Algeria visa: information for foreign nationals

The common rules

• The visa must be obtained before departure, from the Algerian embassy or consulate of the applicant's usual place of residence.
• Visa application form completed in duplicate.
• Passport valid for at least six months, with a photocopy.
• Two recent, identical passport photos.
• Travel insurance certificate including repatriation assistance.
• For foreign nationals living in the country of application: residence permit and a photocopy.
• Additional documents depending on the visa type: tourism, business, family, cultural, study, work, temporary work, transit, press, etc.
• Stay of up to 90 days per entry (exceptional extension possible), with a maximum of 180 days in total per year.
• Consular fees apply; the amount depends on nationality, age and visa duration, and they are not refunded if the visa is refused.

Official source : Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Entry visa to Algeria ↗

Applying from France, Italy or Spain

The business visa

• General rule: a letter from the employer (mission letter) or a letter of invitation from the partner in Algeria, plus a hotel booking or a certificate of support from the inviting organisation.
• Example from the Milan consulate: invitation on the Algerian company's letterhead with its trade register, request letter from the Italian company covering all travel costs, company registration extract (visura camerale) less than three months old.
• Example from the Barcelona consulate: formal invitation from the company being visited, original cover letter from the Spanish employer, copy of its tax identification card.
• Paid work in Algeria requires a work visa or a temporary work visa (stay of up to 3 months), each with its own supporting documents.

Official source : Ministry of Foreign Affairs ↗ · Business visa — Milan ↗ · Visas — Barcelona ↗ · Algerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CACI) ↗ · Algerian Investment Promotion Agency (AAPI) ↗

Trade fairs and exhibitions in Algeria

Most major fairs take place at the Pins Maritimes Exhibition Centre in Algiers. Dates should be confirmed on each fair's official website.

• Algeria Exhibitions (SAFEX) — official calendar ↗

  All events at the Pins Maritimes Exhibition Centre in Algiers (yearly programme in French, English and Arabic).

• Algiers International Fair (FIA) ↗

  The major multi-sector fair; the 57th edition was held from 22 to 27 June 2026.

• Algiers International Book Fair (SILA) ↗

  Open to the public from 29 October to 7 November 2026, 10 am to 7 pm, at Pins Maritimes.

• Djazagro ↗

  Food-industry trade show; next edition from 12 to 15 April 2027, for professionals only.

• Batimatec ↗

  International trade fair for building, construction materials and public works.

Civil status: transcription of records and birth registration

• Transcription records at the Algerian consulate a civil record (birth, marriage, death) issued by a foreign town hall. It is required before applying for Algerian documents (consular card, passport, ID card, 12 S birth certificate).
• It is only available to people whose Algerian nationality is established. The competent consulate is the one covering the place of birth, marriage or death, not the place of residence.
• Birth: two full copies of the birth certificate (originals less than three months old), the family record book, an Algerian ID document or nationality certificate, or failing that the birth certificates of the father and grandfather born in Algeria.
• Marriage: two full copies of the marriage certificate, the family record book, an Algerian ID document. Special conditions apply to some marriages; marriages celebrated by foreign embassies or religious marriages require an order from the Sidi M'Hamed court (Algiers).
• Death: two full copies of the death certificate, the family record book, Algerian ID documents of the deceased and of the applicant.
• Birth registration: a child born in France is registered at the town hall of the place of birth within 5 days of delivery; the record is then transcribed at the competent Algerian consulate. In Italy and Spain, the birth is registered with the local civil registry before transcription. For a registration directly at the consulate, check with the consulate concerned.
• From Algeria, a transcription request can also be filed with the civil status department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which forwards it to the competent consulate.

Official source : Consulate of Algeria in Nanterre — Transcription ↗ · Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Civil status ↗ · Service-Public.fr — Birth registration ↗

Useful information

• Your passport must be valid for at least six months, even for an airport transit. An ID card alone is not enough.
• Visa on arrival is reserved for tourists travelling to southern Algeria with an agency approved by the Algerian authorities; without a visa, entry is refused.
• For trips organised by a tourism agency, the visa is issued within 48 hours of receipt of the complete file.
• The visa may be collected by an authorised person, with a power of attorney and ID documents (depending on the consulate).
• The visa can be extended in Algeria, under certain conditions.
• A French child born in Algeria is registered at the competent French consulate within 30 days of birth.

Official source : Travel advice (Spain) ↗ · Travel advice (France) ↗ · Viaggiare Sicuri (Italy) ↗ · France in Algeria — Birth ↗ · Services for foreigners (Algerian MFA) ↗