The Adaptation of the Albanian Legislation on Entry and Residence of Foreign Citizens within the Integration Process

Abstract

In March 2013, Albania adopted a new law on foreigners which repealed the law of 2008. The aim of the new law is to guarantee the treatment of foreigners entering or seeking to enter, stay or work in the territory of Albania according to the criteria and norms of the European Union. The law in question brings innovation about travel documents when for the first time is recognized the group passport, a standard set by the European Union legislation. Also for the first time it establishes a residence permit for voluntary workers and researchers. Regarding the residence permits, there is a change to their labeling and in accordance with the EU legislation it is provided the "blue card" residence permit, which is issued to highly qualified workers. The new law also harmonizes the criteria for entry and stay in the territory of Albania with those of the Schengen Code. In this paper will be analyzed the European Union legislation on entry and residence of third-country nationals, which will be followed by the analyses of the provisions of the Albanian law of 2013 that discipline the entry and stay of foreigners in the territory of Albania, in order to identify the level of harmonization of it with the European Union legislation.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n2s2p87