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

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For citizens of Burkina Faso, traveling from the heart of West Africa to the Balkan Peninsula requires navigating a specific set of digital immigration rules. Unlike movement within the UEMOA zone where your CNIB might suffice, entry into the Republic of Albania is strictly regulated via a Digital Pre-Clearance system.

There is no "Visa on Arrival" option for Burkinabè passport holders. Whether you are departing from Ouagadougou International Airport (OUA) connecting via Casablanca, Brussels, or Addis Ababa, airlines will strictly check for your printed e-Visa before issuing a boarding pass.

This guide is specifically tailored for Burkinabè applicants. It addresses the unique administrative realities of the "Land of Honest Men"—specifically the strength of the XOF (CFA Franc) currency peg, the mandatory requirement to translate documents from French to English, and the specific banking solutions (like Coris Bank prepaid cards) needed to pay the visa fee.

For a broader understanding of the general application rules, please consult our main Visa Application Guide.

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Is a Visa Mandatory for Burkinabè Nationals?

Yes.All holders of a standard Burkinabè passport (Passeport Ordinaire) must obtain a C-Type e-Visa prior to travel. Albania does not grant automatic visa-free entry to citizens of Burkina Faso.

To verify specific eligibility details and permitted stay durations for your nationality, please visit the Burkina Faso Citizens e-Tourist Visa page.

The Schengen/US Exemption Route

You may be EXEMPT from the Albanian e-Visa application if you already hold a valid visa for certain Western nations. You do not need this e-Visa if:

1. You possess a valid, multiple-entry Schengen Visa (Type C).

2. You possess a valid, multiple-entry US Visa (B1/B2).

3. You possess a valid, multiple-entry UK Visa.

Crucial Condition: You must have previously used this visa to enter the issuing country.

• Scenario: If you have a valid French Schengen visa and you have already traveled to Paris with it, you can enter Albania visa-free. If the visa is brand new and stamped in Ouagadougou but never used, you must apply for the Albanian e-Visa.

• See more: Albania e-Visa Exemptions Guide.

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The C-Type Short-Stay Visa Defined

The C-Type Visa is a short-term entry permit.

• Purpose: Tourism, business meetings, or visiting friends.

• Duration: Maximum stay of 90 days within a rolling 180-day period.

• Restriction: It does not permit long-term work or residency in Albania.

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Burkina Faso-Specific Documentation Checklist

Burkinabè applicants must pay close attention to language requirements, as documents in French are not accepted.

✅ Passport ValidityYour passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended travel date. Ensure it has at least two blank pages.

• Note: You cannot travel with just your CNIB (National ID); a valid passport is mandatory.

✅ Financial Proof (The CFA Advantage)

• Currency: Burkina Faso uses the XOF (West African CFA Franc), which is pegged to the Euro. This makes proving financial stability easier.

• The Document: Submit a Bank Statement (Relevé Bancaire) for the last 12 months.

• Accepted Banks: Statements from Coris Bank International, Ecobank, UBA, or Bank of Africa (BOA) are standard.

• Requirement: Avoid submitting a simple "Attestation de Non-Engagement". The consul requires a detailed transaction history showing regular income.

✅ Translation Requirements (French to English)Official documents in Burkina Faso are issued in French.

• Mandatory Translations: Your Birth Certificate (Acte de Naissance), Employment Certificate (Attestation de Travail), Police Record (Casier Judiciaire), and Marriage Certificate must be translated into English.

• Certification: The translation must be performed by a Sworn Translator (Traducteur Assermenté) and notarized. Submitting raw French documents will result in a delay or refusal.

✅ Professional Proof

• Employees: A letter from your employer confirming your position, salary, and approved leave (Congés).

• Entrepreneurs: A copy of your RCCM (Registre du Commerce) and IFU (Tax ID), translated into English.

✅ Travel InsuranceA mandatory policy covering medical repatriation (min. €30,000). Insurers like Sonar or UAB provide valid certificates. Ensure the document clearly states coverage is valid for "Europe" or "Worldwide".

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Step-by-Step Application Workflow

The process is 100% online.

Step 1: Account Creation

Visit the Apply for Albania e-Visa portal. Register with your personal email.

Step 2: Form Accuracy

Select "Visa Type C".

• Name Accuracy: Enter your name exactly as it appears in the MRZ zone of your passport. Burkinabè names can be long; do not abbreviate them unless they are abbreviated in the passport.

Step 3: Document Uploads

Upload high-quality PDF scans. Ensure the stamps on your translated documents are clearly visible.

Step 4: Payment (Overcoming Banking Blocks)

The government fees for 2026 are:

• Tourist Visa: €60

• Business Visa: €100

How to Pay from Burkina Faso:Standard debit cards in Burkina Faso are often restricted to the UEMOA zone (GIM-UEMOA cards). These will not work.

• The Solution: Use a Prepaid Visa Card.
  UBA Africard: Very reliable for online payments.
  Coris Bank Prepaid Visa: Widely available and effective.

• Mobile Money: You cannot pay directly with Orange Money or Moov Money. However, if your mobile wallet generates a Virtual Visa Card number, that can be used.

• Troubleshooting: Albania e-Visa Payment Issues.

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Processing Expectations

• Standard Timeline: 9-15 Business Days.

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

• Burkina Specifics: Applications from West Africa undergo detailed vetting. Expect 9 to 15 business days.

• Recommendation: Apply at least 6 weeks before your intended flight.

"Action Required" Status

If you receive this status, check your email. The most common reasons for Burkinabè applicants are:

• Submitting a document in French without translation.

• Illegible stamps on the bank statement. You have a limited time (approx. 7 days) to upload the corrected file.

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Transit & Border Protocols

Traveling from Ouagadougou to Tirana is a multi-leg journey.

Documents for Border Control:

1. Printed e-Visa.

2. Return Ticket: Confirmed flight back to OUA.

3. Yellow Fever Card: Mandatory for re-entry into Burkina Faso and often checked by transit airlines (e.g., Ethiopian Airlines).

Critical Transit Warning:

• Schengen Transit: Most flights via Air France (Paris) or Brussels Airlines require a Schengen Airport Transit Visa (ATV) for Burkinabè citizens, even if you do not leave the airport. Verify this before booking.

• Casablanca Transit: Royal Air Maroc via Casablanca is a popular route. Usually, no transit visa is needed if staying airside for less than 24 hours, but always check current rules.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I submit my "Casier Judiciaire" in French?

No. Albanian authorities do not accept documents in French. You must have your Police Record translated into English by a sworn translator and notarized.

Is the CNIB valid for travel to Albania?

No. The CNIB is valid for travel within West Africa (ECOWAS/UEMOA). For Albania, you must present a valid Passport.

Can I pay the fee with Orange Money?

Not directly on the portal. You must use a Visa or Mastercard. We recommend obtaining a Prepaid Visa Card from UBA or Coris Bank and loading it with funds for the payment.

What if my visa is refused?

The fee is non-refundable. Common reasons include lack of translations or insufficient proof of ties to Burkina Faso. Check the Albania e-Visa Refusal Reasons for details.

Do I need a Yellow Fever vaccination?

Yes. Burkina Faso is a Yellow Fever zone. While Albania itself doesn't require it, your transit country (and airline staff in Ouagadougou) will likely demand to see your Yellow Card (Carnet de Vaccination) before allowing you to board.