"Just issued the first entry visa of the Republic of Kosovo to a citizen from Ghana," Foreign Minister Enver Hoxhaj wrote on his Twitter account.
Hoxhaj, who personally issued the first visa in the consulate in Istanbul, said the visa regime would protect Kosovo from human trafficking and illegal migration, the ministry said in a statement.
The selection of countries whose citizens need a visa would be made based on "security threats for Kosovo and for international peace and stability," the government said last month when it decided to introduce the regime.
Apart from Russia, Moldova, Belarus and Ukraine are the only European countries whose citizens are required to obtain a visa, as well as a number of Asian and African states, including Egypt, India, Indonesia and Pakistan.
Citizens of some countries would be able to obtain a visa on Kosovo's borders, while others would have to apply in a consulate, the ministry said, providing no further details.