GoChad Visa Requirements

Visa Entry

1、 Visa Notice

On November 18, 2019, the "Agreement on Mutual Exemption of Diplomatic and Official Passport Personnel Visa" between China and Chad officially came into effect. Chinese citizens holding valid diplomatic, official, or official ordinary passports can stay in Chad for no more than 30 days without a visa; For activities that require prior approval from the competent authorities of Chad, such as studying, settling down for work, and reporting news, a visa must be obtained before entry. Chinese citizens holding valid private passports entering Chad need to apply for a visa before entry.

To apply for a Chadian entry visa, one must go to the Chadian embassy or consulate abroad.

To apply for a visa, a valid passport, a copy of the front page of the passport, an application form, a two inch white background photo, proof of employment, and an invitation letter are required. Tourists must present their return flight tickets or relevant booking information. In October 2017, Chad introduced new regulations requiring first-time business visa applicants to provide approval documents issued by the Chad Chamber of Commerce (CCIAMA) and the National Employment Office (ONAPE).

2、 Entry and Exit Notice

Chinese citizens are required to promptly go to the local health and quarantine department for yellow fever immunization and obtain an International Vaccination Certificate before entering the country.

Entry requires filling out an entry card.

Prohibit illegal entry of prohibited items such as drugs, firearms, flammable and explosive materials, etc; It is prohibited to illegally carry live wild animals, specimens, and related products (ivory and ivory products, wild animal leather and its products, etc.) out of the country.

Special reminder: Within 72 hours of arrival in Chad, one must go to the Chadian immigration office to register. Before leaving Chad, please make sure to check whether your entry, visa, residence, work permit and other relevant documents in Chad are complete and valid, in preparation for the exit management personnel at Chad airport to inspect.

Customs epidemic prevention and control

Chad is one of the member states of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community, and the six countries within the community form a unified customs. The Customs Law on the Import and Export of Goods in Chad was formulated in accordance with the Central African Economic and Customs Union (U.D.E.A.C) at the 1965 summit D. Article 7 of Act No. 8/65 of E.A.C-37 stipulates that this legal provision is universally applicable to all member states of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community.

According to the customs tax system implemented on July 1, 2000, customs duties are divided into the following categories: Common External Tariff (TEC), Special Goods Tax, Value Added Tax, 4% Wholesale and Semi Wholesale Trading Business Tax, Community Integration Tax (TCI), Statistical Tax, Community Coordinated Contribution Tax (TCCI), and Business Act Coordinated Organization Tax.

For goods from third countries (goods produced by non Central African Economic and Monetary Community countries), import taxes are levied on the country of arrival and the goods entering its borders. For example, goods transiting from Cameroon to Chad should be subject to import taxes in Chad.

For goods imported from other countries of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community to Chad, they are exempt from paying the Common External Customs Duty, Community Integration Tax, Community Coordinated Contribution Tax, and Business Act Coordinated Organization Tax.

Residency and Naturalization

Foreign citizens who wish to obtain Chadian citizenship must have lived continuously in Chad for at least 10 years.

Alien residence policy and relevant procedures:

Foreign citizens who wish to reside in Chad for a long time must apply for a long-term residence permit. Generally, it is necessary to bring two identification photos, a valid passport, and relevant documents to the immigration office under the Ministry of Public Security and Immigration Affairs (located at the Central Police Station in N'Djamena) to fill out the relevant application form. If the employee comes to work in Zha, they must apply for a work permit at the National Employment Office (ONAPE) before applying for a long-term residence permit. After completing the application, they must bring the permit, valid passport, and two ID photos to the immigration office to apply for long-term residence. If you are the legal representative of an enterprise, you need to first go to the Ministry of Trade and Industry to apply for a production and operation license, and apply for long-term residence with a copy of this license and other valid documents. The general validity period of the long-term residence permit is one year, and an extension must be applied for in a timely manner before expiration.

Cost: The work permit is based on one month's salary income, with a long-term residence fee of 500000 francs and an additional visa fee of 30000 francs.

Special reminder: Due to the low efficiency of various departments in Chad, it is recommended that relevant documents be processed as soon as possible to prevent unnecessary trouble caused by delays. It is recommended to personally go to the relevant department to handle the documents, and it is best not to go through intermediaries to avoid being deceived.

Chad currently has one red (extremely high-risk) area, four orange (high-risk) areas, and all other areas are yellow (medium risk). Specifically, as follows:

1、 Red region: Tibesti region. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminds Chinese citizens not to travel to the above-mentioned areas in Chad in the near future. Personnel and institutions in the area should evacuate or transfer to safe areas as soon as possible. In case of emergency, please report to the police in a timely manner and contact the Chinese embassy or consulate in the local area.                                               

2、 Orange regions: Lake Chad region, Borkou region, Sinedi region, East Ennedi region. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminds Chinese citizens to travel cautiously to the above-mentioned areas in Chad in the near future. Local personnel and institutions have closely monitored the development of the situation, maintained high vigilance, strengthened security precautions and emergency preparations, and ensured personal and property safety. In case of emergency, please report to the police in a timely manner and contact the Chinese embassy or consulate in the local area.                                                         

3、 Yellow region: Other regions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminds personnel in other areas of Chad to strengthen prevention and pay attention to safety. In case of emergency, please report to the police in a timely manner and contact the Chinese embassy or consulate in the local area.                                     

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and overseas embassies and consulates will continue to closely monitor changes in the overseas security situation, dynamically adjust relevant risk assessments, and release and update corresponding security reminders in real time on platforms such as the China Consular Service Network. Please continue to pay attention.

public security

At present, the overall situation in the country is stabilizing, but due to the proliferation of civilian firearms, public security has been difficult to improve, and the security situation is still not optimistic. The border and Lake Chad regions, especially along the borders with Cameroon, Niger, Nigeria, and Libya, are areas prone to armed conflicts and terrorist activities; There are frequent cases of murder, robbery, theft, and other crimes in the capital.

Preventive measures:

● Dress code

Dress as low-key as possible and avoid revealing women's clothing.

● Travel

Avoid traveling at night, especially to remote areas such as the suburbs; Understand the basic terrain of the destination, ensure familiarity with key routes, and try to avoid crowded, high crime, or low-income areas as much as possible; Avoid riding motorcycles; Ignore conversations with strangers and avoid making eye contact with them; If you suspect being followed, you can enter busy public areas and seek help.

● Property

Avoid revealing money, wearing jewelry, or carrying valuable items; Try not to make phone calls on your smartphone while walking outside; Take good care of personal belongings in multiple areas such as airports, tourist attractions, hotels, restaurants, and lobbies; Avoid putting cash in one pocket, keep a small amount of cash in the chest pocket of your shirt, and hand it over directly in case of forced tipping or robbery.

● Documents

Separate your passport, ID card, etc. from cash, and make a copy or take a photo of your passport (passport page and visa page) in advance for record keeping. If your passport is lost, you can verify your identity as soon as possible.

natural disaster

Chad is located in the Sahel Sahara region, which is hot all year round with frequent droughts and little rainfall. Drought is particularly frequent in the northern region, and land desertification is a serious problem. Sometimes excessive rainfall during the rainy season can lead to flooding disasters.

FDA

Due to the lack of clean drinking water, infectious diseases such as cholera and typhoid fever are more common. The food safety inspection management system is not perfect, and many catering units lack food safety measures and have not undergone formal safety inspections.

Special reminder: It is strongly recommended that citizens coming to Chad pay attention to food hygiene, avoid consuming raw and cold foods, and try to choose high-end and formal dining establishments.

Urgent Help

Alarm hotline: 117

Fire alarm hotline: 66557455/6625708/66211009

air traffic

1、 International flights

airline company	destination
Air Cote d’Ivoire	Abidjan, Douala, Dakar
Air France	Paris (Charles de Gaulle International Airport), Abuja
Asky Airlines	Lome, Lagos, Douala
Egypt Airlines	Cairo
Ethiopian Airlines	ADDIS ABABA
Gargolux (freight)	Luxembourg
Etihad Crystal Cargo (Freight)	Abu Dhabi
Turkish Airlines	Istanbul
Royal Air Maroc	Casablanca

land transport

1、 Highways and railways

There are no railways within Chad, and transportation mainly relies on roads. The total length of the highway is 40000 kilometers, and the domestic highways are concentrated in the western and southwestern parts. Many road sections have been in disrepair for a long time, making it difficult to pass during the rainy season. The four main highways are: N'Djamena Sar, Sar Mundu, N'Djamena Abeche, and Abeche Sar. Cross border highways connect neighboring countries such as Cameroon, Libya, Sudan, Central Africa, and Niger.

2、 Public transportation situation:

The public transportation industry in Chad has not yet started, and long-distance bus transportation is mainly carried out by private individuals without formal bus companies.

3、 Car rental and self driving

When purchasing or renting a vehicle, it is recommended to go to CFAO dealership in N'Djamena. This car dealership provides various services such as new car sales, rentals, parts replacement, and repairs. The private second-hand car market in Chad is also quite active, but the condition of the car varies greatly and there is no after-sales service guarantee, so it is necessary to carefully screen the condition of the car when purchasing a second-hand car.

Vehicles in Chad drive on the left side, but be careful to let vehicles from the right come while driving. For example, vehicles that have already entered the roundabout should give way to vehicles that want to enter the roundabout. The overall road conditions in N'Djamena are good, and if only active within the city, most vehicles can choose. If there is a long-distance need, it is recommended to purchase a vehicle with certain off-road capabilities to cope with complex road conditions.

Driving in Chad requires obtaining a Chadian driver's license. If you have a domestic driver's license, you can apply for a Chadian driver's license at the Ministry of Infrastructure in Chad with your domestic driver's license.

After purchasing a car, you need to bring the relevant documents and go to the Ministry of Infrastructure in Chad to apply for a car license plate and receive a "gray card".

Special reminder: Chad's traffic rules mainly refer to France, but due to unreasonable road design, insufficient number of traffic police, poor road conditions, and the fact that local people generally drive aggressively, traffic accidents occur frequently. When driving, pay attention to safety, abide by traffic rules, and prefer to give way rather than rob.

water communication

Most rivers in Chad can only be navigable during the rainy season. Only the section of the Shali River from N'Djamena to Lake Chad is navigable throughout the year. At present, there are only fishing boats and private ferries used for ferry services on various waterways in Chad, and no large-scale waterway transportation business has been developed.

Urban transportation

Chad does not have a subway system. There are a small number of privately operated short distance passenger buses in the city of N'Djamena. The taxi market is also gradually developing, but it is currently far from mature. Local people rely heavily on motorcycles for transportation.

Special reminder: Currently, the condition of minibuses and taxis engaged in passenger transportation is generally poor, and they are severely overloaded. For safety reasons, it is not recommended to ride them.

major city

1、 N'Djamena

The capital of Chad is the political, commercial, and cultural center of the country, and the location of the Chadian government, parliament, various authorities, and judiciary. Originally named Rumi Fort, it was renamed N'Djamena in 1973, meaning 'peaceful shade of trees for pedestrians to rest'. Located at the confluence of the Chari River and the Logon River in southwestern Chad, facing Cameroon across the river. At an altitude of 294 meters, the terrain is flat. The rainy season is from June to October every year, and the dry season is from November to May of the following year. The annual average precipitation is 509 millimeters, the annual average temperature is 25 ℃, and the highest temperature reaches 50 ℃. The population is approximately 1.1 million (2016 statistical data). In April 1997, it became a sister city with Liuzhou, Guangxi. In April 2019, a memorandum of understanding was signed with Chongqing to establish friendly cooperative relations.

N'Djamena has convenient transportation and is a national transportation hub with asphalt roads leading to neighboring countries such as Cameroon and Central Africa. Hassan Jamus International Airport is located in the north of the urban area, which is an important transit station for international routes in Central Africa. There are regular flights to France, Türkiye, Morocco, Ethiopia, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo (Brazzaville), Benin, Gabon and other countries.

There are two universities, over 60 teaching institutions, and three comprehensive hospitals in the city. The National Museum of Chad is located within the city. The main iconic locations include: Presidential Palace, National Square, Catholic Church, Twin Towers of Mosque, Grand Market, etc.

2、 Moundou

The capital of the Western Logon Region in southwestern Chad and the second largest city in Chad. Located on the banks of the Logon River, approximately 500 kilometers south of N'Djamena city. The population is approximately 142000 (2016 data). It is the economic capital of Chad, with cotton processing and export, beer manufacturing, and tobacco manufacturing as its main economic pillars. The transportation is relatively convenient and it is an important transportation hub city in southern Chad. There are highways connecting to the surrounding cities. There is Mundu Airport in the city.

3、 Sarh

The capital of the South Central Saary Region and the third largest city in Chad. Located on the banks of the Shali River, approximately 560 kilometers southeast of N'Djamena. The population is approximately 108000 (2016 data). The economy is mainly based on agriculture and fishing. Transportation is relatively convenient. There is an airport in the city.

4、 Ab é ch é

The capital of the eastern Wadayi region, the fourth largest city in Chad, with a population of approximately 78000 (2016 data). The climate is hot. Due to its proximity to Sudan and being an important stopover for camel caravans, Abeche has become a local trading center. The main economic source in addition is animal husbandry. There is an airport in the city.

Special Reminder: There are relatively few professional tourism practitioners in Chad, and travel agencies mainly engage in purchasing airline tickets. There are few that undertake domestic and international tourism business. However, the supporting facilities of tourist attractions are mostly inadequate, so tourists traveling to other places must carefully plan their itinerary, accommodation, and pay attention to personal and property safety.

Commodity prices

1、 Main products

Chad is an agricultural and pastoral country, with a long-term economy dominated by agriculture and animal husbandry. The main grain crops are millet, sorghum, rice, corn, wheat, etc. The main economic crops are cotton, shea butter, gum arabic, peanuts, sesame, etc. Poultry, dairy products, eggs, fur, beef and mutton and other livestock products have long been the main export products for Chad to generate foreign exchange. Chad's fishing industry is also relatively developed, with catfish, mackerel, and carp being the main edible fish. Among them, Ma Ba, also known as Shangwei fish, has delicious meat.

2、 Price situation

Chad has a weak industrial foundation and heavily relies on imports for many goods. Due to being a landlocked country with inconvenient transportation, prices are abnormally high. According to data from Mercer Consulting, N'Djamena, the capital of Chad, ranks 21st on the 2024 list of the world's most expensive cities.

3、 Currency and exchange rates

The monetary policy of Chad is determined by the Bank of Central African States, with the currency being the FrancCFA franc of the Central African Financial Cooperation Community, pegged to the euro and implementing a fixed exchange rate. 1 euro is exchanged for 655.957 Central African Francs.

4、 Taxation

According to the General Tax Code of Chad, the "national direct tax portion" includes: "personal income tax on natural persons", "corporate income tax", "supplementary tax", etc.

The tax burden that may be involved in investing in Chad includes: profit tax (including minimum fixed tax, company tax, movable property income tax, etc.), employee related taxes (including employee fixed tax, education tax, employer borne allowances and service fees), value-added tax and other taxes (including taxes related to a certain profession such as business tax, liquor sales license tax, registration tax, insurance tax, personal income tax borne by employees, etc.).

5、 Payment method

At present, the main payment methods in the Chadian market are cash and check. Credit cards are not yet widely used, and only a very small number of hotels, airports, and other places can use credit cards for payment.

6、 Banking and Financial Services

Chad is a member of the Bank of Central African States (BEAC), which has the Chad National Bureau of BEAC in Chad. Most banks in Chad have been privatized, with limited scale and strength. The main financial institutions and commercial banks include: Financial Bank of Chad (FBT), Commercial Bank of Chari (BCC), Pan African Economic Bank Chad Branch (ECOBANK), African International Bank Chad Branch (BIAT), Commercial Bank of Chad (CBC), ORABANK, Coris Bank International (formerly Soci é t é G é n é rale), Sahel Saharan Investment Commercial Bank Chad Branch (BSIC), Chad Agricultural Commercial Bank, etc. In addition, there are institutions such as the Cotton Price Subsidy Fund (FSPC), the National Social Assistance Fund (CNPS), the Sugar Price Stabilization Fund (CAISSE SUCRE), and the Debt Repayment Self Care Fund (CAA), as well as the Chadian Insurance and Reinsurance Company.

Special reminder: Chad implements foreign exchange controls. Foreign enterprises registered in Chad can set up foreign exchange accounts with local banks upon application. After strict review and approval, the profits obtained by the enterprise can be remitted out of Chad. Personal legal income tax can also be remitted.

Insurance Medical

Chad's public health system is lagging behind and there is a severe shortage of professional doctors. There are a total of 6 comprehensive hospitals in the country, including 3 located in N'Djamena, namely the National General Hospital, the Renaissance Hospital, and the China Chad Friendship Hospital, as well as 1 each in Ab é ch é, M é ndou, and Sar; There are 30 specialized hospitals and 407 health centers. The total number of beds is about 15000. The Chinese aid medical team to Chad is currently stationed in N'Djamena, and the medical staff within the team visit the China Chad Friendship Hospital. The main departments include internal medicine, surgery, orthopedics, gynecology, facial features, and traditional Chinese medicine.

Common epidemics in Chad include cholera, malaria, typhoid, measles, hepatitis, yellow fever, AIDS, etc., which are mainly transmitted through water, food, mosquitoes, blood, sexual activities and other channels. Remind visitors to Chad to receive relevant vaccines before entering the country, pay attention to food hygiene, mosquito prevention, avoid drinking raw water, and maintain good hygiene after entering the country. Once discomfort symptoms such as headache, fever, diarrhea, and weakness occur, seek medical attention promptly.

Customs taboos

1、 Holidays and festivals

（1） Secular holidays

New Year's Day: January 1st in the Gregorian calendar; International Labor Day: May 1st in the Gregorian calendar; Chad Independence Day: August 11th in the Gregorian calendar, commemorating Chad's declaration of independence on August 11th, 1960; Establishment Day of the Republic: November 28th in the Gregorian calendar, commemorating Chad's becoming an "autonomous republic" within the "French Community" on November 28th, 1958; Chad Freedom and Democracy Day: December 1st in the Gregorian calendar, commemorating the inauguration of President D é by as president on December 1st, 1990.

（2） Islamic holidays

Shengji Festival: March 12th in the Islamic calendar, the anniversary of the birth and death of Muhammad; Ramadan: From September 1st to September 30th in the Islamic calendar, from sunrise to sunset every day, adult Muslims must strictly fast, not eat or drink, not smoke, not drink, not have sexual intercourse, except for those who are sick, travelers, nursing infants, pregnant women, nursing mothers, postpartum women, women passing by, and soldiers in battle; Eid al Fitr: October 1st in the Islamic calendar, which is the second day after the end of Ramadan. People usually go to mosques for worship, and relatives and friends also visit each other's homes to congratulate each other; Eid al Adha: December 10th in the Islamic calendar, transliterated as "Eid al Adha", is a festival for slaughtering and sacrificing animals. Before the festival, strong livestock (camels, cows, or sheep) are prepared, and on the day of the festival, a half day fast is observed. After holding a grand ceremony and celebration, the slaughter of animals begins. The meat is divided into three parts: one for personal use, one for gifting to friends and family, and one for giving to the poor.

（3） Christian (including Catholic and Protestant) holidays

Easter: The first Sunday after the full moon of the vernal equinox, a holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ after his crucifixion, and a national holiday on the following Monday. Halloween: November 1st in the Gregorian calendar. In ancient times, the Celts believed that the last day of October was the "Day of the Dead" or "Ghost Festival". On this day, various evil spirits appeared, and the souls of the deceased would leave their bodies and wander around the world. In order to suppress heresy, Catholic missionaries designated the first day of November after this day as Halloween to commemorate Catholic saints and suppress these ghost beliefs. Christmas: On December 25th of the Gregorian calendar, Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

2、 Common Etiquette

When meeting each other, greet and shake hands with each other. Muslims greet each other with "Salam", and those who are closer can hug or give a face gesture.

Main customs and habits such as clothing, diet, and funerals: Muslim men generally wear long clothes and white hats, while women wear long clothes and veils or "headscarves". Non Muslim people tend to dress more diversely. In terms of diet, Chadians mainly consume potatoes, sorghum, cassava, and meat. Islamic believers do not eat pork and abstain from alcohol. Non Muslims have few taboos. Funeral rituals are determined by personal beliefs, mainly for Muslim funerals and Christian funerals.

Main taboos: More than half of the domestic population believes in Islam, and when interacting with them, it is necessary to respect Muslim customs and habits. Do not take photos in public without permission.

Communications Power

1、 Power supply voltage

Power interface type: European standard socket; Standard voltage: 220V.

Special reminder: Chad has made significant improvements in power supply in recent years, but overall it still struggles to meet demand, with frequent power outages and unstable voltage, especially during the hottest months of April, May, and June. It is recommended to bring your own stabilized voltage storage device.

2、 Communication

Telephone and international/domestic dialing methods:

At present, Chad's landline and mobile phone numbers have 8 digits, and international calls require dialing 00235 before the number.

To make a domestic call in Chad, simply dial the number. For international calls, you need to add the country and region code. For calls to China, you need to add 0086.

The fixed telephone service in Chad is provided by Sotel Chad, a telecommunications company in Chad. There are currently two mobile phones, Airtel and Moov Africa. Chad has a high penetration rate of mobile phones and relatively expensive phone bills.

3、 Internet

Airtel and Moov Africa currently provide Internet access services.

contact information