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

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For citizens of the Republic of Cabo Verde, traveling from the Atlantic archipelago to the Balkan Peninsula is a journey that often bridges continents via Lisbon. Unlike travel within the CPLP (Community of Portuguese Language Countries) where mobility is increasingly facilitated, entry into the Republic of Albania is strictly regulated via a Digital Pre-Clearance system.

There is no "Visa on Arrival" facility for Cape Verdean passport holders. Whether you are departing from Nelson Mandela International Airport (Praia) or Amílcar Cabral (Sal), typically connecting via Portugal, airlines will strictly verify your travel authorization. Without a printed, valid e-Visa, boarding will be denied.

This guide is uniquely tailored for Cape Verdean applicants. It addresses the specific administrative realities of the archipelago: leveraging the CVE (Cape Verdean Escudo) peg to the Euro, the mandatory translation of documents from Portuguese to English, and the specific banking challenges regarding the local Vinti4 network versus international Visa/Mastercards.

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

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Is a Visa Mandatory for Cape Verdean Nationals?

Yes.All holders of a standard Cape Verdean passport (Passaporte de Cabo Verde) must obtain a C-Type e-Visa prior to travel. Albania does not currently grant automatic visa-free entry to citizens of Cabo Verde.

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

The "Diaspora Exemption" (Schengen/US/UK)

Given the strong ties between Cabo Verde and Europe/USA, many applicants may already be exempt. You do not need to apply for 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.

4. You hold a Residence Permit for a Schengen country (e.g., Portugal, France, Luxembourg).

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

• Scenario: If you have a valid Schengen visa issued by the Portuguese Embassy in Praia and have already visited Lisbon, you can use it to enter Albania visa-free. If it is new and unused, 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 the Cape Verdean diaspora in Europe.

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

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

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Cabo Verde-Specific Documentation Checklist

Cape Verdean applicants must navigate the translation of documents and ensure their financial proofs are internationally understood.

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

✅ Financial Proof (The CVE/Euro Peg Advantage)

• Currency: The Cape Verdean Escudo (CVE) is pegged to the Euro (approx. 110 CVE = 1 EUR). This fixed rate simplifies financial verification.

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

• Accepted Banks: Statements from BCA (Banco Comercial do Atlântico), Banco Interatlântico, Caixa Económica, or Ecobank are standard.

• Requirement: Ensure the statement clearly shows the account holder's name. While the currency is CVE, the stability is recognized.

✅ Translation Requirements (Portuguese to English)Official documents in Cabo Verde are issued in Portuguese. Albania requires English.

• Mandatory Translations: Your Birth Certificate (Assento de Nascimento), Criminal Record (Registo Criminal), and Employment Declaration (Declaração de Serviço) must be translated into English.

• Certification: The translation must be performed by a certified translator and notarized (Cartório Notarial). Submitting raw Portuguese documents is a frequent cause for delay.

✅ Professional & Social Ties

• Employees: A letter from your employer confirming your position, salary, and authorized leave.

• Business Owners: A copy of your commercial registration (Certidão de Registo Comercial), translated into English.

• Ties to Home: Property deeds (Certidão Matricial) can strongly prove your intent to return to the islands.

✅ Travel InsuranceA mandatory policy covering medical repatriation (min. €30,000). Insurers like Garantia or Impar provide valid certificates. Ensure the document explicitly states "Europe" or "Worldwide" coverage.

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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".

• Naming Convention: Cape Verdean names often include multiple surnames (mother's and father's). Enter the full surnames exactly as they appear in the MRZ line at the bottom of your passport bio-page.

Step 3: Document Uploads

Upload high-quality PDF scans.

• Photo: Recent, white background.

• Clarity: Ensure the notary stamps on your translations are legible.

Step 4: Payment (The Vinti4 Hurdle)

The government fees for 2026 are:

• Tourist Visa: €60

• Business Visa: €100

How to Pay from Cabo Verde:The local Vinti4 network is excellent domestically but often restricted internationally.

• Standard Vinti4 Cards: These usually do not work on the Albanian portal unless they are co-branded with Visa/Mastercard and have international online payments activated.

• The Solution: Use a Visa or Mastercard issued by BCA or Caixa with "International Option" enabled.

• Diaspora Support: It is permitted to use a credit card belonging to a relative living in Portugal, France, or the USA to pay the fee.

• 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 )

• Cabo Verde Specifics: Applications are generally processed within 9 to 15 business days.

• Recommendation: Apply at least 4 weeks before your intended flight.

"Action Required" Status

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

• Submitting the Registo Criminal in Portuguese without translation.

• Uploading a blurry passport scan. You have a limited time (approx. 7 days) to upload the corrected file.

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Transit & Border Protocols

Traveling from Praia or Sal to Tirana almost always involves a stopover in Lisbon (LIS).

Documents for Border Control:

1. Printed e-Visa: Mandatory.

2. Return Ticket: Confirmed flight back to Cabo Verde.

3. Accommodation: Hotel booking or invitation.

Critical Transit Warning (The Lisbon Factor):

• Schengen Transit Visa: Most flights via TAP Air Portugal route through Lisbon. Even if you stay in the international zone, Cape Verdean citizens may require a Schengen Airport Transit Visa depending on current EU rules, unless they hold a valid residence permit or visa for an EU/EEA country or the USA.

• Self-Transfer: If you book separate tickets (e.g., Praia to Lisbon, then Lisbon to Tirana on Wizz Air), you MUST have a full Schengen Visa to enter Portugal, collect bags, and re-check them.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do I need to translate my documents if they are in Portuguese?

Yes. Although Portuguese is a major global language, Albanian authorities require documents in English. You must translate your Assento de Nascimento and Declaração de Serviço.

Can I pay with my Vinti4 card?

Only if it is a Vinti4 Visa card enabled for international e-commerce. Standard domestic Vinti4 cards will fail. If you struggle, ask a family member abroad to make the payment.

Does the "CPLP Mobility Agreement" apply to Albania?

No. The CPLP agreement facilitates travel to Portugal and Brazil, but Albania is not a member. You must follow Albanian immigration rules.

What if my visa is refused?

The fee is non-refundable. Common reasons include missing translations or unclear financial means. Check the Albania e-Visa Refusal Reasons for details.

Is Yellow Fever vaccination required?

Generally no for Cape Verde, but if your flight routes through Dakar (Senegal) or other endemic zones in West Africa, airlines may ask for the Yellow Card. Direct flights via Lisbon usually do not require it.