🇮🇳India

🇦🇱AlbaniaIN-AL

India to Albania visa requirements

Q: Can I enter Albania without an e-visa if I have a Schengen visa?

Yes. If you hold a valid multiple-entry US, UK or Schengen (also Cyprus or Ireland) visa or residence permit that has been used at least once, you can enter Albania visa-free for up to 90 days. A single-entry or unused visa generally does not qualify.

Q: Is Albania part of the Schengen Area?

No. Albania is not a Schengen member and does not use the Schengen visa system; ETIAS also does not apply. Time spent in Albania does not count against your Schengen 90/180 allowance.

Q: How much does the Albania e-visa cost and how long does it take?

The standard Type C e-visa government fee is EUR 60, with processing typically taking about 5-15 working days. Apply at least 2-3 weeks before travel.

Q: How long can I stay in Albania?

Both the e-visa and the visa-free third-country-visa route allow a stay of up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

Q: Where is the official Albania e-visa website?

The official Government of Albania portal is e-visa.al. Be cautious of third-party sites that charge extra service fees on top of the EUR 60 government fee.

Indian ordinary passport holders need a visa for Albania, but can apply fully online for a Type C tourist e-visa (e-visa.al) for stays up to 90 days. As an alternative, holders of a valid, previously-used multiple-entry US, UK or Schengen visa/residence permit may enter visa-free for up to 90 days. There is no visa on arrival. As of mid-2026, Indian citizens with ordinary passports require advance authorization to visit Albania for tourism. The standard route is the official electronic visa (e-visa.al), a Type C short-stay visa applied for entirely online with no embassy visit, costing 60 EUR and processed in roughly 5-15 working days. It permits a stay of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Albania is NOT a member of the Schengen Area, so a Schengen visa is not automatically valid for entry and ETIAS does not apply. However, under Albania's longstanding facilitation policy (reaffirmed in 2026), Indian nationals who hold a valid multiple-entry US, UK, Schengen, Cyprus or Ireland visa or residence permit that has already been used at least once may enter Albania visa-free for up to 90 days. There is no visa-on-arrival channel; travelers without a qualifying third-country visa must obtain the e-visa before departure. Reports note Albania has actively courted Indian tourists, with arrivals rising sharply in 2025.

VISA REQUIREDTOURISMFLEXIBLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30

For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.

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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30

Visa type

Type C short-stay e-visa (electronic visa) for tourism; or visa-free entry if holding a valid, used multiple-entry US/UK/Schengen visa or residence permit

Maximum stay

Up to 90 days within any 180-day period

per entry

Entries

Single entry (standard e-visa); multiple-entry possible under third-country-visa exemption

from issue date

Visa fee

EUR 60 (standard Type C e-visa government fee)

consular fee only

Processing time

Approximately 5-15 working days (expedited options advertised by some services)

standard track

Validity

e-visa valid up to 180 days from issuance; stay capped at 90 days

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Check if you qualify for visa-free entry

If you hold a valid multiple-entry US, UK, Schengen, Cyprus or Ireland visa or residence permit that has been used at least once, you can enter Albania visa-free for up to 90 days and skip the e-visa.

· Optional· Saves the e-visa fee

/02

Confirm passport validity

Ensure your Indian passport is valid for at least the duration of stay (commonly 3+ months beyond departure is recommended) and has blank pages.

· Before applying

/03

Apply on the official e-visa portal

Go to the official Government of Albania portal at e-visa.al, register an account and select the Type C tourist/short-stay visa.

· Online only· No embassy visit

/04

Complete the form and upload documents

Enter biographic details exactly as in your passport and upload required documents (passport scan, photo, accommodation and travel proof) as PDF/JPG under 5MB each.

· Accuracy matters

/05

Pay the visa fee and submit

Pay the EUR 60 government fee by international credit/debit card and submit the application for review.

· EUR 60

/06

Receive approval and travel

Wait for the approved e-visa by email (typically 5-15 working days), print a copy, and carry it with supporting documents to present at the Albanian border.

· Print confirmation· Carry supporting docs

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

13 items

Personalized checklist

India -> Albania · Type C short-stay e-visa (electronic visa) for tourism; or visa-free entry if holding a valid, used multiple-entry US/UK/Schengen visa or residence permit

0 / 13 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RecommendedIndian passport valid for the trip (3+ months beyond departure recommended) with blank pages

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

required

RequiredCompleted online application on e-visa.al

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

required

RequiredRecent passport-style photograph (digital upload)

Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route

required

RequiredScanned passport bio-data page

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

required

RequiredConfirmed accommodation booking (hotel or host details)

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

required

RequiredReturn or onward flight ticket

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

required

RecommendedProof of sufficient funds for the stay

Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances

recommended

RecommendedTravel/medical insurance covering Albania

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

recommended

RequiredEUR 60 payment via international credit/debit card

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

required

OptionalValid used multiple-entry US/UK/Schengen visa (only if using the visa-free route instead of e-visa)

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

optional

RequiredOfficial application form or online application

Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed

Use the current form from the official or designated application channel.

RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary

Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it

Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.

RecommendedTravel medical insurance

Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates

Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.

Official sourcesVisa policy of Albania - Wikipedia Official Government of Albania e-Visa portal Business Today - No Schengen visa needed: Albania opens easier entry for Indian travellers (Jan 2026)

Application link included: Visa policy of Albania - Wikipedia

Open link

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

Type C e-visa government feeEUR 60Standard tourist/short-stay electronic visa fee on e-visa.al

Expedited processing (optional)VariesSome platforms advertise faster review for an extra charge

Third-country-visa routeEUR 0No Albanian visa fee if entering visa-free with a valid used US/UK/Schengen visa

Card/processing surchargeVariesInternational card payment fees may apply

Total estimate0 — EUR 60+incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Standard e-visa processing

5-15 working days

Official e-visa.al review; apply at least 2-3 weeks before travel to be safe

Expedited processing

1-3 business days

Advertised by some service providers for an additional fee; not guaranteed by all

Visa-free entry (third-country visa)

Immediate

No processing needed if holding a valid, used multiple-entry US/UK/Schengen visa

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

Tourism and sightseeing

Beaches on the Albanian Riviera, UNESCO sites and budget-friendly Mediterranean travel make Albania a popular alternative to Schengen destinations for Indians.

High

/02

Easier entry than Schengen

Indians use Albania's online e-visa or third-country-visa exemption to avoid the lengthier Schengen visa process.

High

/03

Visiting friends and relatives

Meeting family or acquaintances residing in Albania.

Medium

/04

Add-on to a Balkans trip

Combining Albania with nearby Montenegro, Kosovo or North Macedonia on a multi-country itinerary.

Medium

/05

Short business or conference visit

Attending meetings or events on a short-stay basis.

Low

/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01

Immigration

Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.

/02

Customs

Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.

/03

Connectivity

Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.

/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024

2026-05-30 · major

India to Albania route verified

Confirmed against Albania's official e-visa policy and 2026 reports: Indian ordinary passport holders need a Type C e-visa (e-visa.al, EUR 60, up to 90 days/180), or may enter visa-free with a valid used multiple-entry US/UK/Schengen visa. Albania is not in Schengen; ETIAS does not apply.

/09 — The questions