Planning For Algeria – Finances and Visas

Coat of Arms of Algeria
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Visiting Algeria is the trip of a lifetime, and with a little forward planning you can ensure you have a fantastic holiday. A one-month visa for Algeria costs around $40 to $50, and is payable on application for a visa. If you are a National of Israel, Taiwan or Malawi you may be denied a visa. In these cases, it’s advisable to apply for a visa in advance, before booking or planning your holiday. To apply, you’ll need three passport sized photographs, a letter from an employer stating the dates you are going on holiday, and an ‘invitation’ to Algeria. These are available from travel agencies. If you wish to apply while on your trip, this is also possible. From Niger, one-month visas cost $40, and are usually processed on the day of application. You will require three passport photographs, and to complete three application forms. You can also apply from Mali, which costs $36 and requires two photographs.

Algeria’s currency is called Dinars. One US dollar is equivalent to 74 dinars, or 7400 centimes. Large establishments may be able to accept credit cards, and tourist businesses may accept US dollars, but most companies will only accept dinars. The dinar is quite a weak currency, meaning you can enjoy the best of Algeria without the price tag you’d expect! If you are looking to spend a few months enjoying Algeria and the nearby areas, you may find it helpful to consult debt consolidation services, to reduce your debts and outgoings into one payment. This is much easier to manage while abroad, especially as Algeria has limited internet connectivity.

Once you’ve sorted your finances and your visa, all you’ve got to do is book a hotel and plan what you’d love to do. With everything from hostels to five star hotels, offering amazing mountain, desert, or sea views, there is definitely something for everyone!

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Things to Keep in Mind When Heading to Algeria

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You may have seen flyers about Algeria that have prompted you to take your next vacation there. If you are headed to Algeria, there are a few things that you are going to want to know.

Depending on what part of Algeria you are in, prices may not be given in dinars, as you might expect. Instead, they might be given in centimes. There are 100 centimes in a dinar. To complicate this even more, the thousands might end up being dropped. If someone tells you 150 centimes, you may want to check and make sure they don’t actually mean 150,000 centimes, or 1,500 dinar.

There are some safety aspects you will want to keep in mind. Because of kidnappings that happened in 2003, it is actually now illegal to drive alone in the desert. There have been checkpoints set up to enforce this law. If you are traveling make sure that you travel in a group.

When heading to Algeria, you will not only need your passport but a visa as well. If you have previously on your trip stopped in Israel, Taiwan, or Malawi, your visa application may actually be denied. The reason for this is that people from these countries are not allowed to enter Algeria. If you decide to get your visa before heading out on your vacation, you will need a letter either from your university if you are a student or your employer stating that you will be coming back home after your vacation. You will also need an invitation to visit Algeria from either someone you have contact with in the country or a tourist agency. The visa is good for 30 days. You can get an extension on your visa, but they are very difficult to get.

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