Albania e-Visa Application Guide for Marshall Islands Citizens (2026)

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The immigration policy of the Republic of Albania mandates that travelers holding Marshallese passports must generally secure a verified electronic visa prior to their departure. While Marshall Islands citizens enjoy visa-free access to the Schengen Area, Albania classifies the Marshall Islands as an exception to its "Schengen Annex II" visa-free rule. Therefore, unless you hold a specific valid visa from the US, UK, or Schengen zone (verified sticker), you likely need this electronic visa (e-Visa) to board your flight.

This guide provides a technical walkthrough of the application process, highlighting the USD currency advantage, the specific banking limitations of BOMI cards, and the flexible payment options (including Crypto/USDC) available for applicants.

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Do Marshall Islands Citizens Need a Visa for Albania?

Yes. The Marshall Islands is classified as a visa-required jurisdiction for Albania. Holders of ordinary Marshallese passports must obtain a valid e-Visa prior to departure.

Crucial Exemption: Many Marshallese travelers might assume they are exempt due to the Compact of Free Association (COFA) with the USA or visa-free Schengen access. However, be careful:

• COFA Status: Albania typically exempts holders of a valid, multiple-entry US Visa. Since Marshallese citizens enter the US without a visa (under COFA), you usually do not possess the physical US visa sticker required to trigger the Albanian exemption.

• Schengen Access: While you don't need a visa for Europe (Schengen), Albania lists Marshall Islands as an exception to its own visa-free policy.

• Verdict: Unless you have a physical, used, multiple-entry visa sticker from the USA, UK, or Schengen Area in your passport, you must apply for the e-Visa.

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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 the Pacific region 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 Marshallese Citizens

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

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Passport Validity & Format

• Validity: The Marshallese 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)

Marshallese applicants have a distinct advantage as the economy is dollarized.

• Document: A formal bank statement covering the last 3 to 6 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).

• Language Advantage: Since English is the official language, bank statements (from Bank of Guam, BOMI) are issued in English by default. You do not need to pay for translations.

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Proof of Employment/Ties

To prove ties to the islands and reduce migration risk:

• Employees: A Letter of Employment from your employer and recent pay stubs.

• Self-Employed: A copy of your Business License or tax records.

• Language: These documents are accepted in English without further translation.

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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, but payment is a critical hurdle due to local banking infrastructure.

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.
   The "BOMI" Warning: Cards issued by the Bank of Marshall Islands (BOMI) often function as "closed-loop" domestic cards and may NOT work for international online payments on European government sites.
   The Solution: Use a Bank of Guam Visa/Mastercard, which is fully international.
   Crypto & USDC Accepted: Given the Marshall Islands' familiarity with digital currencies (Lomalo/USDM1), we accept USDC and major cryptocurrencies. This is the best backup if your local card fails.
   How to Pay: Please visit our Payment Methods page or message us directly to receive the wallet address.

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

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Processing Timelines & Status

• Standard Processing: Applications for Marshallese 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. 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 Marshallese 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 (likely via Honolulu, Guam, or Asia).

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FAQ: Albania e-Visa for Marshall Islands Citizens

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

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

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Do I need to translate my documents?

No. Documents issued in English are accepted without translation.

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Can I pay with my Bank of Marshall Islands (BOMI) card?

Likely no. BOMI cards are often restricted to domestic use. You should use a Bank of Guam card or Crypto (USDC) payment.

Is travel insurance mandatory?

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