Types of Work Visas in Albania

Types of Work Visas in Albania

The first step to bringing employees to Albania is to understand who needs a work permit. Citizens of the European Union (EU) and Schengen countries have the same employment rights as Albanian citizens. However, some legislation may require Albanian citizenship for certain positions. US citizens can also stay in Albania for at least one year without a residence permit.

In early March 2023, the Albanian authorities began accepting applications for the Single Residence Permit for eligible foreign nationals. These individuals (or their employers) no longer need to apply for a work declaration or obtain separate work and residence permits. Individuals who have an employment contract issued by a local Albanian company are now eligible for a Single Permit, which authorizes them to work and reside in Albania for an initial period of up to one year, with the possibility of renewal. Previously, individuals with an Albanian employment contract had to apply for proof of their work declarations and obtain their work and residence permits separately.

Anyone who is not an Albanian citizen and wishes to work in the country for more than three months must apply for a work permit. Your employees must complete their work permit applications before starting their job. It generally does not take more than 30 days to receive approval or rejection after submitting the documents. Some work permits have time limitations, but the overall validity period of the permit depends on its type.

Four Main Categories of Albanian Work Permits

Type A: Economic activity permits for both employers and employees

Type B: Independent economic activity permits

Type C: Permits for special occasions

Type D: Permanent work permits for eligible foreigners

All foreigners also need a visa to enter Albania and a residence permit to live there.

Requirements for Obtaining an Albanian Work Visa

The steps to obtain a work permit in Albania may vary depending on the type of permit. However, the most common required documents include:

Standard application form signed by your employee

A National Registration Center summary confirming your registration as an employer

The applicant's employment contract

A copy of their passport

Five photographs

Employees will also be required to pay 6,000 ALL or approximately 45 Euros to obtain a work permit from the General Directorate of the National Employment Service or the respective regional Labor Office under the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.

Albanian Visa Application Process

All of your employees applying for a work permit in Albania must submit the documents above to the relevant labor office in Albania or to the Albanian Consulates in their home countries. The Albanian Regional Employment Office examines the development and needs of the country's labor market before issuing any work permit. They consider whether the job can be filled by:

An unemployed Albanian citizen

Foreigners and family members of Albanian citizens

EU or Schengen citizens

Family members of immigrants living and working in Albania

Citizens of countries with which Albania has bilateral and multilateral employment agreements

Any job seeker who has priority in the domestic labor market

Note that foreign employees can work in the public sector but cannot hold any leadership positions in public administration.

Other Important Considerations

In addition to the work permit, all employees must obtain a work visa in Albania. Visa types include:

Type C: Short-term visas

Type D: Long-term visas

Airport visa: For airport transit

All foreign citizens planning to stay in the country for more than 90 days will also need a residence permit. There are 21 different types of residence permits in Albania, so it is important to find the right one for your needs. All residence permits are valid for three months, six months, or one year and cannot be renewed more than five times.

Get Information on Obtaining a Residence Visa or Opening a Company in Albania