Apply for a U.S. visa for treaty investors (E-2) in Kosovo

Yes. Kosovo is on the State Department’s list of treaty countries for E-2, through the treaty with the former Yugoslavia that its successors, Kosovo among them, remain bound by.¹⁶

A national of a treaty country who invests in a U.S. business and comes to develop and direct it, owning at least 50 percent or controlling its operations. An employee qualifies in a supervisory or executive role, or with skills essential to the business.^17,11

Money or other assets placed at risk in a real, operating business to make a profit; no minimum amount is set. Funds that only sit in a bank account, uncommitted, generally do not count.^17,11,8

Visas for nationals of a treaty country. E-1 is for substantial, continuing trade, more than 50 percent of it between the United States and your country. E-2 is to develop and direct a U.S. business in which you have invested a substantial amount. Their executives, supervisors and essential skilled employees can qualify too.^4,18

Only treaty countries qualify. Kosovo, North Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia are bound by the treaty with the former Yugoslavia, for both E-1 and E-2. Albania is listed for E-2 only.^4,19

No. From abroad you apply directly at a U.S. embassy or consulate. Form I-129 is not used for E from outside the United States; it serves only to change to E status from inside the country.^17,18

No amount is named. The investment must be substantial in relation to the cost of buying or starting the business and enough for it to succeed; the cheaper the business, the larger the share must be. The money must be at risk and not come from crime, and money just sitting in a bank account does not count. The business must earn more than a minimal living for you and your family.^17,4

Yes. Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can come with you or join you later, and need not have your nationality. A spouse in E-1 or E-2 status may work.^4,18,17

$315 to the U.S. Department of State, the fee for every E visa. Kosovo citizens pay no visa issuance fee on top. €10 to DHL to bring your passport home.^2,20,21,3

Online or at VFS. Online with a debit or credit card, or in cash at the VFS Visa Application Center in Pristina, Lidhja e Prizrenit St., No. 20, Tophane.^5,6

$315 per applicant. It is the fee for E treaty trader and treaty investor visas.²

No. The visa application fee is non-refundable.²

Generally no. Apply at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country of your nationality or where you live, and be able to show you live there if that is why you apply there. Elsewhere it may be more difficult to qualify, and the fee is not refunded or transferred.²²

On the State Department’s Visa Status Check, at ceac.state.gov. Choose your visa type, then enter your passport number and the first five letters of your surname.²³

No. Any claim that someone can guarantee a visa is fraudulent. A consular officer decides at the interview whether you qualify.²⁴

You may reapply. After a refusal under section 214(b), you submit a new application, pay the fee again, and must be able to show significant changes in your circumstances since your last application.²⁵