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

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The immigration authorities of the Republic of Albania enforce a strict digital pre-clearance policy for all travelers holding Surinamese passports. This regulation stipulates that Surinamese nationals must secure a verified electronic visa before arriving at Albanian border control. There are no provisions for issuing visas upon arrival to travelers originating from Paramaribo (Johan Adolf Pengel International - PBM), necessitating that the electronic visa (e-Visa) be obtained prior to boarding.

This comprehensive guide outlines the specific application workflow, the mandatory translation protocols for Dutch-language documentation, and the flexible payment options (including Crypto/USDC) available for applicants.

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Do Suriname Citizens Need a Visa for Albania?

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

Crucial Exemption: A significant number of Surinamese travelers qualify for exemptions based on third-party visa holdings. If you possess a valid, multiple-entry visa from the Schengen Area (e.g., Netherlands), 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 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 Suriname 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 Suriname Citizens

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

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Passport Validity & Format

• Validity: The Surinamese 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 (SRD, USD & EUR)

Surinamese applicants must provide comprehensive proof of financial solvency.

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

• Currency: Statements in Surinamese Dollar (SRD) are accepted, but due to exchange rate fluctuations, submitting a statement from a USD or Euro account is highly recommended to strengthen your application.

• 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., De Surinaamsche Bank - DSB, Hakrinbank, Republic Bank, Finabank) are issued in Dutch. You must attach a certified English translation of the summary page and headers. Submitting purely Dutch documents is a frequent cause of rejection.

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Proof of Employment/Ties

To prove ties to Suriname and reduce migration risk:

• Employees: An Employer Statement (Werkgeversverklaring) and recent payslips (Salarisstrook).

• Civil Registry: An extract from the Civil Registry (Uittreksel uit het bevolkingsregister) obtained from the CBB (Centraal Bureau voor Burgerzaken).

• Translation: All these documents are issued in Dutch and must be translated into English by a sworn translator (beëdigd vertaler) 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.

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 accept USDC and other major cryptocurrencies. This is an excellent option if you do not hold an international credit card or want to avoid high banking fees.
   How to Pay: Please visit our Payment Methods page or message us directly to receive the wallet address and secure payment instructions.
   Credit/Debit Cards: You can use a standard Visa or Mastercard (e.g., DSB Credit Card, Republic Bank Visa).
   Local Card Note: Standard local debit cards (Mope/Pinpas) that are not co-branded with Visa/Mastercard will not work for international online payments.

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

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Processing Timelines & Status

• Standard Processing: Applications for Surinamese 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 Werkgeversverklaring). 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 Surinamese 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 Amsterdam or Panama).

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FAQ: Albania e-Visa for Suriname Citizens

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

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

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Do I need to translate my documents from Dutch?

Yes. The official language of the application is English. All supporting documents (Bank Statements, CBB Extracts, Employer Statements) must be translated from Dutch (Nederlands) to English by a sworn 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.