Deciding to expand your business to Albania, a small nation located on the Balkan Peninsula, is a significant choice that holds the potential for substantial financial and interpersonal rewards. However, realizing these benefits hinges on assembling a team to operate within the country. If you plan to hire foreign nationals from other countries, it's crucial to understand the process of obtaining an Albania work visa for each of them to ensure compliance.
Types of Work Visas in Albania:
The initial step in bringing employees to Albania involves determining who requires a work permit. Citizens of the European Union (EU) and Schengen countries enjoy the same employment rights as Albanian citizens. However, specific positions may necessitate Albanian citizenship due to legislative requirements. US citizens can also reside in Albania for up to a year without needing a residence permit.
Non-Albanian citizens seeking employment in the country for over three months must apply for a work permit. Employees must complete their work permit applications before commencing their job. Typically, it takes no more than 30 days after submitting the required documentation to receive approval or denial. While some work permits have time limitations, the overall validity period depends on the permit type.
There are four primary categories of Albanian work permits:
Type A: Permits for economic activities for both employers and employees
Type B: Independent economic activity permits
Type C: Permits for special occasions
Type D: Permanent work permits for eligible foreigners
Requirements to obtain Albanian Work Visa:
The requirements for obtaining a work visa in Albania may vary based on the specific type of permit. However, commonly needed documents include:
1. Completed standard application form signed by the employee
2. National Registration Center extract confirming the employer's registration
3. Employment contract of the applicant
4. Copy of the applicant's passport
5. Five passport-sized photos
Additionally, employees are required to pay ALL 6,000, approximately 45 EUR, to acquire a work permit from either the General Directorate of National Labor Service or the Labor Office of the relevant territory, which falls under the purview of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.
Application Process:
To apply for a work permit in Albania, all employees must submit the aforementioned documents to either the appropriate labor office in Albania or the Albanian Consulates in their home countries. The Regional Employment Office in Albania assesses the development and needs of the country's labor market before issuing any work permit. They consider whether the job could potentially be filled by:
1. Unemployed Albanian citizens
2. Foreigners and family members of Albanian nationals
3. EU or Schengen citizens
4. Family members of immigrants residing and working in Albania
5. Nationals from countries with bilateral and multilateral employment agreements with Albania
6. Job seekers with priority in the domestic labor market
It's important to note that while foreign employees are permitted to work in the public sector, they are not eligible for leadership positions within the public administration.
Important Considerations:
Every employee must secure both a working visa and a work permit in Albania. The visa options include:
1. Type C: Short-term visas
2. Type D: Long-term visas
3. Aeroportual visa: For transit through airports
Additionally, all foreign citizens intending to stay in Albania for more than 90 days are required to obtain a residence permit. Albania offers 21 different types of residence permits, so it's essential to select the appropriate one based on individual needs. Residence permits are valid for three months, six months, or a year, with a maximum renewal limit of five times.