How to get a Albania visa from South Africa

• The Albanian tourist visa is issued to those who intend to visit Albania for tourism or leisure.
• South Africans must secure a visa to travel to Albania. The application form for the visa must be completed online.
• Albania tourist and business visas are short stay visas. They are also known as the “Type C” visas.
• Travelers on this visa are entitled to stay for a maximum period of 90 days out of a 180-day period, from their date of first entry.
• The “Type C” visa type is Issued for one, two or multiple entries.
• The best time to apply for your Albania visa is 1-2 months before your travel date.
• For the visa application, you will need your original passport and not a copy of it.
• The Albania visa is stamped on your passport and will become one of your passport pages. Visa request cannot be processed without your original passport.
• In summary, the applicant must present the following documents:
• A duly completed visa application form. This application form must be completed online. The applicant will need to print and then sign the form after completion.
• One passport-sized photograph. The photo must be recent (not older than six months from the date of application) and must show full face.
• The passport photograph must be a high resolution photo with the size being 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm). The head must be between 1 -1 3/8 inches (25 – 35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head.
• A photocopy of a valid travel document or passport. The passport must be valid for at least three months more than the period of validity of the requested visa.
• A valid travel health insurance which covers the entire duration of the visa.
• For children under 18 years: A statement expressing the consent of a parent or legal guardian of the child for the trip, or the person responsible.
• Persons under 16 years old may apply for a visa permission or ask to enter in the Republic of Albania after getting permission from their legal custody and must be accompanied by adult persons.
• These persons must provide the pass-permission for children under 16 years old issued at alongside their passports.
• An invitation letter from the host living in Albania is needed. This letter should be accompanied with a photocopy of the host’s passport.
• If the host is a foreign citizen, the invitation must also include their Residence Permit in the Republic of Albania issued by the relevant Albanian Authority.
• It is important to note that the host must deposit a copy of this invitation letter at the relevant Regional Department for Border and Migration, where the host is living.
• The time-frame for the use of the tourist visa begins from the date of issuance.
• People issued this visa are strictly forbidden to work or have gainful activities.
  

• The Albanian business visa is issued to those who want to visit Albania for business and commercial purposes.
• A valid visa and an original signed passport is required. The passport has to be valid for 6 months beyond stay in Albania and must also have two blank passport pages for Albanian stamp(s).
• Two passport photographs should be added to the passport to be submitted.
• Proof of departure with a confirmed round-trip ticket is required.
• An introduction letter from the company you work at explaining the purpose and duration of the trip is to be submitted alongside the following:
• Documents that confirm the legitimate status of the company.
• Documents that prove the professional competence of the company in the respective countries it is situated.
• The company's business certificate.
• There should also be proof of financial responsibility for the applicant by the company during the intended stay in Albania.
• A recent bank statement of the applicant is also needed.
• A letter of invitation signed by the host with a copy of identification documents is required.
• The invitation letter should include the following information:
• All personal information of the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)
• Everything about the planned trip (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) of visit, relations between the applicant and the inviting entity, financial source for expenditures).
• All details of the inviting entity (name, contact number, address, official stamp, signature of the legal representative of the entity, etc).
• If the host is also a foreigner, then a copy of the host’s residence permit is to be submitted to the Albanian authority.
• The time-frame for the use of the business visa also begins from the date of issuance.
• Those issued this visa are expected to exercise gainful activities with evidence.

• The transit visa allows foreigners to make short stays in the country.
• Applicants of this visa aim to take a connecting flight from Albania to their destination country.
• This visa allows seamen to join a crew ship in a port in Albania.
• For seamen, the name of the ship you are joining and the port from which you'd be joining it should be indicated in a letter from the maritime agency in the country.
• The visa and flight ticket to the destination country should also be provided.
• This visa cannot be used for tourism purposes.
• Holders of this visa are expected to leave the country before the expiry of their visa.
• Receipt of paid visa application fees should be provided.
• This visa is valid for 24 hours only.

The Albanian visa is considered one of the easiest to get. It is advised to start the visa processing about two months before the planned travel time.

Albania has a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and generally mild winters, especially on the coast. There are also the mountainous parts of Albania where winter can be very harsh. Generally, the weather is mostly cold in Albania so it is advised to prepare adequately for such.