Why is My Albania e-Visa Application Still "Under Review"? (2026 Guide)
You have successfully submitted your application, paid the fee, and received your reference number. But now, days have passed, and your status on the tracking page still says "Under Review."
For travelers with upcoming flights, this silence can be nerve-wracking. Is something wrong? Did the application get lost? Was it rejected?
In 95% of cases, a status of "Under Review" is completely normal and simply indicates that your file is moving through the standard bureaucratic stages. However, understanding how the Albania e-Visa timeline works in 2026—and what factors cause delays—can save you a lot of stress.
At Migra Global Soluciones, we monitor thousands of applications. Here is the breakdown of why your visa might be delayed and when you should actually be concerned.
Decoding the Status: What "Under Review" Means
When you check your status on our Track Application page, you will typically see one of three stages. "Under Review" is the longest phase.
Phase 1: Internal Review (0-24 Hours)
Immediately after you apply, our experts check your documents. If we find an error (like a blurry passport), we pause the application and email you. If the status is "Under Review," it means your documents passed our internal checks and have been forwarded to the Albanian Ministry.
Phase 2: Government Processing (The Waiting Game)
Once the file is with the Albanian authorities, it enters a queue. In 2026, the Albanian immigration system uses both automated security checks (Interpol/Database queries) and manual officer review.
"Under Review" at this stage means: “An immigration officer has your file on their desk but has not yet stamped 'Approved' or 'Refused'.”
Top 4 Reasons for Visa Delays in 2026
If your application is taking longer than the estimated time, it is usually due to one of these external factors:
1. The "Working Days" Misunderstanding
This is the #1 source of confusion. Visa processing times are calculated in Working Days (Business Days), not calendar days.
Scenario: You apply on Friday afternoon.
Reality: The government offices are closed on Saturday and Sunday. Processing effectively starts on Monday.
The Math: If the estimate is "3 Days," and you apply Friday, your visa is likely due on Wednesday, not Monday.
2. Albanian Public Holidays
Government immigration offices close for national holidays. Albania has several public holidays (e.g., Independence Day in November, Summer Day in March, Religious holidays like Eid or Easter). If your application coincides with a holiday, the clock stops until the offices reopen.
3. Peak Travel Season (Summer/August)
Albania's popularity has exploded. During peak months (June to August), the volume of applications skyrockets.
The Impact: While the standard processing time might be 5-9 days, during high season, the government queue is longer. "Under Review" statuses tend to last 2-3 days longer in July than in February.
4. Detailed Security Checks
Sometimes, a specific application triggers a deeper security check. This is random or based on name matches. If your name is common (e.g., "John Smith"), the system may take extra time to verify you are not a person of interest with the same name. This does not mean you will be rejected; it just means the manual verification takes longer.
When Should I Start Worrying?
It is important to know the difference between a "standard wait" and a "problematic delay."
Standard Processing vs. Express
Standard: Typically takes 5 to 9 Working Days. If you are on Day 3, you are well within the normal range.
Express: Targeted for 24 Working Hours. If you paid for Express and haven't heard back in 48 hours (excluding weekends), this warrants a follow-up.
The "Spam Folder" Phenomenon
Before contacting support, check your Spam or Junk folder. We see this daily: The visa was actually approved 2 days ago, but the automated email from the government or our system was filtered by Gmail or Outlook.
Tip: Always verify your status on the Track Application page. That data is live. If it says "Approved" there, you can download the PDF immediately, even if you never got the email.
FAQ: Albania e-Visa Processing Time
Can I pay extra to speed up an application that is already "Under Review"?
Once an application is submitted to the government (Phase 2), we cannot "pull it out" of the pile to speed it up. The Express fee pays for priority submission at the beginning. This is why selecting the right package at the start is crucial.
My flight is tomorrow! What can I do?
If your flight is imminent and your visa is still pending, please contact us with the subject line "URGENT FLIGHT." While we cannot force the government to approve it, we can check if the file is stuck due to a technical error (like a missing document) that can be quickly fixed.
Does "Under Review" mean I might get rejected?
No. A rejection usually happens relatively quickly or comes with a specific "Action Required" request. A long "Under Review" status is generally a sign of a backlog/queue, not a rejection.
Do children's visas take the same amount of time?
Yes. Even infants need a full security check. In fact, sometimes family applications are processed at slightly different speeds. Do not panic if the father's visa arrives on Monday and the child's visa arrives on Tuesday.
Waiting is hard, but we are here to help.If your application has exceeded the maximum estimated timeframe for your selected package (excluding weekends), our team can open a ticket with the processing center to investigate the delay.