- (+355) 69 603 2690
- info@jbc.al
- Tirana, Durrës, Vlorë
Albania Visa: Who Needs One and How to Apply
Many visitors can enter Albania without a visa. Others need a short-stay (type C) or long-stay (type D) visa. Our immigration lawyers in Tirana, Vlorë and across Albania check what applies to you, prepare your application and follow it until you receive your visa.
★★★★★ Rated “Excellent” on Google (36 reviews) · Offices in Tirana, Durrës and Vlorë · info@jbc.al
Do you need a visa for Albania?
Start here: find the situation that matches yours.
No visa
Visa-free nationalities
Citizens of the EU and Schengen area, the UK, Canada, Australia and many other countries enter with a valid passport.
Up to 90 days in any 180 days · US citizens up to 1 year
No visa
Schengen, US or UK visa holders
A valid multiple-entry Schengen, US or UK visa that you have already used once, or a residence permit from these countries.
Up to 90 days in any 180 days
Type C visa
Short stay
Tourism, business meetings or family visits for nationalities that need a visa. You apply online through the e-Visa system.
Up to 90 days in any 180 days
Type D visa
Long stay
Work, study, family, retirement or investment. For many nationalities, it is the most important step to a residence permit.
More than 90 days → residence permit
Some nationalities also benefit from temporary or seasonal visa-free periods. Read more:
Foreigners in Albania: Understanding the 90-Day Tourist Stay RuleHow the 90/180-day limit is counted, what happens if you overstay, and how to stay longer legally.Read the article →
Type C visa: short stays
The type C visa allows you to stay in Albania for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. It can be issued for a single entry or for multiple entries.
A type C visa does not allow you to work in Albania, and it cannot be turned into a residence permit. If you plan to stay longer, you need a different route.
Type D visa: long stays
The type D visa is for foreigners who plan to stay in Albania for more than 90 days. It is usually linked to a specific purpose:
- employment or self-employment (see: Unique Permit in Albania);
- family reunification;
- study, research or training;
- retirement (see: Retire in Albania);
- owning property (see: Residence through property);
- investment or digital nomad work.
After you arrive with a type D visa, you move forward with the residence permit or Unique Permit. We plan both steps together, so there is no gap in your legal status.
Visa or residence permit?
A visa lets you enter Albania. A residence permit lets you live here for longer than 90 days. Citizens of visa-free countries usually do not need a visa at all: they enter Albania and apply for the residence permit directly. Others first need a type D visa. In a preliminary consultation, we tell you which path applies to you.
Documents you will need
The documents depend on the type of visa, your nationality and the purpose of your trip. In general they relate to your passport, the purpose of the trip, accommodation, financial means and travel or health insurance. Most foreign documents also need an apostille or legalisation and a translation.
Every case is different, so in a preliminary consultation we review your situation and give you a precise document list, so your application is complete the first time.
How we help
Check your case
We confirm whether you need a visa and which type.
Prepare documents
We review, translate and complete your file.
Apply
We file the application online through e-Visa or with the consulate.
Follow-up
We stay in touch with the authorities until a decision.
Next step
For long stays, we move straight on to your residence permit.
Timeline: e-Visa decisions usually take 4–7 weeks. Apply well before your planned travel date.
What our clients say
Costs
State fees depend on the type of visa and on reciprocity with your country of citizenship.
Our service covers the case assessment, the document check, the application and follow-up with the authorities. A second applicant from the same family or company receives a 10% discount. State fees and translations are paid separately.
Common mistakes
- Staying beyond 90 days in any 180 days, which can lead to fines and an entry ban.
- Relying on a single-entry Schengen visa, or one that has never been used.
- Applying for a type C visa when you plan to stay, work or study long-term.
- A passport that expires too soon after your planned departure.
- Applying too close to your travel date.
- Starting work in Albania before the permit is approved.
Frequently asked questions
Many nationalities, including EU, UK, US, Canadian and Australian citizens, do not. Others need a type C visa, unless they hold a valid multiple-entry Schengen, US or UK visa that has been used once.
Up to 90 days in any 180-day period. US citizens can stay in Albania for up to 1 year.
Yes, if it is a valid multiple-entry visa that you have already used to enter the Schengen area. A single-entry visa is not enough.
Not as a tourist. To stay longer, you need a residence permit based on a valid reason, such as work, family, property or retirement.
No. Work requires a Unique Permit (work and residence permit).
Overstaying can lead to fines, problems when you leave, and a ban on entering Albania again. If you are close to the 90-day limit, contact us before it expires.
It depends on your nationality. Visa-free nationals usually apply directly in Albania; others need a type D visa first.
Planning your move to Albania?
Tell us your nationality and the purpose of your trip. In a preliminary consultation we will confirm whether you need a visa, which type, and what comes next.
This page provides general information on Albanian visa rules and is not legal advice. Requirements can change; contact us for advice on your case. · All immigration services
