Albania student visa and student residence permit

Article 46 of the Law on Foreigners covers foreigners admitted to a public or private higher education institution recognised by the Albanian state, or taking part in training or professional placements there. You must prove admission, sufficient knowledge of the language of the programme and enough money to live in Albania during your studies. For renewals you also show progress in your studies. School pupils in recognised exchange schemes or education projects receive a separate permit for the length of the scheme, renewable once.

For the D/ST visa e-Visa requires a photo of 47 x 36 mm, a passport scan valid three months beyond the visa with two blank pages, proof of language proficiency for the programme or admission to a preparatory language course, proof of accommodation in Albania (a self-declaration by the student, or a certificate from the university or another provider), and financial evidence of ALL 300,000 in a bank in the country of origin. The registration or admission document, issued after the university has verified your school records, and an invitation can be uploaded as well. Consular staff may test language skills in an interview.

For the residence permit e-Albania lists a passport copy, photo, proof of accommodation meeting housing standards, the admission document from the host institution, proof of sufficient funds, proof of language knowledge or admission to a preparatory course and proof that the tuition fees set by the institution have been paid.

The study visa requires evidence of ALL 300,000 for living and study costs in a bank in the country of origin. For residence permits that require proof of means, Decision No. 858 accepts a deposit certificate from a second-level bank in Albania of at least ALL 300,000 per person for a calendar year, or proof of a monthly income of at least ALL 32,000 per person. The D/ST visa fee follows the nationality table, EUR 35 where no other amount is set; the permit fee is invoiced by email. Citizens of Kosovo and ethnic Albanians from Serbia, Montenegro and North Macedonia studying in Albania pay no permit service fee, only the biometric card.

The residence permit application is filed online on e-Albania within 30 days of entering Albania, while you are in the country. The Border and Migration office checks it and, within 10 days, notifies any deficiencies, which you must complete within 30 days. Once the file is accepted you receive an emailed invoice for the permit fee, payable within 24 hours at any second-level bank, and you must post the original documents, two photos, the payment slip and the signed form within 7 days; otherwise the application is rejected. You then receive an electronically signed provisional permit valid for up to two months. The decision follows within 30 days; if approved, you appear at the local migration office to prove your identity and apply for the biometric residence card, and within 30 days of receiving it you register your address at the civil registry office.

The permit is renewed each year until the programme ends, filed within 60 days before expiry with proof of progress. After the first year you may work up to 15 hours a week, or the equivalent in days or months per year, outside study time and without AKPA approval; your employer notifies the start and end of the job through the tax system. During your studies the permit cannot be swapped for a work permit. After graduating you may apply for a Unique Permit if you meet the employment conditions, and graduates of Albanian institutions receive it regardless of the labour market. A separate residence permit lets graduates and researchers stay to look for work or start a business.

A permit can be refused or cancelled if you miss deadlines without good reason, cannot prove the conditions, are a threat to public order or security, obtained it with false documents, or stayed more than 180 days outside Albania within one year of the permit. The written refusal states the reasons, your obligations and the appeal route. You can appeal to the authority directly above the one that decided, within the deadlines of the Code of Administrative Procedures; the appeal must be decided within 30 days and the decision can be challenged in the administrative court. A visa D refusal is appealed within 5 working days to the Directorate for Consular Affairs.