Please Note
Albanian entry and residence procedures are under the authority of the Albanian government and the information provided here is for general information only and might be subject to change. Questions about rules and procedures should be addressed to the General Directorate of Border and Migration of the Albanian State Police, your nearest Albanian embassy, or an attorney familiar with Albanian immigration law.
Entry To Albania
- U.S. citizens do not need a visa to enter the Republic of Albania;
- U.S. citizens generally are allowed to stay in Albania for up to one year without a residence permit;
- You must have a passport valid for at least three months (we recommend that your passport have at least six months validity from your planned departure from Albania. You may apply to renew your passport with our consular section, as necessary.)
In addition to a valid passport, the Border and Migration officials may ask you to show one or more of the following:
- Return ticket;
- Confirmation of accommodation;
- Work or study permits (if applicable);
- Original international certificate of vaccination when the person arrives from countries (who.int) affected by an epidemic disease or illness;
- Other evidence or documentation to verify your purpose of travel to Albania.
U.S. citizens generally do not have to register with the regional office of the border and migration authority for stays less than one year. If you plan to remain more than one year, or if you are offered a job, or if you will be enrolling in a school or university, you must apply for a residence permit as explained further in this page.
Residing in Albania without a Residence Permit
U.S. citizens may stay in the Republic of Albania for up to one year without a residence permit. When you enter the country, a border and migration officer stamps your passport with the entry date. (Lately, it has come to our attention that they do not stamp passports because the record is entered electronically in their systems. If this is the case, we suggest you save your boarding pass or ticket as evidence of your entry to Albania for later use.)
To “restart the clock” on the one-year time limit, you must depart Albania and remain out of the country for at least 90 days in order to re-enter without a residency permit. Shorter trips outside of Albania during your stay do not lengthen or re-set the one-year limit.
If You Plan to Stay More Than One Year, or If You Are Offered a Job
If you plan to stay more than one year, or if you choose to work or study, you must apply for a residence permit. For specific requirements check with your nearest Albanian embassy or, within Albania, the Police Directorate [e.g.: Tirana office’s map here]. You may be eligible to apply for a permanent residency after five years of temporary residency status.
To renew your permit, you must apply with the Regional DBM Police at least 60 days prior to the permit’s expiration date. The application to renew the previous permit may be denied if you have stayed more than 6 months (accumulative) outside of Albania within one calendar-year (unless you have prior permission from the Regional BDM Police).
Dual Nationals (U.S. and Albanian)
Be advised, if you enter Albania using your American passport and wish to stay longer than one year you may be required to apply for authorization with the Albanian Border and Migration authorities or risk being fined for overstaying. There have been reports from dual national families who were fined by the Albanian immigration authorities for overstays in Albania. If that happens, we are unable to assist. For legal assistance on your particular situation, we suggest you contact an Albanian immigration attorney. For a list of some attorneys who practice law in Albania, please visit our webpage “Legal Assistance”.
Applying for a Residency Permit
To apply for a residency permit you must appear in person at the office of the Regional Directorate of Border and Migration (DBM) Police having jurisdiction over your place of residence. Minors under 18 years old need to have at least one parent present. Exact requirements vary depending on the purpose of your stay (work, study, missionary, etc.) and different regional offices may have slightly different procedures, so you should check with the office where you plan to apply [e.g.: Tirana Regional DBM Police office’s map here] for complete instructions.
Required Documents from the United States
In addition to the documentary requirements to apply for a residence permit, the Albanian government also requests a birth certificate and a certificate of criminal status issued by the U.S. government.
- Your Birth Certificate: If you were born in the United States, you will need one certified copy of your birth certificate with an “apostille” attached to it. (We recommend you obtain two copies as you may need the second later to register your domicile with the vital records office having jurisdiction over your place of residence.) The “apostille” is issued by the state that issued your birth certificate and each state has its own procedures; the easiest way to find how to get an apostille on your birth certificate is to perform an Internet search for “apostille birth certificate [state where you were born].” You can also find more information on the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs webpage “Notarial and Authentication Services.” You will also need to have your birth certificate translated into Albanian by a licensed Albanian notary public.
- Marriage certificate (if requested): If you were married in the United States, you will need a certified copy of your marriage certificate with an “apostille” attached, as described above (obtain two copies).
- Affidavit of Eligibility for a Residency Permit (PDF 362 KB): The Albanian authorities require you to submit an “Affidavit of Eligibility for Residency Permit in the Republic of Albania”, which is a sworn statement regarding criminal history and other details notarized by a consular officer at the U.S. Embassy in Tirana. (The current requirement is that the affidavit must be done by the U.S. Embassy in Tirana on this document only [pdf], and the document may not be considered valid unless it is used within 90 days from the notarization date.) The standard notary fee of $50.00 applies. Payment can be made in cash (dollars or leke) or by credit card (Visa, Master Card, American Express, Diners Club, and Discover). Upon notarization of the document, some immigration offices require this affidavit to be authenticated by the Office of Legalization at the Albanian Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEFA). Check with the nearest Post Office about the process.
- To obtain the above affidavit [pdf], please schedule an online appointment for a notary service with our office.
Your Immediate Family Members
If you enter Albania with your family and wish to reside more than one year, all adults over the age of 18 must file separate applications for residence permits. Minor children are included in parents’ applications, however, if they become adults (turn 18) while in Albania they would need to apply for their own residence permit. If you have a residence permit and give birth to a child in Albania, you must notify the office of the Regional Directorate of Border and Migration having jurisdiction over your place of residence within 30 days of the child’s birth.
Denial of the Issuance, Renewal or Cancellation of Residence Permit
If your application for a residence permit is denied you should be notified by Albanian authorities in writing regarding the reason for the denial. You may appeal this decision through administrative channels or courts as provided in Albanian law. If you need legal aid with this process, we suggest you contact an Albanian immigration attorney. For a list of some attorneys who practice law in Albania please visit our web-page “Legal Assistance”.
If you have resided in Albania for more than one year and have not gone through the regular procedure
You could be ordered removed, banned from entering Albania for five years, fined, detained, deported, or any combination of these penalties. U.S. citizens in Albania are subject to all local laws and judicial procedures, and the Embassy cannot intervene on your behalf in immigration matters. For legal assistance, we suggest you contact an Albanian immigration attorney. For a list of some attorneys who practice law in Albania please visit our webpage “Legal Assistance”.