We hope this information helps you in your journey towards working and living in Albania with ease and confidence.
In order to work and reside within the borders of Albania, foreign nationals must secure a distinct permit. This documentation is granted by the authorities governing border and migration matters, enabling non-domestic individuals to legally reside in Albania for purposes related to employment. Such purposes comprise of intra-company transfers, self-employment, functioning as mobile digital employees, investment within the nation, vocational training, or service provision.
To acquire this specific permit, applicants must adhere to the predetermined legal guidelines and supplementary acts. The approval procedure follows a two-stage process:
Initially, the National Employment Agency is required to sanction the employment of the international individual. Subsequently, the pertinent regional border and migration authority either approves or denies the issuance of the distinct permit.
It should be noted that specific classifications of foreign nationals are not obliged to obtain clearance from the National Employment Agency. This encompasses citizens from European Union and Schengen area countries as well as their immediate family members, United States citizens along with their families, and individuals from Western Balkan nations (these include Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, Serbia, and North Macedonia). The exception arises in cases where professional roles specifically necessitate Albanian citizenship.
Moreover, foreign nationals staying in Albania for up to one month within a yearly period are excluded from seeking approval. This is relevant to individuals engaged in negotiating agreements or overseeing trade-oriented events, business visitors, ship or airplane crew members, lecturers, researchers or foreign specialists visiting Albania under intergovernmental agreements.
We understand that moving to a new country for work can be daunting, and we’re here to help simplify the process for you. In Albania, any foreigner looking to work must acquire either a work permit or a work registration certificate. As stated in law Nr. 108/2013 FOR FOREIGNERS and various Council of Ministers decisions, e-Albania’s “Residence Permit Request” electronic service is designed to assist foreign citizens who are residing legally in Albania in applying for a residence permit.
Once the necessary conditions and documents are verified, the foreign citizen will be kindly notified to present themselves at the regional authorities responsible for border and migration in their area of residence. Keep in mind that certain categories of foreigners are exempt from obtaining a work permit or an Employment Declaration Certificate, as long as they stay in Albania for no more than one month within any given year :
(i) Foreigners who are negotiating an agreement or supervising a trade event stall;
(ii) Business visitors;
(iii) Crew members of ships or aircrafts;
(iv) Lecturers, researchers foreign specialist and educators who come into Albania
in the ambit of bilateral governmental agreements or agreements with educational
institutions;
(v) Employees of humanitarian organizations operating in Albania in the ambit of international programs of cooperation.
Work permits are classified as follows:
- type “A/P” for employees;
- type “A/PS”, for seasonal work;
- type “A/TN”, for employees transferred within the company;
- type “A/S “, for students;
- type “A/NK” for cross-border employment;
- type “A/FP” for professional training;
- type “A/SHV”, for foreigners providing volunteer services;
- type “A/AF” for family reunion;
- type “A/KL”, for highly skilled workers;
- type “A/SP”, for athletes;
- type “A/PSH” for domestic workers;
- type “B/VP”, for the self-employed;
- type “B/I” for investors;
- type “C/CS”, for contractual services;
- type “D”, for foreigners who obtain permanent work permit.
According to the law the following documents must be submitted online to obtain the work and resident permit:
– Personal request;
– Extract of the National Registration Center proving the registration of the employer;
– Original copy of the Employment Contract;
– Notarized copy of the lease contract for the premises where the applicant is residing;
– Copy of the passport;
– three (3) photos.
The official fee to be paid for the resident permit to be download and paid first.
However, depending on the type of the work and resident permit, additional documents may be requested. The residence permit will be issued within 60 days from the application. All official documents executed shall be translated into Albanian language and certified by an Albanian public notary.
Foreigners entering the Republic of Albania without a visa may stay within the Albanian territory up to 90 days for a period of 180 days from the date of their entrance into the Albanian territory. In case the said term is exceeded the residence permit is required. In order to obtain the residence, permit the application must be filed 60 days prior to the expiring of the staying term (i.e., within 30 days from the first entry for foreigners entering the country without visa).
The following types of residency permits are issued by the Albanian migration authorities:
- Type A (non renewable residence permit which allows the holder to stay in the Republic of Albania for its term of validity);
- Type B (renewable residence permit which allows the holder to stay in the Republic of Albania for its term of validity);
- Type C (permanent residence permit);
- Type S (residence permit issued to seasonal workers for periods of six months);
- Type Card Blue AL (renewable residence permit issued to highly qualified employees); and
- Type Card Blue AL-C (permanent residence permit issued to highly qualified employees).
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