Officially known as the Republic of Albania, the country has quite the past. Closed to foreign visitors for most of the 20th century, it was only in 1991 when Albania became free from the communist era and opened its door to the rest of the world. The introduction of the Albania visa has started increasing the number of tourists visiting the nation.
The Albania visa is a permit that lets individuals enter the country for various purposes. The visa can be issued as a single-entry, double-entry, or even multiple entries, and comes in the form of a sticker in the passport. However, not everyone needs this. There are a number of nationalities who can enter Albania with just a passport and an/or national ID card. Since India is not among these, they will have to apply for an Albania visa for Indian citizens.
Note:- If you hold a valid Schengen, UK, or US visa, and have used it to visit the respective countries, you will be able to enter Albania with it for a stay of up to 90 days (regardless of your nationality).
The process of applying for the Albanian permit from India has several steps. Due to the fact that there is no Embassy or Consulate of Albania in India, the applications will have to be made to the Embassy of Albania in Beijing, Istanbul, or AbuDhabi.
Now before starting the application, you must ensure that you are eligible to travel to the country on a particular type of the Albanian entry permit. After that, you can proceed to make the application as follows -
Phase 1 -
Phase 2 -
Note: - Due to the number of complications in the application process, it is recommended that you use the services of a travel agency for your visa application. This can ensure that your application is successfully processed and at a faster rate.
Based on the purpose of the visit and the duration of the stay, the Albanian permits can be classified into the following -
Note- These are the main types of visa. There are further variations to these according to the more specific type of the visit.
According to the Albania visa requirements for Indian citizens, the following are the list of documents you will need to possess in order to make a successful application. Please note that these are only the general documents. Based on the exact category of visa, there may be additional documentation necessary -
As per the Albania visa application requirements, the following are the photo specifications to be met -
The processing time for the Albania visa is dependent on the type of the visa, the number of entries, the duration of stay, as well as on the volume of applications at the embassy. Normally, you can expect a response within 15 working days. However, in certain circumstances, this may even take up to 30 days. As a result, ensure that you apply well in advance.
The fees for the entry permit depends on the type of visa you are applying for. It can also vary based on the country of application. Due to the fee being in Euros, it will also fluctuate according to the foreign exchange rates. As a result, you must check the exact amount before starting your application.
While you await a response, you can check the status of your application by visiting the online portal by clicking here, and entering your application number. You may also contact your travel agent through whom you have applied to track it for you.
Due to the absence of an Albanian Embassy in India, it is not directly possible to apply in India. As a result, the applications will have to be made through the website of the Embassy of Albania in Beijing. The application will then be processed and approved either in Beijing, Istanbul, or Abu Dhabi as per your choice. However, in order to place the visa sticker in the passport, you will still have to visit the nearest Albanian diplomatic mission in India. This is either the Albanian Honorary Consulate in Mumbai or the Albanian Honorary Consulate in Kolkata.
An easier option for getting the visa would be to apply through a reputed visa agency. They will be able to help you with the entire process as well as ensure that you do not face a visa rejection.
It is not possible to extend the short-term categories of the Albania visa. However, the long-term D categories may be extended in certain cases. Although, in extreme circumstances such as a Force Majeure, you may be able to extend the visa, provided that you are able to prove that you are unable to return back to your home country.
There are no medical test requirements for the short term types of Albania visa. The long term visas may require you to get medical tests done. However, if you are travelling from a high-risk country, you will be required to show vaccination certificates. In either case, it is suggested that you get a medical check-up done before travelling to a foreign nation.
There isn’t any steadfast rule on the exact amount of funds required for the application. As per the requirements, you are expected to possess at least enough funds to support your entire stay duration. This should cover your accommodation, travel, food, and other basic expenses.
Since the time taken to process the visa can be around 15 working days, it is highly advised that you apply at least 15 days before your intended date of travel. However, it is suggested that you apply about 3 weeks before the travel in order to take into account any minute delays in processing. Although, keep in mind that you cannot apply before more than 3 months of the date of travel.
The chances of getting your application rejected mainly depend on you. If you ensure that you provide all the correct documents, pay the fees correctly, follow the exact procedure, etc, you will not receive a rejection. However, most people fumble at one point or other in the application process, thereby leading to a visa rejection. As a result, it is highly advised to use the services of a visa agency to help get your visa without rejection.