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

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The immigration authorities of the Republic of Albania strictly enforce a digital pre-clearance policy for all travelers carrying Bolivian passports. This regulation stipulates that Bolivian nationals must secure a verified electronic visa before arriving at Albanian border control, as there are no provisions for issuing visas upon arrival to travelers originating from La Paz, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, or Cochabamba.

This comprehensive guide outlines the specific application workflow, the mandatory translation protocols for Spanish-language documentation, and the banking configuration required for Bolivian debit/credit cards.

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Do Bolivia Citizens Need a Visa for Albania?

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

Crucial Exemption: Many Bolivian travelers qualify for exemptions based on third-party visa holdings. If you possess a valid, multiple-entry visa from the Schengen Area (e.g., Spain), 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.

• Processing Caution: Applications from Bolivia are typically processed within 15 to 20 working days. It is advisable to apply at least 3 weeks before your intended travel date.

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Albania e-Visa Requirements for Bolivia Citizens

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

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Passport Validity & Format

• Validity: The Bolivian 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)

Bolivian applicants must provide comprehensive proof of financial solvency.

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

• Currency: Statements in Boliviano (BOB) are fully accepted. Consular officers convert the balance to Euros based on current exchange rates.

• Balance: It must show a positive balance equivalent to the minimum daily subsistence requirement (approx. 370 BOB or €50 per day).

• Translation (Critical): Most statements from local banks (e.g., Banco Mercantil Santa Cruz, Banco Bisa, Banco Nacional de Bolivia - BNB, Banco Unión) are issued in Spanish. You must attach a certified English translation. Submitting untranslated Spanish documents is the primary cause of rejection.

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Proof of Employment/Ties

To prove ties to Bolivia and reduce migration risk:

• Employees: A Work Certificate (Certificado de Trabajo), recent payslips (Boletas de Pago), and AFP contributions (Pension Fund Record).

• Self-Employed: Tax ID Number (NIT - Número de Identificación Tributaria) and Commerce Registry (Matrícula de Comercio - SEPREC).

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

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Travel Health Insurance

Proof of valid travel health insurance is a mandatory field. 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 often requires manual activation on Bolivian cards.

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 your passport.

3. Document Upload: Upload supporting documents in PDF or JPG format (Max 5MB).

4. Fee Payment: Complete the administrative fee payment of €60.
   Banking Note: QR Simple or local bank transfer methods do not work. You must use the 16-digit card number.
   Activation Required: Many Bolivian debit cards (especially from Banco Unión or BNB) block international online purchases by default. You must log in to your Mobile Banking App and enable "Compras por Internet" (Internet Purchases) and set a daily limit (e.g., $100 USD) before attempting the payment.

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

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Processing Timelines & Status

• Standard Processing: Applications for Bolivian citizens are typically processed within 15 to 20 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., untranslated Antecedentes Penales). 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 Bolivian 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 at Tirana International Airport.

2. Border Validation: At the port of entry, immigration authorities will verify the printed visa, passport, and return flight ticket (usually via Madrid or São Paulo).

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FAQ: Albania e-Visa for Bolivia Citizens

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

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

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Do I need to translate my documents from Spanish?

Yes. The official language of the application is English. All supporting documents (Bank Statements, NIT, Work Certificates) must be translated from Spanish to English by a certified translator.

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Can I pay with my Banco Unión debit card?

Yes, but you usually need to enable "Internet Purchases" and set a sufficiently high limit in the UniMóvil Plus app first.

Is travel insurance mandatory?

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