The Gambia | Fly Africaada

The Gambia

The Gambia, also known as the "smiling coast of Africa," is a small country located in western Africa. She has a land area of approximately 11,295 square kilometers (4,361 square miles) and a population of around 2,000,000.

Her capital, Banjul, is home to the River Island National Park, a popular spot for viewing wildlife such as baboons.

The Gambia is a major agricultural hub, with farming, fishing, and tourism being the dominant industries. Recently, it has also become a popular beach destination for European travelers due to its close proximity to major European cities (only a six-hour flight) and affordable accommodation. In addition to its sun, sand, and sea, the Gambia offers a rich cultural experience for tourists to enjoy year-round.

The Gambia River (formerly known as the River Gambra) is a major river in West Africa, running 1,120 kilometres (700 mi) from the Fouta Djallon plateau in north Guinea westward through Senegal and The Gambia to the Atlantic Ocean at the city of Banjul. It is navigable for about half that length.

Popular areas and Attractions

Banjul

The capital city of The Gambia is a popular area for tourists. It is located on Banjul Island where the Gambia River enters the Atlantic Ocean.

Jufureh

Jufureh, Juffureh, or Juffure is a town in the Gambia that is popular with tourists, lying 30 km inland on the north bank of the River Gambia in the North Bank Division.

Kachikally Crocodile Pool

The Kachikally crocodile pool is located in the heart of Bakau about 10 miles (16 km) from the capital Banjul. It is one of three sacred crocodile pools in The Gambia.

Janjanbureh

Janjanbureh is a town, founded in 1732, on Janjanbureh Island in the River Gambia in eastern Gambia. Formerly known as Georgetown, it was the second largest in the country.

Foreigners who want to visit the country must first check if they need a Gambia visa. Read the article below for further information regarding the Gambia visa policy, requirements, and visa types.

Visa on Arrival

A visa on arrival is issued to the following countries:

France
Portugal
Spain
United States of America
United Kingdom

To apply for a visa on arrival the applicant must have a valid passport and other additional documents (if applicable). The duration of a visa on arrival is 28 days.

Important: Citizens from every country in Africa can enter the country by just having a valid passport.

A visa application is needed for every other country not mentioned.

How to Apply for a Gambia Visa?

Here are the steps you need to follow to apply for a Gambia visa:

Contact the nearest embassy/consulate of the Gambia in your home country and book a visa appointment.
Fill out the Gambia visa application form.
Gather all the necessary documents.
Submit the necessary documents at the embassy or consulate of the Gambia in your home country.
Wait for an answer.

Gambia Visa Requirements

Here are the documents you need to submit when applying for a Gambia visa:

A valid passport. The travel document must be valid for at least six months after the return date.
A fully completed and signed Gambia visa application form. Do not leave blank spaces. Any missing information can lead to your visa application being denied.
A fee payment receipt. This document proves that you have finished the applicable visa fee payment.
A travel itinerary. The travel itinerary must have information regarding all the places you plan to visit while being in the Gambia. Attach supporting documents as a Round Trip flight, a railroad booking or a document of a booked organized tour.
A passport-sized photo. Photos should follow the required specification for Gambia visa photo.
A valid travel health insurance. The health insurance must cover any medical expenses you have while in the Gambia.
A return flight ticket. The return flight ticket proves that you will return back in your home country after your visa expires.
A clean criminal record document. This is a document issued by the police authorisation of your home country. It must prove that you are not a threat to the Gambia country.
A bank statement document. This is a document issued from the bank in your home country. This document shows that you are financially stable and that you can financially support yourself while in Gambia.

Note: The embassy/consulate of Gambia may request other additional documents to support your visa application, depending on the type of visa you are applying for. Any missing document can lead to your visa denial.

Gambia Visa Processing Time

The processing time for a Gambia visa is seven working days. The processing time can be extended depending on several factors, such as the time you submit the documents, your case, and the country you are applying from.

You will receive a response from the embassy or consulate regarding your visa application result via text message or email.

Duration of a Gambia Visa

The duration of a Gambia visa depends on the type of visa you are applying for and the country you are applying from. The embassy/consulate of Gambia will inform you regarding the duration of your visa once your visa has been granted.

Gambia Visa Fees

The Gambia visa fees depend on the type of visa you are applying for. Therefore, the embassy/consulate will inform you about the visa fee amount you must finish when submitting your visa application form.

Gambia Visa Types

Here are the Gambia visa types:

Tourist visa. A tourist visa is issued to foreigners who want to visit the country for visits and tourism purposes.
Work visa. Foreigners who want to work in the Gambia must apply for a work visa and work permit before entering the country.
Study visa. International students who want to study in the Gambia must apply for a study visa. The study visa is valid for as long as your study course lasts.
Business visa. A business visa is issued to foreigners who want to visit the Gambia for business purposes and must apply for a business visa.

Residence Permit for the Gambia

A Gambia residence permit will allow you to stay in the country for over three months. However, to apply for a Gambia Residence permit, you must:

Stay in the country for three months.
Visit the Gambia Immigration Office.
Finish the application fee payment.
Submit all the necessary documents at the Gambia Immigration Office, such as:

Valid passport.
Fully completed and signed application form.
Two passport-size photographs.
Two passport types for your ID card.

Wait for an answer.

Note: The applying procedure for a Gambia residence permit can change if you apply for a Gambia work or study residence permit. So, before applying for a residence permit contact the Immigration Office in Gambia for further information.