Traveling To America With A Gambian Passport: What You Need

To travel to the United States with a Gambian passport, you will need to obtain a visa. The type of visa you need will depend on the purpose of your travel. For short-term visits to the US (tourism, business, education, etc.), you can fill out the online application form (DS-160). Alternatively, you can use the Visa Wizard to find out which visa type is most appropriate for your purpose of travel.

Visa requirements for Gambian citizens

As of October 2024, Gambian citizens can travel to 49 countries without a visa, obtain an eVisa for 16 countries, and must apply for a visa to enter 139 countries. The United States is one of the countries with visa requirements for Gambian citizens.

To enter the United States, a foreign citizen generally needs to obtain a U.S. visa, which is placed in the traveler’s passport. However, certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to the U.S. without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program, which is administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

To apply for a U.S. visa, Gambian citizens need to complete the online application (form DS-160) and schedule an interview. The application fee for visitor and certain other non-immigrant visa categories is $185, and applicants whose visas are approved are required to pay a $15 reciprocity fee. Please note that applicants may experience long waits and limited appointment availability. It is recommended that you do not make definite travel plans until you have received a visa.

In addition, travelers entering and exiting The Gambia are required to pay a $20 security fee upon arrival and departure at the airport, payable in cash (USD or dalasi) only at kiosks.

What vaccines do I need?

The CDC and WHO recommend that you are up to date with all your routine vaccinations before every trip. Some of the recommended and routine vaccines for The Gambia include:

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (Tdap)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)
• Polio
• Typhoid
• Yellow Fever
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Rabies
• Meningitis
• Influenza
• COVID-19
• Pneumonia
• Shingles

It is also recommended that you take prescription medication to prevent malaria.

What is the US travel advisory level for The Gambia?

The US travel advisory level for The Gambia is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. This is due to crime and inadequate health infrastructure in the country. The Gambia's health services, hygiene, and quality control do not meet US standards of care, and pharmacies are not well-regulated. There is also a risk of landmines and border skirmishes in the southern border area adjacent to Senegal's Casamance region.

Theft and home burglaries are common in The Gambia, especially in the broader Banjul area. Visitors are advised to stay on main roads and avoid less-travelled areas near the southern border. It is also important to be aware of your surroundings, and to bring your own medications. The US Embassy in The Gambia provides a range of services for travellers, including assistance with replacement US passports and health and safety information.

What is the local currency?

The local currency in The Gambia is the dalasi. However, U.S. dollars, euros, and West African Francs (CFA) are also accepted in some places. The Gambia operates as a cash economy, with credit cards only being accepted at major hotels and a few restaurants. Currency exchange should only be carried out at banks or exchange bureaus, and changing money unofficially is prohibited. It is advised to avoid using ATMs, except those found at banks, due to the potential for fraud. Money transfers are widely available at Western Union branch offices.

What is the process for obtaining a Gambian passport?

To obtain a Gambian passport, you must follow these steps:

Firstly, confirm your eligibility. To be eligible for a Gambian passport, you must be a citizen of The Gambia. If you were born in The Gambia, you can obtain a birth certificate from the mayors or health centres in the country, even without your physical presence. You can ask relatives, friends, or lawyers to obtain the birth certificate on your behalf. If you have difficulties, you can request that a village elder confirm your birth and other important details for the birth certificate's issuance.

Once you have obtained proof of citizenship, you can begin the application process. You can obtain the application form from your local passport office or the nearest Gambian Consulate or Embassy. The form should be filled out accurately and completely, following the provided instructions.

Along with the completed application form, you will need to submit supporting documents, including proof of Gambian citizenship (birth certificate, national identity card, or naturalization certificate), two passport-sized photos, and proof of payment of the application fee. If you are applying for a renewal, you will also need to provide your previous passport.

After submitting the completed application form and supporting documents, you may be required to attend an interview to verify your identity and eligibility. The processing time for a Gambian passport can vary, but it generally takes around three to four weeks. If you are applying for a diplomatic passport, the process may take longer.

It is important to note that Gambian national passports are issued exclusively in the capital city of Banjul. Since September 2014, biometric passports have been issued by the Immigration Department, requiring the applicant's physical presence. The cost for a biometric passport is a maximum of 3,000 Gambian Dalasis (approximately $49.99). If you are unable to travel to Banjul, traditional non-biometric passports are also available. These can be acquired through intermediaries like friends, family members, or lawyers residing in The Gambia. The cost for a traditional passport is 1,000 Gambian Dalasis (approximately $16.65).

Frequently asked questions