Obrenovic: Visa liberalization has not caused a mass exodus of Kosovo citizens

Dimitrije Obrenovic, Project Manager at the NGO Aktiv, emphasized that visa liberalization has not led to a mass departure of Kosovo citizens, contrary to the predictions made when Kosovo achieved visa liberalization.

Obrenovic notes that one year after visa liberalization came into effect for Kosovo citizens, the number of those leaving has increased, but not significantly.

"The trend of emigration has existed for a very long time. Since Kosovo achieved visa liberalization, the initial predictions have not materialized, it is not a mass exodus, although there are indicators of an increased number of people seeking asylum abroad and those who are leaving," Obrenovic stated.

Although not significantly, the number of citizens leaving Kosovo has risen, Obrenovic points out, adding that the best aspect of visa liberalization is that citizens no longer have to allocate additional funds for visas.

When discussing emigration, Obrenovic highlighted that it primarily involves people with higher education qualifications.

"As is the case throughout the Balkans, individuals with higher education have been emigrating, such as doctors, engineers, and other highly skilled professionals," Obrenovic said.

For Serbs in northern Kosovo, Obrenovic believes there is a stronger trend of moving to central Serbia rather than emigrating abroad.