Kosovo's Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci, recently disclosed a significant development for the country's military and official personnel. He revealed that these individuals when undertaking military or official duties in the United Kingdom, will now have the privilege of visa-free travel.

As per Maqedonci, the announcement was shared with him by Lieutenant Colonel Steve Forrest, who serves as a bilateral advisor at the Ministry of Defense. The information was further confirmed by Maqedonci himself through an official statement on his Facebook page.

Strengthening Defense Collaboration

The Defense Minister attributed this new policy to the ongoing defence collaboration between Kosovo and the United Kingdom. He emphasised that the UK has been instrumental in the broader state-building efforts, specifically in enhancing Kosovo's defence capabilities. Maqedonci highlighted this visa exemption as a testament to the trust and credibility the Kosovo Ministry of Defense and its Security Force established with their UK counterparts.

Expanding Horizons

Earlier this month, Kosovo finalised a visa exemption agreement with Saudi Arabia in a related development. This agreement, focusing on holders of diplomatic and official passports, was signed in Riyadh by Kreshnik Ahmeti, Kosovo's Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, and Waleed Abdulkarim El Khereiji, his Saudi Arabian counterpart.

Moreover, Kosovo recently secured a similar agreement with the United Arab Emirates. This arrangement, confirmed by Kosovo's President Vjosa Osmani, permits visa-free entry for those holding passports issued by Kosovo authorities. President Osmani thanked Mohamed Bin Zayed, the President of the United Arab Emirates, for endorsing her proposal. She noted that this agreement, finalised during a joint meeting last month, paves the way for enhanced cooperation between the two nations.
Later, Spain also allowed Kosovar passport holders to enter its territory starting from 01st January 2024. 

🇬🇧 The United Kingdom has adopted visa-free travel for the personnel of the 🇽🇰 Kosovo Army and Ministry of Defense for military and official activities in the UK. pic.twitter.com/AVrjH05UAC

— Mirsad Vitia (@VitiaMirsad) January 16, 2024

The United Kingdom has adopted visa-free travel for the personnel of the Kosovo Army and Ministry of Defense for military and official activities in the UK, Minister of Defense Maqedonci has announced. pic.twitter.com/cHz9gtmzO7

— Admirim (@admirim) January 16, 2024

A Passport Powerhouse

Since the beginning of this year, Kosovo citizens have been enjoying visa-free access to the Schengen Zone. This development has significantly bolstered the international standing of the Kosovo passport. As our Passport Index reported in January, Kosovo experienced a remarkable leap in its ranking, moving from the 188th position in December of the previous year to 99th.

Besart Bajrami, the founder of VisaGuide.The world described this as a historic milestone for Kosovo. He emphasised the significance of this rise in the passport strength index, highlighting the European Union's unique capability to dramatically enhance passport power almost instantly.

In December 2023, when Kosovo was ranked 188th in the VisaGuide Passport Index, its citizens had visa-free access to only 11 countries while needing conventional visas for travel to 130 countries.

FAQs

Who is eligible for visa-free travel to the UK from Kosovo?

Military and official personnel of the Ministry of Defense and the Security Force of Kosovo engaged in military and official activities are eligible for visa-free travel to the UK.

What is the significance of the visa exemption agreement with the United Arab Emirates?

The agreement with the United Arab Emirates allows passport holders issued by Kosovo authorities to enter the UAE without a visa, promoting enhanced cooperation between the two nations.

How has Kosovo's passport ranking improved in recent times?

Kosovo's passport ranking has improved significantly, moving from 188th to 99th in the VisaGuide Passport Index, providing its citizens broader visa-free access.