From January 1, 2024, people from Kosovo will be able to come and stay in Switzerland for a short time without a visa. The Swiss government has followed the European Union’s lead in allowing Kosovar citizens to enter the Schengen area for a short stay without having to secure a permit.
After the European Parliament gave the green light for visa-free travel from Kosovo in April, the Federal Council released a statement on May 19 stating that Switzerland would also be adopting the new rules. As a member of Schengen, rejecting the policy would have likely spelt the end of Switzerland’s membership of the area - which allows for inter-national movement between member countries without visas or strict passport requirements.
In a statement reported in Watson, the Federal Council has confirmed that Kosovo - a state which has been recognised as independent by Switzerland since February 2008 - now meets the requirements needed for its citizens to be given visa-free travel. These requirements have been met through improved security, border control and migration management measures implemented by Kosovar authorities.
The news will likely come as a pleasant surprise to the more than 114.800 Kosovars that currently call Switzerland home, who will now be able to invite their families for a short stay without having to go through the vigorous visa process.
From January 1, 2024, people from Kosovo will no longer be required to secure a Schengen tourist and visitor visa (often called the C- or European C-visa by Swiss authorities). Kosovar citizens only need a fully valid, biometric passport in order to visit the Schengen area (including Switzerland) for up to 90 days.
However, Kosovar citizens will still need to secure a residence permit if they want to live in the country beyond 90 days. As a “third country” that is not yet a member of the EU or EFTA, they will need to find a job in Switzerland and prove they are professionally qualified - and their prospective employer needs to prove that no equivalent worker can be found in Switzerland, the EU or EFTA - in order to remain in the country.