Drugs that are being carried into and within The Gambia by visitors should be supported by an original prescription letter from a qualified Physician registered in their country of residence by the Medical and Dental Council.

The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has an approved essential drugs list (click here to consult) that can be allowed entry into The Gambia and can be subjected to verification at all points on entry of The Gambia. Carriers of such drugs are hereby advised to be in possession of an original medical/statement and within reach whenever asked by Gambian authorities for justification. This document must clearly state the:

• Name of the physician, identification registration number in healthcare and professional address;
• Name of the patient, address, date of birth and passport number;
• Name of the doctor and pharmacy;
• Reasons of the prescription;
• Names of the medications and dosage per day.
• The document must bear visible stamps of the physician(s) and doctor(s) mentioned.
• A visible authentication stamp of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country where the certificate was issued.

Please, note that the dose must correspond to the duration of stay in the Gambia and carriers are encouraged to carry copies of previous prescriptions of the same drug.

It is significant to note that the abuse of drug, illicit drug trafficking and related crimes threaten National and Global Sustainable Development. The Gambia through the Drug Law Enforcement Agency (DLEAG), fondly called the Drug Squad, is committed to curbing the menace posed by prohibited and illicit drugs. Be advised that Gambia has strong anti-drug laws prohibiting the manufacture, import, export, supply, transport or transfer, use, acquire or possession of a prohibited or controlled drug. Some relevant Provisions Of The Drug Control Act 2003 as amended in 2005 can kindly be consulted via this link; http://www.dleag-gambia.org/en/article/drug-laws

Kindly be informed that the Drug Law Enforcement Agency (DLEAG) is an independent security institution tasked with the enforcement of the Drug Control Act (DCA) 2003 as amended.

For more information, contact the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on (+220) 4228624/5715 and the DLEAG on (+220)4399706/7 or via e-mail: info@dleag-gambia.org

ignorantia legis neminem excusat!

All non-Gambians can reside and work in The Gambia if they meet the conditions for the acquisition of a Residential and Employment permits. For more information, kindly consult the website of the Gambia Immigration Department; http://www.gid.gov.gm/resident

Pets or companion animals being taken to The Gambia should have a veterinarian’s health certificate issued at point of origin, a vaccination card and identification documents, primarily a passport. The pet or companion animal should be certified as healthy, fit for travel and vaccinated for rabies. Owners of the pet or animal should register it a after their arrival in The Gambia at the Gambian Veterinary Department to obtain an import permit. The Department can be contacted on (+220) 4397 472.

The need for a passport to enter The Gambia depends on the Travel Document being used. Nationals of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) do not need a visa to enter The Gambia for a period not exceeding ninety (90) days when in possession of a valid Travel Document and International Health Certificate. Other countries are also exempted from visa requirements when visiting The Gambia for a period not exceeding 90 days. The table of the list of countries is non-exhaustive and countries not on the list shall apply for a visa to visit The Gambia.

Subject to the conditions of the Immigration Act, any person who is seeking to enter into or reside in the Gambia must be:

•  A person who possesses special immigration status;
•   In possession of valid pass or permit,
•   And or a dependent of a person who falls within the provisions of paragraph (a) above.Prospective travellers must note that the possession of the appropriate document(s) does not guarantee a Right of Entry. Travelers may be refused entry into The Gambia if they fall within the category of prohibited immigrants or fail to satisfy immigration requirements at the Port of Entry. The Government of The Gambia will not be financially liable for repatriation.The Entry Points to The Gambia are Banjul International Airport, Banjul Seaport, Giboro, Darsilameh, Dimbaya, Kartong, Tanji, Nyamanar, Sabi, Amdalai, Kerr Ali, Kerr Jane, Kerr Pateh and Sinobar.

The Embassy does not issue Birth Certificates. This document is issued solely by the Office of the Registrar of Births at the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. It has branches in almost all the public hospitals and health centres in the country. Replacement of birth certificates can therefore only be done by this authority. Kindly consult the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act of 1990 (click here to download) for more information on processes of registration and certification, documents required, primary and secondary informants, legal time frame for registrations and penalties for defaulters.

The Embassy does not issue Passports. The submission of passport application forms, processing and issuance are done by the Gambia Immigration Department (GID). Gambians living in the Diaspora can request a family member living in The Gambia to submit their application for aMachine Readable Passport in The Gambia whilst providing the GID with substantial evidence that they are living abroad amongst which shall include at least a copy of the Permanent Resident Permit/Card of the Host Country.

A Press Release from the Ministry of Interior published on 19th April 2018 informed the Gambian Diaspora communities on the resumption of issuance of Machine Readable Passports strictly along the following guidelines and requirements

a. Requirements for replacement of lost or expired machine readable passports (Not Biometric) by those living in the Diaspora require submission of:

• Relevant supporting documents (Old documents that show correct name, date and place of birth, picture and signature of applicant).
• Original and photocopy of first and last page of expired passport or any other national document (if available)

b. People who never had a passport before (first time applicants) need:

• Notarized Affidavit of Proof of Citizenship submitted on their behalf by one of theparents of the applicant.
• The Identity declaration completed by a national assembly member of the applicant’s constituency and accompanied by an endorsed photograph signed by the same person.
• Original and photocopy of any national document valid or expired (if available)

c. Requirements for replacement of lost passports:

• Submit Notarized Affidavit of Loss (with detailed explanation on when, where and how passport got lost).
• If the lost passport is still valid, submit a Police Report.
• Photocopy of first page and last page of lost passport (if available)

In order to protect Gambian Travelers and to restore the integrity of our vital national identity documents, all supporting documents, for example, Birth Certificates will be subject to further verification with the office of the registrar of Births at the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. These measures are taken to avert fraudulent acquisition of Gambian passports and to ensure that our national documents are obtained through legal sources.

Please take note that there could be a 30-day clearing period prior to the processing of a new application or for replacement of expired or lost valid passport unless it is absolutely urgent and necessary.

For further information please contact the Ministry of Interior on +2204462917 

With regards to the procedure in acquiring a Biometric Passport of the Republic of The Gambia, kindly consult the website of the Gambia Immigration Department; http://www.gid.gov.gm/passport

The Entry Clearance is usually applied for by a person having difficulties in obtaining the Entry Visa. As stated in the Immigration manual, “Where an applicant resides in an area outside the jurisdiction of the visa issuing office, the application shall be referred to the Director General of Immigration for Clearance”. In this case, the Host must uphold Immigration responsibilities and apply an entry Clearance on behalf of the visitor.

•   The Host must take financial responsibility for the prospective visitors.
•   The passport copy of the visitor must be attached to the form.

a. REQUIREMENTS ATTACHED TO THE ISSUANCE OF ENTRY CLEARANCE

•   The potential visitor(s) for an Entry Clearance must be outside the Gambia at the time of the application.
•   All application letters for an Entry Clearance must be written and address to the Director General of Immigration for approval.
•   Immigration Responsibility form must be filled and signed by the Host.

The Host:

i. The Gambian Host must be a responsible person and must provide the following;

•   ID Card or Passport copy
•   Business registration certificate

ii. Non-Gambian Host must produce the following;

•   Residential permits or Non-Gambian ID Card
•   Alien Cards
•   Pay roll tax
•   Business Registration certificate

iii. Company/Institution/Department’s applications must:

•   Formal correspondence with a letterhead
•   Attached Institution’s valid business or Operational registration and copy of TIN Certificate.
•   Must be an established business enterprise in The GambiaThe fee for an Entry Clearance is D3000 payable upon application. The fee is Non-refundableNot less than 7 days’ notice should be given for each application. The issuing of an entry clearance cannot be guaranteed in less than this period. Exception will be made in respect of government institutions and registered charitable organizations only. This does not apply in case of others application.