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

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For citizens of the Republic of Guinea, traveling from the Atlantic coast of West Africa to the Balkan Peninsula is a journey that requires navigating precise administrative and health protocols. Unlike travel within the ECOWAS zone where movement is facilitated, entry into the Republic of Albania is strictly regulated via a Digital Pre-Clearance system.

There is no "Visa on Arrival" facility for Guinean passport holders. Whether you are departing from Ahmed Sékou Touré International Airport (CKY)—typically connecting via Casablanca, Paris, or Istanbul—airlines will strictly verify your travel authorization. Without a printed, valid e-Visa, you will be denied boarding in Conakry.

This guide is uniquely tailored for Guinean applicants. It addresses the specific realities of the country: the challenges of the GNF (Guinean Franc) exchange rate, the mandatory translation of documents from French to English, and the critical health requirements enforced at Conakry airport.

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 Guinean Nationals?

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

To verify specific eligibility details and check permitted stay durations for your nationality, please visit the Guinea 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 French Schengen visa issued in Conakry and have already traveled to Paris, 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.

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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 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.

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Guinea-Specific Documentation Checklist

Guinean applicants must navigate the translation of documents and ensure their 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 GNF Challenge)

• Currency: The Guinean Franc (GNF) is volatile and not convertible abroad.

• The Document: Submit a Bank Statement (Relevé Bancaire) for the last 6-12 months.

• Accepted Banks: Statements from Ecobank Guinée, UBA Guinée, Vista Bank (formerly BICIGUI), or Société Générale are standard.

• Requirement: The statement must show a detailed transaction history. A simple "Attestation de Solde" is often rejected. If you have a Foreign Currency Account (Devise) in Euro/USD, submitting that statement is highly recommended.

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

• Mandatory Translations: Your Birth Certificate (Extrait d'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 documents is the #1 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 NIF (Numéro d'Identification Fiscale), translated into English.

✅ Travel InsuranceA mandatory policy covering medical repatriation (min. €30,000). Insurers like NSIA, UGAR, or Activa 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".

• Name Accuracy: Enter your name exactly as it appears in the passport. Guinean names (e.g., Diallo, Camara, Sow, Barry) must match the MRZ line at the bottom of the bio-page.

Step 3: Document Uploads

Upload high-quality PDF scans.

• Clarity: Ensure the stamps on your Casier Judiciaire and bank statements are legible.

Step 4: Payment (Banking Solutions)

The government fees for 2026 are:

• Tourist Visa: €60

• Business Visa: €100

How to Pay from Guinea:

• Prepaid Cards: The most reliable method is using a Prepaid Visa Card from UBA Guinée (Africard) or Ecobank (CashXpress). You can buy these cards over the counter, load them with cash (GNF), and use them instantly online.

• Local Cards: Standard GNF debit cards may fail on international gateways. Ensure your card is enabled for "Transactions Internationales".

• Orange Money: You cannot pay directly with Orange Money or MTN Mobile Money. Use these wallets to load your bank card if supported.

• 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 )

• Guinea Specifics: Applications from West Africa undergo detailed vetting. Expect 20 to 30 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 that is blurry or too dark. You have a limited time (approx. 7 days) to upload the corrected file.

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Transit & Border Protocols

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

Documents for Border Control:

1. Printed e-Visa: Mandatory.

2. Return Ticket: Confirmed flight back to CKY.

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

Critical Transit Warning:

• Paris (Air France): This is the most common route. WARNING: Guinean citizens usually require a Schengen Airport Transit Visa (ATV) to transit through France, unless they hold a valid visa for the USA, Canada, or EU. Without this, Air France will deny boarding in Conakry.

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

• Istanbul (Turkish Airlines): Generally the safest route for visa-free airside transit for Guineans (check current rules).

• Brussels (Brussels Airlines): Like France, Belgium often requires a transit visa for Guineans.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I submit documents in French?

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

Can I pay with Orange Money?

Not directly. You must use a Visa or Mastercard. We recommend obtaining a UBA Africard and loading it with funds.

Do I need a transit visa for France?

Yes, in most cases. Citizens of Guinea are on the list of nationalities that typically require a Schengen Airport Transit Visa to pass through French airports. Check this carefully before booking Air France.

What if my visa is refused?

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

Is the e-Visa valid for entering Senegal or Ivory Coast?

No. The Albanian e-Visa is valid only for Albania. Guineans travel visa-free to ECOWAS countries, but this e-Visa has no relation to that.