On 25 September 2014 the Visa Information System (VIS) for Schengen short-stay visas started operation in all Schengen States' consulates present in the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo*, Montenegro and Serbia) and Turkey. This is part of the gradual worldwide deployment of the VIS (which started in October 2011) leading to all Schengen States' consulates worldwide being connected. The global roll-out is scheduled to be completed in summer 2015.
As VIS relates exclusively to Schengen short-stay visas, Albanian citizens holding a biometric passport will not be affected. However residents in Albania who – due to their nationality – fall under the Schengen visa requirement will be submitted to the VIS procedure.