Albanians have not broken visa-free rules

TIRANA, Feb. 15 – Two months since the Albanians enjoy the visa-free regime with the European Union Schengen area member countries have passed without any incident, Albanian authorities said Tuesday.
Interior Minister Lulzim Basha said that about 127,000 Albanians had used that freedom to move in western countries and there has been no case when they broke the rule. Among them some 700 persons were denied entry due to violations they had made before.
Basha said there were no Albanians asking for asylum during the last two months.
Albania enjoyed the visa-free regime since Dec. 15 last year together with Bosnia. Albanian authorities continue to make public awareness of the rules Albanians have to apply when they move abroad, like having a biometric passport, a required amount of money, the address of their destination, health insurance or invitation.
The minister also reminded those Albanians who left the country since Dec. 15 telling them there is one more month for them available and they should not break such rules.
Albanians can stay three months out of six months in any Schengen country but only as visitors, or tourists. If they want to work there or study they have to apply for a normal visa.
Some 1.5 million Albanians have already taken the biometric passport, which is obligatory when they move abroad. Authorities will soon open four offices in Italy and Greece to help immigrants there apply for biometric passports.