Kosovo student visa and residence permit for study

The Law on Foreigners grants a study permit to foreigners who study at a higher education institution in Kosovo, come under a student exchange or youth mobility scheme, or come for an internship authorised by an organisation or under an agreement between universities or states. A research permit requires an agreement with an institution licensed in Kosovo that states the research topic, both parties' obligations and the start and end dates. Researchers with an agreement in an EU or Schengen state may do research in Kosovo for up to 90 days without a Kosovo agreement.

Secondary school pupils can receive a permit for up to one year if they are enrolled in a Kosovo school under an exchange programme approved by the education ministry, have notarised consent from their parents and an organisation responsible for their living costs, health care and return. Every applicant must also meet the general conditions: a valid passport, means of subsistence, health insurance, no entry ban and no risk to public order, security or health.

The MIA checklist for higher education and research asks for a passport valid at least three months longer than the permit, a certificate of enrolment at an accredited Kosovo institution, proof of means by bank statement or other notarised evidence, proof of accommodation with the exact address, a certificate from your country of nationality or last residence that you are not under investigation, translated into Albanian or Serbian, and health insurance. Exchange students and interns add the exchange, mobility or internship agreement; researchers add the invitation from the licensed institution and the hosting agreement.

For pre-university and higher education the MIA requires EUR 500 a year, described in its table as annual financial turnover. The temporary residence permit for study costs EUR 10, as does replacing a lost or damaged card. Students who first obtain a long-stay visa D at a mission pay the EUR 80 visa fee, although pupils, students and accompanying teachers travelling for study or training are exempt from visa fees under the MFAD rules.

Normally the application is filed at a Kosovo embassy or consulate. Nationals who do not need a visa, and visa holders who come for full-time undergraduate or postgraduate studies, may instead apply in person at the MIA migration department in Kosovo before their 90-day stay ends and may remain until the decision. Applications for minors are made by the parents, by one parent with the other's authorisation or by the legal guardian. The decision is due within 30 days; you then collect the residence card and report your address to the police.

Report your address within three days of entry and any later change of address within eight days. Regular students may take paid work only through an authorised intermediary, without an employment contract; an authorised internship is not treated as work. The permit is revoked if its purpose ends, if you stay abroad for more than 30 consecutive days without justification (up to 90 days if you inform the MIA or border police within ten days of return), or if documents were forged.

Renew the permit at the MIA migration department at least 30 days before it expires, with a valid passport, proof of means, health insurance and a certificate of no criminal conviction from a Kosovo court. A graduate of a Kosovo higher education institution who wants to look for work may extend the permit for nine more months, applying within three months of graduation. Researchers with an agreement with a licensed Kosovo institution can also extend for nine months, applying at least 30 days before the permit expires.

A refusal must give reasons. Since the August 2024 amendment of the Law on Foreigners you may appeal within 30 days to the Appeals Commission, which decides within 30 days of receiving the appeal; the appeal does not suspend the decision. You may also apply again with the missing documents.