Top Channel exclusive reveals Berisha publicly lied about U.S. visa request

A few days ago, Democratic Party chairman Sali Berisha publicly claimed he has not sought a visa to enter the United States since stepping down as Prime Minister. “I haven’t requested a visa. Since leaving office, I don’t believe I ever have,” he said during a May 8 press conference. But official filings obtained by Top Channel tell a different story.

Why is this important: The revelation not only contradicts Sali Berisha’s public denial but also exposes the extent of his party’s efforts—and spending—to engineer a narrative suggesting his return to favor with U.S. authorities. The documents make it clear that Berisha, knowing full well he has been refused twice and that there is no change in his non grata designation, has nevertheless tried very hard to mislead his supporters and the Albanian public by using a very dubious tweet by a U.S. journalist. The contradiction between his public statements and the formal lobbying efforts submitted to the U.S. State Department under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) raises serious questions about transparency and honesty at the top of Albania’s main opposition party—just one day before national elections.

Context: Two letters submitted by Continental PLLC—a firm under contract with the Democratic Party for $6 million—reveal that lobbying efforts were made in March and May 2025 to secure a special entry-exit visa for Berisha.

The first letter, dated March 28 and addressed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, was signed by representatives of several Albanian-American organizations, including Nuredin Seçi, the reported guarantor of the lobbying contract. It formally requested that Berisha be granted a visa to visit the United States and meet with members of the Albanian-American diaspora during the campaign.

The letter describes Berisha as a “historic figure in Albanian politics” and outlines his political legacy, including his time as president, prime minister, and long-serving MP. It asks that he be allowed to travel to engage with supporters and guide diaspora participation in the May 11 election.

When no visa was granted, a second letter followed on May 1 from the same firm. This time, the letter outlined the legal arguments for a waiver under Section 7031(c) of U.S. law, explaining that such decisions fall solely within the discretionary authority of the Secretary of State. It also emphasized that a review could occur through “internal reconsideration, political change, or administrative review,” and that the request aligned with what the firm called “compelling national interest.”

What else: These revelations directly undercut Berisha’s insistence that he has made no efforts to travel to the United States. Both documents were registered with the U.S. Department of Justice as lobbying activity on behalf of the Democratic Party of Albania. They were submitted by Continental Strategy, which has represented the DP in Washington and has also been involved in promoting Berisha’s case online.

The State Department has not granted any visa to Berisha, and there is no indication that his non grata designation—imposed in 2021 for “significant corruption” by then-Secretary Antony Blinken—has been lifted or altered. The designation remains publicly available on the State Department’s official site.

Despite this, Berisha and his supporters have attempted to frame recent developments—such as a vague tweet by journalist Marc Caputo—as proof of changed U.S. policy. But the newly revealed documents suggest the only thing that has changed is the level of effort Berisha is willing to put into reversing his international isolation.