Algeria cultural, sports and events visa

Artists, speakers, researchers attending seminars and athletes or teams taking part in competitions apply for the cultural visa. Algerian embassies describe it as the visa for holders of an invitation to a seminar or to an event of a cultural, scientific or sporting nature who can prove resources for the length of the stay.

Events organised in Algeria by foreigners are governed by a separate decree (No. 82-467 of 18 December 1982), so the Algerian organiser usually handles the authorisations on its side before the invitations are sent.

Algerian missions ask for an official letter of invitation from the event organiser and an employment letter or proof of activity, together with two signed forms with photos and a passport valid for six months with two blank pages. Associations, unions and organisations that invite foreigners must notify the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Algeria, which then sends the mission instructions; until that happens the mission cannot finalise the visa.

Embassies in other countries ask for the invitation from the host in Algeria, an employment letter and proof of resources for the stay.

The cultural visa is among the higher-priced categories at some missions: Washington charges US citizens USD 190, against USD 160 for a tourist visa. Elsewhere the fee depends on nationality, duration and entries.

Because the ministry's instruction must reach the embassy, cultural visas often take longer than tourist visas. Oslo warns that applications needing prior approval from the Algerian authorities may be delayed, and no mission offers an express service. Organisers should send invitations, and their notification to the ministry, well before the event.

Journalists who come to report on a festival or match do not use the cultural visa. They apply for a press visa with a letter from their employer naming the topic, a detailed list of audiovisual equipment and a copy of their press card, using the separate press form.