Student visa for Albania, for students from Türkiye

Albania issues a type D visa for study (D/ST) to nationals who need a visa. You apply online through the government e-visa portal, then hand in the original documents at an Albanian consular office. The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs says the type D visa is "valid for one year, with a validity period of stay of 90 days", and that decisions take up to 15 days, and in exceptional cases up to 30 days. Whether you need a visa at all depends on your nationality: check the ministry's visa regime table first.

Documents for D/ST listed by the ministry:

• proof of registration or admission at an educational institution in Albania
• documents proving you can cover all living costs and tuition fees
• travel health insurance for the length of the visa
• proof of accommodation in Albania
• a document proving "knowledge of the Albanian language for carrying out your studies" (an older ministry notice says knowledge of "the language in which the studies will be carried out"; if your course is taught in English, ask the embassy which it wants)
• a criminal record certificate, legalised

The fee is not published as one figure. It follows Council of Ministers Decision no. 569 of 3 October 2018 and is set by reciprocity, so it varies by nationality. Ask your nearest Albanian embassy.

The residence permit. Once in Albania you apply for a residence permit for study on the e-Albania portal (service code 9628). The Ministry of Interior's requirements include:

• the money: a deposit certificate from a second-tier bank in Albania, personal or family, of at least 300,000 lekë per person for one calendar year, or proof of monthly income of at least 32,000 lekë per person
• the admission document, proof of knowledge of the language of the study programme, and proof that you have paid the institution's fees
• proof of housing

Fees: 4,500 lekë for the first permit and 2,250 lekë for a renewal, plus the cost of the biometric card. A provisional permit is issued within five days. You must register your address at the civil registry within 30 days.

The study permit is valid for no more than one year at first and is renewed a year at a time until you finish, provided you show study progress.