Foreigner citizens who are registered as employee in Albania or who are willing to be employed in Albania, according the Law “On Foreigners”, are granted with the right to apply and obtain Albanian Residence Permit. The procedure differs based on the type of residence permit and the citizenship of the applicant.
The information below is applied to citizens of the European Union, Kosovo, Norway, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States of America.
The validity of the application for residence permit lasts 3-6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 5 years or is indefinite. If applied for the first time, the validity of the permit lasts 1 year. The application fee is 10,000 ALL and the evaluation period requires a minimum duration of 30 days. The application can be submitted online, via the services of e-Albania. The applicant should search for the service “Kërkesë për leje qëndrimi”.
The required documentation for an application includes:
- The application form for residence permit. The application differs based on the motivation of the applicant’ stay in the Republic of Albania:
- – to work
- – family reunion
- – study
- – other reasons justified by documents
- – international protection.
At e-Albania, the applicant will choose the proper application form, based on the motive of his stay in Albania. The documentation required differs based on the various type of residence permit the applicant is applying for. An updated list of documents following the situation is provided by e-Albania. Once the applicant choses the suitable residence permit application form, the electronic system will direct him at the specific documentation he/she is required to upload in the system.
Some of these documents may be the following:
- 5 photos of the applicant, with dimensions 47 mm x 36 mm. the photos must be taken earlier than 6 months from the application date submission.
- Copy of the valid travel document (passport) which should be valid at least three months more than the duration of the validity of the residence permit for which it is being applied.
- A notarised copy of the accommodation document in Albania.
- Proof of legal status/ criminal record issued by the authority of the country of origin. The document should have the Apostille Stamp, or should be notarised at the Embassy of Albania in the country of origin.
- Proof of health insurance in Albania, or Attestation from Tax Authorities that proves payment of social and health insurance.
- Copy of work permit issued within the last 3 months.
- Notarised copy of the employment agreement.
- Attestation from the Tax Authority for the employer.
- Extract of the company and its NIPT number.
The application is sent to the Regional Border and Migration Office. The applicant delivers the application in person, if he/she applies for a permit for the first time. This institution receives and assess the application. It has the right to require the applicant to submit more information and documents. After evaluating the application, the Regional Border and Migration Office approves or disapproves the residence permit within 30 days from the application submission date.
* This tip was prepared based on information provided by the Information Packages of ADISA on foreign citizens and e-Albania. For more information, please visit the sites, or contact the Centre for Information on Public Services at ADISA at the telephone number 0800 0118, free of charge, from Monday to Friday, during 08:00 – 19:00.