Visa Application
Description Type “C” visa — short-term stay, issued to foreign citizens who wish to stay in the Republic of Albania for up to 90 days within 180 days, starting from the date of first entry. Issued with one, two or multiple entries.
Type “D” visa — long-term stay, issued to foreign citizens who wish to stay in the Republic of Albania for more than 90 days within 180 days and to foreign citizens who wish to obtain a Residence Permit after entering the Republic of Albania.
Validity for one year, with one, two or more entries-exits
Documentation required for all
categories to obtain a type C and D visa.
The documentation is uploaded online and after receiving the application, it is deposited at the Consular Offices of the Representations of the Republic of Albania or Honorary Consulates of the Republic of Albania, as well as at the offices of other agents contracted by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs in foreign countries.
The applicant must submit the following documentation:
1. The visa application form is completed online (the applicant prints and signs the completed form);
2. A photo measuring 47mm-36mm, not older than 6 months from the date of the visa application;
3. A photocopy of a valid travel document (valid for at least 3 months beyond the term of the requested visa);
4. Health Insurance Document for the entire duration of the visa;
5. For children under 18 years of age: a statement expressing the consent of the parent or legal guardian for the child’s travel, or the person in charge of the child;
6. Invitation signed by the inviter, along with a photocopy of his/her identity document (when the host is a foreign citizen, a photocopy of the residence permit issued by the Albanian authorities is also required). The inviter must file a copy of the invitation with the Regional Authority Responsible for Borders and Migration, where the inviter has his/her residence or place of stay.
Note: APPLICATIONS FOR TYPE C VISA FOR TOURIST PURPOSES ARE EXCLUDED, AS WELL AS FOR FOREIGN INVESTOR/ ADMINISTRATOR/ SELF-EMPLOYED IN THE REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA, WHO APPLY FOR A D/APU VISA, ON THE CONDITION OF DEPOSITION OF A CONTACT NUMBER IN THE REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA.
TYPE C VISA DOCUMENTS REQUIRED DEPENDING ON THE TYPE AND PURPOSE OF THE VISA
Tourist visa (C)
1. Document of round-trip ticket reservation;
2. Hotel reservation or documents related to accommodation during the stay;
3. Documents proving that there are sufficient financial means for the stay and return to the country of origin;
4. Document proving the existence of a stable employment relationship in the country of origin/stay. In the absence of this employment relationship, the foreigner must prove that he has interests in returning to the country of origin/stay.
Visa for tourism, organized in tourist groups, invited by an Albanian tourist company (C)
1. Photocopy of passport;
2. Notarized photocopy of the license of the Albanian tourist company, which invites the foreign tourist group.
Visa for scientific, cultural, sports and humanitarian reasons (C)
1. Invitation from the host entity;
2. Hotel reservation or declaration of hospitality;
3. Documents proving that there are sufficient financial means for the stay and return to the country of origin.
Visa for official reasons (C)
1. Invitation from the host institution;
2. Verbal note from the institution where the foreigner is employed
Visa for medical reasons (C)
1. Invitation from the host institution;<
2. Epicrisis (original or photocopy) issued by a local doctor in Albania;
3. Declaration of the hospital institution in Albania on the details of the medical treatment as well as the entity that will cover these costs;
4. Sufficient financial means to cover the expenses;
5. Health insurance for the accompanying person of the patient.
Visa for professional, commercial and business reasons (C)
1. Invitation signed by the inviter, together with a photocopy of his identity document (when the host is a foreign citizen, a photocopy of the residence permit issued by the Albanian authorities is also required);
2. Document proving professional, commercial and business activity;
3. Documents proving the legal status of the commercial entity;
4. Photocopy of the work registration certificate depending on the purpose of the visa (for visas from 60-90 days) according to Article 73 of Law 108/2013 “On Foreigners”.
TYPE D VISA DOCUMENTS REQUIRED DEPENDING ON THE TYPE AND PURPOSE OF THE VISA
Visa for economic activity (D/AE)
Visa for professional activity (D/AP)
Visa for commercial activity (D/AT)
Visa for employment activity (D/APU)
1. Invitation signed by the inviter, together with a photocopy of his/her identity document (when the host is a foreign citizen, a photocopy of the residence permit issued by the Albanian authorities is also required), except in the case when the foreigner is an investor/administrator/self-employed in the Republic of Albania;
2. Document proving the professional or commercial activity or ability in the country of application
3. In the case of a commercial entity, documents proving the legal status of the inviting entity;
4. Photocopy of the work permit, issued by the Albanian authority;
5. Copy of the certificate of Criminal Record (Criminal Record) Legalized according to the regime with the country that issued this document.
Visa for study purposes (D/ST)
1. Document proving registration/admission in an Albanian educational institution;
2. Guarantee proving coverage of living and tuition expenses;
3. Health insurance document, corresponding to the duration of stay;
4. Document proving accommodation in the territory of the Republic of Albania;
5. Document proving knowledge of the language in which the studies will be conducted;
6. Copy of the certificate of Criminal Record (Criminal Record) Legalized according to the regime with the country that issued this document.
Family Reunification Visa (D/BF)
1. Invitation signed by the inviter, together with a photocopy of his/her identity document (when the host is a foreign citizen, a photocopy of the residence permit issued by the Albanian authorities is also required);
2. Family certificate of the last month that proves the relationship of the person seeking family reunification;
3. Additional documents that prove the stable relationship with the person seeking family reunification;
4. Documents that prove that the foreign host (residing in Albania) has suitable conditions for residence;
5. Notarized photocopy of the document that proves that the foreign host (residing in Albania) is employed or self-employed and has sufficient income to ensure the life of the persons he/she has invited and who may be under his/her responsibility;
6. Document issued by Albanian institutions or the country where the applicant resides, proving that the foreigner has or has had at least one parent or grandparent with Albanian citizenship;
7. Copy of the Criminal Record Certificate (Criminal Record Certificate) Legalized according to the regime with the country that issued this document.
Visa for humanitarian or religious activities (D/VHF)
1. Notarized photocopy of the license to practice humanitarian activities;
2. Photocopy of the work permit or work registration certificate;
3. Declaration of the motive for work from the subject of the religious community;
4. Copy of the Criminal Record Certificate (Criminal Record Certificate) legalized according to the regime with the country that issued it.
Diplomatic or service visa (D/DS)
1. Verbal Note from the institution;
2. Invitation from the host institution, when necessary;
Visa for seasonal employment purposes (D/PS)
1. Invitation from the host;
2. Notarized photocopy of the employment contract with the host in Albania;
3. Photocopy of the work permit issued by the Albanian authority;
4. Document proving the registration of the foreigner in the institutions of the country of origin
5. Copy of the judicial record (Criminal Record) legalized according to the regime of the issuing country.
Visa for humanitarian reasons (D/H)
1. Invitation signed by the inviter, along with a photocopy of his/her identity document (when the host is a foreign citizen, a photocopy of the residence permit issued by the Albanian authorities is also required)
2. Documents proving humanitarian motives
The deadline for responding to and processing the application The deadline for assessing the application lasts up to 15 days and in exceptional cases lasts up to 30 days.
Visa application for children under 18 years of age The visa application for children under 18 years of age is made by one or both parents, or the legal guardian or the person in charge
The following categories are exempt from the obligation to appear in person at the Embassy or Consulate:
Holders of diplomatic passports;
Humanitarian cases;
High-ranking state figures, their accompanying spouses, as well as delegations accompanying them on official visits;
Foreigners with royal titles and other members of the royal family on official visits;
Foreigners organized in tourist groups;
Foreigners who have previously applied for a visa for a period of 59 months (or 4 years and 11 months)
Exemption from obtaining a visa to enter and stay in the Republic of Albania for up to 90 days in 180 days
1. Foreign citizens who are in possession of a valid multiple-entry Schengen visa, provided that this visa has been previously used in one of the Schengen area countries or persons who are in possession of a valid residence permit in one of the Schengen area countries;
2. Foreign citizens who are in possession of a valid multiple-entry visa or a valid residence permit issued by the United States of America and Great Britain and Northern Ireland, provided that the visas have been previously used in these countries;
3. Foreign citizens entering and staying in the Schengen area countries without a visa.
Steps of the procedure
First stage
1. The application process is carried out online only;
2. The application is verified in advance by the consul, including the application form, the uploaded documents, and the procedure for preliminary processing of the application begins, in which it is verified whether the application:
a. is in order, sends the applicant citizen the status “application accepted” and determines the payment fee according to the established fees;
b. “there are irregularities”, sends the citizen the application for completing documents for missing documents or if it needs to be reloaded;
c. does not meet the necessary elements, sends the applicant citizen the status “application acceptance refused” and writes the reason.
Second Phase When the Consul has accepted the citizen’s application and the relevant fee has been paid, the following procedure is followed:
1. The Consul notifies the applicant:
If the visa is approved, the citizen must appear in person to receive the visa (Note: The citizen must bring with him/her the passport, all original application documents, the downloaded signed application form, and the original payment receipt)
If the visa is refused, the Consul sends/delivers to the citizen the “Standard online format for notification and motivation of refusal/cancellation”
NOTE
1. After the visa is refused, the foreigner has the right to reapply only after the appeal procedure has been closed or after three months have passed from the date of the refusal decision;
2. Receiving a visa is not a guarantee that the foreigner will be allowed to enter the Republic of Albania;
3. A foreigner coming from countries affected by epidemics or diseases, at the Border Crossing Point, is required to present the original international vaccination card.
SERVICE TARIFF
1. By reciprocity, based on VKM no. 569, date 03.10.2018;
2. The following are treated free of charge:
a. Children up to 6 years old;
b. Holders of diplomatic and service passports in respect and in application of the principle of reciprocity;
c. Humanitarian cases.
3. A foreigner may apply outside the list specified in VKM 513/13 provided that he/she has been a resident for over 12 months in the country where he/she wishes to apply. In addition to the documentation required for the application, the applicant must also submit a copy of the residence permit, valid for at least 3 (three) months longer than the term of the requested visa.
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