Entry into The Gambia
For one to enter and reside in the Gambia he or she must be:
(a) A person who possesses special immigration status;
(b) In possession of a valid pass or permit
(c) A dependent of a person who falls within the provisions of paragraph (a)
- A valid passport with a Visa (if not exempted from the requirements of being in possession of a valid visa for entry in the Gambia)
- Employment contract
- International certificates of health valid for such entry
- Entry Clearance (if applicable)
- Visible means of sustenance
Note: Visa for entry into the Gambia can be obtained from all Gambian Embassies, missions and consulates abroad or any accredited representative of the Government of the Gambia or from the Immigration officers at the various gazetted port of entries of the Gambia i.e. Visa on arrival.
ECOWAS Citizens do not need a visa for entry into the Gambia. Presentation of a valid travel document issued by a competent authority suffices.
Generally, securing a visa to the Gambia is one of the requirements in order that entry may be permitted to a visitor. The grant of a visa, however, is no guarantee that the recipient will be allowed in the country for which it is issued. The visa is issued subject to compliance with the immigration laws on arrival, and the final authority for entry depends on the immigration officers at the port of arrival.
A visa must be endorsed or affixed in a valid passport, bearing the names of the holder, stipulating its validity, number of journey(s) and the issuing authority.
Currently, the visa system in the Gambia is a sticker and by endorsement. The visa rubber stamp endorsement is done in the Gambia while some of our foreign missions often use stickers affixed in the passport of a visitor.
Immigration officers are charged with the responsibility of profiling people coming into and going outside of The Gambia. All passengers intending to travel to and from The Gambia should have valid traveling documents; fulfill all entry/exit requirements including Visa, Clearance & Return Tickets for first time travelers.
The Immigration procedures are as follows in both disembarkation and embarkation:
Disembarkation procedures
- All passengers coming into the Gambia should have a valid PCR certificate within 72hrs of arrival which is verified by the Ministry of Health.
- All passengers should fill disembarkation card on arrival.
- All passengers are to pay a Securiport fee* of D1000 equivalent of 20 USD except for Diplomats, Minors of 2yrs and below are also exempted.
- All passengers are to be profiled in person and enrolled in the Integrated Immigration Control System (fingerprint, Iris & data page of the traveller’s passport)
- The arrival passengers are distributed as Gambians, ECOWAS, Diplomats/UN passports and others
- Visa can be acquired from all Gambian Embassies and some Consulates abroad as well as Visa upon arrival at the border.
- Clearance – All countries that require Entry clearance to enter the Gambia should have a copy of the approved entry clearance valid for 30 days for entry into the Gambia and the host to present the original copy of the approved clearance on or before the arrival of the passenger or traveler.
Note: the KIOSK System is meant for users of the Biometric passports.
Embarkation Procedures
- All passengers are to pay Securiport fee* of D1000 equivalent of 20USD except for Diplomats, and Minors of 2yrs and below are also exempted. All passengers proceed to the Airline securities for check-in procedures, boarding cards & security checks
- Upon receipt of the boarding pass, all passengers are to fill the Embarkation card and proceed to the Immigration Counters for embarkation procedures (profiling), which include the Electronic Gate system for the Biometric passport holders. Priority is given to Diplomats, UN Passport holders, persons with disabilities and passengers travelling with minors.
*Airport fee is not mandated by GID
Note: All Civil Servants of grade 8 and above working with the Gambia Government, Gambia Government Parastatals are required to present an approved travel Clearance at the port of Embarkation before boarding.