Dienstleistungen des Konsularischen Sektors der Botschfaft

Festnetztelefonnummer : + 41-31 9526010 /  0041 77 416 430 Montag bis Freitag, Uhr 10.30 bis 15.00 Uhr

E-Mail : embassy.bern@mfa.gov.al

Die Notrufnummer +41 77 40 99 729

Dienstleistungen nur online über die Platform Online Konsular Service

http://www.punetejashtme.gov.al/en/services/consular-services-online

Albania’s Visa Regime for Foreign Citizens

Visa regime for foreign citizens is defined in Law 108/13, “On Foreigners”, as well as Government decision 513/13, “On the Treatment of Foreigners”, as changed.

1) Do not need an entry visa to Albania:

a.)Swiss citizens may enter Albania with a valid Passport or ID card. Swiss citizens travel visa free to Albania;

b.)All foreigners who are equipped with a valid Swiss residence permit type B or C. In such cases the passport is needed together with the residence permit;

c)All foreigners who are equipped with a valid, multi entry Schengen visa which has been previously used in one of the countries of the Schengen area, or who are equipped with a valid residence permit in one of the Schengen area countries;

d)All foreign citizens who are equipped with a valid, multiple entry USA or United Kingdom visa which has previously been used in one of the above mentioned countries, or who possess a valid USA or United Kingdom residence permit.

2)Foreign citizens from Saudi Arabia, Belorussia, Georgia, Qatar, Oman and Russia may enter the territory of the Republic of Albania without short term visa (type C) for tourism purposes for the period between May 15-November 1;

Citizens from Bahrein, may enter the territory of the Republic of Albania without a short term visa (type C) for tourism purposes in the period between June 10- November 1, 2016 3) A visa D is necessary for those foreigners who intend to remain more than 90 days during a six-month period (90/180 days) and who intend to apply to the migration authorities for a residence permit.

Legalization and Apostillation of documents All documents issued by the Albanian administration intended to be used abroad should be legalized. Foreign documents to be presented to our authorities should be legalized as well. Legalization of documents in our missions and the MFA Legalization is the procedure of recognition of foreign document’s regularity. For this, the consular diplomats confirm the responsible functionary and the institution, namely by verifying the signature and seal. Beforehand, the issuing authority should have informed the persons who have the right to issue documents and deposit their signatures. The responsible authorities for the legalization of documents for each foreign country can be found on the official websites of foreign ministries. The legalization of the Albanian documents to be used abroad and legalization of foreign documents to be submitted to the Albanian authorities is regulated by DCM. 134, dated 07/03/2003. Attached: List of countries that require legalization of documents: List of countries with legalization Apostillation of Documents Albania is a member of the Hague Convention “On the abolition of legalization of foreign public documents” of 5 October 1961, which means that the Albanian documents that will be used in member countries of the same Convention, and vice versa, will not be legalized by diplomatic and consular representations. For more: http://www.hcch.net/index_en.php?act=text.display&tid=37 Under this Convention, the documents are provided with an apostille stamp by the relevant authority of the country where they are issued and can then be used directly at the relevant institution (Public Records Office, court, educational institution, etc.) of the host country. Authorities responsible for the apostillation of documents can be found at: http://www.hcch.net/index_en.php?act=conventions.authorities&cid=4 Relevant Institutions In Albania, the relevant authority for the legalization and apostillation of documents is the MFA, Consular Department. In other countries it can be the Foreign Ministry, Ministry of Justice, or various local structures. The authorities responsible for the legalization of documents for each foreign country can be found on the official websites of foreign ministries. The authorities responsible for the apostillation of documents can be found at: http://www.hcch.net/index_en.php?act=conventions.authorities&cid=41 Submission of documents for legalization The submission of documents for legalization abroad is carried out directly at our missions abroad. The submission of documents for legalization in Albania is carried out through postal services.