The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEFA) today held an Open Day on visa applications for international students, in cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior and the Border and Migration Department.

The meeting brought together more than 30 representatives from around 15 public and private universities. The discussions provided a direct platform for communication on issues related to visas and residence permits for international students, as well as on improving coordination between state institutions and universities.

The Secretary General of MEFA, Armand Skapi, emphasized 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.

Processing applications from international students 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 the relevant procedures.

During the discussions, the efforts of universities to promote internationalization and diversify their academic offerings were acknowledged. During 2026 alone, around 800 international students have been granted residence permits in Albania. This figure demonstrates the growing interest in Albanian higher education institutions, while also highlighting the need for more coordinated, secure, and predictable procedures.

The meeting reaffirmed the support of state institutions for the internationalization of higher education and for creating a more welcoming environment for international 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 the relevant institutions, with the aim of ensuring that international students who choose Albania encounter clear and fair procedures, a more cooperative administration, and a reliable and accountable system.