Gambiaj;com – (Banjul, The Gambia) – The Gambia has announced a sweeping reform of its visa policy and a major administrative change affecting Nigerian and Guinean nationals residing in the country. The dual move is aimed at boosting tourism, enhancing regional integration, and improving immigration management.
Approved by the Cabinet on May 13, 2025, and signed into effect by the Minister of Interior, the new visa policy replaces the previous system with a more structured and transparent framework.
One of the most significant changes is the expansion of visa-free access to citizens of all African Union member states. Previously, visa exemptions were largely confined to countries within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
This continental approach aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), both of which seek to promote mobility and economic cooperation across Africa.
The revised policy also introduces an electronic visa (e-visa) system, allowing travelers from visa-required countries to apply online. This is expected to streamline application procedures, reduce wait times, and enhance transparency in visa issuance.
Travelers will now be classified into four categories, based on their country of origin and security considerations, with clearly defined conditions for visa-free entry, visa-on-arrival, prior visa requirements, and special clearances.
In addition to visa reforms, the government has taken steps to regularize the status of certain non-Gambian residents. A new directive issued by the Gambia Immigration Department mandates Nigerian and Guinean nationals residing in the country to obtain a Non-Gambian ID Card for a fee of D750.
This card replaces the previous requirement of a D3700 and will serve as a formal identification and legal residency document.
The directive, dated July 16, 2025, is based on an instruction from the Ministry of Interior issued to the Director General of Immigration two days earlier. Immigration ID card processing centers across the country have been instructed to implement the directive immediately.
Officials suggest the change is aimed at simplifying documentation procedures and improving data management for non-Gambian residents. It also reflects a broader government effort to standardize the legal status of West African nationals in The Gambia, especially from neighboring countries with strong socio-economic ties.
Additional reforms under the visa policy include revised visa fees, standardized durations of stay, and the introduction of multiple-entry visas for frequent visitors.
Travelers transiting through Banjul International Airport for less than 24 hours will no longer require a visa, and holders of diplomatic, service, and official passports from select non-African countries will continue to enjoy visa-free privileges.
Official travel document holders from international organizations such as the United Nations, African Union, and ECOWAS remain exempt from visa requirements.
Unlike the previous system, which applied visa-on-arrival and discretionary waivers inconsistently, the new policy codifies the authority of the Director General of Immigration to grant exceptions in humanitarian or diplomatic cases. This is expected to bring greater consistency and fairness to immigration decisions.
The implementation of both the visa policy and the new ID card directive will be led by the Gambia Immigration Department in close coordination with the Ministries of Interior, Foreign Affairs, and Tourism.
Authorities are hopeful that these changes will position The Gambia as a more open and attractive destination for tourism, business, and regional partnership while maintaining effective immigration oversight.
