Albania e-Visa Application Guide for El Salvador Citizens (2026)

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Travelers originating from El Salvador are strictly required to comply with the digital immigration framework established by the Republic of Albania. This mandates the acquisition of a verified electronic visa (e-Visa) prior to any travel. The Albanian border authorities enforce a rigid "No Visa on Arrival" policy for Salvadoran nationals, meaning that possession of this digital pre-authorization is a non-negotiable condition for boarding flights from San Óscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport (SAL) or other transit points.

This guide provides a technical walkthrough of the application process, highlighting the translation requirements for Spanish-language documents and the flexible payment options (including Crypto/USDC) tailored for Salvadoran applicants.

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Do El Salvador Citizens Need a Visa for Albania?

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

Crucial Exemption: A significant number of Salvadoran travelers qualify for exemptions based on third-party visa holdings. If you possess a valid, multiple-entry visa from the USA, UK, or Schengen Area 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 tourism, family visits, or short business trips.

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

• Processing Caution: Applications from El Salvador 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 Salvadoran Citizens

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

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Passport Validity & Format

• Validity: The Salvadoran 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 (The USD Advantage)

Salvadoran applicants benefit from the dollarized economy, simplifying financial proof.

• Document: A formal bank statement (Estado de Cuenta) covering the last 6 to 12 months.

• Currency: Since the US Dollar (USD) is the official currency, no exchange rate conversion is needed. This streamlines the assessment for consular officers.

• Balance: It must show a positive balance equivalent to the minimum daily subsistence requirement (approx. $60 USD per day).

• Translation (Critical): Although the currency is USD, the document narrative is in Spanish. You must attach a certified English translation of the statement headers and summary. Submitting purely Spanish documents is a frequent cause of rejection.

• Banks: Statements from Banco Agrícola, Banco Cuscatlán, BAC Credomatic, and Davivienda are standard.

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Proof of Employment/Ties

To prove ties to El Salvador and reduce migration risk:

• Employees: A Salary Certificate (Constancia Salarial/Laboral) and proof of AFP (Pension) contributions.

• Self-Employed: VAT Registration Card (Tarjeta de IVA) and recent tax declarations (Declaración de Renta).

• Background Check: A Police Clearance Certificate (Solvencia de la Policía Nacional Civil or Antecedentes Penales) is often requested and adds significant weight to the application.

• Translation: All these documents must be translated into English by a certified 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 "Europe/Worldwide" and include medical emergency/repatriation costs.

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Step-by-Step Application Workflow

The application process is linear, offering robust payment flexibility for the tech-savvy Salvadoran population.

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.
   Crypto & USDC Accepted: We understand that many Salvadorans prefer using cryptocurrencies. We accept USDC and other major cryptocurrencies. This is ideal if you wish to pay using funds from your Chivo Wallet or other crypto assets.
   How to Pay with Crypto: Please visit our Payment Methods page or message us directly to receive the wallet address and payment instructions.
   Credit/Debit Cards: You can also use a standard Visa or Mastercard issued by Banco Agrícola, Cuscatlán, etc. Ensure "International/Online Purchases" are enabled in your e-banking app.

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

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Processing Timelines & Status

• Standard Processing: Applications for Salvadoran 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 Solvencia). 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 Salvadoran 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 US hubs).

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FAQ: Albania e-Visa for El Salvador Citizens

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

No. Albania does not offer Visa on Arrival for Salvadoran 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, Police Records, Employment Letters) must be translated from Spanish to English by a certified translator.

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Can I pay with Crypto (USDC/Bitcoin)?

Yes. We accept USDC and cryptocurrency payments. Please check our Payment Methods page or contact our support team to proceed with a crypto transfer.

Is travel insurance mandatory?

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