Select a visa category below to find the visa issuance fee, number of entries, and validity period for visas issued to applicants from this country*/area of authority.
Visa Classification: The type of nonimmigrant visa you are applying for.
Fee: The reciprocity fee, also known as the visa issuance fee, you must pay. This fee is in addition to the nonimmigrant visa application fee (MRV fee).
Number of Entries: The number of times you may seek entry into the United States with that visa. "M" means multiple times. If there is a number, such as "One", you may apply for entry one time with that visa.
Validity Period: This generally means the visa is valid, or can be used, from the date it is issued until the date it expires, for travel with that visa. If your Validity Period is 60 months, your visa will be valid for 60 months from the date it is issued.
| Visa Classification |
Fee | Number of Entries |
Validity Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| A-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| A-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| A-3 1 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| B-1 | None | Multiple | 120 Months |
| B-2 | None | Multiple | 120 Months |
| B-1/B-2 | None | Multiple | 120 Months |
| C-1 | None | Multiple | 36 Months |
| C-1/D | None | Multiple | 36 Months |
| C-2 | None | One | 15 Days |
| C-3 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| C-W-1 11 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| C-W-2 11 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| D | None | Multiple | 36 Months |
| E-1 2 | No Treaty | N/A | N/A |
| E-2 2 | None | Multiple | 36 Months |
| E-2C 12 | None | Multiple | 36 Months |
| F-1 | None | Multiple | 36 Months |
| F-2 | None | Multiple | 36 Months |
| G-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| G-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| G-3 | None | One | 6 Months |
| G-4 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| G-5 1 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| H-1B | None | Multiple | 36 Months 3 |
| H-1C | None | Multiple | 36 Months 3 |
| H-2A | None | N/A | N/A3 |
| H-2B | None | N/A | N/A3 |
| H-2R | None | Multiple | 12 Months 3 |
| H-3 | None | Multiple | 36 Months 3 |
| H-4 | None | Multiple | 36 Months 3 |
| I | None | Multiple | 36 Months |
| J-1 4 | None | Multiple | 36 Months |
| J-2 4 | None | Multiple | 36 Months |
| K-1 | None | One | 6 Months |
| K-2 | None | One | 6 Months |
| K-3 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| K-4 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| L-1 | None | Multiple | 36 Months |
| L-2 | None | Multiple | 36 Months |
| M-1 | None | Multiple | 36 Months |
| M-2 | None | Multiple | 36 Months |
| N-8 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| N-9 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| NATO 1-6 10 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| NATO-7 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| O-1 | None | Multiple | 36 Months 3 |
| O-2 | None | Multiple | 36 Months 3 |
| O-3 | None | Multiple | 36 Months 3 |
| P-1 | None | Multiple | 36 Months 3 |
| P-2 | None | Multiple | 36 Months 3 |
| P-3 | None | Multiple | 36 Months 3 |
| P-4 | None | Multiple | 36 Months 3 |
| Q-1 6 | None | Multiple | 12 Months 3 |
| R-1 | None | Multiple | 36 Months |
| R-2 | None | Multiple | 36 Months |
| S-5 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| S-6 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| S-7 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| T-1 9 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| T-2 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-3 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-4 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-5 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-6 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-D 5 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| U-1 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-2 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-3 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-4 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-5 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| V-1 | None | Multiple | 120 Months |
| V-2 | None | Multiple | 120 Months 8 |
| V-3 | None | Multiple | 120 Months 8 |
Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.
The validity of A-3, G-5, and NATO 7 visas may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the person who is employing the applicant. The "employer" would have one of the following visa classifications:
An E-1 and E-2 visa may be issued only to a principal alien who is a national of a country having a treaty, or its equivalent, with the United States. E-1 and E-2 visas may not be issued to a principal alien if he/she is a stateless resident or national of a country without a treaty. *When the spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 principal alien are accorded derivative E-1 or E-2 status and are themselves a national of a country that does not have a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the principal alien’s country of nationality should be used. **Spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 visa principal applicant, where the spouse and children are also nationals of a country that has a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the spouse and children’s country of nationality should be used.
*Example 1: John Doe is a national of Country A that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country B which has no treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the same reciprocity as John Doe, the principal visa holder.
**Example 2: Mike Doe is a national of Country Y that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country Z that also has a treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the reciprocity issued to nationals of Country Z.
The validity of H-1 through H-3, O-1 and O-2, P-1 through P-3, and Q visas may not exceed the period of validity of the approved petition or the number of months shown, whichever is less.
Under 8 CFR §214.2, H-2A and H-2B petitions may generally only be approved for nationals of countries that the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated as participating countries. The current list of eligible countries is available on USCIS's website for both H-2A and H-2B visas. Nationals of countries not on this list may be the beneficiary of an approved H-2A or H2-B petition in limited circumstances at the discretion of the Department of Homeland Security if specifically named on the petition.
Derivative H-4, L-2, O-3, and P-4 visas, issued to accompanying or following-to-join spouses and children, may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the principal alien.
There is no reciprocity fee for the issuance of a J visa if the alien is a United States Government grantee or a participant in an exchange program sponsored by the United States Government.
Also, there is no reciprocity fee for visa issuance to an accompanying or following-to-join spouse or child (J-2) of an exchange visitor grantee or participant.
In addition, an applicant is eligible for an exemption from the MRV fee if he or she is participating in a State Department, USAID, or other federally funded educational and cultural exchange program (program serial numbers G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-7).
However, all other applicants with U.S. Government sponsorships, including other J-visa applicants, are subject to the MRV processing fee.
Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian and Mexican nationals coming to engage in certain types of professional employment in the United States may be admitted in a special nonimmigrant category known as the "trade NAFTA" or "TN" category. Their dependents (spouse and children) accompanying or following to join them may be admitted in the "trade dependent" or "TD" category whether or not they possess Canadian or Mexican nationality. Except as noted below, the number of entries, fees and validity for non-Canadian or non-Mexican family members of a TN status holder seeking TD visas should be based on the reciprocity schedule of the TN principal alien.
Since Canadian nationals generally are exempt from visa requirement, a Canadian "TN' or "TD" alien does not require a visa to enter the United States. However, the non-Canadian national dependent of a Canadian "TN", unless otherwise exempt from the visa requirement, must obtain a "TD" visa before attempting to enter the United States. The standard reciprocity fee and validity period for all non-Canadian "TD"s is no fee, issued for multiple entries for a period of 36 months, or for the duration of the principal alien's visa and/or authorized period of stay, whichever is less. See 'NOTE' under Canadian reciprocity schedule regarding applicants of Iranian, Iraqi or Libyan nationality.
Mexican nationals are not visa-exempt. Therefore, all Mexican "TN"s and both Mexican and non-Mexican national "TD"s accompanying or following to join them who are not otherwise exempt from the visa requirement (e.g., the Canadian spouse of a Mexican national "TN") must obtain nonimmigrant visas.
Applicants of Iranian, Iraqi, Libyan, Somalian, Sudanese, Syrian or Yemeni nationality, who have a permanent resident or refugee status in Canada/Mexico, may not be accorded Canadian/Mexican reciprocity, even when applying in Canada/Mexico. The reciprocity fee and period for "TD" applicants from Libya is $10.00 for one entry over a period of 3 months. The Iranian and Iraqi "TD" is no fee with one entry over a period of 3 months.
Q-2 (principal) and Q-3 (dependent) visa categories are in existence as a result of the 'Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998'. However, because the Department anticipates that virtually all applicants for this special program will be either Irish or U.K. nationals, the Q-2 and Q-3 categories have been placed only in the reciprocity schedules for those two countries. Q-2 and Q-3 visas are available only at the Embassy in Dublin and the Consulate General in Belfast.
No S visa may be issued without first obtaining the Department's authorization.
V-2 and V-3 status is limited to persons who have not yet attained their 21st birthday. Accordingly, the period of validity of a V-2 or V-3 visa must be limited to expire on or before the applicant's twenty-first birthday.
Posts may not issue a T-1 visa. A T-1 applicant must be physically present in the United States, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or a U.S. port of entry, where he/she will apply for an adjustment of status to that of a T-1. The following dependents of a T-1 visa holder, however, may be issued a T visa at a U.S. consular office abroad:
The validity of NATO-5 visas may not exceed the period of validity of the employment contract or 12 months, whichever is less.
The validity of CW-1 and CW-2 visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (12 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.
The validity of E-2C visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (24 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.
Most civil documents are available. While document security has increased, Albanian civil documents are not always reliable or accurate. There are some villages where records may have been destroyed in World War II or during civil unrest in the late 1990s. In such cases, a local issuing authority should be able to provide official confirmation about what documents were burned or destroyed. All civil documents presented in support of a visa application should be less than one year old at the time they are provided. Only machine-typed civil documents are acceptable. Albanian birth certificates should reflect the bearer's current marital status at the time of issuance, and are issued in the bearer's current name (i.e. in a woman's married name, not in her maiden name). Religious birth records are not acceptable. There does not appear to be any restriction on sending documents abroad.
General Issuing Authority Information: The issuing authority is the Office of Civil Status located in City Hall or in commune where the person is registered.
Available for use abroad
Fees: 200 Lek for the 6-language translated certificate for use abroad. This is the only type of certificate accepted by Post.
Document Name: Certifikate Lindjeje
Issuing Authority: Gjendja Civile - Civil Status Office
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: A-4 pre- printed format, white and green border color, with a serial number, a hologram containing the seal of Albanian State and the inscription "Republika e Shqiperise, Ministria e Punëve të Brendshme (In English – Republic of Albania, Ministry of Internal Affairs), institution's wet seal, issuing clerk's signature, and fee stamp. For electronic certificates issued by e-Albania, the format will be similar. However, electronic certificates will not have a serial number and will include a QR code that can be scanned to redirect the user to the e-Albania website.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Civil Status Office Registrar
Registration Criteria:
Procedure for Obtaining: The requestor must show in person to the Office of Civil Status, present an I.D., pay the fee and obtain the certificate. The requestor should cite that he or she needs the birth certificate for a foreign embassy. Alternatively, he or she may go to a notary and authorize a third party to obtain the birth certificate on his or her behalf.
Certified Copies Available: Not available
Alternate Documents: None
Exceptions: Post encounters applicants of Cham origin, whose place of birth was Greece, but do not have a Greek birth certificate. Instead, they present an Albanian birth certificate. They are asked to provide a statement from Greek Authorities that no records exist for them.
Comments: Only certificates reading Birth Certificate "Certifikate Lindjeje" are accepted. Certificates that read Personal Certificate "Certifikate Personale" and religious birth records are not acceptable. Albanian documents submitted as part of the U.S. visa process should be less than one year old at the time they are provided.
Available
Fees: 50 Lek per certificate, or 200 Lek for the 6-language translated certificate for use abroad. Both types of certificates are acceptable.
Document Name: Certifikate Vdekje – Death Certificate
Issuing Authority: Gjendja Civile – Civil Status Office
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: A-4 pre- printed format, white and green border color, with a serial number, a hologram containing the seal of Albanian State and the inscription "Republika e Shqiperise, Ministria e Punëve të Brendshme (In English – Republic of Albania, Ministry of Internal Affairs), institution's wet seal, issuing clerk's signature, and fee stamp.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Civil Status Office Registrar
Registration Criteria: A family member obtains a death report from the family doctor, where is written the cause of death, and applies at the Civil Status Office to register the death in the Act of Deaths Record and in the online National Registry of Civil Status.
Procedure for Obtaining: The requestor must show in person to the Office of Civil Status, present an I.D., pay the fee and obtain the certificate. Alternatively, he or she may go to a notary and authorize a third party to obtain the birth certificate on his or her behalf.
Certified Copies Available: None
Comments: Albanian documents submitted as part of the U.S. visa process should be less than one year old at the time they are provided.
Available
Fees: 50 Lek per certificate, or 200 Lek for the 6-language translated certificate for use abroad. Both types of certificates are acceptable. No fee for marriage certificates obtained through the e-albania.al website.
Document Name: Certifikate Martese (nga Akti).
Issuing Authority: Gjendja Civile - Civil Status Office.
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Format: A-4 pre-printed format, white and green border color, with a serial number, a hologram containing the seal of Albanian State and the inscription "Republika e Shqiperise, Ministria e Punëve të Brendshme (In English - Republic of Albania, Ministry of Interior), institution's wet seal, issuing clerk's signature, and fee stamp.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Civil Status Office or e-albania.al website
Registration Criteria:
Procedure for Obtaining: The requestor must show in person to the Office of Civil Status, present an I.D., pay the fee and request marriage certificate from the act (in Albanian Certifikatë Martese nga Akti). Alternatively, he or she may go to a notary and authorize a third party to obtain the birth certificate on his or her behalf.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: None.
Comments: Only marriage certificates from the Act are acceptable for the immigrant visa process.The marriage certificate should show both married name and maiden name. Albanian documents submitted as part of the U.S. visa process should be less than one year old at the time they are provided. For electronic certificates issued by e-Albania, the format will be similar. However, electronic certificates will not have a serial number and will include a QR code that can be scanned to redirect the user to the e-Albania website.
Available
Comments: While there are no divorce certificates, there are divorce decrees one can get from the district court, where the court hearing took place. For divorced applicants, applicants are required to submit a copy of their court decision, translated in English. Please refer to court records section for detailed information.
Unavailable.
Available
Fees: 1,500 Lek
Document Name: Leternjoftim - I.D. card
Issuing Authority: Ministry of Internal Affairs
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: it is a plastic card, written in Albanian and English. It contains the photograph, date, and place of birth, and the personal identity number, issuance date, expiry date, and sex. It has in the background an eagle, which is located in the middle of the card, the map of Albania and the map of Europe, respectively on the left and on the right side.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Ministry of Interior, through the ALEAT Company. Its office is usually located next to Civil Registry Office of the commune or city hall, or in a centralized office, responsible for several communes.
Registration Criteria: Upon requestor's application for an I.D. card, the ALEAT Company verifies his or her identity with the Civil Registry office, which checks the identity in the National Registry of Civil Status. Once the identity is confirmed, the ALEAT Company fills out an application form in their database, takes a photo of requestor, and his or her fingerprints.
Procedure for Obtaining: Requestor purchases a coupon at the Albanian Post Office of $12.00 and then must apply in person at the ALEAT Company nearby the commune or city hall where he or she resides. After two to three weeks, applicants must go back to the same office to have the right thumb fingerprint scanned, in order to be issued the I.D. card.
Certified Copies Available: None
Alternate Documents: None
Exceptions: an I.D. card is issued to individuals 16 year old and above.
The Albanian police clearance consists of a criminal court certificate from the Ministry of Justice concerning any convictions. The Ministry of Justice certificate is transmitted directly from the Albanian authorities to the U.S. Embassy Tirana; it may not be accepted directly from the applicant.
Ministry of Justice Certificate
Available
Fees: 200 Lek for the certificate, and an additional Albanian Post Office fee, depending on the district the requestor is applying from.
Document Name: Vertetim i Gjendjes Gjyqesore - Judicial Status Certificate
Issuing Authority: Judicial Status Section, General Directorate of Prisons, Ministry of Justice
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: A-4 format, yellow color, with a serial number, institution's wet seal, issuing clerk's wet seal, and fee stamp.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Judicial Status Section Specialist
Registration Criteria: All final court decisions are submitted to the Judicial Status Section, General Directorate of Prisons, Ministry of Justice. These records are then entered in a database of the Judicial Status Section.
Procedure for Obtaining: To obtain a criminal court certificate from the Ministry of Justice (in Albanian - Vertetim i Gjendjes Gjyqesore or Deshmi Penaliteti), the requestor must apply in person by submitting a photocopy of his or her ID card or birth certificate through the Albanian Post Office, and must pay the necessary fee. Apply in current and in any former names, including maiden names. Applicants must clearly note on the application at the post office that they are applying for a U.S. visa. If the person cannot physically be in Albania, s/he may delegate a Power-of-Attorney to apply on their behalf. If the interview will be conducted at an embassy or consulate other than Tirana, the interested person must note on the application at the Albanian Post Office that they are applying for a U.S. visa in (name of country where the visa interview will occur). Once received by the Consular Section, scanned copies of certificates will be forwarded to the respective post via email.
Certified Copies Available: None
Alternate Documents: None
Exceptions: None
Comments: NVC no longer receives Ministry of Justice certificates, but only a copy of the application’s fee receipt. By arrangement with the Albanian authorities, court certificates for applicants for U.S. visas are transferred directly to U.S. Embassy Tirana. Therefore the applicant will not receive an original copy of the criminal court certificate nor is it necessary for them to send the document to NVC. Only court certificates obtained directly through U.S. Embassy Tirana are acceptable; applicants may not present their own certificates. Applicants should send NVC a copy of the receipt of payment as evidence that they have applied for the judicial status certificate.
Albanian documents submitted as part of the U.S. visa process should be less than one year old at the time they are provided.
Available
Fees: 800 lek
Document Name: Vendim i Gjykates
Issuing Authority: District Court
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: A-4 format or half of A-4 format, signed by the judges who issued the verdict and District Court's wet stamp.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Gjykata e Rrethit Gjyqesor - District's name, signed by the Chancellor and Chief Secretary. A part of Court records are currently saved at the Ministry of Justice/ General Directorate of Prisons/ The Judicial Status Office.
Registration Criteria: convicted person's name is entered in electronic and handwritten court register.
Procedure for Obtaining: Requestor must submit e request to the Chief Secretary.
Certified Copies Available: Yes
Alternate Documents:
Comments convicted of a crime. Divorced applicants must submit a copy of their court decision, translated in English. This document may be requested from the district court where the decision was taken. The court decision certificates must be translated in English and notarized.
Unavailable
Available
Fees: No fee
Document Name: Vertetim
Issuing Authority: Personnel Recruitment Center , General Headquarter of Armed Forces, Ministry of Defense
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: White color, ½ of A-4 format, wet seal.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: The head of Personnel Recruitment Center
Registration Criteria: All males at age 18 were registered in the military record of the Mobilization and Recruitment Center. Based on law no.9047, dated July 10, 2003, "On the Military Service in Republic of Albania" amended by law no. 9999, dated September 24, 2008, amended, there is no longer compulsory military service.
Procedure for Obtaining: The requestor shows his I.D. and obtains the document.
Certified Copies Available: None
Alternate Documents: None
Comments: Only applicants with date of birth before September 24, 1990 are required to submit a military record.
Types Available (Regular, Diplomatic, Official, etc.): Regular, Diplomatic, and Official passport
Fees: 7,500 Lek for regular application, 18,000 Lek for expedited request.
Document Name: Pasaporte
Issuing Government Authority: Ministry of Internal Affairs
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format:
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Ministry of Interior, through the ALEAT Company. Its office is usually located next to Civil Registry Office of the commune or city hall, or in a centralized office, responsible for several communes.
Registration Criteria: Upon requestor's application for passport, the ALEAT Company verifies his or her identity with the Civil Registry office, and with the Police Officer in charge for the borough. Once the identity is confirmed, the ALEAT Company fills out an application form in their database, takes a photo of requestor, and his or her fingerprints.
Not applicable.
Tirana, Albania (Embassy)
Rr. Elbasanit, No. 103
Tirana, Albania
Phone: (355)-(4)-224-7285
All visa categories for all of Albania.
Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.
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