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A UAE residence permit alone does not always get you into Albania visa-free. The foreign ministry names a 10-year UAE residence permit with at least a year of validity left, and some visas from the EU, the Schengen area, the US and the UK. We check which group you fall in and file the e-visa if you need one. Visa-free entry costs nothing.
The rule, as the ministry states it
The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs publishes the Albanian visa regime for foreign citizens. We read the page on . The groups that matter to someone living in the UAE are:
- A 10-year UAE residence permit. Foreign nationals holding a 10-year residence permit issued by the UAE authorities, with at least one year of validity remaining on the day they enter Albania, can enter visa-free.
- A Schengen visa or permit. A valid multiple-entry Schengen visa that has already been used in a Schengen state, or a valid Schengen residence permit. You must leave Albania no later than 3 days before the document expires.
- An EU, US or UK visa or permit. A valid multiple-entry visa or residence permit from an EU member state, the United States or the United Kingdom, where the visa was used before in the issuing country. Same 3-day rule.
- A passport that is visa-free in the Schengen area. Those nationals are also visa-free in Albania.
- Saudi and Qatari nationals. Visa-free for tourism only, from to , with a valid passport.
Iranian nationals always need a visa. Everyone else must get a visa before travelling.
The 10-year line is the one to read twice. A standard UAE residence visa of two or three years is not a 10-year permit. A 10-year golden residence is. If you are unsure which you hold, send us the front of the Emirates ID and the residence page, and we tell you.
Fees
| Route | Fee | Stay |
|---|---|---|
| 10-year UAE permit, one year left | None | Visa-free, as stated by the ministry |
| Schengen, EU, US or UK document, used before | None | Until 3 days before expiry |
| Type C visa, e-visa | Shown at checkout on e-visa.al | Up to 90 days in any 180 |
Source: Albania Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, visa regime page, checked . The e-visa site needs JavaScript and did not show its fee to us, so no figure is given. We read it for you and confirm before you pay.
Passport rules
If you do not need a visa, your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the day you plan to leave Albania and must have been issued within the last 10 years. If you do need a visa, it must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the visa expiry and have at least 2 blank pages. Old passports with stamps filled in are the common problem.
What the border may ask for
The ministry says officers may ask, as applicable, for:
- An invitation from a host in Albania.
- A return ticket or return reservation.
- Proof of accommodation for the stay.
- The e-visa or visa sticker, if you needed one.
- Proof of funds. The indicative figure is ALL 5,000 per day for adults and ALL 2,500 per day for minors, shown with bank statements or a savings passbook.
Carry these printed. The same rule applies to a family trip: every adult and child has to meet it.
Type C and Type D visas
A Type C short-stay visa lets you stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period, counted from first entry. It can be issued for one, two or multiple entries and may be valid for up to 5 years. A Type D long-stay visa is for staying more than 90 days in 180, and it is the visa you must hold to apply for a residence permit in Albania.
Where you apply
Albania's ministry says to apply online at e-visa.al or at the Albanian diplomatic mission nearest your country of origin or residence. There is an Albanian embassy in Abu Dhabi, and its site lists online consular services for Albanian citizens and an information section for foreigners. We prepare the e-visa file and file it online for you, so you do not have to visit the embassy to get an e-visa.
Where plans go wrong
- Assuming a normal UAE residence visa counts as a 10-year permit.
- A Schengen visa that was never used, so it does not qualify.
- A UK, US or EU visa that expires less than 3 days after your planned exit.
- An Iranian passport, which always needs a visa.
- A passport older than 10 years, even if it still has validity.
How it works with us
You send your passport, the UAE residence page and any Schengen, US or UK visa on WhatsApp or through the form on this page. An adviser matches them to the ministry's groups and tells you whether you can fly with no visa. If not, you get one total price before paying. The team prepares and files the e-visa and follows it until it is issued. DubaiVisaDesk.com is a private visa service. The Albanian authorities decide every visa and every entry.
If an e-visa is refused, Albania does not return its fee. Before you pay, your adviser tells you in writing which part of our total, if any, comes back in that case.
Official sources
- Albania Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, visa regime: visa-free groups, visa types, passport validity and border documents.
- Albania e-visa: online application and fee (needs JavaScript).
- Embassy of Albania in the UAE: embassy in Abu Dhabi.
Compare this with its neighbour on the Montenegro visa for UAE residents page, where UAE residence does not help. If you are applying for a Schengen visa first, see Schengen visa from Dubai. The UK visa from Dubai and US visa from Dubai pages cover the other documents the ministry accepts. More choices are in visas from Dubai and visa-free countries for UAE residents.
