
S-5 7 None One 1 Month
S-6 7 None One 1 Month
S-7 7 None One 1 Month
T-1 9 N/A N/A N/A
T-2 None One 6 Months
T-3 None One 6 Months
T-4 None One 6 Months
T-5 None One 6 Months
T-6 None One 6 Months
TD 5 N/A N/A N/A
U-1 None Multiple 48 Months
U-2 None Multiple 48 Months
U-3 None Multiple 48 Months
U-4 None Multiple 48 Months
U-5 None Multiple 48 Months
V-1 None Multiple 120 Months
V-2 None Multiple 120 Months 8
V-3 None Multiple 120 Months 8

Country Specific Footnotes

Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.

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Visa Category Footnotes

  1. The validity of A-3, G-5, and NATO 7 visas may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the person who is employing the applicant. The "employer" would have one of the following visa classifications:

    • A-1
    • A-2
    • G-1 through G-4
    • NATO 1 through NATO 6

  2. An E-1 and E-2 visa may be issued only to a principal alien who is a national of a country having a treaty, or its equivalent, with the United States. E-1 and E-2 visas may not be issued to a principal alien if he/she is a stateless resident or national of a country without a treaty.  *When the spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 principal alien are accorded derivative E-1 or E-2 status and are themselves a national of a country that does not have a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the principal alien’s country of nationality should be used.  **Spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 visa principal applicant, where the spouse and children are also nationals of a country that has a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the spouse and children’s country of nationality should be used.  

    *Example 1: John Doe is a national of Country A that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country B which has no treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the same reciprocity as John Doe, the principal visa holder.

    **Example 2:  Mike Doe is a national of Country Y that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country Z that also has a treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the reciprocity issued to nationals of Country Z.

  3. The validity of H-1 through H-3, O-1 and O-2, P-1 through P-3, and Q visas may not exceed the period of validity of the approved petition or the number of months shown, whichever is less.

    Under 8 CFR §214.2, H-2A and H-2B petitions may generally only be approved for nationals of countries that the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated as participating countries. The current list of eligible countries is available on USCIS's website for both H-2A and H-2B visas. Nationals of countries not on this list may be the beneficiary of an approved H-2A or H2-B petition in limited circumstances at the discretion of the Department of Homeland Security if specifically named on the petition.  

    Derivative H-4, L-2, O-3, and P-4 visas, issued to accompanying or following-to-join spouses and children, may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the principal alien.

  4. There is no reciprocity fee for the issuance of a J visa if the alien is a United States Government grantee or a participant in an exchange program sponsored by the United States Government.

    Also, there is no reciprocity fee for visa issuance to an accompanying or following-to-join spouse or child (J-2) of an exchange visitor grantee or participant.

    In addition, an applicant is eligible for an exemption from the MRV fee if he or she is participating in a State Department, USAID, or other federally funded educational and cultural exchange program (program serial numbers G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-7).

    However, all other applicants with U.S. Government sponsorships, including other J-visa applicants, are subject to the MRV processing fee.

  5. Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian and Mexican nationals coming to engage in certain types of professional employment in the United States may be admitted in a special nonimmigrant category known as the "trade NAFTA" or "TN" category. Their dependents (spouse and children) accompanying or following to join them may be admitted in the "trade dependent" or "TD" category whether or not they possess Canadian or Mexican nationality. Except as noted below, the number of entries, fees and validity for non-Canadian or non-Mexican family members of a TN status holder seeking TD visas should be based on the reciprocity schedule of the TN principal alien.

    Canadian Nationals

    Since Canadian nationals generally are exempt from visa requirement, a Canadian "TN' or "TD" alien does not require a visa to enter the United States. However, the non-Canadian national dependent of a Canadian "TN", unless otherwise exempt from the visa requirement, must obtain a "TD" visa before attempting to enter the United States. The standard reciprocity fee and validity period for all non-Canadian "TD"s is no fee, issued for multiple entries for a period of 36 months, or for the duration of the principal alien's visa and/or authorized period of stay, whichever is less. See 'NOTE' under Canadian reciprocity schedule regarding applicants of Iranian, Iraqi or Libyan nationality.

    Mexican Nationals

    Mexican nationals are not visa-exempt. Therefore, all Mexican "TN"s and both Mexican and non-Mexican national "TD"s accompanying or following to join them who are not otherwise exempt from the visa requirement (e.g., the Canadian spouse of a Mexican national "TN") must obtain nonimmigrant visas.

    Applicants of Iranian, Iraqi, Libyan, Somalian, Sudanese, Syrian or Yemeni nationality, who have a permanent resident or refugee status in Canada/Mexico, may not be accorded Canadian/Mexican reciprocity, even when applying in Canada/Mexico. The reciprocity fee and period for "TD" applicants from Libya is $10.00 for one entry over a period of 3 months. The Iranian and Iraqi "TD" is no fee with one entry over a period of 3 months.

  6. Q-2 (principal) and Q-3 (dependent) visa categories are in existence as a result of the 'Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998'. However, because the Department anticipates that virtually all applicants for this special program will be either Irish or U.K. nationals, the Q-2 and Q-3 categories have been placed only in the reciprocity schedules for those two countries. Q-2 and Q-3 visas are available only at the Embassy in Dublin and the Consulate General in Belfast.

  7. No S visa may be issued without first obtaining the Department's authorization.

  8. V-2 and V-3 status is limited to persons who have not yet attained their 21st birthday. Accordingly, the period of validity of a V-2 or V-3 visa must be limited to expire on or before the applicant's twenty-first birthday.

  9. Posts may not issue a T-1 visa. A T-1 applicant must be physically present in the United States, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or a U.S. port of entry, where he/she will apply for an adjustment of status to that of a T-1. The following dependents of a T-1 visa holder, however, may be issued a T visa at a U.S. consular office abroad:

    • T-2 (spouse)
    • T-3 (child)
    • T-4 (parent)
  10. The validity of NATO-5 visas may not exceed the period of validity of the employment contract or 12 months, whichever is less.

  11. The validity of CW-1 and CW-2 visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (12 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.

  12. The validity of E-2C visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (24 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.

 

 

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General Documents

Citizen records for adults (18 and over) are indexed by the unique registry number assigned to each citizen, similar to the U.S. Social Security number. This is called the National ID number. Birth, marriage, and death documents are issued by the municipalities and are described below. Divorce records are available from the courts, and adoption certificates are generally not available. Life events occurring outside of Kosovo are not reflected in the registries unless they are voluntarily reported. Document names below follow the format of English/Albanian/Serbian, and all three languages are reflected on civil documents.
 

General Issuing Authority Information: Civil Registry Office, Ministry of Internal Affair (MIA)

Birth, Death, Burial Certificates

Birth Certificates

Available

Fees:  1 Euro  

Document Name: Birth Certificate/ Certifikate e Lindjes/ Izvod Rodjenih

Issuing Authority: Municipal Civil Status Office

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Blue color round stamp. The name of the institution and the relevant municipality is written within the stamp.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Civil registrar

Registration Criteria: Regulated by Administrative Instructions No.1/2014 on general procedures of birth, marriage, and death registration.

Registering a newborn in Kosovo:  Declaration of birth is done according to Article 34 of the Law on Civil Status. The person who declares the birth should be:

1.1 One of the parents, or
1.2 Adult family member, or
1.3 the legal representatives, or
1.4 Guardian, or
1.5 Other representatives of the mother, with special proxy
1.6 In case of inability or absence of those persons who have the right to certify the birth

Registering a child born outside Kosovo:  For these cases, a birth certificate (either original or a certified copy) of the child is presented along with the marriage certificate of the parents if they are married -- or a paternity acknowledgment if they are not -- and copies of the parents’ identity documents.

Procedure for Obtaining: Parents apply in person. If the application for registration is done in a Consular mission abroad, the certificate is sent there through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. To apply abroad, see the MFA website with complete details at mfa-ks.net.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available

Alternate Documents: Extract of birth

Exceptions: None

Comments: The aforementioned civil documents are available from the civil registrar with jurisdiction over the locality where the event occurred. If the event occurred abroad, the Kosovar citizen may choose to report it to the local authorities and is then issued the corresponding document, listing the foreign country as the place of occurrence of the event. Life events occurring outside of Kosovo are not reflected in the registries unless they are voluntarily reported.

 

 

Death Certificates

Available

Fees: 1 Euro

Document Name: Death certificate/ Certifikate e Vdekjes/Izvod Umrlih

Issuing Authority: Municipal Civil Status Offices

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Blue color round stamp. The name of the institution and the relevant municipality is written within the stamp

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Civil registrar

Registration Criteria: Regulated by Administrative Instruction No.1/2014 on general procedures of birth, marriage, and death registration

Procedure for Obtaining: A member of family or through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (if the application is done in a Consular mission abroad. To apply abroad, see the MFA website with complete details at mfa-ks.net

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions: None

Comments: The aforementioned civil documents are available from the civil registrar with jurisdiction over the locality where the event occurred. If the event occurred abroad, the Kosovar citizen may choose to report it to the local authorities and is then issued the corresponding document, listing the foreign country as the place of occurrence of the event. Life events occurring outside of Kosovo are not reflected in the registries, unless they are voluntarily reported.

Marriage, Divorce Certificates

Marriage Certificates

Available: Yes

Fees: Fee varies and is paid at the Municipal Civil Status Offices

Document Name: Marriage certificate/ Certifikate e Marteses/ Izvod Vencanih

Issuing Authority: Municipal Civil Status Offices

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Blue color round stamp. The name of the institution and the relevant municipality is written within the stamp.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Registrar of Municipal Civil Status Office

Registration Criteria: Regulated by Administrative Instruction No.1/2014 on general procedures of birth, marriage, and death registration.

  • Registering a marriage that occurred in Kosovo: Registration of the marriage is done in the municipality where one of the partners lived. Before registration, both applicants should present required documentation and be registered in Central Civil Registry System. The Marriage Announcement is made public in the premises of the Municipal Civil Status Office and stays there for at least two days. If no objection is reported after two days, the marriage is registered.

  • Registering a marriage that occurred outside Kosovo: Marriages that occurred outside Kosovo are registered based on the Marriage Certificate of that country and other personal documents that certify roots in Kosovo, such as birth certificate, ID (if applicable), and copy of ID for a spouse with a foreign nationality upon the request of the Kosovar citizen.

Procedure for Obtaining: Either personally or through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs if the application is filed in a Consular mission abroad. To apply abroad, see the MFA website with complete details at mfa-ks.net.

Certified Copies Available:  Certified copies are not available

Alternate Documents: Certificate of Marital Status

Exceptions: None

Comments:  Marriage certificates issued by parallel courts/institutions run by the Government of Serbia within Kosovar territory after 1999 are not currently recognized as legal and valid by the Government of Kosovo.  Only documents containing the stamp “Republika e Kosoves/Republika Kosovo/ Republic of Kosovo” are valid documents.

 

Divorce Certificates

Available

Fees: Fee varies

Document Name:  Court verdict

 Issuing Authority:  Basic court (Gjykata themelore /Osnovni Sud) that decided the case

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: A divorce decree is typewritten and headed "In the Name of the People" (Ne emer te popullit / U ime naroda)

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title

Registration Criteria: There  are no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining: Apply at Court  for divorce decree  or  change of marital status-apply at the local hall.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available

Alternate Documents: Certifikate e Statusit Martsor/ Uverenje o Bracnom/ Certificate of Marital Status

  • The civil registrar with jurisdiction over a person's residence can issue a certificate (Certifikate e Statusit Martsor/ Uverenje o Bracnom/ Certificate of Marital Status) stating that the applicant is married, single, or divorced.  Life events occurring outside of Kosovo are not reflected in the registries unless they are voluntarily reported, meaning these certificates may not be accurate and may not include all marriages or divorces.

Exceptions: None

Comments: Marriage certificates issued by parallel courts/institutions run by the Government of Serbia within Kosovar territory after 1999 are not currently recognized as legal and valid by the Government of Kosovo.  Only documents containing the stamp “Republika e Kosoves/Republika Kosovo/ Republic of Kosovo” are valid documents.

Identity Card

National ID Cards

Available: Types:  IA (languages ALB, SEB, ENG), IB (language ALB, SEB, ENG and TUR) and IF (Resident Permits)

Fees: 10 Euro

Document Name: Identity card

Issuing Authority: Ministry of Internal Affairs

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Polycarbonate as in the SPECIMEN/ format ID3 (125 x 88mm)

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Civil registrar

Registration Criteria: Based on Administrative Order No. 20-2011 on the procedures of the application for ID.

Procedure for Obtaining: Requestor must present an extract of birth and application for the document (enrollment of alpha and bio data). Issuing office: Agjencia e Regjistrimit Civil, Ministria e Puneve te Brendshme, Rr. Luan Haradinaj, 10 000 Pristina

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available

Alternate Documents: Passport and driver’s license

Exceptions: All citizens above 16 years of age should possess an ID card.

Comments: Kosovo identity cards (Leternjoftimi / Licna Karta) are issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MOIA) through the municipality of residence (Komuna/ Opstina).  They contain a photograph, as well as the date and place of birth, but do not contain a signature.  Cards are valid for ten years.  While biometric IDs contain a signature of the bearer, the old non-biometric IDs do not contain a signature.

Police, Court, Prison Records

Police Certificates

Available

Fees: There are no fees

Document Name: Vertetim/Potvrda/Certificate

Issuing Authority: Local offices of the Kosovo Police at the municipality where the person resides.  

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: A4, White paper, Kosovo Police Stamp

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Kosovo Police

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining:

  • For those present in Kosovo: Police certificates (Vertetim/Potvrda/Certificate) may be obtained from the local offices of the Kosovo Police at the municipality where the person resides. The police certificate will usually document whether the person has a criminal background and if there are any records in the police database.

  • For those not present in Kosovo: After having completed the relevant forms for application, the interested applicant should attach a copy of his/her identification document and send both to the Kosovo Police Directorate for International Cooperation (ILECU) via e-mail at ILECU@kosovopolice.com.  A close family member in Kosovo can also apply on behalf of the applicant.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions: Police Certificates are issued only to applicants over 18 years of age.

Comments: Both the Court and Police Certificates are required for all applicants. Police certificates are issued with limited information and cover only the period from 1999 to the date of the request. This certificate should not be confused with the certificates issued by the courts (Vertetimi nga Gjygji/Sudsko uverenje), which do not cover a specific time frame and indicate the absence of any investigation, charge, or conviction. Police records reflect only post-1999 data related to convictions and sentencing. Kosovo law (article 103 – see Court Record section) has a legal provision that allows convicted citizens to have their records expunged from court and police records after a certain period of time has passed. Therefore, legitimate police and court records will not include all offences if the citizen benefited from this provision.

 

Court Records

Available

Fees: Charge usually ranges from 5-10 EUR.

Document Name: Court Conviction Certificate

Issuing Authority: Basic Court

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: A-4 format. At the bottom, it has the respective court’s stamp and the signature of the court clerk

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Basic Court in (location of the court), signed by the court clerk.

Registration Criteria: Convicted person's name is entered in court register.

Procedure for Obtaining: Requestor must submit an application with the court and a copy of his/her ID. The applicant must complete the information requested in the application form, which includes: first name, last name, father’s name, date of birth, place of birth, address of residence, national ID number. This is also possible by proxy.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions: Court Certificates are issued only to applicants over 16 years of age.

Comments:  Court records are not consolidated on a single centralized system; therefore records in one district do not reflect convictions from other districts within Kosovo.

Article 103 Legal rehabilitation

1. Upon legal rehabilitation, a punishment shall be expunged from the record of a first-time convicted person as provided in paragraph 2 of this Article and such person shall not be considered convicted.

2. A punishment shall be expunged from the record of a first-time convicted person upon the expiry of the following periods of time, by operation of law, if the convicted person does not commit a new criminal offense within this period.

2.1. one (1) year from the day the judgment becomes final in the case of a judicial admonition or a waiver of punishment

2.2. one (1) year from the day the verification period expires in the case of a suspended sentence.

2.3. one (1) year from the day a punishment is served, prescribed by statutory limitation or terminated by a pardon or a change in the law, in the case of a punishment of semi-liberty.

2.4. three (3) years from the day a punishment is served, prescribed by statutory limitation or terminated by a pardon or a change in the law, in the case of a punishment of imprisonment of up to one (1) year, a fine or an accessory punishment.

2.5. five (5) years from the day a punishment is served, prescribed by statutory limitation or terminated by a pardon or a change in the law, in the case of a punishment of imprisonment of one (1) to three (3) years.

2.6. eight (8) years from the day a punishment is served, prescribed by statutory limitation or terminated by a pardon or a change in the law, in the case of a punishment of imprisonment of three (3) to five (5) years.

2.7. ten (10) years from the day a punishment is served, prescribed by statutory limitation or terminated by a pardon or a change in the law, in the case of a punishment of imprisonment of five (5) to ten (10) years.

2.8. fifteen (15) years from the day a punishment is served, prescribed by statutory limitation or terminated by pardon or a change in the law, in the case of a punishment of imprisonment of ten (10) to fifteen (15) years.

3. A punishment of imprisonment of more than fifteen (15) years or life-long imprisonment shall not be expunged.

4. A punishment shall not be expunged during the duration of accessory punishments and measures of mandatory treatment.

 

Prison Records

Available

Fees: There are no fees

Document Name: Proof of release

Issuing Authority: Ministry of Justice. A statement of the time spent in a correctional institution can be obtained from the prison in which the person was confined.

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There is no special seal(s)/color/format

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Ministry of Justice/ Director of the prison where sentence was served.

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining:

  • For those present in Kosovo: Police certificates (Vertetim/Potvrda/Certificate) may be obtained from the local offices of the Kosovo Police at the municipality where the person resides. The police certificate will usually document whether the person has a criminal background and if there are any records in the police database.

  • For those not present in Kosovo: After having completed the relevant forms for application, the interested applicant should attach a copy of his/her identification document and send both to the Kosovo Police Directorate for International Cooperation (ILECU) via e-mail at ILECU@kosovopolice.com[B1] . A close family member in Kosovo can also apply on behalf of the applicant.

 Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions: None

Comments: None

Military Records

Available:  With limitations

Fees: There are no fees

Document Name: Vertetim/Potvrda/Certificate

Issuing Authority: Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare’s (1999-2008) The Ministry of the Kosovo Security Forces’ (KSF) (1999-ongoing)

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: A4, White paper, KSF Stamp or MLSW stamp

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title

Registration Criteria: Served in Kosovo Protection Corps or Kosovo Security Force

Procedure for Obtaining: The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare’s Division of Kosovo Protection Corps (KPC) issues records for personnel that served during 1999-2008. In order to obtain this document, the person should go to its office in Pristina, Kosovo in the Qafa Complex and complete the request form. Website: Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare.  The Ministry of the Kosovo Security Forces’ (KSF) Personnel Department is available to Kosovo citizens to issue KSF records or provide a letter certifying that a person did not serve in the KSF. To obtain this document, the person should go to their office at the Adem Jashari Barracks in Pristina, Kosovo and complete the request form at MKSF.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available

Alternate Documents:  There are no alternate documents

Exceptions: Kosovo citizens who served in the Yugoslav or Serbian military are unable to obtain military records and therefore are not required.

Comments: Military certificates for Kosovar applicants with military service pre-1999 are not required.

Passports & Other Travel Documents

Travel Documents
 

Types Available: Regular, Diplomatic, Official

Fees: Regular -adult 30.00 €, minor 20.00 €; Diplomatic/Offical- No Fees.

Document Name: Passport (Regular, Diplomatic, Official)

Issuing Government Authority: Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA)

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: The cover of each passport displays wording with gold lettering on the front that says "Republic of Kosovo" and "Passport" in Albanian, Serbian, and English, as well as Kosovo's emblem.

  • Regular passport: (e zakonshme/ obican): A dark-red, hard-cover booklet with biometric chip and machine-readable zone is issued to every Kosovo citizen who has right to hold a Kosovo passport.

  • Diplomatic passport: (diplomatike/diplomatski): A light-red, hard-cover booklet with a biometric chip and machine-readable zone is issued to the President of the Republic of Kosovo, President of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, members of the Assembly of Kosovo, Prime Minister, members of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Kosovo, President of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Kosovo, and Ombudsman. Diplomatic and consular representatives of the Republic of Kosovo abroad who have diplomatic appointments and/or perform consular services, as well as employees of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs who perform diplomatic and consular affairs and have diplomatic appointments, heads of state delegations of the Republic of Kosovo, and persons subject to a decision of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo can also receive diplomatic passports. Diplomatic passports can be issued to a member of the family members of diplomatic representatives and those on consular missions of the Republic of Kosovo, as well as government employees when the government decides to send them to work in international organizations.

  • Official Passport: (Official – Service / Sluzbeni): A light-red, hard-cover booklet with a biometric chip and machine-readable zone is issued to the political staff of the Republic of Kosovo, Ministry of Foreign Affairs employees and persons employed in diplomatic or consular missions of the Republic of Kosovo who do not poses diplomatic passports.  Official passports are issued to members of state delegations of the Republic of Kosovo and employees of other state bodies, officials who travel abroad, and persons whose travel the government decides is in interests of the Republic of Kosovo.
     

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Civil registrar

Registration Criteria: Kosovo Citizenship

Procedure for Obtaining: Proof of Citizenship

Alternate Documents: Travel document for foreigners (dokument i udhetimit per shtetasit e huaj/putna isprava za strane drzavljane): A light-blue hardcover booklet is issued to persons who do not possess a passport or passport substitute and for whom it is unreasonable to demand that they obtain such a document.  The alien must hold a residence permit in Kosovo.

Exceptions: None

Comments: Passports for citizens 18 years of age and over are valid for 10 years; children up to the age of 3 years are issued passports valid for 3 years, while those between the ages of 3 and 18 years are issued passports valid for 5 years.

Other Records

Citizen Records

Citizen records for adults (18 and over) are indexed by the unique registry number assigned to each citizen, similar to the U.S. Social Security number. This is called the National ID number. Birth, marriage, and death documents are issued by the municipalities and are described below. Divorce records are available from the courts and adoption certificates are generally not available. Life events occurring outside of Kosovo are not reflected in the registries unless they are voluntarily reported. Document names below follow the format of English/Albanian/Serbian, and all three languages are reflected on civil documents.

Visa Issuing Posts

Post Title: U.S. Embassy Pristina, Kosovo

Address:

Arberia/Dragodan
Nazim Hikmet 30
Pristina, Kosovo
Phone Number: (+389) 38 59 59 3001

Visa Services: xk.usembassy.gov

Comments / Additional Information:  PristinaACS@state.gov or PristinaVisas@state.gov

Visa Services

U.S. citizens need a valid passport to enter Kosovo and may be asked to provide documentation stating the purpose of their visit. No visa is required for tourist trips of up to 90 days within six months. For work, study, or visits longer than 90 days within six months, you must apply for a temporary residence permit once in Kosovo at Pristina’s Directorate for Migration and Foreigners (+381 38-200-190-22/17) or email Valmire.Bajraktari@rks-gov.net  or Besim.Jonuzaj@rks-gov.net  for information prior to arrival in Kosovo).To apply for a temporary residence permit, you will need to provide proof of local health insurance and an official police background check report. See our Criminal Records checks page on our website. The U.S. Embassy cannot assist you in obtaining background checks, certificates of conduct, or fingerprints. The U.S. Embassy cannot intervene on your behalf, obtain a background check report before you arrive at the airport when applying for a visa, or assist if you are denied entry into Kosovo. Kosovo law requires U.S. citizens to present photo identification (driver’s license or passport copy) to prove identity when asked by an authorized official.

Additional Information for Reciprocity

Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.