Guinea-Bissau Visa Information

Passport/Visa

	Passport Required?	Visa Required?	Return Ticket Required?
British	Yes	Yes	Yes
Australian	Yes	Yes	Yes
Canadian	Yes	Yes	Yes
USA	Yes	Yes	Yes
Other EU	Yes	Yes	Yes

Passports
Passport valid for six months required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Visas
Required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except the following:
(a) transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft provided holding valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport.

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see General Info).

Types of Visa and Cost
Tourist, Business: €45 (single-entry); €120 (multiple-entry); Transit only available on request. An extra €5 is needed for postal applications.

Validity
Single-entry visas are normally valid for up to 30 days; multiple-entry visas are valid for up to 90 days within a period of six months. Transit visas are valid for up to five days. Extensions are then granted at the discretion of the Immigration Authorities.

Applications to:
Consulate (or consular section at embassy); see General Info.

Working Days Required
Five. Urgent visas can be handled within 24 to 48 hours.

Warning
Following elections in 2005, there has been a period of stability even if the political atmosphere in Guinea-Bissau remains tense. There has been some social unrest, including in connection with unpaid salaries. Travelers should avoid political demonstrations or rallies.

The Casamance region in south western Senegal remains affected by incidents involving separatist rebel groups. Visitors should avoid travel to Guinea-Bissau by road through the western Casamance because of the recent increase in conflict and isolated incidents of banditry.

Water is often unsafe, and visitors should only drink bottled water. There are occasional outbreaks of cholera, including one in November 2007 in Tombali province. Visitors should take sensible hygiene precautions.

The threat from terrorism is low. Guinea-Bissau’s north western border area adjoining the western portion of the Casamance region of Senegal is subject to insecurity, and there has been a recent resurgence of violence including military action.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organizations for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel

Health

	Special Precautions	Certificate Required?
Diphtheria	Yes
Hepatitis A	Yes
Malaria	Yes
Rabies	Sometimes
Tetanus	Yes
Typhoid	Yes
Yellow Fever	Yes*

Health Care
Medical facilities are extremely limited and medicines often unavailable. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. Health insurance covering repatriation is essential. Most doctors work in the public service and have their private clinic in the afternoon and evening. There are few specialists. Several foreign aid agencies have their own doctor and medical facilities, including the French Mission and the Swedish Embassy. There is also a UN clinic. All these clinics will receive visitors in an emergency, but none have surgical facilities.

Note
* A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers over one year of age coming from infected areas. Travelers arriving from non-endemic zones should note that a vaccination is strongly recommended for travel outside the urban areas, even if an outbreak of the disease has not been reported and they would normally not require a vaccination certificate to enter the country.


Next Page »