Albanians who want to live and work in Kosovo face major challenges for residence permits

They said it is difficult for them to equip themselves with a residence permit, while, in order to secure a contract in Kosovo, it is necessary to be on residence permits.

After this information, Fix's associates went to the immigration office to get information on what documentation you need to fill out to obtain work permits.

In terms you had to meet for employment, it was also permission to stay. Meanwhile, when Fix's associates asked at a call-center company what documentation should be completed to link a job contract, they confirmed the necessity of a residence permit in Kosovo. Without the latter, you can be fined if you are in a business relationship.

On the one hand, residence permit and on the other, the labour contract was required at the same time, creating a clash and difficulties for Albanians living in Kosovo.

Fix addressed the immigration office again, and they declared that the family cannot be transferred to Kosovo until two years passed, while residence permit is granted for a year.

Not only the difficulties in documentation, but Albanians are treated legally the same as any non-Kosovo citizen, having no extenuating procedure.

Fix asked for an answer to the Kosovo Interior Ministry. Valon Krasniqi, director of the Migration Directorate near this ministry, declares that legally every citizen is treated equally for residence permits regardless of whether he is Albanian or another citizen. He refuses to admit that he has problems with residence permits and that permission is not necessary to obtain a job contract.

Mr. Krasniqi indicated that a law was adopted a year ago, which says that through a decision the Council of Ministers can exclude a country's citizens from residence permits. He claims that Albanians in this case have taken into account, but that cannot be said publicly.

He says procedures to reach permanent permits have lasted up to 10 years to date.