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

✧

For citizens of the Republic of Djibouti, traveling from the strategic Horn of Africa to the Balkan Peninsula requires navigating a precise set of digital immigration protocols. Unlike travel within the IGAD region, entry into the Republic of Albania is strictly regulated via a Digital Pre-Clearance system.

There is no "Visa on Arrival" facility for Djiboutian passport holders. Whether you are departing from Djibouti-Ambouli International Airport (JIB)—typically connecting via Addis Ababa, Istanbul, or Doha—airlines will strictly verify your travel authorization. Without a printed, valid e-Visa, you will be denied boarding.

This guide is uniquely tailored for Djiboutian applicants. It addresses the specific administrative realities of the country: leveraging the stability of the DJF (Djiboutian Franc) peg to the USD, the mandatory translation of documents from French or Arabic into English, and the banking solutions available through institutions like BCIMR or Exim Bank.

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

✧

Is a Visa Mandatory for Djiboutian Nationals?

Yes.All holders of a standard Djiboutian passport (Passeport Djiboutien) must obtain a C-Type e-Visa prior to travel. Albania does not currently grant automatic visa-free entry to citizens of Djibouti.

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

The "Used Visa" Exemption Route

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

1. You possess a valid, multiple-entry Schengen Visa.

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 hold a valid French Schengen visa issued in Djibouti and have already traveled to Paris, you can enter Albania visa-free. If the visa is new and unused, you must apply for the Albanian e-Visa.

• See more: Albania e-Visa Exemptions Guide.

✧

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 employment or long-term residency in Albania.

✧

Djibouti-Specific Documentation Checklist

Djiboutian applicants must navigate the translation of documents and leverage the stable currency for financial proof.

✅ 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 DJF/USD Peg Advantage)

• Currency: The Djiboutian Franc (DJF) is pegged to the US Dollar. This fixed rate provides strong stability for your financial proof.

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

• Accepted Banks: Statements from BCIMR (Banque pour le Commerce et l'Industrie – Mer Rouge), Exim Bank Djibouti, CAC Bank, or Salaam African Bank are standard.

• Recommendation: Ensure the statement clearly shows the account holder's name. If possible, ask your bank for a reference letter stating the balance in USD equivalent to make it easier for the Albanian officer.

✅ Translation Requirements (French/Arabic to English)Official documents in Djibouti are issued in French or Arabic. Albania requires English.

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

• Certification: The translation must be performed by a sworn translator (Traducteur Assermenté) and notarized. Submitting raw French or Arabic documents is a primary cause for refusal.

✅ Professional & Business Proof

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

• Merchants: A copy of your Commercial License (Patente) and registration with the Chamber of Commerce, translated into English.

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

✧

Step-by-Step Application Workflow

The process is 100% online.

Step 1: Account Creation

Visit the Apply for Albania e-Visa portal. Register with a secure email address.

Step 2: Form Accuracy

Select "Visa Type C".

• Name Accuracy: Enter your name exactly as it appears in the Latin script section of your passport. Be careful with Arabic-to-Latin transcription discrepancies; the passport spelling is the only one that matters.

Step 3: Document Uploads

Upload high-quality PDF scans.

• Clarity: Ensure the stamps on your bank statement and translated documents are legible.

Step 4: Payment (Banking Solutions)

The government fees for 2026 are:

• Tourist Visa: €60

• Business Visa: €100

How to Pay from Djibouti:

• Cards: Visa and Mastercards issued by BCIMR or Exim Bank generally work well for international payments.

• Prepaid: If you do not have a bank account, use a prepaid card loaded with funds.

• Foreign Cards: Using a card belonging to a relative in France, Dubai, or elsewhere is permitted.

• Troubleshooting: Albania e-Visa Payment Issues.

✧

Processing Expectations

• Standard Timeline: 9-15 Business Days.

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

• Djibouti Specifics: Applications are generally processed within 15 to 25 business days.

• Recommendation: Apply at least 4-6 weeks before your intended flight.

"Action Required" Status

If you receive this status, check your email. Common reasons include:

• Submitting French documents without translation.

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

✧

Transit & Border Protocols

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

Documents for Border Control:

1. Printed e-Visa: Mandatory.

2. Return Ticket: Confirmed flight back to JIB.

3. Yellow Fever Card: Mandatory. You cannot leave Djibouti airport without it, and it is required for re-entry and often checked at transit points like Addis Ababa.

Critical Transit Warning:

• Paris (CDG): Flying via Air France is a common route. WARNING: Djiboutian citizens usually require a Schengen Airport Transit Visa to transit through France.

• Istanbul (Turkish Airlines): Often a preferred route as it typically allows visa-free airside transit (check current rules).

• Addis Ababa (Ethiopian): Generally visa-free airside transit.

✧

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I submit documents in French?

No. While French is an official language of Djibouti, Albanian authorities require documents in English. You must have your documents translated and notarized.

Can I pay with cash at the airport?

No. The visa fee must be paid online by credit/debit card during the application process. Cash payments are not accepted.

Do I need a transit visa for France?

Yes, in most cases. If you fly Air France via Paris to reach Tirana, you will likely need a Schengen Airport Transit Visa if you do not have a valid Schengen/US/UK visa.

What if my visa is refused?

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

Is the e-Visa valid for entering Kosovo?

No. The Albanian e-Visa is valid only for Albania. It gives you no rights to enter Kosovo or other neighboring countries.