In a surprise holiday gesture, the Algerian Consulate-General in Paris announced on 24 December that Franco-Algerian dual nationals may enter Algeria without a visa on 25 December 2025. The exemption covers holders of both French and Algerian passports arriving that day, including those whose Algerian documents have expired.
Ordinarily, dual citizens must present a valid Algerian passport or obtain an emergency laissez-passer, a process that can take up to two weeks and costs €60. By waiving the requirement for one day, the consulate hopes to ease family reunions and reduce airport queues at Algiers, Oran and Constantine, which are expecting record Christmas traffic.
French travel agencies say Air Algérie and Transavia flights from Paris-Orly are already 95 % full for 24-25 December. Passengers can still use their French passports but must complete Algeria’s online “E-visa Lite” pre-arrival form.
![Paris Algerian Consulate Grants One-Day Visa-Free Entry to Franco-Algerian Dual Nationals]()
For travelers who need help with visas outside this one-day exemption—or for any other destination—VisaHQ offers a fully digital application process, live status tracking and expert support from its Paris office; more information is available at https://www.visahq.com/france/.
The consulate stresses the waiver will not apply on 26 December, so return travel must be planned accordingly.
For corporations shuttling staff between France and Algerian project sites—especially in energy and telecoms—the waiver offers a rare opportunity for last-minute site visits without consular appointments. Mobility managers should, however, ensure travellers carry proof of dual nationality, as French border police will demand it on re-entry.
Algeria’s gesture follows growing calls within the diaspora for simpler travel rules and could set a precedent for Ramadan and summer peak periods, provided operations run smoothly.
Ordinarily, dual citizens must present a valid Algerian passport or obtain an emergency laissez-passer, a process that can take up to two weeks and costs €60. By waiving the requirement for one day, the consulate hopes to ease family reunions and reduce airport queues at Algiers, Oran and Constantine, which are expecting record Christmas traffic.
French travel agencies say Air Algérie and Transavia flights from Paris-Orly are already 95 % full for 24-25 December. Passengers can still use their French passports but must complete Algeria’s online “E-visa Lite” pre-arrival form.
For travelers who need help with visas outside this one-day exemption—or for any other destination—VisaHQ offers a fully digital application process, live status tracking and expert support from its Paris office; more information is available at https://www.visahq.com/france/.
The consulate stresses the waiver will not apply on 26 December, so return travel must be planned accordingly.
For corporations shuttling staff between France and Algerian project sites—especially in energy and telecoms—the waiver offers a rare opportunity for last-minute site visits without consular appointments. Mobility managers should, however, ensure travellers carry proof of dual nationality, as French border police will demand it on re-entry.
Algeria’s gesture follows growing calls within the diaspora for simpler travel rules and could set a precedent for Ramadan and summer peak periods, provided operations run smoothly.
