Kamal Ghorui
Albania has slowly grown in popularity as a sensible option for tourists considering a vacation throughout Europe. A number of groups of foreign nationals are allowed admission into the country without a visa, including citizens of certain nations during certain times and holders of valid Schengen, US, UK, and UAE residency documents. For more clarity, visit E-visa application system.Below is a clear, simplified overview of Albania’s current visa and entry rules, strictly based on official guidelines.
Who can enter Albania without a visa
Foreign nationals may enter Albania without applying for an Albanian visa in advance if they fall under any of the following categories:
Holders of Schengen visas or residence permitsTravellers can enter Albania visa-free if they hold a valid, multiple-entry Schengen visa that has already been used at least once in a Schengen country, or if they possess a valid residence permit issued by a Schengen state.Holders of US or UK visas or residence permitsVisa-free entry is also allowed for those holding a valid, multiple-entry US or UK visa that has previously been used in the country of issuance, or for individuals with a valid residence permit for the United States or the United Kingdom.UAE long-term residence permit holdersForeign nationals holding a 10-year UAE residence permit, issued by the competent UAE authority and valid for at least one year from the date of entry into Albania, are exempt from Albanian visa requirements.Nationals with visa-free access to the Schengen Area Citizens of countries that enjoy visa-free travel to the Schengen Area may also enter Albania without a visa.Temporary visa-free access for select countries (2025)Citizens of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Thailand, and Indonesia may enter Albania without a visa for tourism purposes only between 15 April 2025 and 31 December 2025, using only a valid passport.
Holders of EU-issued travel documents
Albania allows visa-free entry for holders of the following EU-issued travel documents:
- Alien’s travel document
- Refugee travel document (Geneva Convention, 28 July 1951)
- Stateless persons’ travel document (New York Convention, 28 September 1954)
- Travel document for persons under subsidiary protection
Albania visa types explained
Type “C” visa – Short stay
Allows stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. It can be issued as a single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry visa, either as a stamp visa or an electronic visa.
Type “D” visa – Long stay
Intended for foreigners planning to stay in Albania for more than 90 days within a 180-day period. This visa is valid for one year and allows stays of up to 90 days. It also enables the holder to apply for a residence permit after entering Albania. For Indian passport holders applying for an Albanian Type C (short-stay) visa, the visa fee is €15, regardless of whether the visa is single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry, according to Albania’s official consular fee schedule.
Who must apply for an Albanian visa
All foreign nationals whose countries are not listed in Albania’s visa regulation table are required to obtain a visa before travelling. Applications must be submitted through the Albanian embassy that is geographically closest to the applicant’s country of origin or legal residence.
Where and how to apply
Type A and Type C visas: Applications must be submitted online through Albania’s official e-Visa portal Type D visas: Applications must be made via the e-Albania platformVisa applications are processed by Albanian embassies, including those in Beijing, Abu Dhabi, and Istanbul, depending on jurisdiction. All applications are accepted online only, and applicants must be outside Albania at the time of payment.
Visa processing and decisions
Standard processing time: up to 15 working daysExceptional cases: up to 30 working days The applicant receives an electronic visa via email upon approval, which they must provide at both entry and exit points. The issuance of a visa does not ensure entrance because border officials have the authority to refuse entry if certain requirements are not fulfilled.Albania is rapidly becoming one of Europe’s more accessible tourist destinations, especially for visitors with Schengen, US, or UK visas, given to its expansive visa exemptions and flexible entrance regulations.
