Niger Travel Guide

Niger — Passport and Visa Information

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Passports

Country	Passport Required	Visa Required	Return Ticket Required
Other EU	Yes	1	Yes
USA	Yes	Yes	Yes
Canadian	Yes	Yes	Yes
Australian	Yes	Yes	Yes
British	Yes	Yes	Yes

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:
(a) 1. nationals of Denmark and Finland;
(b) alien residents holding a valid 'Permis de Séjour' or 'Visa de Séjour';
(c) transit passengers continuing their journey within 24 hours and who do not leave the airport. Some nationals do require a visa for transit. Contact consular section at embassy for further information.

Visa Note

Business may be conducted on a normal visa providing the relevant embassy is notified beforehand. If applying for a first visa to Niger, applicants will be required to attend an interview at the embassy.

Types of Visa and Cost

Visas cost approximately £130.

Validity

Up to three months, with three entries, depending on purpose of stay.

Working Days Required

Up to two weeks. For a fee of £40 visas can be issued in one week.

Travel Warnings

A military coup took place in Niger on 18 February 2010. Popular demonstrations continue in major cities, but the situation otherwise appears calm. Travelers are advised against all non-essential travel to the city. Those in Niamey should exercise caution until the situation has stabilized.
There is a high risk of kidnap in Niger.

British nationals are also being targeted by West African scam artists through internet based dating sites.

Following a change to the constitution in August 2009 affecting the Presidential mandate, political demonstrations have taken place in urban areas throughout Niger. Such activity is likely to continue.

It is advised against all travel to the Aïr Massif region and on the road linking Assamaka, Arlit and Agagez. Armed groups are operating in the north and are known to be using landmines. It is also advise against all but essential travel to Azagez and north of the city Abalack. Extreme caution should be exercised when traveling to the following areas: the Ténéré and Kaouar regions; the Azawagh area, particularly the area between the Malian and Algerian borders and the towns of Tahoua and Ingall; the east of the Aïr Massif.

Due to the presence of armed bandits, travelers should avoid all travel between towns by road at night. Visitors should always use local guides and seek local advice when traveling outside of the main towns and in desert areas.

Caution should be taken traveling in Niamey at night. On the night of 8 January 2008, a car was blown up by a landmine, killing one person and seriously injuring another. It is not known who was responsible. A second, unexploded landmine was also recovered.

Visitors should take sensible precautions to keep safe important items such as money, passports, jewelry and mobile phones.

Terrorists are active in countries neighboring Niger, including Algeria and Chad. Travelers should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.

Visitors should carry some form of identification at all times. This would normally mean your passport or residence permit. For travelers intending to drive outside of the main towns, the likelihood of having to produce some form of identification is high.

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

The two main hospitals are in Niamey and Zinder. Only the main centers have reasonable medical facilities, but even these are poor. Personal medicines should be brought in as these can be difficult or impossible to obtain in Niger. Full health insurance is essential and should include cover for emergency repatriation.