Getting a Visa for Albania: Everything you Need to Know
Albania is a stunning place with amazing landscapes and fun spots to explore. But if you’re not from there and want to visit, you’ll have to get an Albanian visa. For getting a visa or Albania you have two options: a short-term visa for stays up to 90 days, or a long-term one for a year. If you’re planning to stay longer than three months with the long-term visa, you’ll also need a residence permit.
Do I Need a Visa for Albania?
You do not need a visa for Albania if you are from one of the following countries:
- All EU countries
- China
- North Macedonia
- Andorra
- Hungary
- Norway
- Armenia
- Ireland
- Poland
- Australia
- Iceland
- Portugal
- Austria
- Italy
- Cyprus
- Azerbaijan
- Israel
- South Korea
- Argentina
- Japan
- Czechia
- Barbados
- Canada
- Romania
- Belgium
- Kazakhstan
- San Marino
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Kosovo
- Vatican City
- Brazil
- Chile
- Serbia
- United Kingdom
- Croatia
- United States
- Bulgaria
- Latvia
- Singapore
- Estonia
- Liechtenstein
- Slovakia
- Denmark
- Lithuania
- Slovenia
- Finland
- Luxembourg
- Spain
- France
- Malaysia
- Sweden
- Germany
- Malta
- Taiwan
- Greece
- Montenegro
- Turkey
- Netherlands
- Monaco
- Ukraine
- Bahamas
- Switzerland
- New Zealand
Other Visa Exemptions
You don’t need a visa to visit Albania in these situations:
You’re from another country but have a Schengen visa that lets you enter multiple times.
You have a multiple-entry visa for the UK or the US that’s still valid.
If you have a residence permit from the United Arab Emirates that’s valid for 10 years and still has at least one year left when you enter Albania.
If you’re from the EU and have a valid residence permit from an EU country.
Read also: International Driving Permit Requirements in Albania
Types of Albanian Visas
Here are all the Albanian visa types:
Short-Term Visa (C)
A short-term visa lets you stay in Albania for 90 days out of every 180 days. This visa is mainly for:
- Visa for tourism.
- Visa for medical purposes.
- Visa for scientific, cultural, sports, and humanitarian reasons.
- Visa for official visits.
Long-Term Visa (D)
A long-term visa allows you to stay in Albania for a year. It’s also for those who want to get a residence permit there.
Depending on why you’re staying, this visa covers:
- Student visa.
- Family reunion visa.
- Work visa.
- Diplomatic visa or service visa.
- Humanitarian or religious activities visa.
- Seasonal employment visa.
- Retirement visa.
Albania Visa Requirements
Here’s a list of all the papers you need to give when you apply for a visa to go to Albania:
- Your passport. It needs to be valid for at least three months after you plan to come back and it should be in good shape. Also, include a copy of any visas you’ve had before.
- A picture of yourself that’s like the ones in passports. It should be small and have a plain background.
- Fill out the application form carefully and don’t leave anything blank.
- Your bank statement for the last six months. This shows how much money you have and that you can afford your trip.
- Proof of health insurance with at least €30,000 coverage in case you get sick while you’re in Albania.
- If someone in Albania invited you, they need to write a letter saying so.
- Proof that you have somewhere to stay in Albania, like a rental agreement or a reservation at a hotel.
- Details about your flights, like when and where you’re flying.
If you’re under 18, your parents or legal guardians need to sign a paper saying you can go to Albania.
Read also: Best Things to do in Albania in 2024
How to Apply for an Albania Visa?
To get an Albanian visa, you need to do these steps:
- Go to the E-Visa website and fill out the form there. You’ll need to make an account if you don’t have one.
- Collect all the documents they ask for. You can find the list of what you need below.
- Send the documents through the website in PDF form.
- Pay the visa fee at the bank and send the payment receipt along with your other documents.
- Wait to hear back. You’ll get a message by text or email telling you if your visa was approved or not.
Read also: Tipping in Albania: Everything You Should Know About
How Long Does It Take to Process an Albania Visa?
An Albanian visa takes 15 working days to be processed. However, depending on when you plan to apply, the embassy can extend the processing time to 30 days.
Note: If you visit Albania as a tourist, don't stay more than 90 days. If you do, you won't be allowed back in for five years.
What Is the Validity of an Albanian Visa?
An Albanian tourist visa lets you stay for up to 90 days in a span of 180 days. You can get this visa with one, two, or many entries. If you plan to stay longer than 90 days, you can ask for a long-stay visa, also known as a (D) visa. This visa lasts for one year.
Albania Visa Fees
Since March 2020, Albania changed its visa fee policy. Now, people from other countries have to pay the same amount for a visa as Albanians do in their own countries. For instance, if an Albanian pays €80 to visit Argentina, then an Argentine has to pay the same to get a visa for Albania.
Can My Albanian Visa Be Rejected?
The embassy can refuse a visa if it doesn’t meet all the needed conditions, including Albanian visas. Here are some common reasons for Albanian visa rejection:
- Incomplete documents.
- Providing false information.
- Missing your visa appointment.
- Inconsistencies between your documents and interview answers.
However, if your Albanian visa is rejected, you can reapply or appeal the rejection.
How Can I Request a Residence Permit for Albania?
A residence permit lets you stay in Albania for more than 90 days. Depending on why you’re staying, like for work or studying, you can apply for one. You need to apply within 30 days of arriving in Albania. The process is online on the E-Albania website.
Here’s what to do:
- Click on ‘Residence Permit’ and fill in all the info.
- Upload the required documents in PDF format.
- The Police State office will get a notification and start processing your application.
Your application must show:
- You meet all the criteria.
- You have all the necessary documents.
- Your documents are real, legalized, and translated into Albanian.
Once you’re done online, you need to go to the local Migration Office in person to finish the process. They’ll take about 30 days to respond.
Once you get a response, you can pick up your residence permit from the same office where you applied.
Is Albania in Schengen?
Albania isn’t in the Schengen Agreement. But from May 2025, Albanian citizens can get an ETIAS to travel to Schengen countries for up to 90 days for tourism or business. And if you have a Schengen visa, you can visit Albania for up to 90 days too.
Read also: Renting a Car in Albania: The Complete Guide 2024
Leave a Reply