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

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For citizens of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), traveling from the heart of Africa to the Balkan Peninsula requires meticulous preparation. Unlike travel within the CEPGL or ECCAS regions, entry into the Republic of Albania is strictly regulated via a Digital Pre-Clearance system.

There is no "Visa on Arrival" facility for Congolese passport holders. Whether you are departing from N'djili International Airport (FIH) in Kinshasa or Lubumbashi (FBM)—typically connecting via Addis Ababa, Brussels, or Istanbul—airlines will strictly verify your travel authorization. Without a printed, valid e-Visa, you will be denied boarding.

This guide is uniquely tailored for Congolese applicants. It addresses the specific realities of the DRC: the advantage of the highly dollarized economy for financial proof, the mandatory translation of documents from French to English, and the critical banking solutions needed to pay the visa fee online.

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 Congolese Nationals?

Yes.All holders of a standard DR Congo passport (Passeport Ordinaire) must obtain a C-Type e-Visa prior to travel. Albania does not currently grant automatic visa-free entry to citizens of the DRC.

To verify specific eligibility details and check permitted stay durations for your nationality, please visit the DR Congo 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 have a Belgian Schengen visa issued in Kinshasa and have already visited Brussels, you can use it to enter Albania visa-free. If it is 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, conferences, or visiting family.

• 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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DR Congo-Specific Documentation Checklist

Congolese applicants must navigate the translation of documents and leverage the USD-based banking system effectively.

✅ 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 Dollarization Advantage)

• Currency: The DRC economy operates heavily in USD. This is a major advantage for your application.

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

• Accepted Banks: Statements from EquityBCDC, Rawbank, TMB (Trust Merchant Bank), or Ecobank RDC are standard.

• Recommendation: Ensure the statement clearly shows the balance in USD (or CDF with a high balance). A USD statement is preferred as it requires no currency conversion explanation for the Albanian authorities.

✅ Translation Requirements (French to English)Official documents in the DRC are issued in French. Albania requires English.

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

• Certification: The translation must be performed by a sworn translator (Traducteur Assermenté) and notarized. Submitting raw French documents is the most common reason for delay.

✅ Professional & Business Proof

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

• Entrepreneurs: A copy of your RCCM (Registre du Commerce) and Id. Nat. (Identification Nationale), translated into English.

✅ Travel InsuranceA mandatory policy covering medical repatriation (min. €30,000). Insurers like SONAS or Rawsur 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 a secure email address.

Step 2: Form Accuracy

Select "Visa Type C".

• Name Accuracy: Enter your name exactly as it appears in the passport. Be careful with multiple surnames (Post-nom/Prénoms); follow the MRZ line at the bottom of the bio-page.

Step 3: Document Uploads

Upload high-quality PDF scans.

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

Step 4: Payment (Banking Solutions)

The government fees for 2026 are:

• Tourist Visa: €60

• Business Visa: €100

How to Pay from DRC:

• Prepaid Cards: This is the most reliable method. Use a prepaid Visa/Mastercard from EquityBCDC, Rawbank, or UBA. Load it with USD and use it for the payment.

• Mobile Money: You cannot pay directly with M-Pesa, Orange Money, or Airtel Money.

• Credit Cards: Standard credit cards from TMB or Rawbank work well if "International Online Transactions" are enabled.

• 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 )

• DRC Specifics: Applications from the DRC often undergo detailed security vetting. Expect 20 to 35 business days.

• Recommendation: Apply at least 6-8 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 where the lamination reflection obscures the details. You have a limited time (approx. 7 days) to upload the corrected file.

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Transit & Border Protocols

Traveling from Kinshasa to Tirana is a long-haul journey.

Documents for Border Control:

1. Printed e-Visa: Mandatory.

2. Return Ticket: Confirmed flight back to FIH.

3. Yellow Fever Card: Mandatory. You cannot leave N'djili Airport without it, and it is required for re-entry.

Critical Transit Warning:

• Brussels (Brussels Airlines): This is the most common link to Europe. WARNING: DR Congo citizens transiting through Brussels usually require a Schengen Airport Transit Visa, unless they hold a valid visa for the USA, Canada, or EU. Check this rule very carefully.

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

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

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I submit documents in French?

No. While French is the official language of the DRC, Albanian authorities require documents in English. You must have your Attestation de Service and other civil documents translated and notarized.

Can I pay with M-Pesa?

Not directly. You must use a bank card. We recommend obtaining a prepaid Visa card from a local bank (like EquityBCDC or UBA) and loading it with funds.

Do I need a transit visa for Belgium?

Yes, in most cases. If you fly Brussels Airlines from Kinshasa to Tirana via Brussels, 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 insufficient funds or lack of translations. Check the Albania e-Visa Refusal Reasons for details.

Is the e-Visa valid for entering Congo-Brazzaville?

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