PassportSouth Africa

Trip checklist: Albania

For South African passport holders. Last checked 5 October 2026.

Visa requirement

South Africans need to apply online for an e-visa before travel to Albania.

Permitted stay

You can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

Before you go

  • Purpose of visit

    Tourism, business, family visits on a type C short-stay visa. Airport transit visa (type A) also exists.

  • How to apply

    Apply online at the official portal e-visa.al (linked from the Albanian Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, punetejashtme.gov.al), upload documents, then the application is decided by an Albanian consular office. Visa issued within 15 days of acceptance, exceptionally up to 30 days. Fee is set on reciprocity (Council of Ministers Decision 569/2018); amount for South Africans not displayed (country table is dynamic). Fee waived for children under 6. Visa-free alternative: valid multiple-entry and previously used Schengen visa, or valid US/UK visa or residence permit previously used, for up to 90 days in 180.

  • Where South Africans apply

    Online via e-visa.al. Albania has no embassy or consulate in South Africa (MFA mission list); the nearest Albanian embassy in Africa is in Cairo, Egypt. The e-visa system routes the file to the competent consular office.

  • Vaccinations, including yellow fever on return to South Africa

    None required. Not a yellow fever risk country.

  • Travelling with children

    Visa fee waived for children under 6. No other minor-specific rule found.

  • Confirm with the embassy

    Rules change. Check the official source before you book.

Where to apply

Research sources

  1. 1. Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania (Official, punetejashtme.gov.al) https://punetejashtme.gov.al/en/aplikim-per-vize/
  2. 2. Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania (visa regime table) (Official, punetejashtme.gov.al) https://punetejashtme.gov.al/en/informacione-mbi-regjimin-e-vizave-te-shtetasve-te-huaj/
  3. 3. Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania (missions abroad) (Official, punetejashtme.gov.al) https://punetejashtme.gov.al/perfaqesite-shqiptare-ne-bote/
  4. 4. Wikipedia (Reference, en.wikipedia.org) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Albania
  5. 5. Wikipedia (Reference, en.wikipedia.org) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_requirements_for_South_African_citizens
  6. 6. visarequirements.info (News and guides, visarequirements.info) https://visarequirements.info/countries/south-africa/albania/

From doineedavisa.co.za/albania. Always confirm with the embassy before you travel.