Many foreign investors come to Albania, register their company, and believe that this is enough. In this article, we will talk more specifically about visas for foreigners in Albania. After a few months, they realize that without the proper visa, they cannot legally stay longer than 90 days within a 180-day period.
This is not an obstacle. It is a procedure. And the process, contrary to what is often thought, is clear and manageable, provided that it begins on time and with the correct documentation.
Joint Instruction No. 91, dated April 30, 2026, issued by three institutions —the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and the State Intelligence Service—has reorganized the visa issuance procedures for foreigners. This article explains what every foreign investor planning to live and work in Albania needs to know.
Read also: How to Open a Business in Albania as a Foreigner
Which Visa Does a Foreign Investor Need?
For stays exceeding 90 days within a 180-day period, a foreign investor needs a Type D visa. This visa is issued with a 1-year validity and permits stays of up to 90 days within this timeframe.
A Type D visa is not the same as a residence permit. It serves as the initial step that enables a foreigner to legally enter Albania for long-term stay purposes. The residence permit or unique permit is obtained after the foreigner has already entered the territory.
For an investor who plans to work actively in their Albanian company, the required document is the Unique Permit (Leja Unike). The application for the unique permit is submitted through the e-albania.al platform and is directly linked to the visa procedure.
How the Application Works
The application for a Type D visa is conducted exclusively online. Foreign nationals apply through the e-visa.al system or via the unique permit service on e-albania.al, uploading the necessary documentation and paying the visa fee.
The visa fee is non-refundable, regardless of the application's outcome.
After the application is submitted, a consular officer at the Albanian diplomatic mission reviews it within 1 working day. If the documentation is complete, the application is forwarded to the Directorate of Consular Affairs, which coordinates with the Department for Border and Migration and the State Intelligence Service.
Process Deadlines
The process operates under clear legal timeframes. From the date the fee is paid, the decision is communicated within 5 working days for applications tied to a unique permit, and within 4 working days for applications tied to a residence permit.
Within these deadlines, the Department for Border and Migration and the State Intelligence Service have 4 working days (for a unique permit) or 3 working days (for a residence permit) to submit their assessments. If a detailed data verification is required, this timeframe can be extended by an additional 2 working days.
There is also a special case: citizens of Bahrain, Indonesia, Jordan, Oman, and Thailand applying for a tourist visa are processed within 1 working day.
What Happens After Approval
If it is an electronic visa, the foreigner receives it via email. It can be printed from anywhere, provided the applicant is outside Albanian territory, and must be presented at the border crossing point along with a passport.
If the visa is a physical sticker, the foreign national must appear in person at the Albanian diplomatic mission where the application procedure was conducted.
Upon entering Albania, the visa's validity begins from the date of first entry. From this moment, local border and migration authorities review the application for the residence permit or unique permit.
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The Scenario of Foreign Employment
For foreign investors who will be formally employed within their Albanian company, the procedure involves an extra step. The visa is not reviewed until the authority responsible for employment grants employment approval.
Following employment approval, the consular officer verifies the documentation and proceeds with the standard visa procedure. The deadline for correcting inconsistencies in the documentation is 3 working days. If this deadline is not met, the system automatically rejects the application.
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Send me free notificationsWhy It Matters to Start on Time
The most frequent mistake made by foreign investors is initiating the visa procedure only after the company has been opened. The process has precise legal deadlines, but objective delays can occur. Incorrect documentation forces the entire process to start from scratch. Failing to respect stay limitations classifies the individual as an irregular foreigner, leading to administrative and legal consequences.
Planning the entire process early—from the initial visa to the unique permit—eliminates surprises and provides the investor with legal security from day one.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the visa process take?
From the fee payment date to the final decision, the process takes up to 5 working days for applications linked to a unique permit and up to 4 working days for a residence permit. If additional verification is required, this deadline can be extended by up to 2 working days.
Can I appeal a visa rejection?
Yes. Within 5 working days of receiving the rejection notice, the foreign national or an authorized person with a power of attorney can submit an appeal request to the Directorate of Consular Affairs. The Directorate makes a decision within 5 working days. In the event of a negative appeal outcome, the foreigner can reapply only after 3 months from the date of the final rejection.
Do I need a visa if I am a US citizen?
US citizens can stay in Albania for up to 1 year without a visa. If they wish to work or hold an official legal status as an employee within their company, they must secure a unique permit following the established procedure.
What happens if I overstay my visa limit?
Staying over 90 days within a 180-day period without the proper permit classifies the foreigner as an irregular resident. This status carries administrative consequences and can negatively impact future applications.
Read also: How the Unique Permit Works for Foreign Employees in Albania