🇿🇦→🇦🇱South Africa→Albania

90 dayssingle entry15-30d processingvalid 180donline

Short-stay visa for foreign nationals travelling to Albania as part of an organised group invited by an Albanian tourism agency.

Requires valid passports for all group members and a notarized license of the organising Albanian tourism agency. Processing up to 15 working days; exceptionally up to 30 working days.

90 daysmultiple entry15-30d processingvalid 180donline

Short-stay visa for holiday and leisure travel to Albania. Permits tourism activities for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

Available as single, double, or multiple-entry. Maximum validity up to 5 years for multiple-entry C visas. Processing typically up to 15 working days; in exceptional circumstances up to 30 working days. Requires round-trip ticket, hotel booking, and proof of sufficient funds. Can be applied for via e-visa portal at e-visa.al. Fee based on reciprocity principles; waived for children under 6 and diplomatic passport holders.

90 daysmultiple entry15-30d processingvalid 1825donline

Short-stay visa for foreign nationals conducting business meetings, commercial activities, or professional engagements in Albania for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

Requires invitation from Albanian host company, professional documentation, and business registration of the host entity. Available as single, double, or multiple-entry. Maximum validity up to 5 years for multiple-entry C visas.

365 daysmultiple entry15-30d processingvalid 365donline

Long-stay visa for foreign nationals engaging in commercial trade activities in Albania beyond 90 days.

Requires work permit, good character certificate, and commercial activity documentation. Holder must apply for a residence/unique permit after entry.

single entry15-30d processingvalid 180donline

Airport transit visa allowing foreign nationals to enter and remain in the international transit zone of an Albanian airport while awaiting an onward flight to a third country, without entering Albanian territory.

Defined in Law No. 79/2021 'On Foreigners', Article 19. Grants the right to stay only in the international transit area of the airport until the onward flight departs; does not permit entry into Albania. Usually single-entry with duration matching the booked flights; may be issued multiple-entry for up to 6 months for travellers who prove a need for continuous, regular transit. Exempt from this visa: nationals already visa-free for Albania, diplomatic passport holders, aircraft crew under the Chicago Convention, and holders of a valid Albanian visa or residence permit. The countries required to obtain it are specified by Council of Ministers Decision. Fee based on reciprocity (CoM Decision 569/2018); waived for children under 6 and diplomatic passport holders.

5 dayssingle entry15-30d processingonline

Short-stay visa for foreign nationals transiting through the territory of Albania en route to another country.

Provided for in Law No. 79/2021 'On Foreigners', Article 20(4): a Type C visa issued to transit through Albanian territory, where the time of stay and validity correspond to the time required to complete the transit(s) and may not exceed 5 days. May be issued as single, double, or multiple entry. Applied for online via the official e-visa system. Processing up to 15 working days; in exceptional cases up to 30 working days.

90 dayssingle entry15-30d processingvalid 180donline

Short-stay visa for foreign nationals travelling to Albania to receive medical treatment.

Requires medical diagnosis documentation, declaration from the receiving Albanian hospital or medical facility, and proof of financial means to cover treatment and stay.

365 daysmultiple entry15-30d processingvalid 365donline

Long-stay visa for foreign nationals joining a family member legally residing in Albania.

Requires proof of family relationship, housing documentation, and employment verification of the Albanian resident sponsor. Holder must apply for a family reunification residence permit after entry.

365 daysmultiple entry15-30d processingvalid 365donline

Long-stay visa for foreign nationals admitted to or enrolled in an educational institution in Albania for a period exceeding 90 days.

Requires a document certifying registration or admission to an Albanian educational institution. Holder must apply for a student residence permit after entry. Available as single, double, or multiple-entry.

365 daysmultiple entry15-30d processingvalid 365donline

Long-stay visa for foreign nationals undertaking economic activities (self-employment, entrepreneurship) in Albania.

Requires work permit, good character certificate, and documentation of the planned economic activity. Holder must apply for a residence/unique permit after entry.

365 daysmultiple entry15-30d processingvalid 365donline

Long-stay visa for foreign nationals who have obtained an Albanian work permit and intend to take up employment in Albania beyond 90 days.

Requires a valid work permit, good character certificate, and employer invitation. Type D visas are issued for up to 1 year with a 90-day initial stay allowance, after which holders must apply for a residence permit (Unique Permit). Available as single, double, or multiple-entry.

365 daysmultiple entry15-30d processingvalid 365donline

Long-stay visa for foreign nationals undertaking regulated professional activities (e.g., liberal professions) in Albania.

Requires work permit, professional credentials, good character certificate, and invitation. Holder must apply for a residence/unique permit after entry.

365 dayssingle entry15-30d processingvalid 365donline

Long-stay visa for foreign nationals undertaking seasonal employment in Albania under a fixed-term employment contract.

Requires a seasonal employment contract and valid work permit. Typically issued for the duration of the seasonal contract.

90 dayssingle entry15-30d processingvalid 180d

Short-stay visa for foreign officials conducting official visits to Albania on behalf of their government or institution.

Requires invitation from the Albanian host institution and a verbal note from the applicant's employer. Fee typically waived for diplomatic and official passport holders.

90 dayssingle entry15-30d processingvalid 180donline

Short-stay visa for foreign nationals attending scientific, cultural, sporting, or humanitarian events in Albania.

Requires invitation from Albanian host institution, accommodation proof, and proof of sufficient funds. Processing up to 15 working days; exceptionally up to 30 working days.

multiple entry

Long-stay visa for foreign diplomats, service passport holders, and accredited officials assigned to diplomatic missions, consular posts, or international organisations in Albania.

Requires a verbal note from the sending state's foreign ministry and an invitation from the receiving Albanian institution. Fee waived. Many nationalities with bilateral diplomatic waiver agreements do not require this visa at all.

365 dayssingle entry15-30d processingvalid 365d

Long-stay visa issued on humanitarian grounds to foreign nationals who cannot return to their country of origin due to circumstances beyond their control.

Requires invitation and humanitarian motivation documentation. Fee typically waived. Holder must apply for a residence permit after entry.

365 daysmultiple entry15-30d processingvalid 365donline

Long-stay visa for foreign nationals undertaking humanitarian or religious activities in Albania under an authorised organisation.

Requires organisation license, employer certificate, and motivation letter. Fee typically waived for humanitarian purposes. Holder must apply for a residence permit after entry.

365 daysmultiple entryup to 84d processingvalid 365donline

Residence permit for remote workers employed by or freelancing for companies and clients established outside Albania, allowing them to live and work remotely from Albania.

Introduced under Law No. 79/2021 'On Foreigners'. Applicants must have a valid employment or service contract with a foreign entity and sufficient income (approximately EUR 450/month per secondary sources; not confirmed in official law text). Initial permit valid 1 year, renewable for 1 year, then extendable up to 5 years. Application submitted entirely online via e-Albania portal (service code 15146). Processing time up to 12 weeks maximum. Combines residence and work authorisation in a single biometric card. After 5 years continuous residence, eligible for permanent residency.

730 daysmultiple entryvalid 730donline

Residence permit for foreign nationals making a qualifying investment in Albania, including establishing or acquiring a business with a minimum capital threshold.

Based on Article 69 of Law No. 79/2021 'On Foreigners'. Minimum investment approximately 10,000,000 ALL (approx. EUR 85,000-90,000); threshold set by joint ministerial instruction and may have been updated by Law 43/2025 (unconfirmed). Requires employment of at least 5 Albanian citizens. Initial permit valid 2 years, renewable for 3 years. After 5 years continuous legal residence, eligible for permanent residency. Standard naturalisation requires 7 years.