Visit World - French Citizens Traveling to Algeria: Entry Rules, Visa Requirements & Regulations

Citizens of most countries must obtain a visa before traveling to Algeria.

The countries whose citizens are exempt from having a visa to Algeria when traveling for tourist or business purposes for a period of up to 90 days are:

Libya;
Malaysia;
Mali;
Mauritania;
Morocco;
Seychelles;
Tunisia.

In addition, holders of diplomatic and service passports from the following countries are exempt from Algerian visas: Albania, Argentina, Benin, Brazil, Bulgaria, China, Cuba, Egypt, Ethiopia, Greece, Guinea, Kuwait, Niger, Oman, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Senegal, Serbia, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Tanzania, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela.

Holders of diplomatic passports from the following countries are also exempted from Algerian visas: African Union, Croatia, France, Germany, Italy, Hungary, Malta, Mexico, Nigeria, South Africa, Sudan, and Vietnam.

Visa

You must apply for an Algerian visa at the Algerian embassy or consulate in your country or the nearest one responsible for your region.

Before applying, you should find out which embassy or consulate covers your region.

There are 11 types of visas to Algeria. Among them, the following can be singled out for travel:

Tourist visa issued to foreigners traveling to Algeria for tourist or recreational purposes.
Algeria visitor visa issued to foreigners traveling to Algeria to visit friends or family members that are living there.
Cultural visa to Algeria issued to foreigners who wish to enter Algeria to attend cultural, scientific, sporting events or for research purposes.

The necessary basic documents for applying for a visa to Algeria are:

The original passport with at least six months of remaining validity from the date of entry into Algeria. It must have at least one blank page to place the visa.
Photocopy of passport (some consulates may require you to provide photocopies of all pages in your passport, even blank ones).
A completed and signed application form for a visa to Algeria. If the applicant is a minor, the parent or legal guardian must sign the application form. The application form can be downloaded from the consulate or embassy's website.
Your passport-sized photo that meets the following requirements:
Dimensions: 35 mm x 45 mm;
Done within the last three months;
Colored;
Your entire face and head must be visible;
Must be printed on quality photo paper;
Neutral facial expression;
No glasses, hats, or other headgear unless worn for religious reasons.
An invitation letter that your Algerian host can issue (if you have one) or an Algerian travel agency. The invitation letter must be notarized at the city hall in Algeria or a notary's office.
A copy of your recipient's identity card, passport, or consular card (if applicable)
Confirmation of employment status: letter from employer, company documents, if self-employed, etc.
Proof of funds in the form of a bank statement or payment receipts.
Airline ticket or flight itinerary.
If you are applying by post, please include a self-addressed, prepaid envelope for the embassy/consulate to return your passport and documents.
If you are applying through a proxy, please include a notarized power of attorney to apply on your behalf.
Confirmation of payment of the visa fee to Algeria in accordance with the requirements of the embassy/consulate.
In the case of a minor visa, attach a letter of consent from the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) stating that they agree for the child to travel alone.

Necessary documents for (except basic):

Tourist visa: proof of residence in Algeria, such as a hotel reservation if you are staying in a hotel or an invitation from your host.
Visitor visas: letter of invitation from your Algerian host (the letter must be notarized at the city hall in Algeria or a notary's office); a copy of your recipient's identity card, passport, or consular card.
Cultural visa: letter of invitation from the institution where you will attend the cultural event.

Attention:

The Algerian authorities may request any additional documents they deem necessary. Depending on the consulate, you may need to submit one or two copies of all required documents.

How to apply for a visa to Algeria?

You can apply for a visa to Algeria in one of the following ways:

By appearing at the Consulate/Embassy of Algeria in person and submitting the necessary documents.
Per post or by courier. Make sure you use a secure postal service as you will be sending important documents.
Through a proxy to whom you must provide a notarized power of attorney stating that you agree to them applying on your behalf
Through the authorized visa authority

However, before you apply, make sure you know the requirements of the consulate or embassy that will be processing your application. Not all consulates accept the submission of documents in all the ways mentioned above.

The procedure for obtaining a visa to Algeria is as follows:

Visit the website of the Algerian embassy or consulate where you will be applying for a visa to find out appointment requirements, business days, and hours.
Sign up for a visa to Algeria. Depending on the consulate, you can do it online.
Fill out the application form for a visa to Algeria.
Collect the necessary documents for obtaining a visa to Algeria (listed above) and submit them on the day of your appointment. When you apply, you may be asked a few questions about the purpose of your trip, what you will be doing in Algeria, or personal questions such as your job, salary, etc.
Pay the visa fee.
Wait for the visa to be processed. When a decision is made, the embassy or consulate will notify you of the decision.
If the visa is approved, a consular/embassy officer will contact you to collect your passport with the visa attached. Your passport with the visa affixed will be sent to your postal address if you apply per post. In addition, the date you will be allowed to enter the country will be specified in your visa.

How long does it take to get a visa to Algeria?

Algeria visa processing time depends on the type of visa you are applying for, the county you are applying from, and the specific embassy or consular post. However, it usually takes about 10-20 working days to process an Algerian visa. To be sure, contact the embassy or consulate where you are applying. If you apply per post, the processing time will be longer.

If you submit any false documents, it may delay the processing time of your visa or even result in the rejection of your application.

What is the validity period of a visa to Algeria?

If you are applying for a tourist or business visa to Algeria, it is usually valid for a maximum of 90 days. The date you can enter Algeria and the number of days you are allowed to stay in the country are listed on your visa. Overstaying your visa can lead to airport detention upon departure and even imprisonment, so be careful.

How can you extend your visa to Algeria?

An extension of a visa, the duration of which may not exceed ninety (90) days, may be granted by the competent territorial administrative authorities, as an exception, to foreigners who wish to extend their stay in the territory of Algeria beyond the period granted by the visa, without any desire to settle there his residence.

A visa extension is granted, in particular, for the following reasons:

Humanitarian circumstances: often related to medical limitations or health conditions (severe illness, etc.);
Family reasons: death, marriage, serious accident with a family member;
Professional reasons: organization of a meeting, the conclusion of a contract or operation that was not completed within the stipulated time, completion of activity or work;
Pedagogical reasons: continuation of internship, study, participation in scientific forums;
Economic circumstances: development of the national economy or promotion of tourism development;
Force majeure: flight cancellation, natural disaster, etc.;

Where to go?

A foreigner is obliged to appear at the competent service for foreigners of the territorial administrative body ten (10) days before the end of the legal period of stay, submitting the following documents:

Application issued by the diplomatic service of the territorially competent administrative body or downloaded from the official website of the Ministry: https://www.interieur.gov.dz/images/Facilitations_administratives/FORMULAIRE_prolongation_de_visa.pdf, duly completed by the interested person and accompanied by:
A passport or any other valid document recognized by the Algerian government as a travel document;
Three (03) recent identification photographs;
Proof of residence on the national territory (residence certificate, hotel reservation certificate, or any other document confirming residence, etc.);
Payment of fees for visa extension or stay. This amount is established by the legislation on finances in compliance with the principle of reciprocity;
Confirmation of the availability of means of subsistence during the remaining period of stay, which will be extended in the national territory;
Any document confirming a request for a visa extension or stay.

The actual aggregate period of stay (visa duration and extension duration) may not exceed one hundred eighty (180) days per year from the date of first entry.

Insurance

Only citizens of the following countries must obtain health insurance before applying for a visa to Algeria: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands.

Medical insurance for an Algerian visa must cover at least €30,000 in medical, accident, and repatriation costs for your stay.

If you need to transit through Algeria or go through immigration at an Algerian airport on your way to another country, you must have an Algerian transit visa.

Algerian transit visas are issued for a maximum of 7 days. The procedure for issuing a transit visa to Algeria is the same as for other types of Algerian visas.

To apply, you need:

Your passport that is valid for at least six months after entering Algeria and has at least one blank page.
A visa that allows you to enter the next country (if a visa is required).
Air ticket for onward travel.
Two passport-size photos.
Questionnaire for a transit visa to Algeria.
Certificate of availability of funds for the entire stay.
Payment of the visa fee to Algeria.

For cats and dogs, vaccination against rabies is required, done no earlier than one year.

Fire - 14; police - 1,548; gendarme (intercity/rural police) – 1055.

Road conditions and safety:

Algeria faces significant road safety challenges.

Travel by land, especially in the southern regions, may require a permit issued by the Algerian Ministry of the Interior.

Algeria recognizes international driving licenses. For information on obtaining an Algerian driver's license, see the Algerian Ministry of Interior driver's license page: https://www.interieur.gov.dz/index.php/fr/ (in french)

Drivers will be met by police and military checkpoints on major roads in Algeria. Police will require you to turn off your headlights when approaching a checkpoint at night.

Police control most major traffic intersections instead of traffic lights.

Public transport

Trains run between cities in the coastal regions of Algeria (not international). Generally, these trains are safe and reliable. Algiers also has a new urban road that runs along the coast. However, due to crime and safety concerns, citizens should be aware of buses and taxis that stop on the street. There are new radio-controlled taxis in Algeria, as well as taxi-hailing apps such as Yassir.

Avoid all travel to areas bordering Libya, Tunisia, Mali, Niger, and Mauritania, namely the provinces of Adrar, El Oued, Illizi, Ouargla, Tamanrasset, Tebessa, and Tindouf. Armed formations operate in these areas. There is also the threat of terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping.

Free import

200 cigarettes or
50 cigars or
400 grams of tobacco
1 Litre of Alcoholic beverages
Perfume: 150ml
Toilet water: 500 ml

Prohibited

Illegal drugs
Guns, explosives and ammunition
Knives and deadly weapons
Precious metals
Plant and plant products
Pets and animals – unless permission has been obtained
Counterfeit money and goods
Pornographic material

Restricted

All cats and dogs being imported into Algeria will require a veterinarian health certificate and prove that the animal in question has been vaccinated against Rabies.
Travelers must declare to customs if they are traveling with more than 3,000 Algerian dinars or foreign currency of more than 1,000 euros (or equivalent). Algerian dinars cannot be taken out of the country.

1. We recommend that you contact an Algerian tour operator to help you prepare a LOI (letter of invitation). This will greatly facilitate and, in some cases, speed up the visa process. The tour operator can submit other documents to the Ministry of Tourism of Algeria to support your request to enter the country.

2. Algeria is a "cash" type of society. If you want to save at least 30% on everything you buy in this country, we would recommend bringing enough euros or US dollars in cash to exchange them on the black market.

You will have difficulties trying to pay for anything with a Visa/Mastercard and withdrawing local currency from an ATM.

3. Buy a local SIM card for Internet access. WIFI is very limited, there are few cafes with it, and if you are staying in a hotel, it will not be fast, even in high-end business hotels the wifi speed does not match what you are used to. Prices vary depending on the internet data, but it will be around 5-10 euros per month.

4. One of the best tools for getting around Algeria is the Maps.Me or Waze app. You can download offline maps of the country. The map also shows tourist routes and hiking trails, which is not available on Google Maps.

5. Although Algeria has an excellent network of trains between cities, as well as buses and trams, it is much faster to use shared taxis. Taxis are small minibuses that connect all cities and towns. You arrive at a special station in the city, buy a ticket at the ticket office, and get into a minibus that can accommodate up to 8 people.

As soon as the minibus is full, it goes straight to your final destination. This is one of the fastest ways to get from point A to point B in Algeria if you are not flying or traveling by train.

6. Download the YASSIR app before you arrive (or when you're already here). It will save you time and money. You will need an Algerian local number to access YASSIR, so we recommend purchasing a SIM card upon arrival.

If you don't speak French or Arabic, this app will help you get from point A to point B without any hassle.

7. Algeria is an Islamic country, and they have Fridays and Saturdays off. Every Friday in Algeria everything will be closed, no one works or opens their shops. It's a day of rest, a time for prayer and family time.

8. Hotel prices in Algiers start at around 30 euros and go up to 200 euros, with most of them costing more than 50 euros per night.

There are hostels, or rather youth hostels, which offer the simplest conditions. You can stay in them really cheaply, for example, for 2 euros per night in a dormitory-style room. Of course, girls and boys live in a separate part of the building.

Sources:

https://timetravelbee.com/places/traveling-to-algeria-survival-guide/

https://www.veryhungrynomads.com/travel-in-algeria-13-things-to-know/

Embassies of Algeria in different countries can be found here: https://www.embassypages.com/algeria

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