GoAlbania Visa Requirements

Visa Entry

Chinese mainland residents holding diplomatic passports, official passports, official ordinary passports, and ordinary passports can enter Albania visa free. The Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Albania on Mutual Exemption of Visa Requirements for Personnel Holding Official Ordinary and Ordinary Passports has come into effect on March 18, 2023. According to the agreement, citizens of the two countries holding valid official passports of the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Albania are exempt from visa application if they stay in each other's country for no more than 90 days every 180 days from the date of entry.

Individuals planning to travel to Afghanistan must bring the following documents into the country:

1、 A regular passport with a validity period of no less than 3 months upon departure from Afghanistan;

2、 Invitation letter issued by the guarantor or inviter within the country (mandatory for non hotel guests);

3、 Round trip transportation ticket;

4、 Accommodation certificate;

5、 Proof of Funds: The amount is equivalent to 50 euros per day for adults and 25 euros per day for minors in Albanian currency Lek, or foreign currency cash that can be exchanged within Albania, or a credit card with a credit limit that meets the above requirements.

Please refer to the Albanian government resolution bulletin https://qbz.gov.al/eli/vendim/2019/12/18/816

Customs epidemic prevention and control

1、 In addition to alcohol, tobacco, perfume and other goods, goods with a total value of no more than 45 euros can be sent to Albania duty-free.

2、 Limited entry and exit items:

When entering or leaving the country, tourists over 15 years old carrying personal belongings (excluding cigarettes and alcohol) with a total value not exceeding 300 euros (by land) or 430 euros (by air or sea), and tourists under 15 years old not exceeding 150 euros, are exempt from customs duties. Carrying items exceeding the above-mentioned value or for commercial purposes requires declaration to customs. Customs has the right to require passengers to display all items they carry. Carrying items exceeding the above value but not for commercial purposes can be declared through a simplified procedure.

Tobacco products: 200 regular cigarettes, 100 small cigars (each weighing no more than 3 grams), 50 cigars, or a combination of the above tobacco products weighing no more than 250 grams.

Alcoholic products: distilled spirits with an alcohol concentration exceeding 22%, alcoholic beverages, and 1 liter of ethanol spirits with an alcohol concentration exceeding 80%; 2 liters of distilled spirits and beverages with an alcohol concentration not exceeding 22%; 2 liters of sparkling wine; 10 liters of beer.

Coffee: 3 kilograms.

Perfume: 50 grams or 0.25 liters of cologne.

Medication: Reasonable personal use.

Note: Passengers under the age of 17 do not have the right to carry the above quantity of tobacco and alcohol for free.

3、 Passengers carrying cash exceeding 1 million leks (approximately 8600 euros), or equivalent value foreign currency, negotiable instruments, precious metals or gemstones, cultural relics entering or leaving the country must voluntarily declare the amount and purpose of carrying and provide corresponding proof documents. Otherwise, once discovered, they may face fines and up to 2 years in prison.

Note: When submitting the declaration form, proof of the source of the declared item must also be submitted.

4、 Carrying cultural heritage or artworks out of the country requires declaration.

Individuals exporting cultural heritage or art from within Afghanistan must declare to customs, present their passport, and submit relevant permits issued by the Afghanistan National Cultural Property Liquidation Center or the Ministry of Culture.

Residency and Naturalization

1、 Residence

Individuals who plan to stay in Afghanistan for more than 90 days (within 180 days) should apply for a "D" category long-term visa from the Embassy of Afghanistan in China. Within 30 days from the date of entry, they must apply for a short-term residence permit from the Afghan Border and Immigration Bureau. Economic, trade, and employment personnel also need to submit work certificates or permits from the host or employer; International students are required to submit proof of enrollment, proof of scholarship or funding source, and language proficiency certificate issued by the school; Visitors are also required to submit copies of their relatives' residence permits, medical insurance, family statements, etc. Individuals holding short-term residence permits who plan to extend their stay in Afghanistan must apply for an extension of their short-term residence permit to the Afghan border and immigration authorities within 60 days of the expiration of their existing permit. Individuals who have stayed continuously in Albania for 5 years since their first application for a residence permit and have no criminal record can apply for a permanent residence permit. When applying, they need to submit an application form, photos, a copy of a valid passport, a certificate of no criminal record (translated into Albanian), property proof, proof of property or lease in Albania, etc.

2、 Naturalization

Individuals who are over 18 years old, have legal capacity, have resided in Albania continuously and legally for at least 5 years, have a fixed place of residence and stable income, understand a certain amount of Arabic language, have been certified by relevant public education institutions in Albania for their ability to read and write Arabic language, have a basic understanding of Albania's history and constitution, have no criminal record (sentenced to imprisonment for more than three years according to Albanian laws) in Albania, their country of origin, or any third country, and have not posed a threat to Albania's security, may apply for Albanian citizenship from the Albanian Ministry of Internal Affairs. The following materials must be submitted: application form, photo, language proficiency certificate, birth certificate, notarized residence permit, work contract or tax certificate, income source certificate, certificate of no criminal record issued by their country of origin, and photo.

Albania's risk level is blue (low risk)

public security

In recent years, the general public security situation in Afghanistan is fair, and there are few crimes against foreigners. However, organized crime is still quite serious, with frequent theft cases and shooting and explosion incidents mostly caused by private disputes. It is recommended that Chinese citizens traveling to Afghanistan be vigilant and contact local police in a timely manner in case of emergency. If necessary, please contact the Chinese Embassy in Albania.

natural disaster

A is located in an earthquake prone area, where small-scale earthquakes occasionally occur. The northern region is prone to floods and small-scale mountain collapses during winter.

FDA

Most of the food is imported and the water quality is poor. It is not recommended to drink tap water directly.

Urgent Help

Comprehensive first aid: 112

Traffic police: 126

Medical: 127

Fire alarm: 128

Bandit police: 129

Chinese Embassy in Albania 24-hour security hotline: 00355 692088899

air traffic

Tirana Mother Teresa International Airport is the main international airport in Albania, located about 17 kilometers from the city center. It usually takes 20 to 30 minutes by car from the airport to the capital city of Tirana, which can be reached by taxi or airport shuttle bus. The airport bus is operated by Luna Company and runs every hour from 7am to 2am, with a one-way fare of 400 leks (approximately 3.4 euros). The one-way taxi fare is approximately 2500 leks (about 21 euros). Kukes International Airport was put into operation in April 2021.

Contact information for Tirana International Airport:

Telephone: 00355 4 2381800/2381600, 00355 697081800

Fax: 00355 4 2381545

Email: info@tirana-airport.com

website: http://www.tirana-airport.com

Contact information for lost and found office: 00355 4 2381681/82 (landline), 00355 692066626 (mobile)

Email: lost& found@tirana-airport.com

Tirana International Airport has opened many international routes to Athens, Vienna, Istanbul, Munich, Frankfurt, Rome, Milan, London, Paris, Budapest, Brussels, Ljubljana, Dubai, etc. There is no direct route to China, and it can transit through Austria, Türkiye, Germany, etc.

Kukes International Airport contact information:

Phone: 00355 696827655

website: https://www.kuiport.al

Email: info@kuiport.al

Major airlines and contact information within Afghanistan:

Albanian Airlines: 04 2246000

Italian Airlines: 04 4539919/92, 04 4512222

Austrian Airlines: 04 2235028

Lufthansa: 04 4500295

Aegean Airlines: 04 2381950/4539303

land transport

The local transportation is mainly on highways, with left-hand drive driving. Drunk driving and answering phone calls while driving are prohibited (except for using Bluetooth). The road conditions are average, with many mountain roads, and night driving should be avoided as much as possible. Long distance buses can also be used to travel between major cities.

water communication

Inland waterway transportation is underdeveloped, with only a certain amount of shipping in the northern part of the Drin River. The main ports for sea transportation are Durres Port, Farola Port, Saranda Port, and Shenjin Port. Durres Port is the largest and most modern port in Afghanistan, with 91% of the country's shipping volume completed at Durres Port.

Durr ë s Port: Flights have been opened to Bari, Ancona, Trieste Port in Italy, and Kopel Port in Slovenia. Contact number: 00355 8007374, website: https://www.durresport.al ；

Saranda Port: The route to the Greek island of Corfu has been opened. Contact number: 00355 8 5224475, website: http://porti-sarande.al/ ；

Vlora Port: Flights to Brindisi and Otranto ports in Italy have been opened. Contact number: 00355 3 3409700, website: https://www.portivlore.com ；

Shengjin Port: The route to Bari Port in Italy has been opened. Contact number: 00355 692080556.

Urban transportation

The main public transportation in the city is buses and taxis; Taxis can be metered or the price can be negotiated with the driver in advance. The road conditions in the city are average, it is recommended to pay attention to traffic safety.

major city

Tirana

The capital of Albania, the largest city in the country, is the political, economic, and cultural center of Albania. It is located in the central western plain of Albania, at the foot of the Daet Mountains, 40 kilometers away from the Adriatic Sea. At an altitude of 110 meters, the climate is warm and humid. The urban area covers 31 square kilometers and has a population of approximately 912000. Founded in 1614, it was designated as the capital in 1920. There are important cultural facilities such as the Cultural Palace and the National History Museum in Tirana city. The square named after the national hero Skanderbeg is located in the city center. The Skanderbeg statue, ancient mosque, and bell tower in the city center are iconic buildings in Tirana.

Durr ë s

Albania's largest seaport and second largest city, located on the Adriatic coast north of Asi, 40 kilometers away from the capital city Tirana. Founded in 627 BC, it is one of the oldest cities in Afghanistan. The city has experienced several major earthquakes in its history, and the excavated and well preserved historical sites include the ancient city walls and the Colosseum.

Shkod ë r

Located in the northwest of Albania, it is one of the oldest cities in Albania, founded in the 4th century BC. It is 86 kilometers away from the capital city Tirana and takes about two hours by car. The city has a significant impact on the northern region of Afghanistan in areas such as culture, religion, and art. Scutari is an important tourist city with attractions such as the Rozafa Castle, the Scutari History Museum, the Malubi National Photo Museum, Lake Scutari, Lake Koman, and the Venetian Art Mask Factory.

Commodity prices

Most local daily necessities are imported. The circulating currency is Lek, and a few high-end shopping malls can also accept Euro. 1 US dollar is equivalent to 98.9 leks (as of October 2023). Cash payment methods are quite common. There are many international banks in Ajing, which are small in scale but densely distributed, with many currency exchange points.

Due to the imperfect local financial system in Albania, situations where credit cards are unable to pay for consumption have occurred from time to time. Therefore, I would like to remind Chinese tourists in Albania:

1、 Carry sufficient cash required for travel (not exceeding the amount of cash allowed by the Afghan customs);

2、 Ensure that the credit card has sufficient balance;

3、 Pay attention to personal and property safety when going out, and try to avoid going out alone.

Insurance Medical

The medical facilities and conditions in Albania are generally average, and medical conditions outside the capital city of Tirana are even more limited. The drugs mainly rely on imports. Foreign funded hospitals have relatively good conditions, but their fees are relatively expensive, while public hospitals have average conditions and can meet ordinary medical needs. The largest public hospital in Albania currently is Mother Teresa Hospital, with contact number 00355 4 2349322/2362620.

Main foreign-funded hospitals and contact information:

Spitali Amerikan Hospital: 00355 4 2357535

Intermedica: 00355 4 2200600

Customs taboos

1、 Important Festivals

New Year: January 1st to 2nd

Summer Festival: March 14th

Naurus Festival (Muslim Spring Festival): March 22nd

Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Easter: between March and April each year

Eid al Fitr: According to the Gregorian calendar, it varies every year

Eid al Adha: According to the Gregorian calendar, it varies every year

Labor Day: May 1st

Mother Teresa's Day: October 19th

Independence Day: November 28th

Liberation Day: November 29th

Youth Day: December 8th

Christmas: December 25th

2、 Religion

According to official statistics, 56.7% of Albanians practice Islam, 10.1% practice Catholicism, and 6.6% practice Eastern Orthodoxy. The religions get along well with each other.

Communications Power

Albania has a high internet penetration rate, with coffee shops, restaurants, and hotels in major cities providing free wireless internet access; The international area code for A is 00355. To make a call from China to A, you should dial 00355+area code (4 for Tirana)+landline number or 00355+mobile phone number.

Power supply: The power interface is European style, with a standard voltage of 220V.

contact information

Traveling to Afghanistan can refer to the website of the National Tourism Administration of Afghanistan: http://wp.akt.gov.al/

A Tourism Promotion Website http://albania.al/