Arrival in Gambia

The Gambia Immigration Department (GID) handles entry, residence and exit matters. The Ministry of Health manages health controls, the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) handles customs, and airport security and passenger processing involve Banjul International Airport and Securiport. These functions are distributed rather than combined in a single one-stop service. A passport should remain valid for the entire planned stay. Visa or Entry Clearance requirements depend on nationality. Citizens of ECOWAS, the Economic Community of West African States, can generally enter without a visa when they hold a valid travel document. The government portal lists visa-free admission for certain UK, European Union, Commonwealth, ECOWAS and reciprocal-country nationals for stays of up to 90 days, but nationality-specific confirmation from GID or a Gambian diplomatic mission remains necessary. For British passport holders, current UK guidance describes an arrival stamp for 28 days, with two possible 28-day extensions. Other nationalities may follow different rules. A visa does not guarantee admission. The immigration officer makes the final decision at the port of entry. Depending on nationality and purpose, the authorities may request an embassy-issued visa, Entry Clearance, a return or onward ticket, an employment contract, an international health certificate and evidence of sufficient funds. Visa on arrival is available only through a gazetted port and should not be assumed without confirmation before departure. Health preparation includes an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis for yellow fever when arriving from a transmission-risk country or transiting for more than 12 hours through one; the requirement applies from nine months of age. The country has malaria and dengue risks. Travel insurance with medical evacuation, regular medication in original packaging and mosquito protection reduce avoidable problems. The GID website still lists a PCR certificate issued within 72 hours, while current UK entry guidance does not list it as a stable requirement. Check GID and the airline directly before departure. At arrival, travelers complete a disembarkation card and undergo in-person profiling in the Integrated Immigration Control System. This can include passport-data capture, fingerprints and an iris scan. An Airport Security Fee is listed as USD 20 or D1,000 for both arrival and departure. Government information refers to cash in US dollars or Dalasi; UK guidance says card payment may be possible, although terminals are often out of service. GID states that the fee is not mandated by GID, so the current airport operator rule should be checked and cash kept available. GRA customs rules require declarations for dutiable, prohibited or restricted goods. Narcotics are strictly prohibited. Prescription medicines should remain in labeled containers with supporting proof. Foreign currency above USD 10,000 must be declared. Do not photograph government, airport, military or embassy sites. Customs officers may question travelers and search baggage. Do not accept packages or medicines for other people without checking their contents. Banjul International Airport is the dominant international entry point. The Dakar–Banjul road connection usually takes about five to six hours, while connections through Ziguinchor or Bissau can require a four-wheel-drive vehicle. The Banjul–Barra ferry is often overcrowded or overloaded; the Senegambia Bridge provides an alternative for road travel. No standardized government airport transfer or arrival assistance desk is documented, so a named first-night accommodation, host contact and transport plan should be arranged before landing. After entry, carry the passport, entry stamp and a copy or other accepted identification. Foreign nationals have an identification duty, and security checkpoints operate in and around Banjul and on major roads. The economy relies heavily on cash. ATMs outside the Senegambia area can be limited or unreliable, while power cuts may disrupt water, communication and other basic services. Keep Dalasi or another usable payment reserve, a power bank, a torch and necessary medication. The Ministry of Health lists 1025 as a contact number; no equivalent to the UK 999 emergency number has been verified. Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital is the main referral hospital, private clinics charge fees, and medical capacity is limited. There is no verified general national short-stay registration office or integrated newcomer service centre. Practical contacts instead include the immigration office, GID port processing, a host or hotel, Ministry of Health facilities and GRA customs. A visitor who needs more time must arrange an extension through the Immigration Office in Banjul or tourist police stations in the Tourism Development Area where applicable. Overstaying is prohibited. Longer residence requires a Resident Permit. The published GID requirements indicate eligibility for an ECOWAS permit after 90 days of admission and for a non-ECOWAS permit after 56 days of residence. Apply for an extension before the permit expires. Permit A covers residence without employment, while Permit B covers living, residing and working. Gainful employment without the required residence and work permission is not permitted. A non-ECOWAS Resident Permit includes an Alien Card. The published application process includes a passport, proof of status and identity, Embassy or High Commission attestation and, for Permit B, a GRA payroll-tax receipt. It can involve payment at Vista Bank, authentication by a Justice of the Peace, an interview, biometric enrolment and verification, and card printing and distribution. Stated non-refundable fees are subject to change: ECOWAS Permit A D3,100, ECOWAS Permit B D3,600, non-ECOWAS Permit A D5,700 plus an Alien Card at D2,500, and non-ECOWAS Permit B D7,700 including the Alien Card. A Non-Gambian ID Card is listed at D750. A reported National Health Insurance Scheme rollout covers 67 facilities, but eligibility for foreigners has not been reliably established. Do not assume automatic coverage; arrange private payment capacity or insurance before relying on medical treatment.