Albania e-Visa Application Guide for Benin Citizens (2026)

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The official Albanian e-Visa system requires Beninese nationals to complete a strict digital application process before traveling. For citizens of Benin, securing an electronic visa authorization is a mandatory pre-travel requirement, as there is currently no option to obtain a visa upon arrival at the Albanian border.

This guide outlines the procedural workflow, financial verification standards for CFA Franc (XOF) accounts, and the specific solutions for international payment restrictions faced by Beninese applicants.

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Do Benin Citizens Need a Visa for Albania?

Yes. Benin is classified as a visa-required jurisdiction. Holders of ordinary Beninese passports must obtain a valid e-Visa prior to departure.

Crucial Exemption: Due to strong ties with France, many Beninese professionals hold valid Schengen visas. If you possess a valid, multiple-entry visa from the Schengen Area (e.g., France), USA, or UK that has been previously used to enter the issuing country, you are likely exempt from the e-Visa requirement. To verify your specific status, please consult our technical guide on Visa Exemptions: Schengen, US, UK & Transit Rules.

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Understanding the e-Tourist Visa Category

The e-Tourist Visa (Type C) is a short-stay authorization issued strictly for non-immigrant purposes.

• Scope: Valid for short-term visits where the individual does not intend to establish residence or employment.

• Duration: The visa typically permits a cumulative stay of up to 90 days within any rolling 180-day period.

• Validity Distinction: It is critical to distinguish between the visa's validity window (entry period) and the permitted duration of stay. For a detailed breakdown, refer to our guide on Visa Validity vs. Duration of Stay.

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Albania e-Visa Requirements for Benin Citizens

The application portal utilizes automated Optical Character Recognition (OCR). Beninese applicants must adhere to the following technical standards to prevent system rejection.

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Passport Validity & Format

• Validity: The Beninese passport must remain valid for at least six (6) months beyond the intended date of departure from Albania.

• Scan Quality: A clear, full-color PDF or JPG of the biographical data page.

• Critical Detail: The MRZ code (the two lines of text at the bottom) must be unobstructed.

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Proof of Financial Capacity (12-Month Rule)

Beninese applicants are subject to strict financial scrutiny.

• Document: A formal bank statement (Relevé Bancaire) covering the last 12 months of transactions.

• Currency: Statements in West African CFA Franc (XOF) are accepted. Since the CFA is pegged to the Euro, conversion is straightforward for officers, but ensure the balance meets the requirement.

• Balance: It must show a positive balance equivalent to the minimum daily subsistence requirement (approx. €50 per day).

• Translation: Most Beninese bank statements (e.g., BOA, Ecobank, NSIA) are in French. While Albanian authorities sometimes accept French documents, it is safer and recommended to attach a certified English translation to avoid delays or "Action Required" statuses.

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Proof of Employment

To prove ties to Benin and reduce migration risk, you must upload:

• Employees: A Work Certificate (Attestation de Travail) and recent payslips (Bulletins de Paie).

• Self-Employed: IFU (Identifiant Fiscal Unique) registration and Trade Register (Registre de Commerce).

• Translation: These documents must be translated into English by a sworn translator.

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Travel Health Insurance

Proof of valid travel health insurance is a mandatory field in the application portal. The uploaded policy must clearly state coverage for Albania or "Worldwide" and include medical emergency/repatriation costs.

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Step-by-Step Application Workflow

The application process is linear, but payment is the primary hurdle for Beninese citizens.

1. Portal Registration: Create a secure user account on the e-Visa portal using a valid email address.

2. Biographical Data Entry: Enter personal details exactly as they appear in the Latin script section of your passport.

3. Document Upload: Upload supporting documents in PDF or JPG format. Ensure individual file sizes do not exceed 5MB.

4. Fee Payment: Complete the administrative fee payment of €60.
   Payment Warning: Local GIM-UEMOA cards typically do not work for international online payments.
   Solution: Use a Prepaid Visa/Mastercard (e.g., UBA Africard, Ecobank Xpress, or Orabank Prepaid) loaded with sufficient funds. These are the most reliable methods for international transactions from Benin.

5. Submission: Upon successful payment, the application status transitions to "Under Review."

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Processing Timelines & Status

• Standard Processing: Applications for Beninese citizens are typically processed within 5 to 9 working days.

• Status Tracking: Applicants can monitor the real-time status of their request through the portal's tracking dashboard.

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Handling "Action Required" Status

During the review phase, a consular officer may pause the application if a document is deemed insufficient (e.g., submitting an untranslated Attestation de Travail). This triggers an Action Required Status.

This status indicates a request for correction, not a refusal. Applicants must log in to the portal immediately, review the officer's specific annotation, and upload the requested documentation to resume the approval workflow.

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Entry Procedures for Beninese Travelers

Possession of an e-Visa does not guarantee entry; it authorizes the holder to proceed to a port of entry.

1. Physical Copy: Applicants must print the approved e-Tourist Visa PDF. Digital copies on mobile devices are frequently not accepted by border control.

2. Border Validation: At the port of entry, immigration authorities will verify the printed visa against the passport and proof of return travel.

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FAQ: Albania e-Visa for Benin Citizens

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Can I apply for a visa on arrival with a Beninese passport?

No. Albania does not offer Visa on Arrival for Beninese citizens. You must possess the approved e-Visa authorization before boarding.

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Do I need to translate my French documents?

Yes. While some officers may understand French, the official requirement is English or Albanian. Submitting untranslated documents (especially handwritten ones) significantly increases the risk of delay or rejection.

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Can I use MTN Mobile Money or Moov Money?

Not directly. You cannot pay the e-Visa fee directly with Mobile Money. However, you can use your Mobile Money wallet to load a Virtual Visa Card (if your provider offers it) or top up a physical UBA Africard, and then use that card on the portal.

Is travel insurance mandatory?

Yes. The application form has a mandatory upload field for travel insurance. You cannot submit the form without it.

Would you like me to clarify the specific requirements for the "Action Required" status if you upload a document in French?