Albania visa requirements for South Africans

Travel and visa requirements

Basic Travel Requirements for South Africans visiting Albania

Travelers are required to fulfill the following requirements in order to apply for a Albanian Visa.

About Albania

Albania Visa for South Africans

Facts about Albania

Albania is a magnificent vacation destination for tourists. It has a small surface area but it's an excellent holiday destination. You can explore the Albanian Alps if you are feeling adventurous, or sip a cold cocktail on one of the country’s beaches along the Adriatic or the Ionian Sea.

Tourism in Albania has been dubbed “Go Your Own Way”. The country is known for its beaches and mountainous landscape. Tourists in the country have the luxury of choosing from one of the country’s many destinations for hiking and skiing. The country also has many castles, museums and archeological sites where tourists can go to view artifacts and learn about their significance. Those who enjoy a vibrant nightlife can choose the Albanian Riviera as their destination. 
 
Albania is the 25th most visited country in Europe, with an average of 3.8 million foreign tourists yearly. Tourism in Albania is expected to skyrocket in the next few years with a number of renowned international hotel chains making their presence known in the country.
 
Avoid the usage, possession, and trafficking of drugs, the punishment for drug-related offenses are severe. Foreigners are not allowed entry or exit from the country with more than 1,000,000 Lek or its equivalent in any currency.

Types of Albania Visa

Types of Visa Processing Time Duration of Stay
Tourist visa 15 days 90 days
Business visa 15 days 90 days
Transit visa 15 days 24 hours

General Requirements for Albania Visa

About Albania

Albania Tourist visa Albania Business visa Albania Transit visa

Albania Tourist Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • 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. 

Albania Business Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • 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. 

Albania Transit Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • 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.

Albania Visa Fees

Visa Type

Sub Types

Visa Fees

Tourist visa

25.00 (USD)

Business visa

null

25.00 (USD)

Transit visa

25.00 (USD)

Albania Visa Application Centres & Embassies in South Africa

Location

Address

Johannesburg

Shop G57, Fourways Mall, Bryanston, Houghton, Johannesburg, South Africa.

+27 11 884 1617

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an Albanian visa difficult to get?

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.

How many days does it take to get an Albanian visa?

It takes roughly fifteen days to get the visa processed after all necessary documents have been tendered and all other requirements are met.

Is Albania a safe country to visit?

Albania is considered to be one of the safest countries in Europe to visit.  It is however advised that certain measures should be put in place by travelers to ensure their own safety.

What is the best time of year to visit Albania?

It is best to visit Albania between May and June or September and October. The weather will be perfect for sight-seeing, mountain climbing and water lovers can also go to the beach. 

What is Albanian weather like?
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.
How does a South African citizen apply for an Albanian visa? Apparently the embassy closed down in South Africa?
Hi there, Is Albania accepting South African tourists now? Thanks?
Good day I am based in Cape Town, South Afrca and am attempting t find out about travel to Albania & obtaining a visa. Am I able to do so from Cape Town ? or would I have to present at the embassy in Johannesburg ??
Do South Africans need a tourist visa for Albania if you have a 10 year USA and a 10 year UK tourist visa? If not where do I apply for a visa??
Have a UK multiple entry visa for 10 years do I need a visa for Albania for 14days?
Hey please help my my flight is on the 20 August and I need to get a visit visa please help?
Please advice your position re tourists with a preventative healthy lifestyle, clean bill of health that do not accept vaccinations as tourists but also potential property investments?
Please advice your position re tourists with a preventative healthy lifestyle, clean bill of health that do not accept vaccinations as tourists but also potential property investors?
Please advice your position re tourists with a preventative healthy lifestyle, clean bill of health that do not accept vaccinations not only as tourists but also as potential property investors?
Hi there. I am in South Africa with a UK indefinite leave to remain visa. I am married to a British citizen and would like to know how to go about with this application to meet him in Albania.?
I cannot reach you on the number provided. Please can I have a contact number?
I would like to apply for a visa to Albania. Can you help??
How can I apply to stay in Albania?
Hello, If I am a South African with a 10 year multiple entry USA tourist visa do I still need to apply for a tourist visa to visit Albania. And if I do need to apply can I do everything online as I am not currently in South Africa.?
Do we have to go in person to the Albania embassy or can the visa application be submitted by a third person?
Good morning. I am a South African citizen living and working in the UK with a UK BRP. Do i need to apply for a visa to visit Albania? Thank you.?
how do i apply for Albanian visa?
If I as a Sout African have a multi entry shengen visa for Hungry. Do I still need a separate visa for Albania?
Good day....can you kindly advise as to what the process is to obtain an Albanian visa....thks!?
I am South African. If I have a current US visa do o still need a visa to visit Albania on holiday??