Albania C-Type e-Visa Application Guide for Angola Citizens (2026)

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For citizens of Angola, traveling to the Republic of Albania involves navigating a digital immigration system that is distinct from the traditional consular procedures often found in Southern Africa. Whether flying from Luanda (LAD) via Lisbon, Dubai, or Istanbul, Angolan nationals must secure a pre-approved entry permit before their journey begins.

Unlike some destinations that offer "Visa on Arrival" to holders of Angolan passports, Albania enforces a strict Digital Pre-Clearance policy. The Albanian authorities do not process visa applications at the border. Consequently, arriving at Tirana International Airport without a printed e-Visa will result in immediate repatriation.

This guide serves as a specialized manual for Angolan applicants, addressing the unique challenges of the region: dealing with the non-convertible Angolan Kwanza (AOA), the necessity of translating documents from Portuguese to English, and overcoming the limitations of domestic Multicaixa cards for international payments.

See also: Albania e-Visa Exemptions Guide

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Visa Requirements for Angolan Nationals

Is a visa mandatory? Yes.All individuals holding an ordinary passport issued by the Republic of Angola must obtain an e-Visa (Type C) to enter Albanian territory. This requirement applies regardless of the purpose of the visit, be it tourism, business, or family reunification.

Exemption Criteria

You may be exempt from the Albania e-Visa for Angola citizens requirement only if you meet highly specific criteria. Exemption applies if you hold a valid, multiple-entry visa for:

• The Schengen Area (e.g., issued by Portugal, France, etc.).

• The United States (B1/B2).

• The United Kingdom.

Crucial Rule: Having the visa in your passport is not sufficient. You must have previously used this visa to enter the issuing country at least once. If you have a fresh Schengen visa from the Portuguese Consulate in Luanda that has never been used, you cannot use it to enter Albania visa-free; you must apply for the Albanian e-Visa.

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The C-Type Short-Stay Visa Defined

The C-Type Visa is a temporary authorization designed for short-term stays. It is the appropriate category for tourism, visiting Angolan expatriates in the Balkans, or attending business conferences.

• Duration: It allows for a maximum stay of 90 days within any 180-day period.

• Non-Immigrant: This visa does not grant the right to work for an Albanian company or reside permanently.

• Validity: The visa is typically valid for entry within 6 months of issuance.

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Angola-Specific Application Checklist

Applications from Angola are scrutinized to verify financial stability and intent to return. To ensure your application is not part of the Albania e-Visa Processing Delay statistics, adhere to this checklist:

✅ Passport ValidityYour Angolan passport must differ from the expiration date by at least 6 months at the time of application. It must contain at least two blank pages.

✅ Financial Verification (Kwanza vs. Hard Currency)This is the most complex aspect for Angolan applicants due to forex fluctuations.

• The Requirement: You must demonstrate funds equivalent to €50 per day.

• The Document: A stamped bank statement (Extracto Bancário) for the last 12 months.

• Accepted Banks: Statements from BAI (Banco Angolano de Investimentos), BFA (Banco de Fomento Angola), BIC, or Millennium Atlântico are accepted.

• Currency Rule: While your account is likely in AOA (Kwanza), the statement must clearly show the balance. Ideally, if you have a foreign currency account (USD/EUR), submit that statement as it carries more weight than a Kwanza account due to inflation concerns.

✅ Linguistic Requirements (Portuguese to English)Albania does not accept documents in Portuguese.

• Translation: Your Birth Certificate (Assento de Nascimento), Criminal Record (Registo Criminal), and Service Declarations must be translated into English.

• Legalization: The translation must be certified by a Notary Public in Angola. Submitting raw Portuguese documents is a guaranteed refusal.

✅ Employee Documentation & Ties

• For Employees: Submit a formal letter from your employer in Luanda confirming your position, salary, and authorized leave dates (Declaração de Serviço).

• For Entrepreneurs: Proof of company registration (Alvará Comercial or Diário da República publication) translated into English.

• Property: If you own real estate, attach the documents to prove strong ties to Angola.

✅ Health InsuranceA travel insurance policy covering medical emergencies (min. €30,000) valid for Albania or the "Europe" zone.

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Step-by-Step Application Roadmap

The process is entirely digital. There is no physical submission at an Albanian diplomatic mission.

Step 1: Portal Registration

Access the official Apply for Albania e-Visa platform. Register using a private email address (Gmail/Outlook) rather than a corporate one to ensure delivery.

Step 2: Form Data Entry

Select "Visa Type C". Enter your details exactly as they appear on your passport bio-page.

• Angolan Name Note: Ensure all your surnames (apelidos) are included exactly as printed in the MRZ (machine-readable zone) at the bottom of the passport page.

Step 3: Digital Documentation

Scan your documents into high-quality PDF format.

• Photo: Upload a recent JPG photo (white background).

• Clarity: Ensure the stamps on your Extracto Bancário and the notary seals on your translations are clearly visible.

Step 4: Fee Payment (The Multicaixa Limitation)

The government fees for 2026 are:

• Tourist Visa: €60

• Business Visa: €100

Overcoming Payment Barriers in Angola:Standard domestic Multicaixa cards generally do not work for international online payments outside the specific banking network.

• Solution 1 (International Cards): You must use a Visa or Mastercard authorized for international transactions (e.g., BAI Kamba, BFA Gold).

• Solution 2 (Family/Friends): It is permissible to use a credit card belonging to a relative living in Portugal, Brazil, or elsewhere.

• Solution 3 (Digital Banks): Services like Wise or Paysera are widely used options if you can fund them.

• For troubleshooting, read: Albania e-Visa Payment Issues.

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Processing Timelines for Angolan Applicants

Due to verification procedures, applicants from Angola should plan ahead.

• Standard Timeline: 9-15 Business Days.

• Express Timeline: 24 Business Hours. ( 3 Business Day )

• Risk Factor: Processing may be extended if application volumes are high or translations are incomplete.

Handling "Action Required"

If your status updates to "Action Required", the consul typically needs clarification. Common requests for Angolans include:

• A clearer translation of the Registo Criminal.

• Proof of relationship between the applicant and the account holder (if a parent is sponsoring the trip). You usually have 5-10 days to upload the missing file.

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Arrival Procedures (Tirana Border Control)

Holding an e-Visa allows you to travel, but entry is granted by the Border and Migration Police.

Required Physical Documents:

1. Printed e-Visa: Digital versions on smartphones are risky; paper is preferred.

2. Return Ticket (Bilhete de Retorno): Confirmed booking back to Luanda or your next destination.

3. Accommodation: A hotel voucher or notarized invitation.

4. Transit Visas: If your flight connects through the Schengen zone (e.g., TAP Air Portugal via Lisbon or Lufthansa via Frankfurt), ensure you have the required Schengen Airport Transit Visa.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I submit documents in Portuguese?

No. While Portuguese is an official language in Angola, it is not accepted by Albanian authorities. All supporting documents (bank statements, letters, certificates) must be translated into English and notarized.

Does a "Termo de Responsabilidade" work for financial proof?

If a parent or spouse is sponsoring you, a notarized Sponsorship Letter (Termo de Responsabilidade) is required. It must be translated into English and accompanied by the sponsor's ID and their own bank statements.

Can I pay with my Multicaixa card?

Directly, no. Multicaixa is a domestic network. You need a card with the Visa or Mastercard logo explicitly enabled for international online payments (e.g., BAI Kamba, BFA Gold).

What if my visa is rejected?

Refusals often occur due to "failure to prove intent to return." Ensure your employment documentation is strong. Visa fees are non-refundable. If rejected, review the legal grounds in the refusal letter and consult our Albania e-Visa Refusal Reasons guide.

Is the Yellow Fever certificate required?

While Albania itself does not require Yellow Fever vaccination for entry, airlines departing from Angola (a designated Yellow Fever zone) may strictly require a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate (Boletim de Vacinas) to board the flight. You must carry it with you at check-in and boarding.