Embassy of the United States Tirana, Albania

Disclaimer: Entering and residing in Albania is under the jurisdiction of the Albanian government and the information provided below might be subject to change.  Questions involving interpretation of specific Albanian laws and policies should be addressed to local legal counsel.  The following summarizes Albanian Law No. 9959, dated 17-Jul-2008 “On Foreigners” (In Albanian.)  Note, however, that the standard operating procedures are under the purview of the General Directorate of Border and Migration of the Albanian State Police.

Entry To Albania

Entry into the Republic of Albania takes place at a port of entry (Rinas International Airport, Durres Sea Port, border crossing points, etc).  U.S. citizens entering Albania must have a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry in Albania.  The passport is stamped upon entry with the date of arrival by the Border Police Officer (BPO).  It is important to check that the BPO has stamped the passport and entered the date correctly.  This allows U.S. citizens to stay in Albania for 90 days within the 180-day period.  (U.S. citizens who plan to remain more than 30 days should refer to the additional information provided below.)  In addition to a valid passport, the BPO may ask to provide one or more of the following:

• Letter of Invitation by the host in Albania;
• Return ticket;
• Confirmation of accommodation;
• Work permit;
• Sufficient financial means for stay in Albania (Current sum is 50 euros per day satisfied by showing either cash or credit cards);
• Original international certificate of vaccination when the person arrives from countries affected by an epidemic disease or illness.

BPO authorities at the port of entry may refuse entry in Albania for failure to meet the conditions of Albanian law.  A traveler refused entry has the right to appeal the entry's denial order within 5 days, through administrative channels, to the superior structures of the respective BPO authority.

If One Stays Over 30 Days

U.S. citizens who wish to stay more than 30 days in Albania should appear in person at the Regional Directorate of Border and Migration to register their local address.

If One Wishes To Stay Over 90 Days

U.S. citizens wishing to stay more than 90 days should apply for an Albanian Residency Permit.  Within 60 days from the date of entry in Albania, an application for a residency permit or its renewal should be lodged in person with the offices of the Regional Directorate of Border and Migration in the jurisdiction where the U.S. citizen is residing at the time.  For minors, one parent should apply.  The local authority will complete processing to provide the applicant with a temporary residency permit.

The validity of a residency permit varies:

• Three months, six months, or one year temporary permit for first time applicants;
• Two years temporary permit for the renewal of the one year temporary permit;
• Two years temporary permit again for the renewal of the two year temporary permit; and
• Permanent residency permit, after the consecutive issuance of the above mentioned temporary residency permits.

The Albanian authorities require U.S. citizens, who wish to reside in Albania more than 90 days, to provide written proof (a sworn statement by the citizen obtained at the U.S. Embassy in Tirana) stating that there are no criminal records on citizen's behalf.

The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Tirana has developed a document called Affidavit of Eligibility for Residency Permit, which is a sworn statement notarized by a consular officer.  The standard notarial fee of $50.00 or the equivalent in Leke is required (Note: Payment is made to the cashier in the Consular Section, and can be done by cash (Dollars or Leke) or by credit card (Visa, Master Card, American Express, Diners Club, and Discover.)

For information on how to obtain this affidavit, please follow the instructions provided at our webpage “Affidavit of Eligibility for Residency Permit.”

Documentation Needed to Obtain a Residency Permit

The following documentation is needed in order to initiate an application for a residency permit in the Republic of Albania. Please note that applicants may be advised at the time of application whether further documentation will be required depending on the application purpose (work, student, etc.):

1. Application Form Nr. 8 (PDF 126.10 KB);
2. Statement:
   Written statement on the purpose of stay.
3. Your U.S. passport:
   The passport used to legally enter into the territory of the Republic of Albania and also a photocopy of all passport pages containing official notes of interest.  The passport expiration date should be at least 3 months upon the expiration date of the residency permit you are applying for.  The passport will be returned to the applicant at the time of his/her application, while the copy is kept in the file.
4. Your Birth Certificate:
   If you were born in the United States, you will also need a certified copy of your birth certificate with an “Apostille” attached to it.  The “apostille” is placed by the issuing authority in the United States.  For information on how to obtain a birth certificate with an “apostille” please visit the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs webpage “Notarial and Authentication (Apostille) (http://travel.state.gov/).”
5. Affidavit of Eligibility for a Residency Permit:
   For information on how to obtain this affidavit, please follow the instructions provided at our webpage “Affidavit of Eligibility for Residency Permit.”
6. Sales Contract or Lease Agreement:
   Copy of your residence sales contract or lease agreement.
7. Two photos:
   3.5cm x 4.5cm for the applicant and each family member applying.
8. Host or Employer Declaration:
   A certified declaration by the applicant's host or employer stating the reason of the stay (if applicable.)
9. Proof of Financial Support:
   Bank certificate to demonstrate financial means to cover expenses for the requested period of stay (if applicable.)
10. Your Legal Permit to Perform Work:
    Financial evidence and a notarized copy of the applicant's legal permit to perform work or humanitarian activities, a bank statement and a bankbook (if applicable.)
11. Application Fee:
    Receipt of payment for the residency permit application (more information will be provided at the time of application.)

All the above mentioned documents must have been issued less than three months before the date of application.

Fee Schedule for an Albanian Residency Permit

Note: The cost of the card will be collected only if a card is issued.

Cancellation of Residency Permit

One should always carry the Residency Permit to be able to show it to the police at any time.  The authorities will cancel the residency permit if one has been out of the country for more than:

• Three months for a one-year residency permit;
• Six months for a two-year residency permit; and
• Two years for a permanent residency permit.

What if I have resided in Albania and have not gone through the regular procedure?

A voluntary order of removal or forced order of removal may be issued if you violate the time limits of your stay. Your entry to Albania may be banned for up to 5 years. An administrative appeal may be lodged against a removal order within 30 days from the date of notice, whereas the appeal to the court may be lodged within 10 days from the receipt of the reply of administrative complaint. In case you do not obey a voluntary order of removal, you may have a forced order of removal charged against you; you may be fined, detained, and/or held in isolation; and you may be physically deported from Albania.

Violators of Albanian immigration laws may face fines:

• For violation of time limits violators may be fined from 10,000 to 15,000 Leke;
• Persons who agree to house or support a foreign citizens in violation of the provisions of Albanian law face fines from 300,000 ALL to 400,000 Leke.