Togo residence card and immigration visa

The immigration visa allows a foreigner to settle in Togo on a lasting basis. There are three kinds: for study or internship, for family reunion, and for professional purposes. Holders must complete the residence card formalities with the DGDN or on service-public.gouv.tg once they are in Togo.

The maximum duration is 90 days, renewable once. The visa is issued as multiple entry for 31 to 90 days at XOF 65,000.

All applicants provide the online form, a scan of the first three passport pages (valid three months beyond the visa), a photo and a flight booking if arriving by air; insurance, accommodation, an invitation and a bank statement are recommended. In addition: for study or internship, an enrolment certificate from an approved Togolese institution or an internship certificate from a registered company or association; for family reunion, an invitation letter and the residence permit of the family member if they are a foreigner; for employment, an entry authorisation issued by the Ministry of Security.

The DGDN lists five cards: a temporary card for one year at XOF 200,000; a temporary student card for one year at XOF 100,000; an ordinary card for three years at XOF 500,000, renewable on the same conditions, for long stays such as foreign workers or investors; an ordinary student card for three years at XOF 250,000; and a privileged card for five years at XOF 800,000, for categories such as foreign investors with an approved investment plan and a registered company, highly qualified people with a job offer, and their families. The DGDN notes that the temporary card does not allow work in the Togolese public sector and that workers need a work permit from the ministry in charge of employment.

The general list is: a criminal record from the country of origin under three months old for a first application; a certificate of no conviction from the Lomé Court of Appeal; a request with a XOF 500 tax stamp addressed to the Director General of National Documentation; three photos; a medical certificate under three months old from a doctor in Togo; copies of the first three passport pages (passport valid more than six months) and of the current visa; the previous card; the personal tax clearance or, for people without a job, a non-taxation certificate from the OTR; CNSS social security documents; tax and CFE registration cards; the employer’s residence card and a work certificate for employees; a bank certificate and detailed statement; a location plan of home and workplace; and an entry authorisation to Togo. The DGDN also takes online pre-applications.

Law No. 2022-005 requires every foreigner who has stayed in Togo for six uninterrupted months since entering, or whose successive stays add up to more than six months in the same year, to request a residence card from the DGDN. Failing to apply is fined XOF 1,000,000, and a late renewal XOF 300,000. The card lets its holder carry out a professional activity and leave and re-enter Togo with a travel document but no visa. Diplomatic cards issued by the foreign ministry to mission and international organisation staff count as residence cards.

Immigration visa holders are required to begin residence card formalities once in Togo, either at the Direction Générale de la Documentation Nationale or online on service-public.gouv.tg. Residence card holders and their family members with cards no longer need visas to enter, although they still complete the online immigration form.