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

✧

For citizens of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, traveling from the Bijagós coast to the Balkan Peninsula is a journey that often routes through former colonial ties in Europe. Unlike travel within the ECOWAS or CPLP (Community of Portuguese Language Countries) zones, entry into the Republic of Albania is strictly regulated via a Digital Pre-Clearance system.

There is no "Visa on Arrival" facility for Bissau-Guinean passport holders. Whether you are departing from Osvaldo Vieira International Airport (OXB)—typically connecting via Lisbon on TAP Air Portugal or Casablanca on Royal Air Maroc—airlines will strictly verify your travel authorization. Without a printed, valid e-Visa, you will be denied boarding in Bissau.

This guide is uniquely tailored for Bissau-Guinean applicants. It addresses the specific realities of the country: the stability of the XOF (CFA Franc) currency, the mandatory translation of documents from Portuguese to English, and the critical banking challenges involving local cards.

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 Bissau-Guinean Nationals?

Yes.All holders of a standard Guinea-Bissau passport (Passaporte da Guiné-Bissau) must obtain a C-Type e-Visa prior to travel. Albania does not currently grant automatic visa-free entry to citizens of Guinea-Bissau.

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

The "Used Visa" Exemption (Schengen/Portugal)

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 (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 Schengen visa issued by the Portuguese Embassy in Bissau and have already traveled to Lisbon, you can use it to 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.

✧

Guinea-Bissau Specific Documentation Checklist

Applicants must navigate the translation of documents from Portuguese and ensure financial proofs are robust.

✅ 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 XOF Advantage)

• Currency: Guinea-Bissau uses the West African CFA Franc (XOF), which is pegged to the Euro. This stability is an advantage.

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

• Accepted Banks: Statements from Banco da África Ocidental (BAO), Ecobank, Orabank, or Banco da União (BDU) are standard.

• Requirement: The statement must be stamped by the branch. A simple ATM slip is not accepted. If you have funds in a Portuguese bank account (Millennium BCP, Caixa, etc.), submitting those statements is highly recommended as they are stronger proof.

✅ Translation Requirements (Portuguese to English)Official documents in Guinea-Bissau 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 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 (Alvará Comercial) and NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal), translated into English.

✅ Travel InsuranceA mandatory policy covering medical repatriation (min. €30,000). 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 your personal email.

Step 2: Form Accuracy

Select "Visa Type C".

• Name Accuracy: Enter your name exactly as it appears in the passport. Bissau-Guinean names often have multiple surnames; ensure the MRZ line at the bottom of the bio-page matches your entry.

Step 3: Document Uploads

Upload high-quality PDF scans.

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

Step 4: Payment (The Payment Challenge)

The government fees for 2026 are:

• Tourist Visa: €60

• Business Visa: €100

How to Pay from Guinea-Bissau:

• Local Cards: Standard cards from local banks may face restrictions on international e-commerce.

• Prepaid Cards: The Ecobank Xpress Card (Visa) is a reliable local option. Load it with XOF and use it for the online payment.

• Diaspora Solution: It is very common and permitted for Bissau-Guinean applicants to ask a relative living in Portugal (Lisbon) or France to make the payment using their European credit card.

• Troubleshooting: Albania e-Visa Payment Issues.

✧

Processing Expectations

• Standard Timeline: 9-15 Business Days.

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

• Bissau Specifics: Applications from West Africa undergo detailed vetting. Expect 20 to 30 business days.

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

"Action Required" Status

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

• Submitting the Registo Criminal in Portuguese 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 Bissau to Tirana is a multi-leg journey.

Documents for Border Control:

1. Printed e-Visa: Mandatory.

2. Return Ticket: Confirmed flight back to OXB.

3. Yellow Fever Card: Mandatory. You strictly cannot leave OXB airport without showing this card, and it is required for re-entry.

Critical Transit Warning:

• Lisbon (TAP Air Portugal): This is the main route. WARNING: Bissau-Guinean citizens generally require a Schengen Visa to enter Portugal. For airport transit (staying airside), rules can vary. While often exempt for direct airside transit, you must confirm with the Portuguese Embassy in Bissau. If you need to re-check bags, a full visa is required.

• Casablanca (Royal Air Maroc): A popular alternative. Usually visa-free transit if you stay airside and the layover is short.

✧

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I submit documents in Portuguese?

No. Although Portuguese is a European language, Albanian authorities require documents in English. You must have your Assento de Nascimento and Registo Criminal translated and notarized.

Does the "CPLP Mobility" help with Albania?

No. The CPLP mobility agreement applies to Portugal and Brazil. Albania is not a member. You must follow Albanian immigration rules.

Can I pay with Orange Money?

Not directly. You must use a Visa or Mastercard. We recommend obtaining a prepaid card or using a relative's card abroad.

What if my visa is refused?

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

Is the e-Visa valid for entering Senegal?

No. The Albanian e-Visa is valid only for Albania. Bissau-Guineans travel visa-free to Senegal (ECOWAS), but this e-Visa is unrelated.