Printer friendly version
Email
|
Kosovo
On this page » |
|
July 21, 2009
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION:
Kosovo declared independence in February 2008. The UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), pursuant to U.N.
Security Council Resolution 1244, transferred nearly all rule of law functions to the EU Rule of Law Mission (EULEX) on December
9, 2008. EULEX will work closely with the International Civilian Office (ICO) and NATO (KFOR) to mentor and supervise Kosovo’s
independence. At this time, some civilian institutions, including the criminal justice system, are not functioning at a level
consistent with Western standards. Kosovo is a cash economy. The currency used throughout Kosovo is the euro. The availability
of tourist facilities is very limited. Read the Department of State Background Notes on Kosovo for additional information.
REGISTRATION: U.S. citizens living or traveling in Kosovo are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate at the Department of State travel registration page, so that they can obtain updated information on local travel and security. U.S. citizens without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Registration is important; it allows the State Department to assist U.S. citizens in an emergency.
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: U.S. citizens need a passport to enter Kosovo. No visa is required, but visitors may be required to produce documentation to demonstrate the purpose of their visit. Generally, visitors allowed to enter Kosovo will be permitted to stay for up to 90 days. Persons who wish to prolong their stay beyond 90 days will need to register at the Office for Registration of Foreigners, located in the Main Police Headquarters in Pristina. Travelers to Kosovo may also wish to visit the Kosovo Government Portal prior to departing.
Entry to Serbia from Kosovo should not be attempted without an entry stamp from a Serbia border crossing post, other than those between Serbia and Kosovo. Serbia does not recognize entry stamps by Kosovo border authorities at Kosovo ports of entry, including Pristina Airport, as valid.
The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Kosovo.
Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information page.
THREATS TO SAFETY AND SECURITY: The NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) along with local police and assisted by international police, are responsible for security and stability in Kosovo. Although the overall security situation has improved, inter-ethnic tensions and sporadic incidents of violence continue to occur.
Per standing security instructions, U.S. Government officials may only travel to parts of northern Kosovo for official business and these restrictions remain in place.
Americans should avoid demonstrations and other sites, such as roadblocks, where large crowds are gathered, particularly those involving political/ethnic causes. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful have the potential to turn into confrontational situations and possibly escalate into violence.
While de-mining programs have proven effective, unexploded ordnance and mines remain in some areas. The reliability of telecommunications,
electric and water systems remains unpredictable.
For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State's, Bureau of Consular Affairs' website. It contains current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution.
Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the U.S. and Canada, or by calling a regular toll line, 1-202-501-4444, from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of State’s extensive tips and advice on traveling safely abroad.
CRIME: High unemployment and other economic factors encourage criminal activity. Street crimes, in particular theft and purse snatchings, are serious problems in Kosovo, especially in Pristina. It is not unusual for criminals to commit crimes while armed, especially with handguns. Foreigners can be targets of crime, as they are assumed to carry cash. Likewise, foreigners’ homes, vehicles and international non-governmental organization (NGO) offices are subject to burglaries.
The Kosovo Police carry out normal police functions and are helped in this work by a contingent of international officers. The judicial system is still developing under international oversight. On December 9, 2008, the EU Rule of Law mission (EULEX) assumed these functions from the UN and is providing monitoring, mentoring and advice to local authorities and institutions.
In many countries around the world, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available. Transactions involving such products may be illegal under local law. In addition, bringing them back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines.
VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you are the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate (see end of this sheet or see the Department of State list of embassies and consulates). This includes the loss or theft of a U.S. passport. The embassy/consulate staff can, for example, help you find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.
The local equivalents to the “911” emergency line in Pristina are: Police: 92; Fire Department: 93; and Ambulance: 94. For information on other areas contact U.S. Embassy Pristina.
Please see our information on victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States.
Persons violating Kosovo laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Kosovo are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Banking services are available in Pristina and other major towns, although they are not fully developed. There are now a number of banks with international ties that offer limited banking services, including Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), in Pristina and other major towns. If it becomes necessary to receive emergency funds from abroad, Western Union has offices throughout Kosovo. While credit cards are accepted in larger stores and in some restaurants, cash in local currency is advised for purchases in small establishments.
Travelers entering Kosovo by air or land with more than 10,000 Euros in cash are required to declare all currency upon entry and obtain from the customs officials at the port of entry a declaration form that must be presented upon departure from Kosovo. Failure to comply may result in the confiscation of all funds.
MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Health facilities are limited, and medications are in short supply. KFOR cannot provide basic health care to non-military personnel, nor can they provide medical evacuation out of Kosovo.
Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC website. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the infectious diseases section of the World Health Organization (WHO) website. The WHO website also contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to consult their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad. Important questions are whether the policy applies overseas and whether it covers emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. For more information, please see our medical insurance overseas page.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. In Kosovo, road conditions can be extremely hazardous because roads are narrow, crowded, and used by a variety of vehicles, from KFOR armored personnel carriers to horse-drawn carts. Many vehicles are old and lack standard front or rear lights. Mountain roads can be narrow, poorly marked, and lack guardrails. They quickly become dangerous in inclement weather. During winter months, fog can obscure visibility while driving.
Driving safely in Kosovo requires excellent defensive driving skills. Many drivers routinely ignore speed limits and other traffic regulations, such as stopping for red lights and stop signs. Drivers routinely make illegal left turns from the far right lane, or drive into oncoming lanes of traffic. The combination of speeding, unsafe driving practices, poor vehicle maintenance, the mixture of new and old vehicles on the roads, and poor lighting contributes to unsafe driving conditions. Pedestrians should exercise extreme caution when crossing the street; even when using crosswalks, as local drivers rarely slow down or stop for pedestrians.
A valid U.S. driver’s license is required for U.S. citizens driving in Kosovo. The use of seat belts is mandatory, as is the use of headlights, at all times. A driver with a blood alcohol level higher than 0.05 is considered intoxicated. Travelers entering Kosovo by road should be aware that the purchase of local third-party insurance is required.
Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Kosovo, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not separately assessed the government of Kosovo’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.
CHILDREN'S ISSUES: Please see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.
EMBASSY LOCATION/REGISTRATION: U.S. citizens living or traveling in Kosovo are encouraged to register with the U.S. embassy at the Department of State travel registration page, so that they can obtain updated information on local travel and security. Registration is important; it allows the State Department to assist U.S. citizens in an emergency.
The U.S. Embassy in Kosovo is located at 30 Nazim Hikmet St. in the Dragodan area of Pristina. The telephone number is (381) 38-5959-3000; the Embassy may also be reached by e-mail. At this time U.S. Embassy Pristina provides only emergency services to American citizens. U.S. Embassy Skopje, Macedonia, provides all routine consular services such as passport and visa processing.
The U.S. Embassy in Skopje is located at Ilindenska bb, 1000 Skopje, tel. (389) (2) 311-6180, fax (389) (2) 321-3767. You may also e-mail the U.S. Embassy in Skopje.
* * * *
This replaces the Country Specific Information for Kosovo dated December 30, 2008, to update sections on Country Description, Entry/Exit Requirements, Crime, Traffic Safety and Road Conditions, and Special Circumstances.
