Filipino Travel Requirements for Albania With a U.S.-Citizen Sponsor (A Philippine-centred legal-practical guide, updated to 9 June 2025)
1. Overview
Albania is not part of the Schengen Area, but since 2014 it has progressively aligned its immigration rules with EU practice. For Filipino nationals the entry regime is shaped by:
- Albanian Law No. 108/2013 “On Foreigners,” as amended in 2021;
- Council of Ministers Decision No. 858/2022 (visa facilitation);
- Republic Act 8239 (Philippine Passport Act), Philippine Immigration Act (Commonwealth Act 613), and auxiliary Bureau of Immigration (BI) departure guidelines;
- Philippine anti-trafficking and migration-control rules (RA 9208, RA 10022, 2023 BI Revised Departure Formalities).
A Filipino accompanied by—or financially backed by—a U.S. citizen is treated by Albanian authorities as a regular tourist; the sponsor’s citizenship per se does not confer automatic privileges, but an invitation and proof of sponsorship can replace the traveller’s own accommodation/financial proofs.
2. Entry Categories for Filipino Passport-Holders
| Category | Who Qualifies | Stay Limit | How to Prove |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa-free based on valid U.S./UK/Schengen permits | Filipinos holding a multiple-entry visa or permanent residence card for the U.S., U.K., Schengen, Ireland, Canada—used at least once—and still valid ≥ 90 days beyond planned stay | 90 days in any 180-day period | Present the physical visa/green card + passport on arrival |
| e-Visa (Short-stay Type C) | All Filipinos without the above privilege, travelling up to 90 days | 15 days–8 weeks processing; single or multiple entry | Apply via https://e-visa.al; upload passport (≥ 6 mo valid), photograph, round-trip ticket, travel insurance, sponsor documents |
| Consular Sticker Visa | Rare—only if e-Visa portal unavailable or for longer-stay (Type D) purposes | 90 days (Type C) or residence (Type D) | Lodge at an Albanian embassy/consulate (Athens, Rome, Ankara, etc.) |
Practical rule: If you already possess a valid U.S. B1/B2, F-1, H-1B visa or a U.S. green card, you need no Albanian visa; your U.S.-citizen sponsor need only furnish an invitation letter and, if asked, proof of accommodation/means.
3. Documentary Checklist
A. Core Travel Documents (Traveller)
Philippine passport – minimum 6 months validity beyond exit from Albania.
Round-trip ticket or confirmed onward flight.
Travel medical insurance – minimum €30 000 coverage, valid in Albania & repatriation included.
Proof of accommodation – hotel booking or invitation deed from sponsor.
Proof of funds – Albania informally expects €50-€70/day; may be waived if sponsor issues a notarised guarantee (see § 4).
Travel tax receipt (PH Travel Tax) & terminal fee (often embedded in air ticket).
CFO Guidance
- If travelling as a spouse/fiancé of the U.S. citizen, secure CFO Guidance & Counseling Program certificate.
- Present original CFO sticker on passport at Philippine airport.
For overseas workers: Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) or exemption plus mandatory insurance; otherwise BI may off-load.
B. Sponsor-Provided Documents (U.S. Citizen)
| Document | Form | Key Points |
|---|---|---|
| Invitation Letter / Guarantee | Notarised in U.S. (or at PH Consulate) and apostilled under the 1961 Hague Convention | State purpose, duration, address in Albania, financial undertaking |
| Proof of legal stay | U.S. passport biodata & copy of U.S. entry stamp if inviting from Albania; if inviting from U.S., passport alone | Must show full name matching invitation |
| Proof of accommodation | Hotel reservation in both names or lease/title deed + host’s ID | Sponsoring U.S. citizen may book Airbnb/Booking.com in invitee’s name |
| Financial capacity | Recent bank statement or IRS Form 1040/ W-2; recommended balance ≥ USD 3 000 for a week-long stay per guest | Not strictly required but strengthens guarantee |
4. Philippine Exit Controls
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) practices risk-profiling at departure:
Primary Inspection: Passport, boarding pass, CFO/OEC if applicable.
Secondary Inspection (possible): Additional interrogation when:
- first-time traveller with no prior immigration record;
- single/young women travelling with foreign national;
- perceived insufficient funds.
Tips:
- Carry photocopies of sponsor’s invitation, your bank statements, employment certificate or business permits, and proof of strong ties (marriage certificate to Filipino spouse, children’s birth certificates, enrolled school IDs, etc.).
- Be ready to articulate itinerary and reason for choosing Albania (e.g., “visa-free with my valid U.S. visa, tourism in the Balkans, Tirana-Berat-Sarandë route”).
- Dress casually but presentably; avoid mismatched stories with sponsor.
5. Arrival Formalities in Albania
- Border Police will stamp passport for 90 days (if visa-free) or as per e-Visa validity.
- Funds/off-loading checks are rare; presenting the invitation or hotel voucher usually suffices.
- Registration: Currently no mandatory local police registration for stays under 30 days. For stays 30-90 days, register online through the e-Albania portal within 48 hours of reaching final address.
6. Compliance, Overstay & Extensions
- Overstaying up to 30 days → 5 000 ALL (~€45) fine; 30-90 days → 10 000 ALL; 90+ days → entry ban of 1 year plus higher fines.
- Extensions beyond 90 days must be applied for 20 days before expiry and usually require: employment contract, study enrollment, or family-reunification grounds (marriage to an Albanian/U.S. national resident in Albania).
- Work is prohibited on a tourist status. Illegal employment triggers fines and deportation under Articles 115-117 of the Law on Foreigners.
7. Health, Safety & Insurance
- No COVID-19 entry restrictions as of 1 May 2024; vaccination certificate not required.
- Standard travel insurance (medical + repatriation) remains mandatory for visa applications and prudent for visa-free travellers.
- Albania recognises Philippine driver’s licences accompanied by an International Driving Permit for up to 12 months.
8. Special Cases
| Scenario | Additional Steps |
|---|---|
| Minor (< 18 y) travelling without both parents | PSA birth certificate; DSWD Travel Clearance; notarised parental consent; sponsor’s invitation should mention responsibility for minor |
| Dual Filipino-U.S. citizen using U.S. passport | May enter Albania on U.S. passport visa-free 90 days; Philippine BI still requires Filipino passport or proof of dual citizenship (RA 9225 certificate) for departure |
| Filipino married to Albanian citizen | Eligible for Type D family-unification visa; marriage certificate must be registered at Albania’s civil registry and apostilled in PH |
| OFW on home leave | Must possess valid work visa/residence permit for country of employment and OEC when exiting the Philippines again |
9. Timeline & Fees (Indicative, 2025)
| Item | Amount | Pay To |
|---|---|---|
| Ph Travel Tax (standard economy) | PHP 1 620 | TIEZA |
| BI departure fee (built in airline ticket ex-MNL) | PHP 550 | CAAP |
| e-Visa fee (Type C single entry) | €35 | e-visa.al portal (credit card) |
| Apostille (PH DFA) | PHP 100 – 200/page | DFA Aseana or Consular offices |
| Notarial fee (U.S.) | USD 15–50 | U.S. Notary Public / UPS Store |
| Travel Insurance (30 days) | ~USD 40 | Private insurer |
10. Practical Compliance Checklist (One-Page)
- Passport valid ≥ 6 mo after trip
- Valid U.S./Schengen/UK multi-entry visa or approved Albanian e-Visa
- Round-trip ticket & itinerary
- Sponsor’s notarised invitation + passport copy
- Hotel/Airbnb booking (if not staying with sponsor)
- Travel insurance (€30 000)
- Proof of funds or sponsor’s affidavit
- CFO certificate (if married/engaged to foreigner)
- DSWD clearance (if minor)
- Photocopies of all pages & digital backups
- Hard-copy print-outs for BI primary & secondary inspection
11. Key Take-Aways
- Visa-free entry is the norm for Filipinos who already possess a valid U.S. visa or green card; the U.S.-citizen sponsor mainly strengthens proof of accommodation & funds.
- Thorough Philippine exit documentation is often the bigger hurdle than Albania’s border. Prepare for BI secondary inspection.
- Invitation letters must be apostilled to be honoured by Albanian immigration and the Philippine BI.
- No work allowed on tourist status; overstay fines escalate rapidly.
- Keep abreast of policy changes; Albania revises visa-free lists annually, and BI departure rules can shift without fanfare.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. For binding rulings consult the Albanian Directorate of Border and Migration and the Philippine Bureau of Immigration or seek professional counsel.