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Albania

Nationality · visas, permits and migration

Moved to OECD countries, 2023
65,205
Top destination, 2023
Italy
U.S. non-immigrant visas, FY2025
22,309
UK visas issued, 2025
24,703
Schengen visa refusal rate, 2024
9.2%
NationalityALISO 3166
Year by year
Data as at 2025
NA<ALALBANIA<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
AL3<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<6

Visa requirements for a short visit

Whether citizens of Albania need a visa for a short tourist or business visit, according to the legal lists. Rules change; check the official source before travelling.

DestinationShort visitLegal basis
Schengen areaNo visa for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day periodRegulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30.12.2025)
United KingdomVisa requiredImmigration Rules, Appendix Visitor / ETA National List
CanadaTemporary resident visa requiredIRPR s. 190, Schedule 1.1
Hong KongDepends on the passport held; some passports need a visaImmigration Department (HKSAR), visit visa requirements, 31.12.2025
Source: Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30 Dec 2025); UK Immigration Rules, Appendix Visitor and ETA National List; Canada IRPR s. 190 and Schedule 1.1; Immigration Department (HKSAR), visit visa requirements as at 31 Dec 2025Data as at Oct 2026

Where people from Albania move

Inflows of foreign nationals by country of nationality, as recorded by each destination (OECD).

Inflows to OECD countries, 2023
  1. Italy29,990
  2. Germany22,097
  3. United States4,630
  4. France2,460
  5. Belgium1,132
  6. Sweden788
  7. Austria671
  8. Canada655
  9. Switzerland495
  10. Finland425
  11. Netherlands347
  12. Türkiye262
  13. Denmark219
  14. Hungary200
  15. Luxembourg182

Inflows to all OECD countries by year

45k91k200020032006200920122015201820212023
45k91k2000200420082012201620202023
Data table
200040,749
200136,150
200231,849
200356,588
200446,822
200577,574
200674,715
200766,455
200877,275
200971,005
201054,849
201139,777
201223,060
201323,054
201434,300
201590,664
201638,193
201744,013
201848,931
201956,141
202041,233
202149,295
202265,196
202365,205
Share going to the top destination
46.0%
Destinations recording arrivals
15
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Living abroad

People born in Albania who live in another country: mid-year estimates of the international migrant stock (UN DESA). Where a destination records citizenship rather than country of birth, its foreign citizens are counted.

Largest destinations, 2024
  1. Italy542,638
  2. Greece474,441
  3. North Macedonia68,356
  4. France54,967
  5. Canada20,718
  6. Belgium16,175
  7. Sweden11,986
  8. Austria6,148
  9. Australia4,105
  10. Montenegro2,741
  11. Norway2,417
  12. Bulgaria1,858

Living abroad by year

608k1.22M19901995200020052010201520202024
608k1.22M19902000201020202024
Data table
1990178,747
1995394,084
2000629,192
2005784,369
2010962,514
2015985,561
20201,103,849
20241,216,628
Living abroad, 2024
1,216,628
Change since 2000
+93.4%
Share living in the largest destination, 2024
44.6%
Source: United Nations, DESA Population Division, International Migrant Stock 2024 (CC BY 3.0 IGO)Data as at 2024

United States

Visas issued to citizens of Albania by U.S. consulates (fiscal years, October–September) and certified PERM labor certifications.

Non-immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. B1/B220,221
  2. J1975
  3. F1307
  4. C1/D127
  5. A2123
  6. K1101
  7. NATO287
  8. B254
  9. P353
  10. H1B43

Non-immigrant visas by fiscal year

14k29k201720182019202020212022202320242025
14k29k20172019202120232025
Data table
20177,089
201813,664
201913,199
20207,897
20215,736
202216,188
202328,517
202428,477
202522,309
Immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. IR51,336
  2. DV832
  3. F3334
  4. F4308
  5. IR1152
  6. F2B106
  7. CR196
  8. F2A51
Immigrant visas, FY2025
3,405
Certified PERM labor certifications, FY2024 (latest year with citizenship)
187
Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, monthly visa issuances (public domain); U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC PERM disclosure data (public domain)Data as at FY2025

Green cards and U.S. citizenship

People born in Albania who became U.S. lawful permanent residents (green cards) or U.S. citizens, and admissions of citizens of Albania with an I-94 record (DHS, fiscal years).

Green cards by fiscal year

2,9755,9502015201620172018201920202021202220232024
2,9755,950201520172019202120232024
Data table
20154,650
20165,770
20175,720
20185,050
20195,370
20203,510
20212,610
20225,950
20235,160
20245,080
Green cards by class of admission, FY2024
  1. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens2,910
  2. Diversity visa lottery1,230
  3. Family-sponsored preferences560
  4. Refugees and asylees220
  5. Employment-based preferences140
  6. Other classes20
Temporary worker admissions (I-94), FY2024
  1. Specialty occupations (H-1B)180
  2. Athletes, artists and entertainers (P)110
  3. Spouses and children80
  4. Intracompany transferees (L-1)60
  5. Extraordinary ability (O-1, O-2)20
  6. Other temporary workers20
Green cards, FY2024 (born in Albania)
5,080
Naturalizations, FY2024 (born in Albania)
3,940
I-94 admissions, FY2024 (citizenship)
31,580
Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Homeland Security Statistics, Yearbook of Immigration Statistics 2024 (public domain)Data as at FY2024

United Kingdom

Entry clearance visas issued to nationals of Albania (Home Office) and students with a permanent address in Albania (HESA).

Visas issued by group, 2025
  1. Visitor23,307
  2. Family728
  3. Study268
  4. Work224
  5. Other176

Visas issued by year

13k25k201020122014201620182020202220242025
13k25k201020132016201920222025
Data table
20105,729
20114,494
20124,863
20134,400
20144,836
20155,871
20166,163
20176,580
20189,205
201913,065
20207,672
202114,235
202225,475
202323,121
202420,499
202524,703
Students at UK universities, 2024/25
610
Source: Home Office, Immigration system statistics (year ending June 2026), Open Government Licence v3.0Data as at 2025

Canada

Permits and invitations for citizens of Albania, by year the permit took effect (IRCC).

YearTFWP workIMP workStudyPermanent residentsExpress Entry invitations
202532055544048535
202443566548061045
202336567058065560
202216037034552515
20218539531555060
20205530526028545
20194027537562040
2018518024564540
2017514019065055
20161011016551020
201510801055650
Source: IRCC, monthly open data (rounded to the nearest 5). Open Government Licence – CanadaData as at 2025

Australia

Temporary skilled visas (subclass 457 to 2018, then 482) granted to primary applicants who are citizens of Albania, by financial year ending 30 June (Home Affairs).

Primary visas granted by financial year

9172005–062007–082009–102011–122013–142015–162017–182019–202021–222023–242025–26
9172005–062009–102013–142017–182021–222025–26
Data table
2005–0617
2006–0713
2007–0817
2008–0915
2009–106
2010–114
2011–126
2012–137
2013–1410
2014–157
2015–166
2016–174
2017–187
2018–195
2019–202
2020–212
2021–224
2022–237
2023–248
2024–254
2025–265
By stream, 2025–26
  1. Core Skills2
  2. Labour Agreement1
  3. Short-term1
  4. Specialist Skills1
Granted, 2025–26
5
Share of all Australian grants, 2025–26
0.0%
Source: Department of Home Affairs (Australia), BP0014 Temporary Resident (skilled) visas granted, data locked at 30 Sep 2026 (data.gov.au, CC BY)Data as at 2025–26

Japan

Citizens of Albania living in Japan at the end of each December, by status of residence (Immigration Services Agency of Japan). 2020 and 2021 were published only as database tables.

Foreign residents in Japan

501002012201420162018202220242025
501002012201420162018202220242025
Data table
201261
201364
201464
201571
201674
201782
201887
2019100
202286
202391
202495
202593
By status of residence, December 2025
  1. Permanent Resident45
  2. Spouse or Child of Japanese National16
  3. Student15
  4. Dependent7
  5. Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services2
  6. Skilled Labor2
  7. Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident2
  8. Cultural Activities1
  9. Designated Activities1
  10. Highly Skilled Professional1
Residents, December 2025
93
In work-related statuses
6
Share in work-related statuses
6.5%
Students
15
Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Statistics on Foreign Residents (在留外国人統計), Table 1, end of December (e-Stat; Government of Japan Standard Terms of Use 2.0)Data as at Dec 2025

Schengen visas in Albania

Short-stay (C) visa applications at Schengen consulates located in Albania, 2024. Applicants are mostly, but not only, its citizens.

Schengen stateApplicationsIssuedNot issuedRefusal rate
Italy312267319.9%
Bulgaria197157126.1%
Spain191168126.3%
Greece149128106.7%
Germany118922622.0%
France1069854.7%
Austria807467.5%
Hungary3531411.4%
Poland222200.0%
Czechia1510533.3%
Slovenia63116.7%
Croatia31266.7%
Romania1100.0%

Applications by year

60k119k2009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
60k119k200920122015201820212024
Data table
2009119,431
201090,246
20113,325
20121,993
20131,495
20141,391
20151,304
20161,238
20171,383
20181,595
20191,717
2020477
2021595
20221,256
20231,365
20241,235
Refusal rate, 2024
9.2%
Refusal rate, 2019
6.9%
Source: European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs, visa statistics for consulates (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2024

Residence permits in Europe

First residence permits issued to citizens of Albania in EU and EFTA countries, 2025 (Eurostat).

First permits by reason
  1. Family41,839
  2. Work15,005
  3. Other reasons10,154
  4. Education2,223
First permits by country
  1. Italy31,764
  2. Germany17,195
  3. Greece10,177
  4. France2,412
  5. Belgium1,236
  6. Croatia858
  7. Sweden855
  8. Spain837
  9. Malta513
  10. Austria445
  11. Denmark433
  12. Switzerland405
Work permits by type, 2025
  1. EU Blue Card232
  2. Highly skilled workers (national schemes)375
  3. Researchers28
  4. Other paid activities14,370
EU Blue Cards granted, 2024
592
Citizenships acquired in the EU, 2024
48,175
Students in EU/EFTA tertiary education, 2024
11,370
Refused entry at EU external borders, 2025
12,565
Valid residence permits, 31 Dec 2025
880,482
Long-term residence permits issued, 2025
28,402
Changed status into work, 2025
9,912
Intra-corporate transferee permits, 2025
15
Seasonal work authorisations, 2024
5,217
Source: Eurostat (migr_resfirst, migr_resbc11, migr_acq, educ_uoe_mobs02, migr_eirfs, migr_pop1ctz), CC BY 4.0Data as at 2024–2025

National statistics in Europe

Citizens of Albania in the figures of national statistics offices: residence permits granted in Denmark, immigrations by grounds for settlement in Sweden and immigrants with a non-EU/EFTA nationality by migration motive in the Netherlands; Finland and Austria publish immigration and emigration by citizenship only.

CountryYearAllWorkStudyFamilyProtectionOther or unknown
Denmark202545542252602
Sweden20254826151953218
CountryYearImmigrationEmigrationNet migration
Finland20251043074
Austria2025555309246
Work-related, latest year
  1. Denmark422
  2. Sweden61
Source: Danmarks Statistik, Statistikbanken VAN66 and VAN77M (CC BY 4.0); SCB (Statistics Sweden), Statistikdatabasen TAB1614 and TAB6670 (CC0); CBS (Statistics Netherlands), StatLine 84809NED (CC BY 4.0); Statistics Finland (Tilastokeskus), StatFin 11a8 (CC BY 4.0); Statistik Austria, OGD_bevwan020_AUSSENWAND_100 (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

Germany

Citizens of Albania living in Germany on 31 December 2025, by residence status in the Central Register of Foreigners (Destatis).

By residence status, 31 Dec 2025
  1. Family reasons32,190
  2. Employment23,750
  3. Application for a residence title pending19,720
  4. Permanent residence title16,300
  5. Neither tolerated nor permitted12,170
  6. EU free movement10,750
  7. International law, humanitarian or political reasons6,230
  8. Special residence rights and national visas4,705
  9. Tolerated stay (Duldung)2,765
  10. Education and training2,560
  11. Permission to reside during the asylum procedure385

Residents in Germany (31 Dec)

66k132k201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
66k132k2014201620182020202220242025
Data table
201423,938
201569,532
201651,550
201748,705
201855,495
201965,895
202073,905
202190,360
2022108,555
2023119,795
2024125,445
2025131,535
Residents in Germany, 31 Dec 2025
131,535
With a residence title for employment
23,750
Permanent residence title
16,300
Source: Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis), Central Register of Foreigners, 31 December 2025 (reproduction permitted with source)Data as at 31 Dec 2025

Italy

New residence permits issued in Italy to citizens of Albania, by year and reason, and permits valid on 1 January 2026 (Istat).

New permits by year

17k35k2016201720182019202020212022202320242025
17k35k201620182020202220242025
Data table
201617,517
201720,013
201823,479
201921,437
202013,185
202129,520
202234,594
202333,021
202424,430
202531,777
New permits by reason, 2025
  1. Family21,131
  2. Other reasons5,552
  3. Work3,508
  4. Asylum and protection1,288
  5. Study298
New permits, 2025
31,777
Valid permits, 1 Jan 2026
390,200
EU long-term residents, 1 Jan 2026
178,791
Source: Istat, residence permits of non-EU citizens: permits issued in the year and valid permits on 1 January (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

Foreign embassies and consulates in Albania

Countries with an embassy or consulate in Albania, as recorded in Wikidata.

CountryEmbassiesConsulates-generalConsulates
Algeria1——
Austria1——
Bosnia and Herzegovina1——
Brazil1——
Bulgaria1——
China1——
Croatia1——
Czechia1——
Denmark1——
Egypt1——
France1——
Germany1——
Greece1——
Hungary1——
India1——
Iran1——
Israel1——
Italy11—
Japan1——
Kosovo1——
Kuwait1——
Libya1——
Montenegro1——
Netherlands1——
North Macedonia1——
Palestine1——
Poland1——
Qatar1——
Romania1——
Russia1——
San Marino1——
Saudi Arabia1——
Serbia1——
Slovakia1——
Slovenia111
Spain1——
Sweden1——
Switzerland1——
Türkiye1——
Ukraine1——
United Kingdom1——
Countries
41
Missions
44
Source: Wikidata (CC0)Data as at Oct 2026

Remittances

Money that migrants send home: personal remittances received by Albania, in current US dollars (World Bank).

Remittances received by year, US$ million

1,2822,5632000200320062009201220152018202120242025
1,2822,563200020052010201520202025
Data table
2000598
2001699
2002734
2003889
20041,161
20051,290
20061,359
20071,468
20081,866
20091,718
20101,587
20111,552
20121,420
20131,282
20141,421
20151,291
20161,306
20171,312
20181,458
20191,473
20201,466
20211,718
20221,745
20232,036
20242,274
20252,563
Remittances received, 2025
US$2,563 million
Share of GDP, 2025
8.4%
Average cost of sending US$200 to Albania, 2023
5.6%
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

All corridors from Albania

Destinations with a dedicated page for citizens of this country.

  • Albania → Italy
  • Albania → Germany
  • Albania → United States
  • Albania → France
  • Albania → Belgium
  • Albania → Sweden
  • Albania → Canada
  • Albania → Spain
  • Albania → Greece
  • Albania → Croatia
  • Albania → United Kingdom
  • Albania → Malta
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Official data, not advice. Visa Atlas publishes figures from government registers and statistics. It does not assess eligibility or give immigration advice; for advice, consult a regulated adviser. Read more