What is an Albania Visa?
Most nationalities are required to obtain a visa to travel to the Republic of Albania. An Albanian visa is a travel document that allows foreign nationals to enter the country for a specified purpose and duration. Some nationalities are exempt from Albanian visa requirements and are eligible to stay in Albanian visa-free. All other foreign nationals will complete the online visa application and obtain an eVisa or a sticker visa to travel to Albania.
Albania offers three categories of visas: Transit, Short Stay, and Long Stay Visas. The validity of Transit Visas will depend on your travel itinerary and the amount of time you plan to spend in Albanian before continuing with your onward journey. Short Stay Visas are valid for up to 90 days within a 180-day period, while Long Stay Visas are valid for more than 90 days within 180 days. If you register for a residence permit that will allow you to remain for more than 90 days, you must be in possession of a Long Stay Visa.
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Types of Albania Visas
There are three primary categories of Albanian visas: Type A, C, and D. Each category includes several visa types that you can choose from depending on the purpose of your visit to Albania.
The following are the available Albania visa categories and types:
Airport Transit Visa (Type A)
This visa type is issued as an eVisa or sticker visa and allows the holder to remain in the international area of airport circulation for a specific amount of time depending on their flight itinerary. It may be issued as a single, double, or multiple-entry visa.
Short Stay Visa (Type C)
This visa category includes all visa types that allow the holder to remain in Albania for up to 90 days within a 180-day period from the date of entry. These visas may be issued with single, double, or multiple entries. The maximum validity period for Type C Visa is five (5) years. Short Stay Visas types include:
- Tourism visa
- Tourism visa-organized in tourist groups (invited by an Albanian tourism agency)
- Scientific, cultural, sports, and humanitarian reasons visa
- Official visit visa
- Medical reasons visa
- Professional, commercial, and business purposes
Learn more about Albania Tourist visa >>
Long Stay Visa (Type D)
This visa category allows holders to remain in Albania for more than 90 days in a period of 180 days. It is required for any foreign national who wishes to obtain an Albanian residence permit. Type D Visas are valid for up to one (1) year and allow for a duration of stay of 90 days with single, double, or multiple entries. During this 90-day period, holders must apply for their residence permit in the Republic of Albania. Long Stay Visas types include:
- Study visa
- Family Reunion visa
- Humanitarian or religious activities visa
- Diplomatic or service visa
- Seasonal employment purposes visa
- Unpaid trainee visa
- Au pairs visa
- Youth exchanges visa
- Research visa
- Employee visa
- In-house transferees visa
- Vocational training visa
- Athletes visa
- Voluntary service visa
- Highly qualified employees visa
- Self-employed people visa
- Digital mobile workers’ visa
- Investors visa
- Contracting services visa
- Crew of vessels visa
- Use of owned immovable property visa
- Pensioners (retired) visa
Applying for an Albania Visa (Application Steps)
Albania offers both a stamped visa and an electronic visa depending on your nationality and where you submit the visa application.
The following are the steps for the stamped and electronic visa applications, respectively:
Stamped visa
You can visit the official visa portal to begin your online application. It’s important to complete the application accurately with all personal information as written on your travel document/passport.
You must upload all the required documents for the visa type you are applying for. These documents will be used for identity verification and other official purposes.
After you submit the visa application online, you will receive a confirmation email and application tracking code. This code can be used to check the status of the application during processing.
The Consul will conduct the initial verification process, which involves reviewing the application form, all attached documents, and subsequent actions based on the outcome: accepted applications prompt fee instructions, irregularities lead to requests for additional documents, and applications not meeting requirements result in refusal notifications with explanations.
Once the online application is accepted, you must pay the visa fees using the payment method as stipulated by the embassy/consulate that will process your application.
Once the fees are paid, you will send the original required documents and the receipt of payment by post to the embassy or consulate.
If the visa application is approved, the embassy/consulate will request your presence to come and retrieve the visa.
Electronic visa
You can visit the official visa portal to begin your online application. It’s important to complete the application accurately with all personal information as written on your travel document/passport.
You must upload all the required documents for the visa type you are applying for. These documents will be used for identity verification and other official purposes.
After you submit the visa application online, you will receive a confirmation email and application tracking code. This code can be used to check the status of the application during processing.
Once the online application is accepted, you must pay the visa fees online using a valid form of payment.
If your visa application is approved, the visa will be sent to you via email.. You must be in possession of this electronic document when entering and leaving the Republic of Albania.
Albania Visa Requirements
Depending on the purpose of your trip and the visa type you are applying for, you will need to submit several required documents along with your complete application form.
The following are the basic required documents for all Albania visa types:
Passport
You must hold a valid passport and have a photocopy of the passport bio-data page will all primary identification information clearly stated.
Complete visa application form
All applicants must complete the online visa application accurately. Any identification information or travel details should match your passport and supporting documents.
Personal photo
You must submit a recent passport-sized photograph measuring 4.7 x 3.6 cm.
Payment for visa fees
The fees can be paid using the bank account designated by the Albanian embassy/consulate or using a valid credit or debit card.
Additional requirements will apply depending on the visa type you are applying for. These additional documents may include an invitation letter, proof of accommodation, an enrollment letter at an academic institution, proof of employment, or bank statements. It’s important to check the list of required documents for your specific visa type before starting the application process.
Where to Apply
All applicants can complete the visa applications and submit their required documents online.
If applying for a stamped visa, you can retrieve the new Albanian visa from the embassy/consulate where the application was processed. You must bring your passport or travel document, all original application documents, the printed/signed application form, and the receipt of payment for the visa fees with you to the appointment.
If applying for an electronic visa, you will receive the approved visa by email. You must bring this electronic visa with you when arriving and leaving the Republic of Albania.
Visa Processing Time
Albanian visas are typically processed within 15 days from the acceptance of the application. In some exceptional cases, it may take up to 30 days. You will be informed by email of the decision once the application has been processed.
FAQs
The application fee for an Albanian visa will depend on your nationality and the visa type you are applying for. Fees are typically based on reciprocity agreements.
The processing time for an Albanian visa will typically take between 15 and 30 working days.
No, visa applications must be submitted and processed from outside the country. Permanent residencies can be obtained from inside Albania provided you already hold a Long Stay Visa and apply for the residency within 90 days of arriving in the country.