Albania seeks to make visa procedures easier for international students
The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania held an Open Day for foreign student visa applications, in cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior and the Border and Migration Directorate.
More than 30 representatives from around 15 public and private universities attended the meeting, CE Report informs via the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania's official website.
The discussions provided a direct platform for addressing issues related to visas and residence permits for international students, as well as improving coordination between state institutions and universities.
MEFA Secretary General Armand Skapi stressed that the aim is to make Albania more attractive to international students, not by lowering standards, but by eliminating unnecessary administrative obstacles, clarifying procedures and defining the responsibilities of each institution involved.
The processing of foreign students’ applications requires an approach that combines hospitality and respect for their rights with security and institutional accountability requirements. In this regard, universities play an important role in providing accurate information, communicating with students and properly following procedures.
During the discussions, the efforts of universities to internationalise and diversify their academic offerings were welcomed. In 2026 alone, around 800 foreign students have been granted residence permits in Albania. This figure demonstrates growing interest in Albanian higher education institutions, but also highlights the need for more coordinated, secure and predictable procedures.
The meeting reaffirmed the support of state institutions for the internationalisation of higher education and for creating a more welcoming environment for foreign students, in line with the standards Albania seeks to meet as part of its integration into the European Union.
MEFA will continue its dialogue with universities and relevant institutions, with the aim of ensuring that international students choosing Albania encounter clear and fair procedures, a more cooperative administration, and a reliable and accountable system.
Photo: Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania
