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

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For citizens of the Republic of Mali, traveling from the heart of West Africa to the Balkan Peninsula is a journey that requires strict adherence to administrative and health protocols. While Malian passport holders enjoy free movement within the ECOWAS zone, entry into the Republic of Albania is strictly regulated via a Digital Pre-Clearance system.

There is no "Visa on Arrival" facility for Malian passport holders. Whether you are departing from Modibo Keita International Airport (BKO) in Bamako—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.

This guide is uniquely tailored for Malian applicants. It addresses the specific realities of 2026: the stability of the XOF currency, the mandatory translation of documents from French, and the critical necessity of the Yellow Fever Card.

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 Malian Nationals?

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

To verify specific eligibility details and check permitted stay durations for your nationality, please visit the Mali 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 Bamako 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, conferences, 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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Mali-Specific Documentation Checklist

Malian 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 is the biometric ECOWAS passport.

✅ 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 to Albanian authorities.

• The Document: Submit a Bank Statement (Relevé Bancaire) for the last 3-6 months.

• Accepted Banks: Statements from BDM (Banque de Développement du Mali), Ecobank Mali, BOA (Bank Of Africa), or BIM are standard.

• Requirement: The statement must be official. If you use a microfinance institution, ensure the statement is countersigned by a recognized bank if possible.

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

• Mandatory Translations: Your Birth Certificate (Acte de Naissance - Volet N°3), Police Record (Casier Judiciaire), and Employment Certificate (Attestation de Travail) 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 primary cause of rejection for Malian applicants.

✅ Identity & Professional Proof

• NINA Card: Including a copy of your NINA Card (Numéro d'Identification Nationale) supports your identity verification.

• Business Owners: A copy of your RCCM (Registre du Commerce et du Crédit Mobilier) and NIF (Numéro d'Identification Fiscale), translated into English.

✅ Travel InsuranceA mandatory policy covering medical repatriation (min. €30,000). Insurers like SAER, Allianz Mali, or CNAR 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. Malian names (e.g., Coulibaly, Traoré, Keïta) must match the machine-readable zone (MRZ) exactly.

Step 3: Document Uploads

Upload high-quality PDF scans.

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

Step 4: Payment (The Prepaid Card Solution)

The government fees for 2026 are:

• Tourist Visa: €60

• Business Visa: €100

How to Pay from Mali:

• Prepaid Cards: The UBA Africard or Ecobank Xpress Card are the most reliable methods. You can load these cards with cash or Mobile Money and use them for the online payment.

• Orange Money / Moov Money: You cannot pay directly with your mobile wallet balance on the portal. You must link your wallet to a virtual card (if available) or transfer funds to a prepaid bank card.

• Bank Cards: Visa cards from BDM or BOA work if international payments are activated.

• 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 )

• Mali Specifics: Applications from the Sahel region 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.

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Transit & Border Protocols

Traveling from Bamako to Tirana involves strategic transit choices.

Documents for Border Control:

1. Printed e-Visa: Mandatory.

2. Return Ticket: Confirmed flight back to BKO.

3. Yellow Fever Card (Carnet Jaune): Mandatory. You cannot leave Bamako Airport without it, and it may be checked upon arrival or transit.

Critical Transit Warning:

• Via Paris (Air France): This is a very common route (BKO-CDG). WARNING: Malian 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 Bamako.

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

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

• Via Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines): Visa-free transit if staying within the terminal.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I submit documents in French?

No. While French is the official language of Mali, 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 loading a UBA Africard with your Orange Money and then paying the fee.

Do I need a transit visa for France?

Yes, in most cases. Citizens of Mali 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 Mali. 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. Malians travel visa-free to Senegal (ECOWAS), but this e-Visa has no relation to that.