Country: Kosovo
Event: 1) Status of Pristina airport. 2) Regional air travel. 3) Regional land travel. 4) Travel this summer to Kosovo.
We are aware of the limitations on travel at the moment, which affects Embassy personnel as well. Please read carefully below before attempting to travel. The U.S. Embassy cannot issue a “travel letter” or other documentation to facilitate movement across international borders.
UPDATE 1. Commercial flights out of Pristina Airport continue to be canceled, including through at least 21 June. The U.S. Embassy has no information when flights will resume, although we have heard the possibility of 22 June or 01 July; these dates are unconfirmed. We will send updates as soon as we have something to share. Be aware that although it may be possible to purchase tickets, those flights may be canceled at the last minute. Please check directly with the airline/travel agent before arriving at the airport.
UPDATE 2. Because of the situation here we are seeking other possibilities in the region. Skopje Airport is closed, and the U.S. Embassy in Tirana reports that there are no viable flights available for U.S. citizens, and nothing expected until July. Be aware that there are reports of people purchasing tickets on Turkish Airlines out of Skopje but all indications are that those flights will be canceled as well. Please contact the airline before attempting the cross the border into North Macedonia (more below under UPDATE 3).
The following applies to U.S. citizens only. One possibility is departure from Belgrade, Serbia through airserbia directly to New York, or other airlines via Europe. You can check flights at Belgrade airport website at this link. At last check it appears there are direct flights on 24, 26, 27 and 29 June, and the website lists three New York flights per week starting in July.You must work directly with the airlines/travel agent to book your flights. If you choose to travel to Belgrade you must transit through a third country, such as North Macedonia, in order to enter Serbia. (Note: per these entry/exit requirements, U.S. citizens entering Kosovo from a country other than Serbia, including from any other country via Pristina’s airport, will be barred from entering Serbia by Serbian border officials.) Serbia does not have any Covid-19 related restrictions at this time. Click here for more information. We do not recommend Legal Permanent Residents (LPRs) with Kosovo passports attempt travel through Belgrade, since they may be denied entry or boarding by Serbian authorities. North Macedonia permits foreigners to enter the country for transit purposes for a maximum of five hours. More information is available at this link.
UPDATE 3. Several land borders are open and there is no quarantine requirement for entering Kosovo. Additional borders are scheduled to open on 22 June. Please click here for more information. That said, regional travel remains difficult and border restrictions vary by country, so please check with the respective Embassy websites for the latest information. At this moment we believe that vehicles can enter Albania and Montenegro without quarantine (subject to medical examination). If you are entering Pristina solely for a flight please ensure: 1) That the flight is not canceled, and 2) That you will be permitted to reenter your country of origin if the flight is canceled at the last minute. We have heard from a number of people who arrived in Kosovo and had their flights canceled on the same morning.
UPDATE 4. If you are an American citizen located in the United States and you want the latest information on traveling to Kosovo, please contact the Kosovo Embassy at the telephone number and email listed on this link. We expect the summer travel season to be greatly affected by the pandemic and the Department of State still has a Global Level 4 Health Advisory – Do Not Travel.
Archived Information:
Normal consular operations remain suspended due to COVID-19. Travelers with an immediate travel need may contact us at PristinaACS@state.gov to make an emergency appointment. We can usually issue an emergency passport on the same day as the application, and it is valid for one year. As soon as we can begin processing regular passports, we will advertise that update here. All non-emergency services, including notarials, remain suspended until further notice.
On March 31, the Department of State updated the Global Level 4 Health Advisory – Do Not Travel, due to the global impact of COVID-19.
On March 16, the United States Embassy in Pristina reduced staffing and operations, however, emergency consular services for U.S. citizens continue to be available. To apply for an emergency passport, or if you have any other urgent matter, contact PristinaACS@state.gov.
Actions to Take:
- Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
- For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19 please see the CDC’s latest recommendations
- Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
- Check with your airlines or cruise lines regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
- Visit our Embassy web page on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Kosovo.
- Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the U.S.
Assistance:
- U.S. Embassy Pristina, Kosovo
+ (383) 38-5959-3000
PristinaACS@state.gov
https://xk.usembassy.gov - State Department – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444 - Kosovo Country Information
- Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates
- Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
