Telephone Numbers
Telephone Numbers
Types of Visas and Residence Permits for Foreigners in Albania
For detailed information +90 542 381 3868 'Call.
If you are planning to travel to Albania but need more information about specific procedures, please direct your questions to the Albanian Diplomatic Mission in your country.
You can find the contact person for the Albanian Embassy in your country here.
You may or may not need a visa to enter the Republic of Albania. This document clearly explains when you need a visa to travel to Albania. Those who cannot find their country in the list can start an online visa application.
All foreign nationals who can enter Albania without a visa are allowed to stay for 90 days within a 180-day period from their first entry.
The Albanian Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs specifies the categories of foreign citizens who can enter Albania without a visa:
Citizens of a group of countries can enter Albania without a short-stay visa (Type C) for tourism or private reasons during the official summer season.
An update on the free visa regime during the summer season applies to countries marked with (**).
Citizens from the following countries can enter Albania without a visa for short-term stays (for tourism purposes) with a valid passport between May 1 and September 30, 2023:
List of countries that do not need a visa to enter Albania as their citizens can also enter the Schengen area without a visa:
All citizens who need to stay in Albania for more than 90 days within a six-month period and need to obtain a residence permit must apply for a long-term D-type visa.
Source: MEFA
Type C short-term visa
Long-term D-type visa
The passports of all foreign citizens traveling to Albania will be registered and stamped in electronic systems by border and immigration officers.
A residence permit is required for all international citizens who need to stay in Albania for more than 90 days. The Law on Foreigners specifies all the features regarding residence permits.
Given that the document on Albania's visa policy is only available in the Albanian language, you can find the list of citizens who need at least one type of visa to travel to Albania below. Please check the document to find out which type of visa you are entitled to.
The list of countries whose citizens must obtain a visa for entry into Albania varies according to the diplomatic mission where the application is made and the type of visa service fee involved.
Foreign citizens can be granted a temporary or permanent residence permit only through the provision of a residence permit.
Article 33 of the Law on Foreigners is as follows:
“The authority responsible for border and migration issues one of the following 21 types of residence permits to foreign citizens who wish to reside in the Republic of Albania for more than 90 days within a 180-day period, following the fulfillment of the conditions provided for in this Law:
Furthermore, the law states that the residence permit application must be consistent with the purpose of the visa used for entry into Albania.
Residence permits are issued for:
Additionally, there are special residence permits for the following categories:
According to the aforementioned Law on Foreigners, foreign citizens with a residence permit can apply for family reunification only if the following conditions are met:
Non-Albanian citizens who wish to work in Albania for more than three months must obtain a work permit. The request for a work permit must be completed before starting work. All necessary documents for the application can be obtained from the Immigration Office, the Albanian Embassy in one's own country, or the regional labor office. Generally, the issuance or rejection of a work permit does not take more than 30 days after the submission of the proper documents. A work permit can be issued with or without time restrictions. The validity period of the work permit is determined by the type of work permit.
The work permit expires in the following cases:
Foreigners who will start an economic activity in the territory of the Republic of Albania are granted the following work permits.
If you are from a country that requires a visa, you can get a permanent residence permit if you purchase real estate. Alternatives are to register a business or get an employment contract.
Anyone who wants to enter Albania for any purpose may be subject to a visa regime depending on their nationality.
If you have never been to Albania before, the first thing you should do is ask yourself, "Do I need a visa?"
“Visa Application” is an online service provided through e-Visa for foreign citizens to apply for a visa, which requires them to be present at the Embassy or Consulate to receive the visa. After all verification processes are done, the application is accepted, and the applicant must follow the procedures for the payment of this service at the respective bank and then send all relevant documents uploaded during the application and the bank receipt (all as uploaded and the originals) by mail. This application only requests presence at the respective Embassy/Consulate after all is completed. You will be notified of the appointment date and time by e-mail.
Visa Type “C” – A short-term visa is granted to foreign nationals who wish to enter the Republic of Albania, allowing them to stay for a maximum of 90 days out of 180 days from their first entry date. This visa type is issued with one, two, or multiple entries.
Visa Type “D” – A long-term visa is granted to foreign nationals who wish to stay in Albania for more than 90 days within a 180-day period and also to those who may wish to obtain a Residence Permit after entering the Republic of Albania. This visa type is issued with one, two, or multiple entries. For children under 18 years of age: A declaration stating the consent of the child's parent or legal guardian or the responsible person for the travel is required.
The following persons are exempt from appearing in person at the Albanian Embassy or Consulate:
– Holders of diplomatic passports;
– Humanitarian cases;
– High-Level Officials (and their accompanying persons and delegations) on official visits;
- A foreigner with a royal title and other members of the royal family on official visits;
– Foreigners organized in tourist groups;
– Foreigners who have previously applied for a visa within a period of 59 months (4 years and 11 months).
Visa exemption for entry and stay in the Republic of Albania from 90 days up to 180 days:
- Foreign nationals who have a valid multi-entry Schengen visa, provided that the issued visa has been previously used in one of the Schengen area countries, or who have a valid residence permit in one of the Schengen area countries;
– Foreign nationals who have a valid multi-entry visa or a valid residence permit issued by the United States of America, Great Britain, and Northern Ireland, provided that the issued visa has been previously used in the country where it was issued;
– Foreign nationals who can enter and stay in Schengen countries without a visa.
To be uploaded online and, after the application is accepted, to be deposited at the respective Consular Office Missions of the Republic of Albania or at Honorary Consulates, as well as at contracted agencies of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs in other countries. The applicant must submit the following documents:
1) The visa application form must be filled out online (after filling it out, the applicant must print and sign the completed form).
2) One passport photo not older than six months from the application date.
3) A photocopy of a valid travel document (valid for at least three months longer than the validity period of the requested visa).
4) Travel health insurance documents for the duration of the visa.
5) For children under 18: A declaration showing the consent of the child's parent or legal guardian or the responsible person for the travel.
6) An invitation from the host (if the host is a foreign citizen, the invitation must also include the Residence Permit of the Republic of Albania issued by the relevant Albanian Authority). It is important to note that the host must submit a copy of the invitation to the relevant Regional Department for Border and Migration where they live.
THIS EXCLUDES APPLICANTS FOR A “TYPE C VISA” FOR TOURIST PURPOSES AND FOREIGNERS APPLYING FOR A TYPE D/APU VISA, PROVIDED THEY ARE INVESTORS/ADMINISTRATORS/SELF-EMPLOYED IN THE REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA AND PROVIDE A CONTACT NUMBER IN THE REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA.
- Invitation signed by the host and a copy of their identity document (if the host is a foreign national, they are also required to submit a photocopy of their residence permit issued by the competent Albanian Authority), excluding foreigners who are investors / administrators / self-employed in the Republic of Albania;
-Documents proving commercial professional competence in the respective country where they state the purpose of the visa;
-In case of invitations from a commercial entity, documents proving the legal status of the inviting entity;
-Photocopy of Work Permits issued by the Albanian authorities.
- Criminal Record (Good Standing) Certificate, certified according to the regime with the respective country that issues this document.
– Select the “Visa Application” service
– Click the “Apply” button
– Choose to carry out a new application or to monitor the status of an existing application
– To monitor the status of an existing application, enter the application number and then click the “Search” button
– To complete a new application, fill in the personal information and upload the necessary documents for identity verification. You will be notified by e-mail for the application confirmation and the special application code (which allows tracking the application progress at any moment).
– After all verification processes are done, the application is accepted, and the applicant must follow the procedures for the payment of this service at the respective bank and then send all relevant documents uploaded during the application and the bank receipt (all as uploaded and the originals) by mail.
- This application only requests presence at the respective Embassy/Consulate after all is completed. You will be notified of the appointment date and time by e-mail.
The application process is carried out online;
2. The initial verification process, which includes checking the application form, all attached documents, and proceeding with the verification of the following, is carried out by the Consul: – If the application meets all
requirements, a message is sent informing the applicant that their “application has been accepted”, informing them of the fee to be paid and other procedures to be followed;
– If the application has an “irregularity”, the relevant notification is sent to the applicant and they are asked to upload the relevant additional document requested;
– If the application does not meet all requirements, the applicant is informed that their visa application has been “rejected”, with the relevant explanation.
When the Consul accepts the application and the relevant fee has been paid, the following procedures are followed:
1. The Consul informs the applicant:
– If the visa application is approved, the Consul requests the applicant's presence to receive their visa (Please Note: You must ensure you bring your passport, all original documents uploaded for the application, the printed and signed application form, and the original payment receipt)
- If the visa is rejected, the Consul presents the applicant with the standard rejection document message with the relevant explanation.
A visa is issued within 15 days from the acceptance of the application, and in exceptional cases, it may take up to 30 days.
Depending on the application
Based on reciprocity, according to the Council of Ministers Decision No. 569, dated 03.10.2018 / 2) / Fees vary for:
a. Children up to 6 (six) years of age;
b. Holders of Diplomatic or Service passports based on the principle of reciprocity;
c. Humanitarian cases
The entry and residence of foreign citizens in Albania is regulated by the Law on Foreigners. Therefore, the entry and residence of foreign citizens is under the authority of Albanian state institutions. The main state institution responsible for foreign citizens wishing to enter Albania is the institution responsible for border and migration, which is part of the Albanian State Police.
+90 542 381 3868
+971 58 5204103