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

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The official Albanian e-Visa system requires Mauritanian nationals to complete a strict digital application process before traveling. For citizens of Mauritania, 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 MRU accounts, and specific solutions for international payment restrictions faced by applicants from Nouakchott and Nouadhibou.

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Do Mauritania Citizens Need a Visa for Albania?

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

Crucial Exemption: Many Mauritanian 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, Spain), 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 security vetting protocols, applications from Mauritania may take longer than average. It is highly advisable to apply at least 20-25 days in advance.

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Albania e-Visa Requirements for Mauritania Citizens

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

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Passport Validity & Format

• Validity: The Mauritanian 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)

Mauritanian applicants are subject to thorough financial scrutiny.

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

• Currency: Statements in Mauritanian Ouguiya (MRU) are accepted. Consular officers 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. 2,200 MRU or €50 per day).

• Translation (Critical): Most statements from local banks (e.g., BMCI, Attijari Bank, Banque Populaire de Mauritanie - BPM) are issued in French or Arabic. You must attach a certified English translation. Submitting untranslated documents is the primary cause of rejection.

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Proof of Employment/Ties

To prove ties to Mauritania and reduce migration risk:

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

• Self-Employed: Commerce Register (Registre du Commerce) and Tax ID (Numéro d'Identification Fiscale).

• 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. 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 the GIM-Tel network limitations.

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. Do not use Arabic script.

3. Document Upload: Upload supporting documents in PDF or JPG format (Max 5MB).

4. Fee Payment: Complete the administrative fee payment of €60.
   Banking Note: Standard GIM-Tel cards (used for local ATMs) do not work for international online payments.
   Solution: You must use an International Visa or Mastercard. Many banks (like BPM or BMCI) offer specific "Carte Prépayée Internationale." Apps like Bankily or Sedad may offer virtual international cards, but ensure they support cross-border transactions. If local options fail, having a relative abroad make the payment is an accepted workaround.

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

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Processing Timelines & Status

• Standard Processing: Applications for Mauritanian citizens are typically processed within 10 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 Arabic 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 Mauritanian 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 border control.

2. Border Validation: At the port of entry, immigration authorities will verify the printed visa, passport, and return flight ticket (usually via Istanbul, Casablanca, or Tunis).

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FAQ: Albania e-Visa for Mauritania Citizens

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

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

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Do I need to translate my documents from Arabic/French?

Yes. The official language of the application is English. All supporting documents must be translated into English and notarized.

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Can I pay with my Bankily or Masrvi app?

Only if you generate a Virtual International Visa/Mastercard within the app. Direct transfers or local GIM-Tel cards will not work.

Is travel insurance mandatory?

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