e-Visa Albania

For most nationalities, access to Albanian territory is now via a completely paperless procedure called e-Visa, managed by the migration authorities. Visamundi supports you from start to finish in this process: verification of eligibility requirements, quality control of supporting documents, submission of the application, follow-up of the file and assistance until the electronic visa is issued.

Although the procedure is «online», it remains an administrative act subject to in-depth investigation by the Albanian authorities. The official assessment period is 15 working days minimum, up to 30 working days in the event of further investigation. An incomplete file, a non-conforming photograph or a missing document may result in a definitive refusal without reimbursement of consular fees. Calling on Visamundi means securing your application before it goes to the Albanian authorities, and maximizing your chances of obtaining a favorable response within the stated timeframe.

For most travellers to Albania on vacation, the visa required is the type C visa (short-stay visa) or the type A visa (airport transit). This visa is intended for people wishing to stay in Albania for reasons of tourism, family visits, business, or to attend sporting and cultural events.

e-visas types 

• Type A visa: airport transit visa. This visa authorizes you to stay in the international zone of an airport while waiting for your connecting flight to your final destination. It is issued electronically. Its validity depends on the length of your stopover and your flight reservation.
• Type C visa: short-stay visa (single or multiple entry). Length of stay: 90 days within a 180-day period. Travel reasons: tourism, business, medical, humanitarian, religious, visiting acquaintances, studies

Nationalities eligible for e-Visa

If you are not one of the exempted countries and do not have a valid Schengen, US or UK visa, you will need to apply for an e-visa.

The e-Visa system is mainly aimed at nationals of many countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and parts of Latin America. For example, citizens of countries such as Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia (excluding the summer exemption period, according to annual decrees), India, the Philippines and Senegal generally need to apply for a type C e-Visa for tourism.

Do you really need a visa (Exemptions)

Albania has a very flexible visa exemption policy for many nationalities.

The following are visa-exempt for stays of up to 90 days (within a 180-day period):

• Citizens of the European Union (including France, Belgium, etc.) and the Schengen Area.
• Citizens of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.
• Holders of a valid Schengen multiple-entry visa, provided this visa has already been used at least once to enter the Schengen area.
• Holders of a valid visa or residence permit issued by the United States or the United Kingdom (under certain conditions of prior use).

If you fall into one of these categories, a valid passport (and sometimes a simple identity card for EU nationals) is all you need to enter Albania.

Visamundi helps you get your e-Visa for Albania

Visamundi is an independent agency specializing in assistance with electronic consular procedures. Our role is not to replace the Albanian administration - the only body empowered to issue or refuse visas - but to’overseeing every stage of your application to ensure that your application is complete, accurate and submitted as quickly as possible. Our consular liaison officers check the consistency of each document, verify that your passport photograph complies with the required biometric standards, translate supporting documents if necessary, and submit the official form on your behalf.

Our commitment is based on four pillars:

• In-depth documentary audit Each part is analyzed by an operator before transmission to the e-visa.al portal. No field is left to chance, and any inconsistencies are flagged before submission.
• Reactivity and real-time monitoring A personal dashboard allows you to track the progress of your file 24 hours a day. Our teams respond to your messages within one working day.
• Refund in case of refusal of our services, in accordance with the conditions specified in our terms & conditions (Consular fees remain non-refundable, in accordance with Albanian regulations).
• Security and confidentiality Your data is encrypted, processed in strict compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and deleted once your request has been processed.

According to our internal statistics, more than 99 % of applications submitted through us receive a positive decision from the Albanian authorities. This high rate is no accident: it's due to the rigor of our due diligence process and our constant monitoring of changes in Albanian migration regulations.

What are the criteria for obtaining an e-Visa?

There are several cumulative criteria for obtaining an Albanian e-Visa. Firstly, the traveler must hold a valid valid ordinary passport, with residual validity generally required for at least 3 months beyond the planned return date, and with at least two blank pages for entry and exit stamps. Applications must be submitted from abroad: it is forbidden to apply for an e-Visa once already present on the territory of the Republic of Albania.

The reason for the trip must strictly correspond to one of the categories provided for in Albanian regulations: tourism, business, medical care, family visits, short studies Or transit. The traveler must also be able to prove, at the request of the authorities, sufficient financial means to cover his or her stay and return, accommodation booked for the entire duration of the stay, and a return or onward ticket. Medical insurance covering treatment in Albania is strongly recommended, and even required, depending on visa category and nationality.

What documents are required?

Although the exact list varies depending on the visa category and the nationality of the applicant, the documentary basis is generally as follows:

• Ordinary passport valid for at least 3 months after the planned return date, with at least two blank pages. The identity page must be scanned in high definition, in color, without glare or cuts.
• Recent digital passport photograph, The photo must be taken from the front, on a plain, light background, and comply with international biometric standards (passport-type format, neutral expression, no tinted glasses or headgear except for religious motifs). Visamundi recommends that you systematically normalize your photo using a dedicated tool before uploading, to avoid any refusal due to non-conformity.
• Proof of accommodation : hotel reservation, confirmed vacation rental, or letter of invitation from a private guest accompanied by a copy of his/her ID.
• Return ticket or dated continuation of travel document, in line with the length of stay requested.
• Proof of means of subsistence bank statements for the last three months, proof of employment, pay slips or any other document proving the traveler's financial ability to support himself during his stay.
• Travel medical insurance covering the entire stay and all medical and repatriation expenses.
• Copies of previous visas Schengen, American or British visas, or any previous Albanian visa. These antecedents play a favourable role in the assessment of the file.
• For minors Copy of birth certificate, notarized parental authorization from both parents or legal guardian, copies of parents' identity papers.
• For specific reasons Albanian company invitation letter (business), hospital letter (medical), registration certificate (studies), family invitation (visit).

All documents not in Albanian or English must be accompanied by a certified translation. Visamundi can provide this translation service on request..

How much does an e-Visa for Albania cost?

The total cost of an Albanian e-Visa is broken down into two blocks: the consular fees, collected by the Albanian administration, and service charges, charged by the agency handling the procedure.

The precise list of fees according to nationality can be found at this URL.

Visa fees for minors aged 6 to 12 are as follows halved compared to adult visa fees.

Visa fees do not apply to children under 6., In accordance with the principle of reciprocity, this includes holders of diplomatic or service passports, as well as humanitarian cases. Given the complexity of their pricing structure, we display an average consular price, which may be adjusted with our customers according to the reality of the situation.

The difficulty here lies in the fact that payment is requested AFTER an initial check of your file by the Albanian authorities.

THE consular fees are not refundable, Even if your visa is refused, Albanian regulations stipulate that you must pay the full cost. That's why it's essential to carry out rigorous due diligence: a poorly-prepared application will result in a serious financial loss.

Processing times and validity

THE official instruction period of the Albanian e-Visa is between 15 and 30 working days, from the date of payment of the consular fee. This deadline may be extended in high season (spring and summer) or if additional documents are required. Visamundi recommends that you submit your application at least 30 to 45 days before your planned departure date.

The e-Visa is generally valid 180 days from issue date, but the actual length of stay remains limited to a maximum of 90 days over a rolling 180-day period, in line with Albania's international commitments. Visas can be issued for single or multiple entries, depending on the nature of the application and the traveler's background.

An issued visa does not automatically guarantee entry into the country As in all countries, border police have discretionary powers when carrying out checks. Always present your proof of accommodation, return ticket, insurance certificate and financial means on arrival.

Main entry points to Albania

The Albanian e-Visa allows you to enter the country at all official border checkpoints.

Land border crossings

Albania shares land borders with Greece, Montenegro, Kosovo and Northern Macedonia. The busiest crossings are Kakavijë (Greece), Kapshticë (Greece), Hani i Hotit (Montenegro), Muriqan (Montenegro), Morinë (Kosovo), Qafë Thanë (North Macedonia) and Kafasan (North Macedonia).

What to see and do in Albania

Albania is one of Europe's most contrasting and well-preserved destinations. The country combines almost 450 kilometers of coastline, bathed by the Adriatic and Ionian rivers, mountain ranges peaking at over 2,700 meters, and an exceptional historical heritage inherited from the Illyrian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman civilizations.

Tirana, the capital, with its bohemian atmosphere, the colorful buildings of the Blloku district, the National History Museum and the Bunk'Art memorial dedicated to the legacy of the Communist dictatorship. Berat And Gjirokastër, both UNESCO World Heritage sites, offer a striking example of Ottoman architecture, with their white-fronted multi-storey houses and fortresses dominating the valley.

There Albanian Riviera, stretching from Vlora to Saranda, now rivals the Croatian and Greek coasts with turquoise beaches such as Ksamil, Dhërmi, Jala, Himara and Borsh, at prices that are still very affordable. Visit Butrint National Park, also a UNESCO site, plunges visitors into two thousand years of history at the heart of a unique archaeological site. To the north, the Albanian Alps and the Theth valley, accessible from Shkodra, delight hikers with the mythical Valbona-Theth crossing.

The country also stands out for its gastronomy Mediterranean and Balkan: puff pastry byrek, tavë kosi (lamb with yoghurt), grilled fish from the Ionian coast, mountain cheeses, traditional raki and local wine from autochthonous varieties such as shesh i bardhë.