Kosovo Business owner permit

Residence and work permit outside the annual quota for a foreigner working in their own trading company with more than 51% ownership, or on their own turnover. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

What you must show and pay

• Savings of at least EUR 5,000 a year (≈ $5,590) · Means of subsistence in the employment category: the Ministry of Internal Affairs guidance says an annual financial turnover of EUR 5,000 (≈ $5,590) must be shown; a bank statement or an employment contract is accepted. ⁵
• A fee of EUR 50 (≈ $56) · Fee for a temporary residence permit for the purpose of employment. ⁴

Requirements

• Applicant is self-employed in a trading company in which the applicant holds more than 51%, or on the applicant's own turnover. ^{1 3}
• At least three Kosovo citizens are employed in the company. ¹
• Applicant meets the general conditions of Art. 48: purpose of stay, valid travel document, sufficient means of subsistence, health insurance, no entry ban and no security threat. ^{1 2}
• The applicant's gross pay is at least the average gross wage paid in Kosovo in the previous year. ¹
• Means of living of EUR 5,000 (≈ $5,590) a year are shown, for example by a bank statement or an employment contract. ⁵
• Business registration certificate and evidence of the applicant's 51% ownership or turnover. ³
• Evidence that tax obligations and contributions have been paid in Kosovo. ¹
• Travel document valid at least three months beyond the requested residence period. ^{1 3}
• Health insurance. ³
• Proof of no criminal conviction or investigation, issued by the authority of the country of citizenship or last residence and translated into an official language of Kosovo. ³
• Apply in person at a Kosovo diplomatic or consular mission; a visa-exempt foreigner can apply at the Department for Citizenship, Asylum and Migration. ¹
• The Department decides within 30 days of receiving the application; a refusal can be appealed within eight days. ¹
• The work permit is issued for two years, unless a shorter period is requested. ²
• The extension application is filed at least 30 days before expiry, and the holder may stay while it is decided. ^{1 2}

Stay

• Permit issued for up to two years and extendable.
• First stay: up to 24 months, decided case by case.
• Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.

Nationality

Open to foreigners generally; nationals who need a visa for entry apply through a Kosovo diplomatic or consular mission.

Work

Work in the own company; the permit is outside the annual quota.

Family

Close family can apply for family reunification.

Fine print

Law No. 08/L-262, published on 8 August 2024, amended the Law on Foreigners to bring its procedures in line with the Law on General Administrative Procedure. Its text could not be read on 12 October 2026, so the decision and appeal deadlines given here follow the law as amended in 2018.

Checked 2026-10-12

Official sources

1. Law No. 04/L-219 on Foreigners (Official Gazette 35/2013), amended by Law No. 06/L-036 (2018) and Law No. 08/L-262 (2024) · Official Gazette of the Republic of Kosovo No. 35/2013 · checked 2026-10-12 · published 2013-09-05
2. Law No. 06/L-036 amending and supplementing the Law on Foreigners (Official Gazette 6/2018) · Official Gazette of the Republic of Kosovo No. 6/2018 · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2018-05-03
3. Administrative Instruction (MIA) No. 09/2019 on the procedure and criteria for issuing residence permits for foreigners · Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2019
4. Temporary residence permit for foreigners: criteria, required documents and fees · Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo · checked 2026-10-11
5. Amount of sufficient means of subsistence for foreigners · Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo · checked 2026-10-11
6. Permanent residence permit for foreigners (criteria) · Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kosovo · checked 2026-10-11