Albania Visa

•     Passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry in Albania, and at least 1 blank page
• 1 Coloured photograph as per the specifications (Dimensions: 45mm X 35mm, must be a recently captured picture covering 80% face, the background should be either plain white or grey, neutral expression)
• Duly filled Albania visa application form
• Hotel booking confirmation
• Travel itinerary
• Personal covering letter: explaining the purpose of travel to the country
• Travel health insurance for the entire stay duration
• Documentary proof of sufficient funds for stay in Albania
• For travelling children, a statement wherein his/her parent or legal custodian gives consent for the child to travel
• Signed copy of the license of the Albanian travel agency (in case a foreign tourist group is invited for travel)

International travel to Albania is permitted for foreign nationals but it is necessary to comply with requirements to ensure entry is allowed:

• Passengers entering or transiting through Albania must have a COVID-19 vaccination certificate showing that they were fully vaccinated at least two weeks before arrival or
• A negative COVID-19 rapid antigen test taken at most 48 hours before arrival; or
• A negative RT PCR test taken at most 72 hours before arrival; or
• A COVID-19 recovery certificate issued at most 6 months before arrival
• If one of the aforementioned requirements is not provided, then the traveller will have to undergo a mandatory 10-day self-isolation period
• Citizens residing in Albania who are arriving without a valid test result will be required to undertake a 10-day quarantine and inform the local health authority to schedule a test at the end of the isolation period
• Health screenings and temperature checks may be conducted on arrival
• Travellers showing symptoms of COVID-19 must follow the instructions of health officials, which may include a period of self-quarantine. If you test positive for COVID-19, you may need to stay where you are until you test negative. You may also need to seek treatment there
• Upon departure, proof of a negative PCR test, taken within the previous 72 hours, must be uploaded before exit and provided on departure and arrival. The travellers must submit a declaration of the authenticity of the document

• Travellers who present a valid international certificate for full vaccination against COVID-19, with the use of an approved vaccine, are exempt from testing requirements. The final dose must have been administered at least 14 days before departure
• Travellers who can enter Albania without a visa include- foreigners holding a valid Schengen multi-pass visa, which has previously been used in one of the Schengen area countries, or who have a valid residence permit in one of the Schengen area countries
  
• Children less than 6 years of age don’t require a visa to transit or enter the Republic of Albania
• Foreign citizens from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, India, Qatar, Oman, Russia and Thailand, can enter Albania without a visa, for a short term stay, with the passport document. This comes into effect from April 1, 2021, until December 31, 2021
• The following passengers are not exempted from paying the visa fees - Children up to 6 years of age; Holders of diplomatic and service passports; Members of non-profit organisations of less than 25 years of age; Pupils, students, post-graduate students for study purposes or education training; Researchers carrying out scientific researches and humanitarian cases
• Irish citizens do not need a visa for short visits to Albania (up to 90 days). However, you must make sure your passport is valid for a minimum period of six months from your date of entry into Albania

1. Is there any particular amount of funds that I need to present to the embassy while applying for an Albania visa?
 
Although there isn’t any persistent rule on the exact amount of funds required for the application, you are expected to possess at least enough funds to support your stay. This must cover your accommodation, travel, food expenses and other basic requirements.
 
2. What documents do the Indians need to submit for getting an Albanian visa?
 
The below documents are mandatory to present along with the duly completed visa application form:

  • Valid Passport (at least 6 months from the date of entry in Albania) with at least 1 blank page
  • 1 Photograph as per the specifications (Check above under ‘Required Documents’ section)
  • Duly filled and completed Albania visa application form
  • Travel health insurance for the entire stay duration (recommended)
  • Proof of funds to support your entire stay duration
  • Hotel booking
  • Invitation letter
 
3. Is Albania visa-free for Indians? What is the visa validity?
 
Short stay visa is issued to foreign nationals that intend to enter Albania, are entitled to stay for a maximum period of 90 days out of 180 days validity, from their date of first entry. With effect from April 1, 2021, until December 31, 2021, foreign citizens from India and other few neighbouring countries can enter Albania without a visa, for a short term stay, with the passport document.  
 
4. How long does it take to get an Albania visa for Indians?

Usually, you can expect a response within 15 calendar/ working days. However, in certain exceptional scenarios, the process may even take up to 30 days. It is, therefore, highly recommended to apply well in advance.

5. What is the eligibility criteria for Indians to apply for an Albania visa?

To help the authorities process your application, you must clearly state:

  • Your intent/ purpose to visit Albania
  • The duration of your stay in Albania
  • How will you support yourself financially during your stay in Albania
  • Type of passport you hold and its validity
  • Where do you intend to travel after your visit to Albania
  • Where are you planning to stay in Albania

6. Do Indians need to present the RT PCR test result before entering Albania?

Anybody aged six and above travelling to Albania must demonstrate one of the following:

  • Negative PCR COVID-19 test performed up to 72 hours ahead of arrival
  • Rapid Antigen (COVID-19) test performed no more than 48 hours ahead of arrival
  • If vaccinated, proof of COVID-19 vaccination. The second/final dose of vaccine must have been administered at least 14 days before arrival
  • Evidence proving that you have recovered from COVID-19 within the last six months

(These requirements also apply to those travellers who transit through Albania. Those who cannot provide such evidence may not be granted entry to Albania)

7. Is it possible to extend my Albania visa?

No. It is not possible to extend the short-term type C category of the Albania visa. However, the long-term D categories may be extended in certain cases. Although, in extreme circumstances such as natural disasters, you may be able to extend the visa, provided that you can prove that you are unable to return to your home country.

8. How can I apply for an Albania visa online?

With Dook as your visa consultant for Albania, the entire application process becomes effortless and hassle-free. All you have to do is:

  • Decide and select your preferred type of Albania visa based on your travel preference
  • Submit documents & pay online
  • We will authenticate, process and present your documents online to the Embassy
  • After acceptance of the online application, you will be notified to personally visit the Embassy of Albania for physically submitting the documents
  • Once approved, you will receive your Albania visa

9. Are there any possibilities of my Albania visa getting rejected?

Just like any other country, there are chances of your visa getting rejected but the odds are likely to happen only when:

  • You present an invalid Passport
  • Incomplete visa application form
  • In case you currently have an Albania visa still valid
  • Mistakenly applied for a wrong visa category
  • Incomplete documents submitted
  • Purpose of returning to the home country is not clear
  • Criminal records

(Even though your visa can get rejected because of the listed reasons, the applicant still has the right to reapply only after the appeal’s procedure has ended or after three months from the date of receiving the decision)

10. Is Albania a safe destination to travel to?

Undoubtedly, it's a pretty safe country preferred by many for travelling. Albania is safe and welcoming for tourists. The locals are sociable. The crime rate is less. And the tourist attractions have amplified the tourism prospects over the years.

11. Do I need travel insurance for travelling to Albania?

The government department in Albania strongly recommends that you get inclusive travel insurance which covers all overseas medical costs, including medical repatriation/evacuation, repatriation of remains and legal costs. You should always check any exclusion and, in particular, that your policy covers you for the activities you want to carry out.

12. Do I need to go through any health screening procedures at the Albanian airport and other ports of entry?

Yes. Please note that keeping the current pandemic situation in mind while ensuring a control on further outbreaks, Albania has increased the number of medical personnel at all ports of entries. Enhanced screening and quarantine measures are being implemented. The travellers coming into Albania should be prepared for travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice.