Located in Southeast Europe, Albania is a country known for its rich and diverse culture. Apart from its stunning beauty, it is considered by many to be a good destination for international students.
As with much of Europe, Albania offers higher education opportunities through its best universities. It can also be a more affordable option for students on a budget.
If you’re setting your sights on Albania, here’s a guide on how to get your student visa.
Steps on Applying for an Albanian Student Visa
If you need to apply for an Albanian student visa, make sure to follow these steps:
Step 1. Complete All the Required Documents
Before you apply for a visa, make sure you have completed the documents listed below. Missing documents may delay the processing of your application.
Step 2. Apply Online
Go to the visa application page and create an account. Once you have opened one, you can start filing your application.
Note: Albania’s e-Visa portal states that visa applications must be made within 90 days of the intended travel date. Apply early within that window so there is enough time for processing.
Step 3. Wait for the Consulate to Verify Your Application
If the consular officer finds that your application is in order, you will receive a message saying that your application has been accepted. The message will also provide information about any fee to be paid and the next procedures to follow.
If there are irregularities or missing documents, you will be asked to upload the additional documents required by the embassy or consulate.
If the application does not meet the requirements, you will be informed that your visa application has been refused, with an explanation of the reason.
Step 4. Pay the Necessary Fees
Albanian visa fees are based on the principle of reciprocity. If the consulate informs you that a fee applies, you need to pay it before your application can continue.
According to the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, visa fees are waived for children up to 6 years old, holders of diplomatic or service passports based on reciprocity, and humanitarian cases.
Step 5. Wait for the Notification from the Consul
Once the consul has decided on your Albanian student visa application, you will be notified.
If your application is refused, the consul will send the standard refusal message with the relevant explanation.
Note: After a visa refusal, applicants may reapply only after the appeals procedure has ended or after three months from the date they received the refusal decision.
Step 6. Go to the Albanian Embassy to Apply for a Visa Personally
After the application has been approved, the consul may request your presence at the relevant Albanian embassy, consulate, honorary consulate, or contracted agency to retrieve the visa. Some applicants, including foreigners who have previously applied for a visa within the last 59 months, may be exempt from appearing personally.
For your appointment, you will need to bring the following:
- Your passport
- All original documents uploaded during the online application process
- The printed and signed application form
- The original payment invoice, if applicable
Step 7. Wait for the Visa to be Issued
A visa is issued up to 15 days from the acceptance of the application. In exceptional cases, processing may take up to 30 days.
Step 8. Fly to Albania
Foreigners coming from countries affected by an epidemic or disease may be asked at the border crossing point to provide their original international vaccination cards.
Step 9. Apply for a Residence Permit
Students who will stay in Albania for long-term studies usually need to apply for a residence permit after entering the country.
For students, the first residence permit is generally valid for up to one year and may be renewed for one year at a time until the student finishes school, completes their studies, or completes the traineeship. If the course is shorter than one year, the residence permit is valid for the duration of the course.
You can apply for a residence permit through e-Albania. The online request must be made within 30 days after entering Albania, and the applicant must be present in Albania at the time of application.
Students may complete the electronic form, upload the listed documents in the required format, and submit the application online. If the documentation is complete, applicants are notified by email about the fee and the requirement to send the original documentation, two photos, the payment mandate, and the printed and signed e-Albania form through the postal service within seven days.
Notification of acceptance or rejection of the residence permit request is made by email within 30 days from submission. The application approval procedure takes up to 30 days, although the relevant local migration office may extend the deadline for objective reasons.
Documents Needed for Albanian Student Visa Applications
International students generally need to apply for a Visa Type D, or long-stay visa. This visa is issued to foreign nationals who wish to stay in Albania for more than 90 days within a 180-day period and to foreign nationals who may need to obtain a residence permit after entering Albania.
Some foreign nationals may enter Albania without a visa for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. This includes foreign nationals with a valid multiple-entry Schengen visa that has been previously used in a Schengen country, a valid residence permit from a Schengen country, or a valid multiple-entry visa or residence permit issued by the European Union, the United States, or the United Kingdom, subject to the prior-use conditions listed by Albania’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
However, visa-exempt entry does not always replace the need for a Type D visa or residence permit for long-term study. Students should check the current visa regime for their nationality and confirm the correct process before traveling to Albania.
Here are the documents generally needed for an Albanian student visa:
Accomplished Application Form
You may access this form through the E-visa application website.
Important: You should print, sign, and date this form after completing it.
Passport-Sized Photo
Make sure to provide one passport-sized photo that is less than six months old on your application date.
Photocopy of Passport Page
Your travel document must be valid for at least three months longer than the validity period of the requested visa. Albania’s visa regime page also states that foreign nationals who need a visa must have at least two blank pages in their travel document.
Proof of Registration or Admission to an Albanian Institution
To qualify for a student visa in Albania, you need to submit a document certifying your registration or admission to an educational institution in Albania. This may be an acceptance letter, registration document, or other official proof from the institution.
Proof of Language Proficiency
You should prepare proof of the language required for your study program. Albania’s visa guidance lists proof of knowledge of the Albanian language for carrying out studies, while residence-permit guidance for students asks for proof of knowledge of the language of the study program or proof of admission to a preparatory language course.
Proof of Financial Capacity
Likewise, you need to show that you can cover your living costs and tuition fees while studying in Albania. This could take the form of bank statements, proof of a loan, or a scholarship letter, if applicable.
Proof of Accommodation
You need to provide proof of accommodation in Albania. This may include a rental contract, dormitory confirmation, or other document showing where you will stay while in Albania.
Travel Health Insurance
You need to provide travel health insurance documents covering the duration of the visa.
Criminal Record
You need to provide a criminal record, also called a good-character document, legalized according to the rules that apply in the country where it was issued.
Parental/Guardian Consent
This document is only applicable to students under 18 years old. A parent or legal guardian must provide a statement expressing consent for the child’s trip.
We hope that this article on getting a student visa in Albania was helpful! If you are interested in looking for other programs or courses, make sure to check out Available Programs for International Students.
