Guinea — Passport and Visa Information
Passports
| Country | Passport Required | Visa Required | Return Ticket Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other EU | Yes | Yes | Yes/1 |
| USA | Yes | Yes | Yes/1 |
| Canadian | Yes | Yes | Yes/1 |
| Australian | Yes | Yes | Yes/1 |
| British | Yes | Yes | Yes/1 |
Passports valid for a minimum of six months beyond date of departure required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.
1. Return ticket or sufficient funds equal to airfare required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.
Visas
Required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except:
(a) those continuing their journey within 24 hours to a third country, provided holding tickets with confirmed onward reservations 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 Important Addresses).
Types of Visa and Cost
Tourist and Business: £65 (single-entry for a stay of up to one month); £90 (multiple-entry for a stay of up to three months).
Applications to:
Consulate (or consular section at embassy); see Important Addresses.
Working Days Required
Varies depending on nationality. Contact the embassy for more information; see Contact Addresses.
Travel Warnings
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK advises against all but essential travel to Guinea. The level of security in Guinea has remained uncertain since the coup in December 2008. Conakry is currently calm and the political situation is potentially volatile. A new Prime Minister was sworn in on 26 January 2010, and his government is due to manage a transition to elections in 2010.
If you are currently in Guinea you should monitor local press reports, take sensible precautions for your safety and exercise extreme caution including in all areas near military camps. You should avoid all demonstrations and political rallies.
Theft at gunpoint of individuals and businesses has increased since the coup, with reports each month of violent crime such as robbery and assault being carried out in particular by individuals dressed in military-style uniforms carrying military weapons. Petty crime is also common in Guinea. There is little or no chance of redress through the court system, which is subordinate to the military. Exchanging foreign currency on the street or using unofficial money changers has been made illegal. Those using money changers, even for small amounts, including at the international airport, have been arrested and detained in military custody. You should take sensible precautions and maintain a high level of vigilance in public.
Areas of Guinea bordering Senegal and Guinea Bissau are reported as being tense with an increased military presence in July 2009. The border areas with Côte d'Ivoire, Liberia and Sierra Leone are also unstable. There are ongoing tensions in these areas because of the fragile and unstable security situation in Côte d'Ivoire, and poor government control over the border areas in Liberia (where a large UN peacekeeping force is still in place). There is also a high military presence in these areas
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 Care
Health insurance is essential. Travel insurance which covers travelers for repatriation to their country is advisable. There are rudimentary medical, dental and optical facilities in Conakry. Medical facilities are poorly equipped and extremely limited. Some private facilities provide a better range of treatment options, but are still well below global standards. There are no ambulance or rescue emergency services available. Doctors and hospitals expect immediate cash payment for health services.
Vaccinations
| Vaccination | Special Precaution |
|---|---|
| Diphtheria | Yes |
| Hepatitis A | Yes |
| Malaria | Yes |
| Rabies | Sometimes |
| Tetanus | Yes |
| Typhoid | Yes |
| Yellow Fever | Yes* |
Special Notes
* 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 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.
