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

✧

For citizens of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, traveling from the lagoons of Abidjan to the Balkan Peninsula is a journey that requires precise administrative compliance. Unlike travel within the ECOWAS zone where movement is seamless, entry into the Republic of Albania is strictly regulated via a Digital Pre-Clearance system.

There is no "Visa on Arrival" facility for Ivorian passport holders. Whether you are departing from Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport (ABJ)—typically connecting via Paris, Casablanca, or Istanbul—airlines will strictly verify your travel authorization. Without a printed, valid e-Visa, you will be denied boarding in Abidjan.

This guide is uniquely tailored for Ivorian applicants. It addresses the specific realities of 2026: the widespread use of Djamo cards for online payments, the stability of the XOF currency, and the critical transit visa rules for flights via Europe.

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 Ivorian Nationals?

Yes.All holders of a standard Ivorian passport (Passeport Ivoirien) must obtain a C-Type e-Visa prior to travel. Albania does not currently grant automatic visa-free entry to citizens of Côte d'Ivoire.

To verify specific eligibility details and check permitted stay durations for your nationality, please visit the Ivory Coast 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 Abidjan 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.

✧

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.

✧

Ivory Coast-Specific Documentation Checklist

Ivorian applicants must navigate the translation of documents but benefit from a stable currency.

✅ 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: The West African CFA Franc (XOF) is pegged to the Euro. This stability is a significant advantage for proving solvency.

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

• Accepted Banks: Statements from SGCI (Société Générale), Ecobank, NSIA Banque, or BICICI are standard.

• Requirement: The statement must show a detailed transaction history. Ensure the account name matches your passport exactly.

✅ Translation Requirements (French to English)Official documents in Côte d'Ivoire 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 "Action Required" delays.

✅ 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 Declaration Fiscale, translated into English.

✅ Travel InsuranceA mandatory policy covering medical repatriation (min. €30,000). Insurers like Sanlam, NSIA Assurances, or Allianz CI 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 your personal email.

Step 2: Form Accuracy

Select "Visa Type C".

• Name Accuracy: Enter your name exactly as it appears in the passport. Ivorian names (e.g., Kouassi, Koné, Koffi) 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 (The Djamo Solution)

The government fees for 2026 are:

• Tourist Visa: €60

• Business Visa: €100

How to Pay from Côte d'Ivoire:

• Djamo Card: The Djamo Visa Card is extremely popular and reliable for this purpose. You can load it with Mobile Money (Orange/MTN/Wave) and use it to pay the visa fee instantly.

• Ecobank Xpress: The prepaid virtual or physical Xpress card is also a solid option.

• Orange Money / Wave: You cannot pay directly with Wave or Orange Money wallets on the portal. You must use these wallets to load a bank card (like Djamo or UBA Africard) first.

• Troubleshooting: Albania e-Visa Payment Issues.

✧

Processing Expectations

• Standard Timeline: 9-15 Business Days.

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

• Ivory Coast 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 French documents without translation.

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

✧

Transit & Border Protocols

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

Documents for Border Control:

1. Printed e-Visa: Mandatory.

2. Return Ticket: Confirmed flight back to ABJ.

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

Critical Transit Warning:

• Paris (Air France): This is the most common route (ABJ-CDG). WARNING: Ivorian citizens generally 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 Abidjan.

• 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 Ivorians (check current rules).

• Brussels (Brussels Airlines): Like France, Belgium strictly requires a transit visa for Ivorian citizens.

✧

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I submit documents in French?

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

Can I pay with Wave?

Not directly. You must use a Visa or Mastercard. We recommend loading your Djamo card with Wave and then paying the fee.

Do I need a transit visa for France?

Yes, in most cases. Citizens of Côte d'Ivoire 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 Côte d'Ivoire. 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. Ivorians travel visa-free to Senegal (ECOWAS), but this e-Visa has no relation to that.