Albania e-Visa Application Guide for Guinea-Bissau Citizens (2026)

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The official Albanian e-Visa system requires Bissau-Guinean nationals to complete a strict digital application process before traveling. For citizens of Guinea-Bissau, 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 (XAF) accounts, and the specific translation requirements for Portuguese documents submitted by applicants from Bissau and the islands.

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Do Guinea-Bissau Citizens Need a Visa for Albania?

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

Crucial Exemption: Due to historical ties with Portugal, many Bissau-Guineans hold Schengen visas. If you possess a valid, multiple-entry visa from the Schengen Area (e.g., Portugal), 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 Guinea-Bissau 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 Bissau-Guinean 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)

Bissau-Guinean applicants are subject to strict financial scrutiny.

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

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

• Balance: It must show a positive balance equivalent to the minimum daily subsistence requirement (approx. 33,000 XAF or €50 per day).

• Translation (CRITICAL): Most statements from local banks (e.g., BAO - Banco da África Ocidental, Orabank, BDU, Ecobank) are issued in Portuguese. You must attach a certified English translation. Submitting untranslated Portuguese documents is the #1 cause of rejection.

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Proof of Employment/Ties

To prove ties to Guinea-Bissau and reduce migration risk:

• Employees: A Work Certificate (Certificado de Trabalho/Serviço) and recent payslips.

• Self-Employed: Business Registration (Alvará Comercial) 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 primary hurdle for Bissau-Guinean 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.
   Banking Note: Standard local debit cards often do not work for international online payments outside the region.
   Solution: You must use an International Visa or Mastercard. The most reliable method in Bissau is using a Prepaid Travel Card from BAO or Orabank, or having a relative in Portugal/Europe 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 Bissau-Guinean 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., untranslated Portuguese 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 Bissau-Guinean 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 Guinea-Bissau Citizens

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Can I apply for a visa on arrival with a Bissau-Guinean passport?

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

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Do I need to translate my documents from Portuguese?

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

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Can I pay with my domestic BAO card?

Only if it is an International Visa Card. Standard domestic cards will be declined. We recommend using a dedicated travel/prepaid card or a foreign-issued card for the portal payment.

Is travel insurance mandatory?

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