Consular Services

If you have a genuine emergency, such as death in the family or you are stranded in an airport, send an email to the consular office (consular.london@mfa.gov.al) with “Emergency” in the email subject line.

If you are enquiring about a consular service, please first consult the relevant sections below, in particular:

• Section 1 – Visa Requirements for Foreign Citizens, also see this link:
  https://punetejashtme.gov.al/en/informacione-mbi-regjimin-e-vizave-te-shtetasve-te-huaj/
• Section 2 – Passport Validity when entering or exiting Albania.
• Section 5 – Services for Albanian Citizens

5.1 Passport or ID application

5.2 Emergency Travel Document

5.3 Registering a UK born child

5.4 Translations and notary

Our offices are generally open from 9am-5pm, Mon-Fri, except on public holidays in Albania (passport service is Mon-Thurs 9am-3pm, and on Fri 9am-1pm).

For other services or information, please consult our website or wait for a reply from our team.

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➤ SECTION 1:

Travel to Albania – Visa Regime

Foreign nationals without an Albanian passport, who have a valid, multiple-entry visa for the UK, USA, or Schengen countries (a visa which has been previously used), or a valid residence permit in those countries, may enter and stay in Albania for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. (Note: Iranian citizens must apply for a visa, regardless of the above, in all circumstances. Separately, there are some countries that, though in the EU, are not in the Schengen area; e.g. Ireland. A visa for work or residence in such countries, unless explicitly listed on the page/link above, does not exempt the passport holder from applying for a tourist visa to Albania.)

·         For general information about visa exemptions and categories:
https://punetejashtme.gov.al/en/regjimi-i-vizave-per-te-huajt/

·         For detailed information based on your citizenship and residence status:
https://punetejashtme.gov.al/en/informacione-mbi-regjimin-e-vizave-te-shtetasve-te-huaj/

·         To apply for a visa (Note: Do not make any travel plans until you obtain your visa!):
https://e-visa.al/

➤ SECTION 2:

Passport Validity

• • For Albanian passport holders:
    There is no legal minimum validity requirement for re-entry into Albania. The passport must simply be valid on the day of travel. (However, airlines may deny boarding if the passport is close to expiry or damaged. We advise checking with your airline before traveling.)
  • For foreign citizens who DO NOT need a visa:
    The passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the date of departure from Albania, and must have been issued within the last 10 years.
  • For foreign citizens who DO need a visa:
    The passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the duration of the requested visa;
    It must have at least 2 blank pages;
    It must be accompanied by a copy of the data pages.

➤ SECTION 3:

Travel Abroad for Albanian Citizens

For information on visa regimes for Albanian citizens:
https://punetejashtme.gov.al/regjimi-i-vizave-per-shtetasit-shqiptare-info/

➤ SECTION 4:

Investment and Tourism in Albania

·         Tourism: https://akt.gov.al/

·         Investment:

o    Albanian Investment Development Agency: https://aida.gov.al/en/

o    Albanian Investment Corporation: https://www.aicorporation.al/en

➤ SECTION 5:

Notice from the Consular Office
For any inquiries, you may write to: consular.london@mfa.gov.al

Fees (card payments only):

·         Passport: £130 ; ID card: £13 ; Emergency Travel Document: €30 (converted into £ using the Consulate’s monthly rate)

·         Lost document declaration or other certificates: €30

·         Power of attorney / notarial declaration: €20

·         Translations (per page): €10

Payments are made in Pound Sterling, using the conversion rate as specified by the Consulate (using the previous month’s average).

If you do not have a bank card to make payments for consular services, you may complete the payment through this webpage (please consult the consular office before making this payment): https://buy.stripe.com/7sI5om2Txa8S3v2aEK

NOTE:
Outside the Albanian Embassy in the UK, no person or agency has any special privilege or priority in consular processes. For complaints, contact: embassy.london@mfa.gov.al

5.1 Application Procedure for ID Card and Passport

1. Register on e-Albania using your personal number and the expiry date of your current ID card.
2. Log in and search for the service: “Application for ID card and passport”.
3. Select “Enter” and input your details.
4. Click “Use”, then “New Application”.
5. Complete the form and select an appointment date at the embassy.
6. Save the application number provided at the end.

On the day of the appointment, come with your documents (valid or expired). If unavailable, you may complete a loss declaration at the embassy.

Processing time: around 4 weeks (plus/minus a few days depending on postal service).
No expedited service is available in the UK. For urgent travel, apply for an Travel Document.

5.2 Application Procedure for Emergency Travel Document

1. Go to e-Albania, or enter “Leje Kalimi” on any search-engine (no login required); click on “Aplikim për leje kalimi (Laissez Passer)”.
2. Search for the service: “Aplikim për leje kalimi”.
3. Click “Përdor”, then “Aplikim i ri”.
4. Complete the online form.

Upload a passport-style photo (40x50mm, white background, clear face) and a copy of your ID document. You may take the photo with your phone. If you face difficulties, email your photo to: consular.london@mfa.gov.al

5.3 Registration of Children Born in the UK

The procedure begins in the United Kingdom or Ireland, and after the required documentation has been completed, either the parent(s) themselves or a close relative (to whom a special power of attorney is issued; see further details below) may complete the registration in Albania at the local civil registry office of the parent.

In Albania, for the registration you will be required to present the child’s British birth certificate, bearing an apostille stamp (in English, “Apostille”), issued by the Foreign Office (this can be arranged through local legal service offices in the UK or Ireland). For more information, please see: www.gov.uk/get-document-legalised
The birth certificate does not need to be translated.

If you are unable to travel to Albania yourself, you may issue a special power of attorney to a close relative in Albania to carry out this registration on your behalf.

The application for the power of attorney is made via e-Albania by selecting the option “Prokure e Posacme – Shumes”. Both parents must be present at our Consulate in London to sign.

After registration in Albania, the child may apply for an Albanian passport.
The application is submitted online through the parent’s account.

5.4 Document Translation and Notarisation

• The Embassy only translates documents issued in Albania (certificates, police clearances, etc.), which must first be apostilled.
• For other documents, translation must be done in Albania by a licensed translator, and then verified at the embassy.