Algeria eases entry for dual citizenship holders

Algerians who live abroad and who have not yet obtained a biometric passport can still enter the country with an identity card until 31 October, the government has said.

“As part of facilitation for the community that is established abroad, the measure allowing binationals access to the national territory in possession of a foreign passport and a piece of Algerian identity was extended to 31 October 2016,” read the notice at Algeria’s consular in Paris.

The exceptional measures were put in place after Algeria’s foreign minister Ramtane Lamamra explained the need by Algerians living abroad to facilitate travel to their homeland.

Most Algerians prefer to spend Ramadan, with their families back home.

Analysts say more than 5 million Algerians live abroad and the diaspora is seen as a breath of fresh air especially at this time time when the north African nation has been facing an economic gloom as a result of falling oil prices.

In addition to the contribution in foreign currencies, the Algerian diaspora are able to boost tourism and trade, economic analysts add.