Albania e-Visa Application Guide for Central African Republic Citizens (2026)

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The official Albanian e-Visa system requires Central African nationals (Citizens of CAR) to complete a rigorous digital application process before traveling. For citizens of the Central African Republic, securing an electronic visa authorization is a mandatory pre-travel requirement, as there is absolutely no option to obtain a visa upon arrival at the Albanian border.

This guide outlines the procedural workflow, financial verification standards for XAF accounts, and the specific solutions for payment and documentation challenges faced by applicants from CAR.

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Do CAR Citizens Need a Visa for Albania?

Yes. The Central African Republic is classified as a visa-required jurisdiction with high security scrutiny. Holders of ordinary CAR passports must obtain a valid e-Visa prior to departure.

Crucial Exemption: Many travelers from the region qualify for exemptions based on third-party visa holdings. 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.

• Processing Caution: Due to regional instability, applications from CAR often undergo enhanced background checks. It is advisable to apply at least 20-30 days in advance.

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Albania e-Visa Requirements for CAR Citizens

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

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Passport Validity & Format

• Validity: The CAR 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. Ensure the passport page is flat and well-lit.

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Proof of Financial Capacity (12-Month Rule)

Applicants are subject to strict financial scrutiny.

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

• Currency: Statements in Central African CFA Franc (XAF) are accepted. Since the CFA is pegged to the Euro, conversion is straightforward.

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

• Translation (Critical): Most statements from local banks (e.g., Ecobank RCA, BSIC, CBCA) are issued in French. You must attach a certified English translation. Submitting untranslated French documents is the primary cause of rejection.

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Proof of Employment/Ties

To prove ties to the Central African Republic and reduce migration risk:

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

• Self-Employed: Commerce Register (Registre du Commerce) and Tax ID (NIF).

• 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 major obstacle due to limited international banking infrastructure in CAR.

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.
   Banking Limitations: Many local debit cards in CAR are not enabled for international e-commerce or have low limits.
   Solution: The most reliable method is to use a Prepaid Visa/Mastercard (e.g., loaded via Ecobank if available) or, more commonly, to have a friend or relative abroad (e.g., in France or Cameroon) make the payment using their international card.

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

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Processing Timelines & Status

• Standard Processing: Applications for CAR citizens typically take 10 to 20 working days due to security protocols.

• 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 French text). 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 CAR 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 strictly verify the printed visa, passport, and return flight ticket. Be prepared to answer questions about your itinerary and accommodation clearly.

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FAQ: Albania e-Visa for CAR Citizens

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

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

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Do I need to translate my documents from French?

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

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Can I use a BSIC or CBCA card to pay?

It depends on the specific card type. Domestic cards will fail. Only cards explicitly marked as "International Visa/Mastercard" will work. If your card fails, use a foreign card from a contact abroad.

Is travel insurance mandatory?

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