The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands issues Schengen [1] visas for those whose main destination is Belgium, The Netherlands or Luxembourg (BENELUX).

How to apply for a visa?

Visa applications can be submitted only by appointment. Appointments must be made by telephone: (+355)4-2259 176, Monday to Friday from 9 to 10 a.m. only! Applicants have to present themselves personally at the appointed time!

For visa information, please call the same number, Monday to Friday from 2 to 3 p.m. or visit our website:  www.mfa.nl/tir.

How long does the processing of a short stay visa application take?

Processing time can take up to 10 calendar days. When the application needs further scrutiny, processing time can take up to 30 calendar days.

How much does a short stay visa cost?

Chancery fees are 35 EUR for passport holders of Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia (including Kosovo), Moldova, Russia and the Ukraine. Passport holders of other countries have to pay 60 EUR.

Chancery fees have to be paid upon submitting the visa application, in Albanian currency (LEK), according to the official exchange rate of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In case of not obtaining the visa, the chancery fees will not be reimbursed.

• Chancery fees for short stay visas are waived for:

Holders of Service passports; Pensioners; Children under 6 years of age; Disabled persons and the person accompanying them if necessary.

• What do I need for a short stay visa (tourism or business)?

ALWAYS:

• one application form completely filled out, dated and signed
• one recent passport size pictures 3*4 cm
• valid passport (passport must be valid at least 3 months after expiration date of the requested visa).
• a recent birth certificate with photo (if you have not applied with us within the last 12 months)
• an international medical insurance (1 original with 1 copy) for the entire period you intend to travel in case of a 1 entry visa request. For a multiple entry visa request, at least for the first period you intend to travel.
• proof of sufficient means of subsistence for journey and return trip e.g. bank statement.

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS:

(a) for members of official delegations who, following an official invitation addressed to the Republic of Albania, shall participate in meetings, consultations, negotiations or exchange programmes, as well as in events held in the territory of the Member States by intergovernmental organisations: VISA FEE WAIVED

• an original letter issued by an Albanian authority confirming that the applicant is a member of the Albanian delegation travelling to the territory of the Member States to participate in the aforementioned events;
• an official invitation (copy is acceptable);

(b) for business people and representatives of business organisations:

• an original written request [2] from a host legal person or company, organisation, or an office or branch of such legal person or company, State or local authorities of the Member States or organising committees of trade and industrial exhibitions, conferences and symposia held in the territories of the Member States, endorsed by a Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Albania;
• business license (NIPT)
   

(c) for journalists: VISA FEE WAIVED

• an original certificate or other document issued by a professional organisation (Organisation of Professional Journalists, the Journalists Union or Council of Ethik of the Journalists) proving that person concerned is a qualified journalist;
• an original document issued by his/her employer stating that the purpose of the journey is to carry out journalistic work;

(d) for persons participating in scientific, cultural and artistic activities, including university and other exchange programmes: VISA FEE WAIVED

• an original written request [2] from the host organisation to participate in those activities;
• guarantees regarding return (if host does not pay for all expenses) and sufficient means of subsistence;

(e) for representatives of civil society organisations when undertaking trips for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, including in the framework of exchange programmes: VISA FEE WAIVED

• an original written request [2] issued by the host organisation;
• an original confirmation that the person is representing the civil society organisation;
• the certificate on establishment of such organisation from the relevant Register issued by a State authority in accordance with the national legislation;
• guarantees regarding return (if host does not pay for all expenses) and sufficient means of subsistence;

(f) for pupils, students, post-graduate students and accompanying teachers who undertake trips for the purposes of study or educational training, including in the framework of exchange programmes as well as other school-related activities: VISA FEE WAIVED

• an original written request [2] or a certificate of enrolment from the host university, academy, institute, college or school or student cards or certificates of the courses to be attended;
• guarantees regarding return (if host does not pay for all expenses) and sufficient means of subsistence;

(g) for participants in international sports events and persons accompanying them in a professional capacity: VISA FEE WAIVED

• an original written request [2] from the host organisation: competent authorities, national sport federations or National Olympic Committees of the Member States;
• an original written request [2] by Albanian competent authority;
• guarantees regarding return (if host does not pay for all expenses) and sufficient means of subsistence;

(h) for participants in official exchange programmes organised by twin cities: VISA FEE WAIVED

• an original written request [2] of the Head of Administration/Mayor of these cities;

(i) for close relatives — spouse, children (including adopted), parents (including custodians), grandparents and grandchildren — visiting Albanian citizens legally residing in the territory of the Member States: VISA FEE WAIVED

• an original written request [2] from the host person (authenticity of signature of inviting person must be proved by competent authority according to the national legislation of the country of residence);
• proof of residency status of the host;
• family or family tree certificate
• guarantees regarding return (if host does not pay for all expenses) and sufficient means of subsistence;

(j) for visiting military and civil burial grounds: VISA FEE WAIVED

• an original official document confirming the existence and preservation of the grave;
• an original official document confirming family or other relationship between the applicant and the buried;
• guarantees regarding return (if host does not pay for all expenses) and sufficient means of subsistence;

(k) for persons politically persecuted during the communist regime in the Republic of Albania: VISA FEE WAIVED

• the certificate issued by the Institute for the Integration of the Persecuted Persons in accordance with Article 3 of Law no 7748 of 29.07.1993, indicating the status of being a person politically persecuted during the communist regime in the Republic of Albania;
• an original written request [2] from a competent authority, national or international organisation including NGO of a Member State or by a European institution for participating in activities as appropriate including activities related to their status;
• guarantees regarding return (if host does not pay for all expenses) and sufficient means of subsistence;

(l) for drivers conducting international cargo and passenger transportation services to the territories of the Member States in vehicles registered in the Republic of Albania: VISA FEE WAIVED

• an original written request [2] from host company;
• a written request [2] from the national association of carriers of the Republic of Albania providing for international road transportation (ANALTIR), stating the purpose, duration and frequency of the trips;

(m) for persons travelling for tourism:

• a certificate or voucher from a travel agency or a tour operator accredited by Member States in the framework of the local consular cooperation confirming the booking of an organised trip;
• guarantees regarding return (if host does not pay for all expenses) and sufficient means of subsistence;

(n) for persons visiting for medical reasons and necessary accompanying persons: VISA FEE WAIVED

• an original official document of the medical institution confirming necessity of medical care in this institution;
• an original official document confirming the necessity of being accompanied;
• proof of sufficient financial means to pay for the medical treatment;

(o) for members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events held in the territory of the Member States: VISA FEE WAIVED

• an original written request [2] from the host organisation confirming that the person concerned is participating in the event;
• guarantees regarding return (if host does not pay for all expenses) and sufficient means of subsistence;

(p) for members of train, refrigerator and locomotive crews in international trains, travelling to the territories of the Member States: VISA FEE WAIVED

• an original written request [2] from the competent railway company of the Republic of Albania stating the purpose, duration and frequency of the trips;

(q) for persons visiting for burial ceremonies: VISA FEE WAIVED

• an original official document confirming the fact of death;
• an original official document confirming the family or other relationship between the applicant and the buried;
• guarantees regarding return (if host does not pay for all expenses) and sufficient means of subsistence;

(r) for representatives of the religious communities: VISA FEE WAIVED

• an original written request [2] from a religious community registered in the Republic of Albania, stating the purpose, duration and frequency of the trips.

What do I need for a transit visa?

• guarantee (e.g. visa) for passage to the country of destination
• return ticket (original with 1 copy)

What other requirements do I have to fulfil?

• MINORS need a legalized notary declaration (1 original with 1 copy) stating that both parents or tutors agree that the child can travel alone, with only one of the parents/tutors or with a third person. Two (2) copies of the passport(s) of the parent(s)/tutor(s) who signed the notary declaration must be added. In case one or both parents are deceased, a death certificate needs to be presented.
• The documents you submit must be written in Dutch, English, French, or German. If they are written in another language, you must have them translated before you submit your application. Original document should be submitted along with the translation.

Final remarks:

• An airline/boat ticket should not be booked until the visa has been approved.
• The presentation of the above-mentioned documents does not automatically lead to the issuing of a visa.
• Additional documents may be asked for in certain cases.

A Schengen visa issued by an Embassy or a Consulate of one of the Schengen countries allows the holder to travel freely in these countries. However, please note that a holder of a Schengen visa is still subject to immigration control and is not automatically guaranteed entry into any of the Schengen countries; a visa is not in itself a right to enter a country.