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

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The official Albanian e-Visa system requires Guinean nationals (Citizens of Guinea-Conakry) to complete a strict digital application process before traveling. For citizens of Guinea, 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 GNF accounts, and specific solutions for international payment restrictions and documentation requirements for Guinean applicants.

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Do Guinea Citizens Need a Visa for Albania?

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

Crucial Exemption: Many Guinean travelers 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.

• 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 Citizens

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

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Passport Validity & Format

• Validity: The 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)

Guinean applicants are subject to strict financial scrutiny.

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

• Currency: Statements in Guinean Franc (GNF) are accepted. The consular officer will 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. €50 per day).

• Translation (Critical): Most statements from local banks (e.g., AFG Bank Guinée, Ecobank, UBA, Vistabank) are issued in French. You must attach a certified English translation. Submitting untranslated French documents is the primary cause of rejection for Guinean applicants.

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Proof of Employment/Ties

To prove ties to Guinea and reduce migration risk:

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

• Self-Employed: Business License (RCCM) 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 a common hurdle due to limited international banking access.

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 fail for international online payments.
   Solution: Use a Prepaid Visa or Mastercard (e.g., Ecobank CashXpress or UBA Africard) specifically enabled for international travel and e-commerce. If your local card fails, it is common and acceptable to have a relative abroad 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 Guinean citizens are typically processed within 7 to 14 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 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 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 Citizens

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

No. Albania does not offer Visa on Arrival for Guinean citizens. 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, etc.) must be translated from French to English by a certified translator.

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Can I use my local AFG Bank (formerly SG) card to pay?

Only if it is an International Visa/Mastercard. Standard domestic cards will be declined. We recommend using a dedicated travel/prepaid 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.