Every Albanian citizen who is qualified for an American visa will keep
it for three years. This was declared by the US Ambassador, Alexander
Arvizu, during his interview on Top Story.
He had promised to give very good news to the Albanian citizens. Arvizu declared that this is an important step. But for a full visa liberalization, more time and work is needed.
Alexander Arvizu: “We have a new policy. I have the pleasure to announce that Albanians who have been qualified for most popular visas, such as B1 and B2 visas, tourist visas, student visas or visas that were valid for one year, will now be able to use them for three years. People will save money and time, because they will not be forced to apply every year. This would make it easier for legal travels to the US, which is something that we encourage. But people still need to qualify for the visa. The officials will still have the authority to limit the period you are allowed to stay. I hope that on day the visa might be valid for five years. After that Albania might be also qualified for the visa-free program, but that would need Albania to be at the same social and economic level with the other neighboring countries. I know that the Albanian people have strong ties with the US, but we are very grateful for this. But the visa law is this and people still need to be qualified”, Arvizu declared.
Sokoll Balla: Does this mean that Albania is one step closer to the visa-free relation with the US?
Alexander Arvizu: It is one step indeed, since these measures make a change. The circumstances have been very limiting before, but the US Department wanted more data to analyze the number of those who return and the number of those who stayed longer than the visa. This is one step more. I would hate to kill the joy, but there is still a long way before Albania becomes part of the countries that have no visas for the US”, Arvizu declared.
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