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

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For citizens of the State of Eritrea, traveling from Asmara to the Balkan Peninsula is a journey comprised of significant bureaucratic hurdles. Unlike travel within the Horn of Africa, entry into the Republic of Albania is strictly regulated via a Digital Pre-Clearance system.

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

This guide is uniquely tailored for Eritrean applicants. It addresses the specific challenges of 2026: the lack of international banking facilities in Asmara (requiring diaspora support for payments), the mandatory translation of documents from Tigrinya/Arabic into English, and the critical "Exit Visa" context.

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 Eritrean Nationals?

Yes.All holders of a standard Eritrean passport must obtain a C-Type e-Visa prior to travel. Albania does not currently grant automatic visa-free entry to citizens of Eritrea.

To verify specific eligibility details and check permitted stay durations for your nationality, please visit the Eritrea 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 to apply for 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 valid German Schengen visa issued in Asmara or Khartoum and have already visited Frankfurt, 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, visiting relatives, or medical treatment.

• 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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Eritrea-Specific Documentation Checklist

Eritrean applicants face high scrutiny regarding migration risk and financial solvency.

✅ Passport ValidityYour passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended travel date.

✅ Financial Proof (The Nakfa & Diaspora Factor)

• The Challenge: The Eritrean Nakfa (ERN) is not convertible outside Eritrea. Bank statements in Nakfa showing millions are often viewed with skepticism by foreign consulates due to the inability to access these funds abroad.

• The Solution: The best proof is a Notarized Sponsorship Letter from a relative living abroad (Europe, USA, Canada) or in Albania, accompanied by their bank statements in hard currency (USD/EUR).

• If Self-Funding: You must demonstrate possession of hard currency (USD/EUR) cash or an international account, if available.

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

• Mandatory Translations: Your Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate, and Police Clearance must be translated into English.

• Certification: The translation must be performed by a licensed translation office and legalized. Submitting documents in Tigrinya script (Ge'ez) will result in immediate rejection.

✅ Intent to Return (Crucial)Due to high asylum rates, proving you will return to Eritrea is vital.

• Property: Title deeds for a house in Asmara or Massawa.

• Family: Birth certificates of children remaining in Eritrea.

• Business: A valid business license (Nigdi Fikad).

✅ Travel InsuranceA mandatory policy covering medical repatriation (min. €30,000). Since local insurers may not be recognized globally, it is recommended to purchase a policy online (via a relative abroad) from a global provider like AXA or Allianz.

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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.

• Internet Tip: Given internet speeds in Asmara, ensure you have a stable connection (e.g., at an internet cafe with VSAT) to upload heavy PDF files.

Step 2: Form Accuracy

Select "Visa Type C".

• Name Accuracy: Enter your name exactly as it appears in the English/Latin section of your passport.

Step 3: Document Uploads

Upload high-quality PDF scans.

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

Step 4: Payment (The Major Hurdle)

The government fees for 2026 are:

• Tourist Visa: €60

• Business Visa: €100

How to Pay from Eritrea:

• Local Cards: Cards issued by the Commercial Bank of Eritrea or Himbol generally DO NOT WORK for international online payments.

• The Only Viable Solution: You must coordinate with a friend or relative living abroad (Diaspora). Fill out the application, and at the payment stage, ask them to enter their Visa/Mastercard details. This is the standard procedure for most Eritrean applicants.

• 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 )

• Eritrea Specifics: Applications from Eritrea undergo extremely rigorous security and migration vetting. Expect 30 to 60 business days.

• Recommendation: Apply at least 3 months before your intended flight.

"Action Required" Status

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

• Submitting Tigrinya documents without translation.

• Unclear financial means (lack of hard currency proof). You have a limited time (approx. 7 days) to upload the corrected file.

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Transit & Border Protocols

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

Documents for Border Control:

1. Printed e-Visa: Mandatory.

2. Return Ticket: Confirmed flight back to ASM.

3. Accommodation: Valid hotel booking.

Critical Transit Warning:

• Istanbul (Turkish Airlines): The most common route. Generally, Eritreans do not need a visa for short airside transit in Istanbul, but rules change.

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

• Dubai (Flydubai): Ensure your connection does not require changing terminals that involves passing immigration, as a UAE visa would be required.

The "Exit Visa" Context:While Albania does not ask for it, remember that leaving Eritrea requires an Exit Visa issued by Eritrean Immigration. The Albanian e-Visa approval does not guarantee you will be granted an exit visa by local authorities. Ensure you handle this domestic requirement separately.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I submit documents in Tigrinya?

No. All documents must be translated into English.

Can I pay with Nakfa?

No. The visa fee is in Euros. You cannot use Nakfa. You need a foreign credit card (usually from a relative abroad).

Do I need a transit visa for Turkey?

If you fly Turkish Airlines from Asmara to Istanbul to Tirana and stay in the transit zone (airside) for less than 24 hours, you typically do not need a Turkish visa. However, always check with the airline.

What if my visa is refused?

The fee is non-refundable. Common reasons include "Migration Risk" or insufficient financial means. 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. Access to Kosovo requires a separate procedure or a valid Schengen visa depending on current rules.