For many years, American citizens have flocked to Albania to live either short term or long term, enjoying a one-year visa waiver, meaning there is no paperwork needed for the first 12 months they are here. But all that has changed, somewhat out of the blue, leaving many stranded, confused, and uncertain.
Under the previous rules, American passport holders could enter Albania and remain for up to 12 months without applying for a resident permit. After the time was up, they just had to exit for three months and then re-enter to enjoy another year. This system was enjoyed by digital nomads, travelling families, teachers, volunteers, and various other kinds of individuals.
But on 1 January 2022, everything changed. The visa-free year policy ended, and a new rule came into force. This rule means that after 90 days, US citizens must either leave and wait 90 days to come back or apply for a residence permit, like EU and other citizens.
The problem is that tens of US citizens said they had no warning or notification of the changes. Furthermore, nothing was posted on the Embassy website or social media, notifying anyone of such a change. While the website has now been updated, it does not answer all the questions and was only changed a week ago, almost one month after the rules changed.
Jamais True, a US citizen living in Tirana, said the problem is not that the rules have changed, but rather the lack of communication.
“People arrived here last year, signed year-long leases, bought cars, put their children in school etc., thinking they had a year here and didn’t need to rush to decide whether they needed to get a residence permit,” she told Exit.
She added the embassy has released “zero statements” on it, and there are big questions about the ins and outs of the new rule. She said that communication from the embassy has been minimal while noting that they failed to answer the questions she sent.
“Many of us have contacted the consulates and messaged them on social media asking for clarification but have received no response, other than it is now 90 days. We don’t know what will happen to those of us who arrived last year, what the fines are or whether we would qualify for imprisonment or banishment.”
“The only way Americans who are here will know this rule is if they are on the ex-pat groups on Facebook; otherwise, they will find out the hard way when they have overstayed when they leave,” she said.
Overstaying incurs steep fines. Additionally, those who were not aware of the rule until after 1 January 2022 and have now “overstayed” could find themselves slapped with hefty fines if they apply for residency, leave the country, or try to come back.
“It is a money trap for people in our situation,” Jamais said.
Exit spoke to several other US citizens who have told similar stories. Requests for information and clarity to the embassy have been ignored or unanswered leaving them uncertain of what to do.
Exit has also reached out to the US Embassy with questions on why the rule has changed, whether it is applied retroactively, why there was no communication with citizens and the exact particulars and processes of the new system.
They responded by directing us to a page on the embassy website which did not answer the main question of what happens to those already living, working, or renting in Albania when the rules took effect. As for why the change in policy, they directed us to the Albanian authorities.
