Albania is considered a magical land with all sorts of necessities. The country is known for its gorgeous landscapes and delicious cuisines. Therefore, each year millions of tourists visit Albania for both fun and business purposes.
While some foreign nationals enjoy visa exemptions, others must obtain travel authorization to enter Albania. Unfortunately, Afghan citizens are one of them. In order to enter Albania, all Afghan nationals are required to have a valid visa beforehand!
Types of Albania Visas
The Albanian government offers different categories of visas for different nationality holders. They provide both traditional visas as well as electronic travel documents. To Afghans, Albania only offers traditional visas. Afghan nationals can apply for the following types of traditional visas:
Tourist Visa
If a citizen of Afghanistan wants to enter Albania for tourism and leisure purposes, they are required to have a tourist visa. A tourist visa permits holders to visit the country to:
Spend vacations
Explore the country
Visit friends and family members
Albania tourist visa allows holders to stay in the country for 90 days within a 180-day period.
Business Visa
Alternatively, Afghan passport holders can also apply for an Albania business visa. This travel document stays valid for 180 days and allows you to stay in the country for 90 consecutive days.
Albania business visa is for those who want to enter the country to attend seminars, conferences, and business meetings, as well as enroll in a training program.
Required Documents to Apply for an Albania Visa
As Albania offers different types of visas for different purposes, the required documents vary as well. Following are the most important things Afghan nationals require to apply for an Albania visa:
Visa Application Form - You need to fill out the visa application form by providing personal details, passport information, contact details, as well as travel plans.
Photograph - Afghan citizens must have a digital photograph taken within the last 6 months.
Health Declaration Form - You'll need a health document showing a negative PCR test. The test must be issued within 72 hours prior to the departure.
COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate - It's recommended to get a COVID-19 vaccination certificate beforehand to avoid self-isolation. The vaccinated travelers must obtain their certificate at least 14 days before departure.
Valid Passport - You need to provide a copy of your valid passport with at least 6 months of remaining validity and 2 blank pages for stamps.
Itinerary - Instead of buying a hotel reservation, you should get a travel itinerary to and from Afghanistan.
Travel Bookings - A round-trip flight reservation for Albania.
Besides these, you might need some additional documents depending on your purpose of visit. For instance, if you are entering Albania for business purposes, you'll need a business invitation letter, support letter, employment proof, and so on.
It's recommended to visit VisaHQ to check out the Albania visa requirements for Afghanistan before applying for a travel document.
Albania Visa Application Process
Unfortunately, Afghanistan citizens cannot apply for an Albania e-visa. This means you must visit the Albania embassy to get your travel document. Compared to an e-visa, the visa application process for a traditional visa is a little complex.
In a nutshell, you'll need to follow the following steps to get a traditional Albania visa:
Visit the nearest Albania embassy or consulate office
Fill out an Albania visa application form
Provide required documents along with your passport
Pay the visa fee
Submit your application at the Albania embassy
Afterward, the embassy will process your visa applications. If everything is done properly, you'll get a notification via email. Next, visit the embassy again and pick up your passport and visa.
The processing time for an Albania visa varies from applicant to applicant. On average, you might need to wait for at least 15-30 days to get your travel document. Also, if there are issued with your visa application, your travel document will more likely be delayed or denied.
Travel to Albania - Entry Requirements
Once you get your visa, you can travel to Albania. Keep in mind that a visa does not guarantee your entry to the country. The final decision will be made by the immigration officers. Therefore, make sure to fulfill all the entry requirements while traveling to Albania.
First of all, you need to be fully vaccinated to enter the country. If you get your COVID-19 vaccination certificate beforehand, you can avoid self-isolation!
Also, make sure your passport is valid while traveling to the country. It is recommended to have a passport with at least 6 months of remaining validity beyond the expiry date of the visa. This is because if your passport expires, your visa will automatically expire as well. Afterward, you'll need to apply for an Albanian visa from the start!