Student Visa and Residence Permit for Albania: Type D Visa and Study Permit

Fee figures: catalogue of 6 October 2026.

Albania's rules for foreigners are in Law No. 79/2021 "On Aliens". Many nationalities can enter without a visa, but a stay for studies is longer than a visa-free stay allows, so every international student ends up with a residence permit issued by the border and migration authority. Whether you also need a visa first depends on your nationality.

Visa or visa-free

The list of countries whose citizens may enter without a visa is approved by the Council of Ministers. Visa-free visitors may stay 90 days within 180 days. Check your nationality with the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs or an Albanian consulate.

If a visa is required before you can get a residence permit, you need a type D visa. It is for stays over 90 days within 180 days, can be issued as a sticker or an electronic visa, and gives its holder the right to apply for the residence permit after entering. You may apply no earlier than 90 days before the planned arrival, at an Albanian consulate or through the electronic visa system (e-visa.al).

Albanian universities list these documents for the student visa:

proof of admission to the university;
proof that you can pay living costs and tuition;
travel health insurance for the visa period;
proof of accommodation;
proof of the language of instruction, or admission to a language course;
a criminal record certificate, legalised as required, listed by some universities.

The law limits the visa screening procedure to 15 days from receipt of the application. UNYT and Barleti say the visa fee is requested only after the first check of your application, so ask the consulate for the current amount. See student visa overview for Europe.

The study residence permit

Under Article 46 of the law:

a foreigner who studies at a public or private institution recognised by the Albanian state may apply for a residence permit;
the first permit is valid for up to one year and is renewed for one year at a time until you finish your studies;
you must show that the institution has admitted you, that you know the language of instruction well enough, and that you have enough money to live on;
for each renewal you must prove your study progress.

You must apply for the permit within 30 days of entering Albania (or within your visa-free stay), and apply to renew it within the 60 days before it expires. Once your application is accepted you receive a provisional permit that replaces the permit until it is issued. A permit valid for a year or longer also requires you to register at the civil registry of your local municipality, and to report any change of address.

For the amount of money, the University of Vlora's guide gives 300,000 lek per person for one academic year, shown as a bank deposit certificate or other evidence such as a grant, scholarship or work contract. The application also needs a photograph, a passport copy with the entry stamp, proof of accommodation and proof of admission. It starts online and is finished with paper documents sent by post; the university pages below describe the steps. Fees are set by Council of Ministers decisions, so ask the migration office.

Citizens of Kosovo and ethnic Albanians from Serbia, Montenegro and North Macedonia who come to study do not pay the state fee for the permit.

Working while you study

After the first year of studies, a student with a study permit may work after school hours or be self-employed for up to 15 hours a week, without authorisation from the National Agency for Employment and Skills. The employer must notify the authorities of the start and end of the job. During studies the student permit cannot be changed into a work permit. See working while studying in Europe.

After graduation

Article 51 of the law lets students stay for at least nine months after finishing their studies to look for a job or start a business, with a residence permit. The text applies to students whose qualification is not higher than level 7 of the European Qualifications Framework. The border and migration authority may ask for proof of your degree and, after three months, for proof that you have a real chance of finding work. Study years count as half their length towards the time needed for a long-term residence permit. Amendments to the law have been proposed, so check the current text.

Where to look next

Official sources

Always check current information on the official website of the university before you apply.