Albania

When traveling to Albania, your nationality and the types of activities you will conduct during your trip will determine whether you may travel lawfully as a business visitor or if you must obtain work authorization. Please seek advice from your immigration counsel if you are uncertain about the specific types of activities that constitute business or work.

What types of activities may I engage in as a business visitor?

As a business visitor to Albania, you may engage in the activities below. While this list is not exhaustive and other activities could qualify as business, you may:

• » Attend business meetings
• » Buy goods for sale outside the country
• » Tour a company facility
• » Attend a conference, trade show, or seminar convention

If I qualify as a business visitor, do I need a visa for Albania?

Nationals of Canada, the European Union, the United States, and many other select countries are eligible for a visa waiver and are not required to obtain a visa to enter and conduct business activities in Albania.

Foreign nationals who have permanent residence in a country of the European Union, the European Economic Area, or in Switzerland, or who hold a valid multiple-entry Schengen C Visa, are also eligible to enter Albania under a visa waiver.

If your nationality is not eligible for a visa waiver, you will be required to obtain a Type C Visa from an Albanian Embassy or Consulate, or an e-visa via the online portal prior to travel. Please consult with your immigration counsel before traveling to determine your eligibility for a visa waiver or Type C Visa.

What types of activities require work authorization?

The activities below, whether paid or unpaid, generally constitute work under Albanian law. This list is not exhaustive, and many other professional activities are considered work in Albania, even if conducted for a short duration.

• » Hands-on technical work
• » Repairs and maintenance
• » Consulting

 
In limited circumstances, foreign nationals may engage in certain professional activities on a short-term basis without obtaining work authorization, although strict preconditions must be met. An individual assessment is required before deciding whether an exemption is applicable.

If I am traveling to Albania for work, what type of work authorization do I need?

The requirements for work authorization depend on your qualifications, on the nature and duration of your work, and on whether your employer has an entity in Albania. The most common types of work authorization for Albania are:

• » Work Registration Certificate (short-term work authorization for professional and technical activities)
• » Work Permit Type A/P (work authorization for local hires)
• » Work Permit Type A/TN (work authorization for intra-company transfers)
• » Work Permit Type C (work authorization for the provision of specialized, contractual services)

Is it possible to be exempted from work authorization requirements?

There are no nationalities that are entirely exempt from work authorization requirements in Albania. However, nationals of the European Economic Area, the European Union, Switzerland, and the United States (and their family members) are eligible for an alternative work authorization process. Please contact your immigration counsel prior to travel for additional information regarding eligibility and requirements.

Inevitably, the legal and strategic considerations impacting visa selection, as well as visa waiver and work authorization eligibility, entail the careful consideration of many factors. We recommend that you consult with your immigration counsel before taking any course of action.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. Government immigration agencies often change their policies and practices without notice; please consult an immigration professional for up-to-date information. This document does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. BAL maintains comprehensive immigration information and processing specifics for our clients.