Gambia

The Gambia visa guide

  • 3 visa types
  • checked 24 October 2026

How visas for the Gambia work

Entry to The Gambia is controlled by the Gambia Immigration Department (GID) in Banjul. Visas can be obtained from Gambian embassies, high commissions and consulates abroad, or from immigration officers at the gazetted ports of entry as a visa on arrival. A visa does not guarantee admission: the final decision rests with the immigration officer at the port of arrival.

ECOWAS citizens enter with a valid travel document and need no visa. GID also publishes a list of countries with a visa exemption agreement, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Finland, Poland, the Czech Republic, Canada, Australia, Russia, Indonesia and Tunisia. Other nationalities are sorted into groups that need a visa only, entry clearance only, or both a visa and entry clearance. GID notes that these lists can change.

Foreigners who stay to live, study or work move on to a biometric residence permit: Residential Permit A for residence without employment and Residential Permit B for residence with work, issued with an Alien Card for non-ECOWAS nationals. Employers hiring foreign staff also go through the expatriate quota system.

Which visa do I need?

Holiday or business trip of up to 90 days: short visit visa from a Gambian mission or on arrival, unless your nationality is exempt.

Nationality on a clearance list: obtain entry clearance through your host before travelling.

Living in The Gambia without working, for example as a student or retiree: Residential Permit A.

Working or running a business: Residential Permit B, with the employer's expatriate quota where it applies.

Visa types for the Gambia

Visits and short stays

  • Tourist visa Short visit visa (single or multiple journey)

    The Gambia's short visit visa is for bona fide tourists and business visitors staying up to 90 days, subject to local security clearance.

    Maximum stay: Up to 90 days; longer stays are referred to the Director General of Immigration

Work

  • Work visa Residential Permit B (residence and work) and expatriate quota

    Residential Permit B is issued to foreigners who will live and work in The Gambia: businesspeople, expatriates, unskilled workers and other paid professionals.

Residence

  • Residence permit Residential Permit A (residence without employment)

    Residential Permit A is The Gambia's biometric permit for foreigners who will live in the country without taking up paid work, such as students, retirees and people on short business visits or missions.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get a visa on arrival in The Gambia?

GID states that visas are available from Gambian missions abroad and from immigration officers at the gazetted ports of entry. Nationalities on the clearance lists also need an approved entry clearance.

What is entry clearance?

An approval that certain nationalities need, alone or together with a visa. It is valid for 30 days, the traveller carries a copy and the host presents the original on or before arrival.

Do ECOWAS citizens need a visa?

No. A valid travel document issued by a competent authority is enough. GID adds that citizens of Mauritania, Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso enjoy privileges as accorded.

Is there an airport fee on arrival?

GID lists a Securiport fee of D1000, equivalent to USD 20, on arrival and departure, with diplomats and children aged two and under exempt. GID notes that it does not mandate this airport fee.

Do UK passport holders need to do anything after arrival?

According to the Gambia High Commission in London, UK passport holders need no visa but must extend their stay after 28 days at Immigration Headquarters in Banjul.

Embassies and consulates

Last checked 24 October 2026. Each visa page lists the official sources it is based on.