Albania Visa Requirements & Fees from Dubai 2026

The following documents are required for an Albania short-stay visa application from Dubai. Every item must be present and in English (Arabic documents require certified translations). A single missing document can result in your application being returned without processing.

1. 1Valid passport — minimum 3 months' validity beyond your planned departure from Albania. At least 2 blank pages available. Issued within the last 10 years. Submit original plus photocopies of the biographical page and any previous visa/travel stamps.
2. 2Completed Albania visa application form — filled in English, printed, and signed by hand. Ensure all fields are completed and personal details exactly match your passport.
3. 3Two biometric passport photographs — 35mm x 45mm, white background, taken within the last 6 months. Must meet ICAO standards (see Photo Specifications section below).
4. 4Valid UAE residence visa — at least 3 months' validity beyond your return date. Original plus clear photocopy.
5. 5Emirates ID — original for verification, plus photocopy of both sides.
6. 6Travel medical insurance — covering medical emergencies, hospitalisation, and repatriation for your entire stay in Albania. Minimum EUR 30,000 coverage is recommended though not always strictly mandated.
7. 7Round-trip flight reservation — confirmed itinerary showing entry into and departure from Albania. Do not purchase non-refundable tickets before visa approval.
8. 8Proof of accommodation — hotel bookings covering every night of stay, or an invitation letter from an Albanian host with a copy of their Albanian ID and proof of address.
9. 9Bank statements — last 3 months of personal bank statements stamped by the bank. A closing balance of at least AED 5,000-10,000 is recommended, with approximately EUR 50 per day of travel as a general benchmark.
10. 10Employment letter — on company letterhead, stating your name, job title, monthly salary, date of joining, and approved leave dates. Signed by an authorised signatory with company stamp.
11. 11Cover letter — explaining the purpose of your Albania visit, your planned itinerary, and your ties to the UAE.

Albania visa fees are among the most affordable for European destinations. The fee structure is simple and transparent, with no VFS service charges since Albania does not operate through the VFS Global network for UAE-based applications.

Your Albania visa photographs must meet standard international passport photo requirements. Photos that do not comply will result in your application being returned. Most professional photo studios in Dubai, Al Ain, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi can produce compliant photos.

• Size: 35mm wide x 45mm high (standard passport photo size)
• Background: plain white or very light grey — no patterns, shadows, or coloured backgrounds
• Recency: taken within the last 6 months
• Expression: neutral facial expression, mouth closed, eyes open and clearly visible
• Head position: face centred, looking directly at the camera, no tilting
• Glasses: remove all eyewear — glasses are not permitted even if prescription
• Head coverings: permitted only for religious reasons, but the full face from forehead to chin must be clearly visible
• Quality: printed on matte or semi-matte photo paper, sharp and in focus, no creases or marks

Based on OraVisa's experience processing Albania visa applications, the following are the most frequent mistakes that lead to delays, additional document requests, or outright refusals. Each is avoidable with proper preparation.

• Not checking Schengen/US/UK visa exemption first — many UAE residents already hold a visa that gives them visa-free access to Albania, making a separate application unnecessary
• Passport with insufficient validity — your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure from Albania, not just your arrival date
• Bank statements with insufficient funds or suspicious large deposits — the embassy wants to see consistent income, not a sudden influx before the application
• Missing or expired UAE residence visa — your residence visa must be valid when you travel, not just when you apply
• Hotel bookings with date gaps — every night of your stay must be covered by confirmed accommodation bookings
• Flight reservation dates that do not match hotel bookings or application form dates — consistency across all documents is critical
• Generic or vague cover letter — mention Albania specifically, reference your planned itinerary, and explain your ties to the UAE
• Photographs that do not meet specifications — wrong size, coloured background, wearing glasses, or older than 6 months

Albania visa processing is generally faster than Schengen applications, with most decisions made within 5-15 working days. However, the timeline can vary depending on the season, the specific embassy or consular mission handling your application, and the completeness of your document file.