Red Tape
The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the Gambian authorities, however, entry and exit requirements are subject to change. It is the sole prerogative of The Gambia to determine who is allowed to enter.
The Gambia has special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of The Gambia. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.
All visitors to The Gambia require a passport, valid for at least three, better yet, six months beyond the end of the trip. Citizens of the UK, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, the Commonwealth, and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) do not require a visa to enter The Gambia on a trip not exceeding 90 days.
On arrival in The Gambia, your passport will normally be stamped with a tourist visitor’s pass that allows you to stay in the country for 21 days, unless you request a longer stay, the maximum allowed on entry is 28 days. This can be extended by a month at a time for up to three months (currently at a cost of D200 per month) at the Immigration Office in Banjul.
French, Swiss, US, Canadian, and Japanese passport-holders are among those that do require a visa, available for around US$45 from any of The Gambia’s embassies and consulates; enquire at a British consulate if there’s no Gambian representative in your home country. Visas are normally issued for 30 days and can be extended like tourist visitor’s passes.
Only under special circumstances can you organize your visa at the Immigration Office in Banjul within 24hrs of arrival for a fee of about D600 If you are travelling from a country that has yellow fever, classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as infected, you may be asked to show an international certificate of vaccination or revaccination against yellow fever. If you do not have such a certificate you may be refused entry. Check www.who.int for more information.
If you want to drive or hire a vehicle while you are in The Gambia then getting an international driver’s license is a good idea, which you can get from the offices of most automobile associations in your country for a small fee. A driver’s license from your country can be valid for up to three months, however, this may cause a bit of hassle. A Gambian driver’s license can be issued for D300 (plus two passport photos, a valid driver's license from your home country, and a passport or other form of legal ID) at most police stations, keep in mind that it can take up to a week or so to be arranged and the license expires every December 31st, giving you up to 30 days to renew. Renewal will also cost D300.
Note: When arriving at the airport and waiting for your luggage, porters will be standing by with trolleys to help you get your luggage into the shuttle bus, vehicle, etc. Let them help you only if you want as they can be very persistent, and then tip something small.
Senegal
If you are planning a side trip to Senegal then you will require a visa unless you are a national of Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, the UK, US, or Canada.
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