Kosovo family reunification residence permit

The sponsor can be a Kosovo citizen, a foreigner with a permanent or temporary residence permit, a person granted international protection under the Law on Asylum or a person recognised as stateless. Family members are the spouse or unmarried partner and the minor, unmarried children of the sponsor or the spouse, including adopted children and children whose custody is shared if the other parent agrees. A partnership counts if the couple has lived together for at least three years, or less if they have a child together. Other relatives may be admitted for special personal or serious humanitarian reasons.

Some limits apply. When the sponsor holds a one-year employment permit within the annual quota, the family can join only after the sponsor has two years of temporary residence; families of intra-corporate transferees may apply together with the worker. Seasonal workers, asylum seekers and people under temporary protection cannot sponsor. A second spouse is not admitted in a polygamous marriage, and reunification is refused if the spouse or partner is married to or in a long-term relationship with someone else.

The MIA checklist asks for a passport valid at least three months longer than the permit requested; a marriage certificate, a certificate of family union or the children's birth certificates, or proof of adoption or guardianship; the identity document of the Kosovo citizen or sponsor; proof of sufficient means through a bank statement, employment contract or other evidence; proof of housing by title deed or notarised lease that meets minimum housing standards; a criminal record certificate from your country of nationality or last residence, translated into an official language of Kosovo; health insurance; and a vaccination certificate if you come from a country under a declared epidemic. For partners, proof of three years of cohabitation or a joint child's birth certificate replaces the marriage certificate.

When the sponsor is a foreigner with a Kosovo residence permit, the MIA asks for EUR 6,000 a year. When a foreigner marries or lives with a Kosovo citizen, no specific amount is set and only the documents presented by the citizen are assessed. When renewing, the sponsor must have sufficient resources without relying on social assistance, and the contributions of other family members are taken into account. The permit costs EUR 30. Family members of refugees and protected persons are exempt from the means and insurance conditions.

The law expects the application to be filed and examined while the family member lives outside Kosovo, normally at a Kosovo embassy or consulate, but it allows filing inside Kosovo in certain circumstances, and visa-free nationals may apply in person at the MIA migration department before their 90 days end. Applications for children are made by both parents, by one parent with the other's authorisation or by the guardian. The MIA may run checks or interviews where it suspects a marriage, partnership or adoption of convenience. The decision is due within 30 days, and the best interests of minor children must be considered.

Renew at least 30 days before expiry with a valid passport, proof of means, health insurance and a Kosovo certificate of no criminal conviction. After two continuous years, renewals may be granted for up to two years. After three continuous years, the spouse, partner or a child who has come of age can obtain an autonomous residence permit; after two years if the sponsor has died, and exceptionally after widowhood, divorce or separation. Spouses of Kosovo citizens or permanent residents can apply for permanent residence after three years of uninterrupted residence.

The MIA may refuse, withdraw or not renew the permit if the conditions are not met, if the couple no longer lives in a real marital or family relationship, if the sponsor or partner is married to or in a stable relationship with another person, if false documents were used, or if the marriage, partnership or adoption was entered into only to obtain residence. Since the August 2024 amendment, appeals go to the Appeals Commission within 30 days, and the Commission decides within 30 days; the appeal does not suspend the decision.

Holders of a family reunification permit have the right to education, vocational training, work and self-employment. No separate work permit is needed when the sponsor is a Kosovo citizen, a permanent resident, a foreigner who has had a temporary permit for more than a year, a refugee, a person with subsidiary or temporary protection or an intra-corporate transferee. A foreigner with a temporary permit who is married to a Kosovo citizen or permanent resident is also protected from removal, except on serious security or public order grounds.