Everything you need to know about a Gambia Visa

Travelers planning to visit The Gambia on a British citizen passport do not need a visa, provided the planned stay period does not exceed 90 days.

However, when you land in the country, immigration officials at the Banjul Airport will stamp your passport with a granted span of 28 days. 

But you can always lodge an application for an extension through the Immigration Office in Banjul or the Tourist Police Stations in the Tourism Development Area. Note that each extension period is given in 28-day installments only.

The first requirement in order to avail the visa-free option is to carry a British passport that is valid for the entire duration of your planned stay period. We do strongly recommend you to own a passport that is valid for at least six months and has a minimum of two remaining, unused visa pages.

Additional documents that you are advised to carry are return or onward tickets, documentation that ensures your entry into the next destination, and proof of sufficient funds in the form of bank statements, cash, or traveler’s cheques.

Entry requirements for foreigners residing in the UK

If you are residing in the UK but do not have a British passport, you may have to apply for a visa through the Gambian Embassy in London, unless you belong to either of the following categories:

1. Citizens of the EU, who belong to Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden. The rest of the remaining EU nations do need an entry visa to visit The Gambia.
2. Nationals from the US may be granted entry without a visa, provided they secure one within two days of landing through the Immigration Department in Banjul. However, it is advisable to obtain a visa prior to traveling to The Gambia through the Gambian Embassy in Washington DC.
3. Citizens of countries who are members of the Economic Community of West African States, i.e Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cote D'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, also fall under the visa-free regime, applicable for a maximum stay period of up to 90 days. They can apply for an extension via the Department of Immigration in The Gambia.

If you do not fall under any of the above categories, belong to Commonwealth Member Countries, or plan to stay in The Gambia for more than 90 days, you need to obtain a visa prior to your arrival dates in the country.

Below are the primary visas offered by Gambian authorities.

• Tourist visa
• Business visa

Documents required for a tourist visa

• A signed and original passport having two unused via pages and six months validity beyond the arrival date in The Gambia
• One fully completed and signed visa application form
• One recent passport-size photograph, that has your full name written at the back
• A contact form
• Return or onward tickets

Documents required for a business visa

Apart from the documents mentioned under the tourist visa, for a business visa, you will also need a business cover letter typed on your company letterhead and addressed to the Embassy of The Gambia.

It should specify the purpose of your visit, references/contacts in The Gambia, financial support, and return travel arrangements.

Both tourist and business visas are available in single and multiple entries. You should apply for the required entry type as per the number of visits you plan to the nation.

Emergency Travel Documents (ETDs)

You can use UK ETDs to enter and exit The Gambia from the Banjul International Airport. Note that if you enter the country using a one-way flight to Banjul Airport, you might be required to produce additional documents that verify your return plans.