Albania Visa Requirements
Albania is visa-free for most nationalities, including the US, Canada, and the EU. This guide outlines the requirements by nationality and explains if you need a visa for Albania and how to obtain one quickly.
Europe
European Union (EU) citizens: 90 days visa-free entry within 180 days. EU citizens can use national ID cards instead of passports.
United Kingdom: 90 days visa-free entry, with no visa requirement, changes post-Brexit currently.
Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein: 90 days visa-free entry, with the option to use national ID cards instead of passports.
North America
- United States: 365 days visa-free entry. Stays over one year require a residency permit. The passport must be valid for at least three months beyond the stay.
- Canada and Mexico: 90 days visa-free entry within any 180 days. Longer stays or work requires a visa.
South America
- Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru: 90 days visa-free entry within 180 days.
- Other South American countries: Seek a visa in advance
Asia
- China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan: 90 days visa-free entry within 180 days. Hong Kong and Macau passport holders are eligible.
- India and Vietnam: Visa required. Seek a visa in advance
- Other Asian countries: Seek a visa in advance
Middle East
- Israel, UAE: 90 days visa-free entry.
- Kuwait, Saudi Arabia: Visa required, exempting diplomatic/service passport holders. Seek a visa in advance
Africa
- South Africa: A visa is required, with exemptions for diplomatic passport holders. You can apply online for a visa through the iVisa Application.
- Other African countries: Visa required. eVisa is available for some nationalities. Seek a visa in advance
Oceania
- Australia, New Zealand: 90 days visa-free entry within any 180 days.
- Pacific Islands: Check individual country’s requirements.
Countries Requiring a Visa for Albania
While many nationalities enjoy visa-free entry to Albania, some countries’ citizens must obtain a visa before traveling. According to the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania, as of 2024, citizens of the following countries generally need a visa to enter Albania.
For these countries: Seek a visa in advance
- Afghanistan
- Algeria
- Angola
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Belarus
- Belize
- Benin
- Bhutan
- Bolivia
- Botswana
- Burkina Faso
- Burma (Myanmar)
- Burundi
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- China (visa-free for certain passport holders)
- Comoros
- Congo (Democratic Republic of)
- Congo (Republic of)
- Cuba
- Djibouti
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Eswatini (Swaziland)
- Ethiopia
- Fiji
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Guyana
- Haiti
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Iraq
- Ivory Coast
- Jamaica
- Jordan
- Kenya
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Lebanon
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Maldives
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Mongolia
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Nepal
- Niger
- Nigeria
- North Korea
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Palestine
- Papua New Guinea
- Philippines
- Russia
- Rwanda
- São Tomé and Príncipe
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Solomon Islands
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Sri Lanka
- Sudan
- Suriname
- Syria
- Tajikistan
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Turkmenistan
- Uganda
- Uzbekistan
- Vietnam
- Yemen
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
For the countries: Seek a visa in advance
Please note that visa requirements can change over time, so it’s always best to verify the most current information with the Albanian authorities or the nearest embassy or consulate before making travel plans.
Upcoming Changes: 2025 ETIAS
Starting in 2025, citizens from over 60 countries, including the USA, Canada, Australia, and others, will require an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) to visit any country in the Schengen Area visa-free. ETIAS is a quick online application that provides passport, contact, and European travel details. It costs a fee of €7 and is generally approved within minutes, allowing multiple visa-free Schengen entries for up to 90 days in 3 years.
Albania and the Schengen Area
As of 2024, Albania is not part of the Schengen Area, but its visa policy closely resembles that of the Schengen countries. Albania grants 90-day visa-free entry to citizens of Schengen Annex II countries, with a few exceptions, and also offers visa-free entry to nine additional countries not part of the Schengen Annex II list.