US Embassy, Tirana Review

As I understand it, they are wrong on the law. They said that if I lose my next passport that I might not get another one. A US attorney tells me otherwise citing a Supreme court ruling on the matter. They also told me that my temporary passport which was the 1 year replacement passport wasn't in perfect shape (I've been traveling for a year) and continued to warn me that my passport was not MY property but the property of the US government. Whatever, I paid for it and I have a right to it.

I've been to Embassies in Istanbul and Athens and they were MUCH nicer, much more customer oriented and helpful and give you that home away from home feeling. There is nothing special about the embassy except there is no line to get things done and my new 10 year passport was delivered in only a couple of days without an expedited service fee.

I'm a US citizen trying to get urgent Embassy help since May 15th. I have contacted the Embassy by email, phone number and emergency line with 0 response. I've resorted to tweeting for help. It looks like my next step will be camping outside the Embassy. What is going on?

I agree with Syd Syd. There may be hundreds who go in everyday but only 2-3 end up receiving a visa. It is terrible for the hard working Albanians who can barely afford the $160 fee but would love to come see America for that short time peroid. There are well qualified people who enter the embassy everyday for a chance but get denied. My family and I have been in the United States for over thirteen years and my sister is pregant and we recently moved to a different state and bought a house and would have loved to have my uncle (moms brother) to come and visit us in Florida for 6 months. Even if it was 2 weeks, we just missed him and want him to see America since it is a dream for him. He printed out everything and more, just in case. He went to his daughters school and got her records, went to the police and got his record (to show he was clean of any crime), he went and got documents stating how he owned his home in Albania, and more. We were so exicted for his interview date to come just to be shot down and depressed to hear he didn't make it. When i found out the associate only spoke to him for less than 5 minutes, I was heartbroken and felt betrayed. It is honestly becoming a ripoff/ scam. They told him to try again some other time but my uncle barly had the money to spend $160 on an interview. The embassy in Albania is just advertising the tourist (and many more types) visas but end up not giving any out. My uncle had to ride a bus there and back which all together was about 8 hours. My family and I feel very betrayed and dissapointted with this embassy. I wish my uncle could have been here in the United States to see our new house, his niece's baby, and the state of Florida!

I want to thank consular associates that assisted my cousin's mom to get the urgent visa to US. My cousin had a very serious motorcycle accident here in New York. His parent live in Albania and was hard for them to hear the bad news and get along with the fact of not seeing him and being close to him. Thank you for helping this family in this difficult moments and God bless you all in the work that you do.

Love the place happy to be in Tirana. Meet new friends learn something form the amazing Albanians.

Compared to all embassies, the infrastructure here is more well thought out, the staff starting from the secretaries and the ordinary employees are very professional and above all to always give the necessary help.

Last time i needed their service was a year ago. Their service was beyond expectations no mixups, no delays and the staff was very friendly and helpful. The whole process(visa application) is super easy nearly for everyody and it only takes two weeks or so.

I had lost my U.S. passport in Albania. The consular helped me out and give me a replacement less than in one Day!

Very nice and friendly staf. There even was a place for the kids to play while waiting for the interview.

The staff is very friendly, the building is quite large for an embassy, which also shows the huge admiration Albania has for the Americans.

Expressing sincere and warmest thanks to the CONSULAR ASSOCIATE that recently assisted me from afar! It is so comforting to know that there are indeed individuals that are caring, compassionate and understanding. Thank you for the assistance that was graciously given in my time of need

Corrupt. An American government office that has fallen under the corruption of the country it is located in. Visas are not issued on merit. Well qualified applicants, with very strong ties to their home country (university, home-owner, employed etc.) are continuously denied. They want you to pay the $160 fee, again and again... a pay to play system. As an American, I am absolutely ashamed that the people in that office represent me.

One of the best foreign countries' diplomatic services in Albania

My husband and I had to have a few forms signed with a notary. We signed up for the first scheduled appointment (they are only one day a week on Thursdays). The building was late to open and a large grouping of people, us included, were waiting outside in the summer heat to get in. Once open they wouldn t let my husband in (he had his passport) - online we couldn t sign up for the appointment with two names. So I waited in the room I was sent to for several minutes with no word waiting for someone to show up. Finally late a woman did appear and she was very rude, she seemed to talk down to everyone. She stamped my papers, looked down on me and said you know this will be 50$ a signature. (Yes I can read and knew this so I smiled kindly and thanked her). After I convinced her to allow my husband in (he needed to sign one form) she acted rude to him too repeatedly saying he didn t understand and was suppose to wait outside. After we paid and another person waiting in line looked at me worried to have to deal with her as well, I was angrily told did I not understand. I have a Masters degree in English, if multiple people don t understand the problem is not with them. In the waiting room my name was called wrong but I assumed it was me - went in again and was told no go get my husband. Why didn t I understand? I went back, got my husband and then luck beyond luck we had a lovely man for our notary. He was so pleasant we joked and the papers were signed quick and efficiently and we left :)

4.6 out of 5!! I think the workers are writing the reviews not the Albanain! This place is a SHAME! They treat albanian people horribly! They have turned the visas into a business. ripping people off! The are breaking apart so many Albanian families for no reason! They do not even check the documents and give people the same reason for being refused ! So basically its just chance! You pay them and they do not even have time to attend you! They say bring documents and they do not look at them! Danald Lu always talking like he is on the side of Albanian People and he and his people treat them worst than everybody else. I live in U.S and when I see so much injustice it makes me feel so mad and weak at the same because I can't do anything about it, but I believe there is a God who sees everything!