Honorary consulate
Honorary Consulate of South Africa, Bakau
Bakau
23 Sait Matty Road, Kotu, P. O. Box 4555, Bakau, Banjul
Gambia visa requirements for South African citizens
South African citizens do not need a visa for the Gambia. Show your passport at the border and stay up to 90 days.
Passport
ZAF
South Africa
Going to
GMB
Gambia
No visa needed
Just show your passport at the border.
- Visa
- Not required
- Max stay
- 90 days (3 months)
- Last updated
- 11 November 2026
In addition to a visa, an entry clearance must be obtained from the Gambian Immigration prior to travel.
What to do
Check your passport is valid for the whole stay, ideally six months beyond it.
Carry proof of onward travel and of funds; border officers can ask for both.
Note the maximum stay and count your days in the Gambia.
Ways into Gambia
Some visitors need visas. Check your country's rules before booking.
Visa on arrivalAirport arrival visaSome travellers without a Gambian embassy nearby can request a visa at the airport.
How to apply
- Ask a Gambian embassy whether you qualify.
- Get approval before travel if required.
- Request your visa at Banjul International Airport.
Documents required
- Valid passport
- Yellow fever vaccine card
- Entry approval, if required
- This route is not confirmed for every nationality.
- The guide gives no fixed fee or allowed stay.
Visa requiredSingle-entry tourist visaThis visa lets tourists enter The Gambia once.
- Stay
- 90 days
- Processing
- 2 days
- Entries
- Single
How to apply
- Check the embassy's visa rules.
- Fill in the visa form.
- Submit your passport, papers and fee.
Documents required
- Passport
- Visa form
- Medical certificate
- Return ticket or onward travel proof
- 2 blank pages
- Hotel booking
- Yellow fever vaccination card vaccine
- Apply in the country where you normally live.
- You cannot take a job with a visitor visa.
Visa requiredMultiple-entry visitor visaThis visa lets visitors enter The Gambia more than once.
- Stay
- 90 days
- Processing
- 2 days
- Entries
- Multiple
How to apply
- Ask the embassy for a multiple-entry visa.
- Fill in the form.
- Submit your passport, papers and fee.
Documents required
- Passport
- Visa form
- Host invitation
- Host ID or residence permit
- Return ticket or cash equivalent
- 2 blank pages
- Hotel booking
- Yellow fever vaccination card vaccine
- Check your visa's end date and allowed stay; they are separate limits.
- You cannot take a job with a visitor visa.
Sources (12)Last updated 11 November 2026
- Gambia Immigration Department: Visa Services
- Gambia Immigration Department: Residential Permits
- Government of The Gambia: Immigration and Visas
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Official Website; no general visa application page verified
- High Commission in Senegal: Visas
- High Commission in Senegal: Entry Requirements and New Visa Policy; contains conflicting and potentially dated material
- High Commission in London: Visa Application
- High Commission in London: Visa Form and Requirements
- High Commission in London: Fees
- Embassy in Washington: Consular Services
- Embassy in Washington: American Passport Holders Visa Application
- Government Directory: Gambian Missions, Including India
Embassies for this trip
For lost passports and emergencies.
Coming from South Africa
- Plugs GAdapter needed
- MoneyGMD D
- Time−2h
- DrivingOn the rightLook left first
- LanguageEnglishSpoken at home too
- Emergency117 police116 ambulance
Planning your Gambia trip
Best time to go: November to May is the cooler, dry season. June to November is hot and rainy.
- Abuko Nature ReserveNear Lamin and Yundum, this reserve offers an introduction to Gambian wildlife. It has monkeys, crocodiles and about 300 bird species.
- Bijilo Forest ParkThis park at Kokoli has birds and monkeys.
- Makasutu Culture ForestThis 1,000-hectare reserve in Brikama has mangroves, palm groves and savannah. Wildlife includes baboons, monkeys, birds and monitor lizards.
- Sanyang BeachNorth of Gunjur, this is described as one of the country’s most beautiful beaches.
Scams to watch for in Gambia
- Fake hotel worker and robbery invitationSomeone claims to remember you from your hotel and says they work there. They may invite you to another hotel, where the aim could be to rob you.
- Unasked-for help followed by a payment requestSomeone offers directions, assistance or a favour without being asked. They may then expect money, even though you never agreed to pay.
- Border passport-stamping bribe demandsMilitary personnel may demand a bribe to stamp your passport. Refusing can lead to insults or further pressure.
About Gambia
The Gambia is a West African republic on a narrow strip of river land enclosed by Senegal.
- Capital
- Banjul
- Money
- Gambian dalasi (D)
- Languages
- English
- Time zone
- UTC+00:00
- Cars drive on the
- right side
- Calling code
- +220
Other Africa passports
Going to Gambia
Easier trips nearby
Places close to Gambia with simpler entry for you.
Questions
Do south african citizens need a visa for the Gambia?
South African citizens do not need a visa for the Gambia. Show your passport at the border and stay up to 90 days.
How long can south african citizens stay in the Gambia?
Up to 90 days each visit with the no visa needed rule. Staying longer can mean a fine or a ban from coming back.
Do gambian citizens need a visa for South Africa?
Gambian citizens need a visa for South Africa, from its embassy or consulate.
Do other Africa passports get easier entry to the Gambia?
Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana Burkina Faso, and 5 more can enter without applying before they travel.
Which countries near Gambia are easier for south african citizens?
Benin, Ghana, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau Senegal, and 3 more let south african citizens in without applying before travel.
What should I carry to the Gambia?
Check your passport is valid for the whole stay, ideally six months beyond it. Carry proof of onward travel and of funds; border officers can ask for both.
What money is used in the Gambia?
Gambian dalasi (D). Carry some cash for arrival, especially if a visa fee is paid at the border.
What language do people speak in the Gambia?
English.
How strong is the South Africa passport?
It ranks #51 and reaches 91 destinations without applying ahead.
Reviewed by @snuck