Albania Visa – Types, Requirements, Application and Fees
What is an Albania visa? How to apply for an Albanian visa? Is it possible to visit Albania without a visa?
Albania is a country located in South-Eastern Europe. The capital city of Albania is Tirana. It borders Greece, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Kosovo, Italy, and the Adriatic Sea. There are two official languages in Albania, Albanian and Italian. The population of Albania is 3.8 million.
Albania has a visa-free policy for citizens of 90 countries. Undoubtedly, the primary purpose of visiting Albania is tourism. Therefore, tourists who want to visit Albania should apply for a visa before their trip. Basically, this article will load you with all the information you need regarding the Albania visa.
What is an Albania Visa?
An Albania visa is a document issued by the Albanian government that allows a foreign citizen to enter and stay in the country for a set time. Various types of visas are available depending on your visit’s purpose. However, some countries, including members of the European Union, do not require a visa.
In addition, to apply for an Albanian visa, you will need to gather several documents, including your passport, a completed application form, and a recent photograph. You can complete the Albania visa application at an embassy, consulate, or online using the e-Visa system. Furthermore, fees vary according to the type of visa requested.
Albanian Passport Visa-free Countries
By and large, a few nationalities do not require a visa to enter Albania. If you are a national of one of these countries, you can stay in Albania for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa. These people include residents of the following countries:
| All EU countries | China (Hong Kong) | Macedonia |
| Andorra | Hungary | Norway |
| Armenia | Ireland | Poland |
| Australia | Island | Portugal |
| Austria | Italy | Cyprus |
| Azerbaijan | Israel | Republic of Korea |
| Argentina | Japan | The Czech Republic |
| Barbados | Canada | Rumania |
| Belgium | Kazakhstan | San Marino |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Kosovo | The Vatican- the Holy See |
| Brazil | Chile | Serbia |
| The United Kingdom | Croatia | United States of America |
| Bulgaria | Latvia | Singapore |
| Estonia | Lichtenstein | Slovakia |
| Denmark | Lithuania | Slovenia |
| Finland | Luxemburg | Spain |
| France | Malaysia | Sweden |
| Germania | Malta | Taiwan (China) |
| Greece | Montenegro | Turkey |
| Netherlands | Monaco | Ukraine |
| Bahamas | Switzerland | New Zeland |
Types of Albanian Visas
Usually, depending on the purpose of your visit, you can obtain one of several types of Albanian visas. The Albania tourist visa, valid for up to Ninety days and can be renewed once, is the most popular type of visa.
In addition, it’s important to remember that each type of visa has its requirements, so do your homework before applying. The following are all of the Albanian visa types:
Short-Term Visa Type (C)
Supposes you want to stay in Albania for Ninety days out of 180 with a short-term visa. This visa is primarily issued for the following purposes:
- Tourism Visa.
- Medical Visa.
- Visas are granted for scientific, cultural, athletic, and humanitarian reasons.
- Visa for official visits.
Long-Term Visa Type (D)
You can stay in Albania for a year if you have a long-term visa. It is also given if you intend to apply for a residence permit after entering Albania. This primary type of visa is granted for the following purposes, depending on the length of your stay:
- Student visa.
- Work visa.
- Family reunion visa.
- Diplomatic visa or service visa.
- Humanitarian or religious activities visa.
- Seasonal employment visa.
Albania Visa Requirements
The documents needed to obtain a visa vary depending on your citizenship, but they generally include:
- Valid passport. First, the passport must be in good condition and valid for at least three months after the return date. Include a copy of any previous visas you’ve held (if any).
- One passport-style photograph. Next, the photo must be passport-sized, colorful, and have a white background.
- Application form. In addition, fill out the application form correctly and include all requested information. There should be no blank spaces.
- Bank statement. The bank statement document is provided by your bank and shows your bank statements for the previous six months. Similarly, this document must demonstrate that you are financially stable and capable of supporting yourself in Albania.
- Travel health insurance. Proof of valid health insurance with a €30,000 limit in case of medical problems while in Albania.
- Invitation letter. This is a letter from a family member or friend in Albania if you are visiting them. If you stay with a family member or a friend, they must say they will host you in the letter.
- Proof of accommodation in Albania. Confirmation that you have a place to stay in Albania. It could be a rental agreement, a letter of invitation from a friend or family member, a hotel reservation, or something else entirely.
- Booked flight itinerary. Finally, you must present a flight itinerary document. This document describes the route of your flight. This document contains the date and time of your flight, as well as the name of the airplane company.
Please Note: Children under eighteen (18) must present a document signed by both parents or legal guardians proving their legal right to travel in Albania.
How Do I Apply for a Visa to Albania?
Now that you’re aware of the requirements for obtaining an Albania visa, you might want to think about how to apply for an Albania visa. The steps are as follows:
Fill out the E-Visa application online by visiting the E-Visa website. However, before continuing with the application, you must log in or create a new account.
Gather all the requested documents. The required documents are listed in the ‘Albania Visa Requirements’ section below. Also, you must submit the documents in PDF format via the website. Then, your application will be processed by the Consult. And, if your application meets all of the requirements, the consultant will contact you to continue your fee payment.
Pay the Albania visa fee. Then, pay the visa fee at the bank and attach the payment recipe to the other documents requested.
Wait for feedback. Finally, if your visa has been approved or denied, you will receive notification from the Consul via text or email.
How Much are Albania Visa Fees?
Recently, Albania has implemented a new visa fee policy that will take effect in March 2020. As a result, citizens from other countries must pay the same visa fee that Albanian citizens must pay in their home country. For example, suppose an Albanian must pay €80 to enter Argentina. In that case, an Argentine must pay the same fee when applying for an Albanian visa.
How Long Does an Albania Visa Take to Process?
The processing time for an Albanian visa is 15 working days. However, depending on the timing of your application, the embassy may extend the processing time to 30 days.
Frequently Asked Question
Check out what other readers are searching about concerning Albania visa:
Do you need a visa to go to Albania?
Yes, a visa is required for travel to Albania. Meanwhile, certain citizens of certain countries are permitted to enter the Republic of Albania as tourists without a visa. US citizens may stay in Albania for up to a year without applying for a residency permit. If you plan to stay in Albania for more than a year, you can apply for a residency permit once you arrive.
How do I get a visa for Albania?
There is no visa required for citizens of the European Union, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. For all other nationalities, an Albania visa is required. In addition, you can apply for a visa at the Albanian embassy in your country.
Is Albania visa-free for UAE residents?
Yes, residents of the UAE do not need a visa to visit Albania. However, the maximum stay is three months. You can also find visa exemptions and valuable information from other travelers.
Is Albania part of Schengen?
How long can US citizens stay in Albania?
Generally, US citizens are allowed to stay in Albania without a residence permit for up to one year; you must have a passport valid for at least three months (we recommend that your passport be valid for at least six months from your planned departure from Albania).
Do Albanian need visas for the USA?
Yes, Albanian citizens must obtain a visa to enter the United States. Depending on the purpose of the visit, there are several types of visas available for tourism, business, or pleasure. Please visit the website of the United States Department of State for more information.
Can you go to America from Albania?
Certainly yes! You can travel to America from Albania. Generally, there are several options. You can obtain a visa through the embassy or apply for a tourist visa once you arrive in the United States. In addition, if you want to study in America, you can also obtain a student visa.
Is Albania very affordable?
Yes, Albania is reasonably affordable. The cost of living is lower than in most European countries, and bargains on everything from food to housing can be found. Of course, the exact cost of living will vary depending on your lifestyle and where you live in Albania, but it’s very affordable.
Conclusion
In conclusion, an Albanian visa is a document that allows a foreigner to enter and stay in Albania for a set time. There are various types of visas, with different requirements and application procedures for each. In addition, the visa fee varies according to the type of visa. Finally, please visit the Embassy of Albania’s or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Albania’s websites for more information on Albanian visas.
