Albania Type D Visa: Requirements, Documents, Fees and Application Process

A Type D visa (also called a national visa or long-stay visa) is the entry document that allows a foreign national to enter and remain in Albania for a period exceeding 90 days. It is the visa you need if you plan to work, study, join family members, or conduct sustained business activity in Albania.

The Type D visa is governed by Albanian consular legislation, primarily Law No. 79/2021 "Per te Huajt" (On Foreigners), as amended, and its implementing regulations. It is issued by Albanian diplomatic missions abroad and is valid for a single entry or, in some categories, multiple entries within the visa period.

Important distinction: a Type D visa is not a residence permit. The visa allows you to enter Albania; once in the country you must apply for a residence permit at the local border and migration office within the timeframe specified on your visa. The residence permit is what authorises you to stay long-term.

Albania issues two main categories of visa:

Type C — short-stay visa
- Stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day period;
- Intended for tourism, short business visits, conferences, medical treatment;
- Does not allow employment or long-term residence;
- Similar to a Schengen short-stay visa.

Type D — national / long-stay visa
- Stay exceeding 90 days;
- Required when you intend to live, work, study, or run a business in Albania;
- Issued for a specific purpose (employment, family reunification, study, business, etc.);
- Serves as the legal basis to apply for a residence permit after arrival.

If your stay is purely touristic and under 90 days, a Type C visa (or visa-free entry, depending on your nationality) is sufficient. If you plan to start a business, take employment, or settle in Albania, you need a Type D visa.

Visa-free nationals: citizens of the EU, Schengen area, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and many other countries can enter Albania visa-free for up to 90 days in a 180-day period. However, visa-free entry does not replace the need for a Type D visa if your purpose is long-term stay. You still need the D visa to apply for a residence permit. Check the current list of visa-free countries on the website of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.

You need a Type D visa if you are a non-Albanian citizen who intends to:

• Work in Albania — whether as an employee of an Albanian company or as a transferred employee from a foreign company;
• Start or manage a business — as the founder, administrator, or partner of an Albanian LLC (SHPK) or sole proprietorship;
• Study — enrolled at an Albanian educational institution for a programme lasting longer than 90 days;
• Join family — family reunification with a spouse, parent, or minor child who is an Albanian resident;
• Conduct religious, humanitarian, or cultural activities — as part of an organised programme;
• Receive medical treatment — for a course of treatment exceeding 90 days;
• Any other purpose that requires a stay longer than 90 days.

Exceptions: Albanian citizens, EU/EEA citizens exercising freedom-of-movement rights under Albania's EU candidate-country agreements, and diplomats with accreditation may have different requirements. Always verify your specific situation with the nearest Albanian embassy or consulate.

The Type D visa is issued for a specific purpose, and the category determines the required documentation. The main categories under Albanian law include:

D/PU — Employment
For foreign nationals who have a work permit or employment authorisation issued by Albanian authorities. The employer in Albania normally initiates the work-permit process before you apply for the visa.

D/BV — Business / Self-employment
For entrepreneurs, company administrators, shareholders, and self-employed individuals. This is the category most relevant if you plan to set up a business in Albania, whether as the owner of an LLC or a sole proprietorship.

D/ST — Study
For students enrolled at an Albanian educational institution. Requires an acceptance letter from the institution and proof of financial means.

D/BR — Family reunification
For close family members (spouse, minor children, dependent parents) of a foreign national who holds a valid Albanian residence permit.

D/FV — Religious, humanitarian, cultural activities
For participants in organised programmes such as volunteer missions, cultural exchanges, or religious assignments.

D/MJ — Medical treatment
For patients requiring extended medical treatment in Albania.

D/Other
For purposes not covered above, such as property ownership, retirement, or digital-nomad programmes (when applicable under specific government decisions).

The exact sub-categories and their codes may vary depending on the applicable DCM (Council of Ministers Decision) in force at the time of your application. Your Albanian embassy or consulate will confirm the correct category for your situation.

While each category has specific documentation, the following requirements are common to all Type D visa applications:

• Valid passport — must be valid for at least three months beyond your intended stay and have at least two blank pages;
• Completed visa application form — available from the Albanian embassy or consulate;
• Passport-size photographs — recent, in accordance with ICAO standards (typically two photos);
• Proof of purpose — documents demonstrating the specific reason for your stay (employment contract, company registration, university acceptance, etc.);
• Proof of accommodation — rental agreement, hotel reservation, or a notarised invitation from a host;
• Proof of financial means — bank statements, employment contract with salary details, or a sponsor letter demonstrating you can support yourself during your stay;
• Health insurance — valid in Albania for the duration of your stay;
• Criminal record certificate — from your country of nationality and/or residence, usually apostilled or legalised;
• Medical certificate — confirming you do not have conditions that pose a public-health risk (some embassies may waive this);
• Visa fee — the amount varies by embassy and nationality; check the current fee with the specific embassy where you apply.

All documents that are not in Albanian must be officially translated into Albanian and, depending on the issuing country, apostilled (Hague Convention countries) or legalised. Translations should be certified by a sworn translator.

Requirements and fees can change. Always verify the current list with the Albanian embassy or consulate where you intend to apply, or consult the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs website.

In addition to the general requirements above, each Type D category requires category-specific documents:

Employment (D/PU):
- Work permit issued by the Albanian National Agency for Employment and Skills (AKPA);
- Employment contract with an Albanian employer;
- Employer's company registration documents (NIPT extract from NBC/QKB).

Business / Self-employment (D/BV):
- Company registration extract from the National Business Centre (NBC/QKB);
- Proof of your role (administrator appointment, partnership agreement, shareholder certificate);
- Business plan or evidence of ongoing business activity;
- Evidence of capital invested or financial capacity;
- Business licence if your activity requires one.

Study (D/ST):
- Acceptance letter from an Albanian educational institution;
- Proof of tuition payment or scholarship;
- Academic transcripts from prior education.

Family reunification (D/BR):
- Proof of family relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate);
- Valid residence permit of the family member in Albania;
- Proof of adequate accommodation and financial means.

This list is indicative and may not cover every document the consular officer requests. Embassies reserve the right to ask for additional supporting documentation.

Applying for a Type D visa follows a structured process. Preparation is key — incomplete applications are the most common reason for delays.

Identify the correct Type D category for your purpose (employment, business, study, family reunification, etc.). This determines which documents you need and which Albanian authority may need to issue preliminary authorisations (for example, a work permit for employment visas). If you are unsure, contact the Albanian embassy in your country for guidance.

Collect all required documents. Pay particular attention to:

• Apostille or legalisation — documents issued by foreign authorities usually need an apostille (if your country is a Hague Convention signatory) or consular legalisation;
• Certified translation — all non-Albanian documents must be translated by a sworn translator;
• Validity — criminal-record certificates and medical certificates typically have a limited validity period (often three to six months from issuance);
• Originals and copies — most embassies require both original documents and photocopies.

Start gathering documents early — obtaining apostilles, translations, and certificates from various authorities can take several weeks.

Some visa categories require authorisation from an Albanian institution before you apply for the visa:

• Employment: your employer in Albania must obtain a work permit from the National Agency for Employment and Skills (AKPA) before you submit your visa application;
• Business: if you are starting a business, the company should ideally be registered at the NBC (QKB) before you apply, or you should have clear evidence of your planned investment;
• Study: secure your acceptance from the Albanian educational institution.

These preliminary steps are handled in Albania and may take several weeks. Plan accordingly.

Submit your visa application in person at the Albanian embassy or consulate in your country of residence (or the nearest one, if Albania does not have a diplomatic mission in your country). Key points:

• Appointment: many embassies require an appointment — check the embassy's website or call in advance;
• In-person submission: most embassies require the applicant to appear in person for biometric data collection and an interview;
• Application form: complete the visa application form accurately and sign it;
• Fee payment: pay the visa fee as instructed by the embassy (payment methods vary);
• Receipt: keep the receipt and any reference number — you will need it to track your application.

A list of Albanian embassies and consulates is available on the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs website.

After submission, the embassy forwards your application to the relevant Albanian authorities for review. Processing times vary depending on the category, the embassy's workload, and whether additional verification is needed.

• The embassy may contact you for additional documents or an interview;
• If approved, you will be notified to collect your passport with the visa sticker;
• If refused, you will receive a written notification with the reason for refusal and information on how to appeal.

Processing times are not standardised — they can range from a few weeks to several months. Apply well in advance of your intended travel date.

Once you arrive in Albania with your Type D visa:

1. Register your address — report to the local police or border and migration office to declare your address in Albania;
2. Apply for a residence permit — within the deadline specified in your visa (typically within the first days or weeks of arrival), submit your residence permit application at the regional Directorate of Border and Migration;
3. Obtain a personal identification number — if required for employment, business, or tax purposes;
4. Register with the tax authority — if you are conducting business or receiving Albanian-source income, register for tax purposes and engage an outsourced accountant to handle your tax obligations.

The Type D visa is a bridge to your residence permit. Do not let the visa expire without submitting your residence-permit application, or you may be considered in irregular status.

Based on our experience assisting clients with Albanian immigration procedures, these are the most frequent mistakes:

1. Confusing visa-free entry with a right to stay long-term
Many nationalities can enter Albania without a visa for up to 90 days. This does not authorise employment, business activity, or stays beyond 90 days. You still need a Type D visa for long-term purposes.

2. Submitting incomplete or incorrectly legalised documents
Missing apostilles, expired certificates, or uncertified translations are among the most common reasons for delayed or refused applications. Double-check every document before submission.

3. Applying at the wrong embassy
You must generally apply at the Albanian embassy in your country of residence, not necessarily your country of nationality. If there is no Albanian embassy in your country, check which embassy covers your jurisdiction.

4. Not obtaining preliminary authorisations
For employment visas, the work permit must be obtained before the visa application. Submitting a visa application without the required preliminary authorisation results in refusal.

5. Waiting too long to apply for a residence permit after arrival
The Type D visa grants entry but is not a residence permit. Failing to apply for a residence permit within the specified timeframe can result in fines or difficulties with future applications.

6. Not planning for processing times
Visa processing is not instant. Apply several months before your planned move to Albania, especially for categories that require preliminary authorisations.

7. Overlooking the health-insurance requirement
Some applicants focus on business and financial documents and forget that valid health insurance covering their stay in Albania is a standard requirement.

Visa fees and processing times are set by Albanian consular regulations and can vary by embassy, nationality, and visa category. Because these figures change periodically, we recommend verifying the current amounts directly with the embassy where you intend to apply.

General guidance:
- Visa fee: consult the specific Albanian embassy or consulate for the current fee schedule — fees may differ between embassies and may be payable in different currencies;
- Processing time: there is no legally guaranteed timeframe; in practice, processing can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months;
- Expedited processing: some embassies may offer expedited processing for an additional fee — this is not available at all missions;
- Fee refund: visa fees are generally non-refundable, even if the application is refused.

For the most up-to-date fee information, visit the website of the Albanian embassy in your country or the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.

If you are moving to Albania to start or manage a business, the D/BV (business/self-employment) category is typically the right choice. Here is how the process connects with business formation:

Before the visa application:
- Decide on your business structure — LLC (SHPK) or sole proprietorship;
- You can register the company at the NBC (QKB) through an authorised representative while you are still abroad — a notarised power of attorney enables a local representative to handle the registration;
- Obtain the company registration extract (NIPT certificate) from QKB — this becomes a key document in your visa application;
- Determine whether your activity requires a business licence.

After arrival with the D visa:
- Apply for your residence permit;
- Register for tax purposes and appoint an outsourced accountant to handle bookkeeping, tax declarations, and compliance;
- Open a business bank account (most banks require your residence permit or at minimum a valid D visa);
- Begin operations.

Our firm can assist with both the business-formation side and the administrative steps that follow. We coordinate with legal professionals for the immigration aspects and handle the accounting and tax setup ourselves.

The Type D visa is the first step in a two-stage process. The second step is obtaining a residence permit (leje qendrimi), which is the document that authorises your long-term stay in Albania.

Key differences:
- The visa is issued by the embassy abroad and allows you to enter Albania;
- The residence permit is issued by the Albanian border and migration authorities after you arrive and allows you to stay;
- The residence permit is renewable and can eventually lead to permanent residence or citizenship (under separate legislation).

After arriving in Albania with your D visa, you must apply for the residence permit at the regional Directorate of Border and Migration. The residence permit application requires many of the same documents as the visa, plus additional ones such as proof of registered address in Albania and, for business purposes, evidence of ongoing business activity.

For a complete guide to the residence permit process, see our article on Albania residence permits.

While Ekonomist Pro is an accounting and business-services firm (not an immigration law firm), we play a critical role in the business side of your move to Albania:

• Company formation — we handle LLC registration at the NBC (QKB), including drafting the articles of association, obtaining the NIPT, and registering the beneficial owner, even before you arrive in Albania;
• Sole proprietorship registration — if a simpler structure suits your needs;
• Documentation for visa applications — we prepare and provide the company registration extract, NIPT certificate, and other business documents that your embassy may require;
• Business licences — we identify and obtain any licences your activity requires;
• Ongoing accounting and tax compliance — once your business is operational, we manage bookkeeping, monthly tax declarations, VAT filing, payroll, and annual financial statements;
• Coordination with legal professionals — for immigration-specific questions (visa applications, residence permits, work permits), we work with trusted legal partners and can refer you to qualified immigration lawyers.

Looking for hands-on visa application support? See our dedicated Type D visa application service page for a step-by-step breakdown of what we handle, required documents, costs and timelines.

We provide a free initial consultation to assess your situation, explain the business-formation process, and outline the documents we can prepare to support your visa application.