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Do I Need a Visa to Travel to Albania?
Although Albania is on the membership negotiations with the European Union since 2009 and an official candidate since 2014, the country is not a member state and regulates its own visa policy.
Albania has many bilateral or multilateral visa agreements with different countries all over the world that eliminates lengthy visa processes. Citizens of these countries are allowed to stay in Albania for 90 days within a 180 days period starting from the date of first entry, given that they do not take up employment. These countries are listed below.
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In addition to citizens of listed countries, it is possible for individuals who have a permit of stay in Schengen states or multiple-entry Schengen visas, permit of stay or multiple-entry USA or UK visas, and family members of the EU nationals whose status in residence permit quoted as “family member” can enter Albania without a visa.
Countries that are not listed above have to apply for a visa beforehand to visit Albania.
Albania Visa Types
We covered Albania visa types that vary depending on the duration and purpose of the stay.
C Type (Short-Term) Visas
Depending on your purpose of visit that is limited to 90 days or less in a 180 days period to Albania; it is possible for you to obtain one of the following visa types.
Albania Touristic Visa
An Albania touristic visa issued for individuals or groups who wish to visit Albania for sightseeing purposes. It is possible to enter the country without a visa for many nationalities around the world with a duration of up to 90 days. If your nationality is not eligible for a visa-free entry to Albania, it is expected from you to provide additional documents regarding sufficient financial means, proof of accommodation and travel insurance which are valid through the duration of the stay and a return flight ticket.
Albania Business or Fair Participation Visa
An Albania business or fair participation visa is granted for individuals who are planning to visit the country for business-related purposes such as meetings, events, business fairs, or unpaid trainings without labor or gainful employment. Invitation documents from professional chambers and organizations are must be included in the application.
Albania Family, Relative or Friend Visit Visa
An Albania family, relative, or friend visit visa is issued for individuals who wish to visit a family member or a friend residing in Albania. In order to get one, it is vital to include an invitation letter from the person whom you are visiting.
Albania Cultural, Sports or Conference Visit Visa
An Albania cultural, sports, or conference visit visa is granted for individuals or groups that are going to attend a cultural event or activity held in Albania. An invitation from the receiving association and confirmation documents from the sending association, proof of accommodation, and sufficient financial means must be included in the application.
Albania Short-Term Education or Internship Visa
An Albania short-term education or internship visa is issued for international students who wish to study in Albania for university projects or special occasions for less than three months. The applicant has to include documents of sufficient means of subsistence, proof of accommodation, and admission letter from the receiving institution.
D Type (Long-Term) Visa
Albania long-term type D visas are issued for foreign citizens who wish to stay in the country for more than 90 days in a 180 days period or planning to apply for a residence permit after entering the country. It is possible to obtain a type D visa if you are:
- A student planning to study at a higher education institution, have a language course, or long-term internship
- An employee going to work for an Albania-located business or for seasonal employment
- An academic, researcher, or scientist to work in a certified Albania research center
- An individual whose family member is an Albania citizen
- A patient going to receive medical treatment in an Albania-located medical institution
Albania Transit Visa
An Albania transit visa is asked from individuals whose nationality is not eligible to transit another destination from Albania. An Albania transit visa authorizes the individual to travel a third country from the territory of Albania for up to two days stay period.
General Requirements to Apply for Albania Visa
In order to successfully obtain an Albania visa it is important to be prepared and gather all the necessary information regarding your nationality and purpose of visit beforehand. There are certain stages to obtain an Albania visa:
Complete Online Application Form
An Albania touristic visa is issued through an online application form that you should fill and sign with all required documents attached. You will be informed after a processing time if the application meets all required regulations or not.
After the Confirmation of Visa
The applicant should visit the responsible consulate the retrieve his/her visa. It is also expected from the applicant to bring the original passport, signed documents, and the visa receipt fee to the corresponding consulate.
Albania Visa Applications
You are required to present the following documents if your nationality is not eligible for a visa-free entry to Albania:
- Printed and signed online application form
- One passport-sized photo which is not older than six months
- A travel insurance which is valid for the duration of the visa
- A photocopy of the passport that is valid for at least three months more than the period of validity of the requested visa
- A round trip flight ticket
- Hotel booking or accommodation documents cover the duration of stay
- Proof of sufficient income during your visit such as bank statements
- Proof of employment from the country of birth or residence
- Albania visa fee receipt
There are additionally required or supporting documents from certain applicants:
Employed:
- Proof of employment such as work contract if applicable
- Bank statement of the last six months
Unemployed:
- Sufficient evidence of return
What is Visa Sponsorship for Albania?
A visa sponsorship is required in Albania if the applicant cannot cover his/her expenses for educational or touristic purposes by own in duration of the stay. A sponsor could be a parent, sibling, other relatives, or a friend. However, it would increase chances to obtain a visa if the sponsor is a first-degree relative and has a permanent residence permit or citizenship in Albania or a Schengen state. The required documents from the sponsor are:
- A confirmation letter clearly states the relationship with the applicant, how and what expenses are going to be covered by the sponsor, and contact details of both the applicant and sponsor
- An invitation letter with accommodation details if the sponsor is a resident or citizen of Albania
- A scanned copy of ID or passport of both the applicant and the sponsor
- Proof of sufficient funds such as bank statements or paychecks
- Proof of estate or business ownership if applicable
A visa sponsorship for Albania can also be granted for various long-term and short-term stays regarding business, legal, or cultural purposes in special circumstances by legal entities, businesses, or individuals.
You can check our website for more details.
Albania Visa Rules
There are many countries across the globe can enter Albania without a visa. If your country is not eligible for visa-free entry to Albania, you need to obtain an Albania visa and take consideration of the following visa rules:
- The passport should be valid for more than three months from the expected day of arrival to Albania.
- Children under 18 years of age must present a statement of a parent expressing consent.
Albania Visa Requirements
Albania Visa Requirements for Schengen Countries
Albania is on the process of being an EU member state and the citizens of Schengen area countries, as well as Balkan countries, should not encounter any problems while entering Albania.
Albania Visa Requirements for US, UK, and Canada
Albania does not mandate a visa for the citizens of the US, UK, and Canada and they can enter Albania with their passports that are valid for more than three months from the expected time of arrival to Albania.
Albania Visa Requirements for Non-Europeans
Foreign citizens whose nationality is not eligible for a visa-free entry to Albania can visit the country freely if they have multiple entry visas to Schengen area countries, the US, or the UK.
Albania Visa Fees
Albania has a visa fee regulation based on reciprocity which means that the applicants of an Albanian visa will pay as much as an Albanian citizen would pay to in their country. For example, an adult Belgian citizen would pay 80 EUR for an Albania visa and an Albanian citizen would pay 80 EUR for a Belgium visa as well valid as of March 2020.
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NOTE: This article was prepared in March 2020. Please check up-to-date information published by official sources.
