What is an Albania Tourist Visa?
An Albanian tourist visa is a travel document, issued as an electronic document or sticker visa, that allows the holder to enter Albanian for tourism purposes. The Albanian tourist visa is a type of Short Stay Visa (Type C) that allows for stays of up to 90 days within a period of 180 days. Type C visas can be issued with single, double, or multiple entries.
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Who Needs an Albania Visa?
The following nationalities must obtain a Type C visa to enter Albania:
Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Congo (Dem. Rep.), Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Micronesia, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Palau, Palestinian Territories, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Albania Tourist Visa Application
Stamped visa
You can obtain an Albanian tourist visa as either a stamped visa or an electronic visa. In either case, applying for an Albanian Short Stay Type C Visa for tourism purposes can be done by following a few basic steps:
Applicants are required to complete the Albanian tourist visa application using the official online portal. It is imperative that the information entered in the application aligns precisely with the details stated on the applicant’s passport or travel document. Additionally, applicants are expected to upload all the necessary documents for the tourist visa through the provided online platform. This straightforward process not only simplifies document submission but also ensures that all essential materials are readily available for the comprehensive application review.
Once you submit the visa application online, you will receive a confirmation email and application tracking code. The tracking code can be used to check the status of the application during processing.
The initial verification process will be undertaken by the Consul, encompassing a thorough review of the application form, all attached documents, and subsequent procedures aligned with outcomes: approved applications trigger fee instructions, anomalies prompt requests for supplementary documents, and applications failing to meet prerequisites lead to rejection notifications, accompanied by explanatory details.
Payment methods for the visa fee may vary depending on the embassy/consulate where you submit your application materials. You must pay in occurrence with the regulations set forth by the embassy/consulate that will process your application.
After paying the visa fees, you can send the original required documents and the payment receipt by post to the relevant embassy or consulate.
If the tourist visa application is approved, the embassy/consulate will request your presence to come and retrieve the visa.
Electronic visa
Applicants need to fill out the Albanian tourist visa application on the official website. It’s really important that the details you put in match exactly with what’s on your passport. You should also use the website to upload all the papers needed for the visa. This way, it’s easy to send in your documents, and the officials can review your application.
Once you submit the visa application online, you will receive a confirmation email and application tracking code. The tracking code can be used to check the status of the application during processing.
Once you’ve submitted your application, it’s time to pay the visa fee. This payment can be conveniently completed online using a valid payment method, ensuring your application is processed smoothly.
If your tourist visa application is approved, the electronic visa will be sent to you by email. You must keep this electronic document with you when entering and leaving the Republic of Albania.
Albania Tourist Visa Requirements
To apply for an Albanian tourist visa, you will have to submit the following documents:
Passport
You should hold a valid passport and make a photocopy of the bio-data that contains all primary identification information and your photo.
Personal photo
You must submit a recent passport-sized photograph measuring 4.7 x 3.6 cm.
A complete application form
The tourist visa application can be completed and submitted online for no extra charge. Applications must be completed accurately with all personal and travel details.
Proof of accommodation
A hotel booking or other official document will suffice to meet this requirement. A letter of invitation from a host is also applicable.
Proof of financial support
You must prove that you can support yourself financially for the duration of your stay in Albania.
Proof of employment
You will be asked to submit a letter or other official document that shows your employment status OR sufficient evidence that you will return to your country of residence after visiting Albania.
Statement of consent (if applicable)
If you are a minor, your parent or legal guardian must submit a legal statement granting consent for your visa application and travel to Albania.
Return/onward ticket
You can submit a round-trip ticket or other reservation document to verify you will be departing Albania within 90 days of arriving.
Residence permit (if applicable)
You may need to submit a residence permit from your country of residence that is valid for more than 12 months in total, including three (3) months after your departure date from Albania.
Bank statements
Bank statements must be from the last 12 months and show a consistent flow of money into and out of your account.
Albania Tourist Visa Fees
The visa fees for an Albanian tourist visa will vary depending on your nationality. The fees are typically based on reciprocity agreements between Albania and your country.
Where to Apply
The electronic visa can be applied for and obtained entirely online.
For stamped visas, applicants can complete the visa applications and submit their required documents online. Once approved, applicants need to visit the relevant embassy or consulate, bringing the original required documents with them, to retrieve the visa in person.
Albania Tourist Visa Processing Time
Albanian tourist visa applications are processed within 15 working days. In some cases, it may take up to 30 days to process the tourist visa application.
Approved Visa Applications
If the stamped tourist visa application is approved, you will receive an email with information about your visa appointment to retrieve your visa. It’s important to arrive at the embassy/consulate at the specified date and time.
If the electronic tourist visa is approved, you will receive the new visa by email. You must have this electronic document with you when entering and leaving Albania.
Albania Tourist Visa Validity
The Albanian tourist visa is a Type C Short Stay Visa issued to travelers coming to Albanian tourism purposes. The Type C visa for tourism purposes allows stays of up to 90 days in a 180-day period. Tourist visas can be issued with single, double, or multiple entries.
Denied Visa Applications
Within five (5) days of the rejection of the tourist visa application, you can appeal the decision with the relevant legal procedure as stipulated in Law 79/2021 “On Foreigners”. You must contact the Directorate for Consular Affairs at the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs at [email protected].
If a tourist visa application is denied, you have the right to reapply provided you have tried all appeal procedures, OR three (3) months have passed since your original application was rejected.
FAQ
The cost of an Albanian tourist visa will depend on your nationality and the reciprocity agreements established between your country and Albania.
Yes, you can receive the electronic tourist visa by email. The stamped tourist visa must be collected from the relevant embassy or consulate.
All foreign nationals who do not have visa-free access to Albania will be issued a tourist visa for a stay of 90 days within a 180-day period. If you plan to stay longer in Albania, you must apply for a Long Stay Type D Visa and obtain permanent residency once you arrive in the country.