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Friday, May 30, 2025 22:47 GMT
In a move to streamline travel for Algerians abroad during the summer season, Algeria has officially extended its exceptional visa-free entry and exit measures for certain citizens holding foreign passports until 31 December 2025. The announcement was made by the Consulate General of Algeria in Lille, France, which issued a detailed communiqué outlining the updated procedures.According to the consulate, the facilitation specifically concerns Algerian nationals residing within its consular jurisdiction who hold a valid foreign passport, under the condition that they provide one of the following two options: 1- A valid foreign passport accompanied by a biometric Algerian national ID card, even if expired; 2- A valid foreign passport accompanied by an expired Algerian biometric passport for those who do not hold an Algerian national ID.The measures also extend to children under 15 years of age who do not possess any Algerian identity documents. In such cases, children must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians and provide either civil status documents proving kinship or official documents confirming legal guardianship, such as kafala (guardianship) or court-issued custody rulings.To prevent potential travel disruptions, the consulate emphasized the importance of providing an individual civil status certificate in cases where there are significant discrepancies between personal information found in Algerian and foreign documents—particularly when names or surnames differ substantially.Additionally, Algerian authorities have reminded travelers that the same set of documents used for entry into Algeria must also be used when leaving. Citizens are urged to begin the renewal process for their biometric passports without delay, noting that applications can be submitted up to six months prior to the expiration date of the current passport.This decision reflects Algeria’s commitment to maintaining a strong link with its diaspora, particularly during high-travel periods, and reinforces the state’s practical approach to consular facilitation while safeguarding its border regulations.