GoGambia Visa Requirements

Visa Entry

Chinese citizens holding ordinary passports (commonly known as "private passports") need to apply for visas at the Gambian Embassy in China when traveling to The Gambia. They can enter The Gambia with a valid ordinary passport and visa. If traveling to Gambia through a third country, one can apply for a visa from the Gambian embassy or consulate in that country (or the embassy of the host country).

You can apply for a visa in China by consulting with the Embassy of China. Address: Diplomatic Apartment, No.1 Xiushui Street, Jianguomenwai, Chaoyang District, Beijing 07-2-014

Phone: 010-85322641 Email: embassy@gamgov.cn

When entering Gambia, one must present their passport, valid visa, completed entry card, and International Certificate of Vaccination or Preventive Measures (commonly known as the "Yellow Book"). Tourists from areas affected by yellow fever must provide proof of yellow fever vaccine.

The Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of The Gambia on Mutual Exemption of Personnel Holding Diplomatic, Official, and Official Ordinary Passports has officially come into effect on June 10, 2018. Chinese citizens holding valid diplomatic, official, or service ordinary passports are exempt from visa application if they stay in The Gambia for no more than 30 days; For activities that require prior approval from the competent authorities of The Gambia, such as work, settlement, and news reporting, a visa should be obtained before entry.

Customs epidemic prevention and control

If the amount of foreign exchange carried into the country is large, it is necessary to declare to the customs upon entry and keep the declaration form for future reference when leaving the country. If not declared, foreign exchange up to $10000 can be carried out of the country.

Residency and Naturalization

The Gambia recognizes dual citizenship. The entry and residence control of foreigners is relatively loose. Foreigners who have stayed in the country for a long time must apply to the Immigration Office for an alien identity card. To work in Gang, one must apply for a work permit. The maximum validity period for ID cards and work permits is one calendar year, and they must be renewed upon expiration.

The risk level of Gambia is yellow (medium risk).                                            

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminds Chinese citizens in The Gambia to closely monitor the local security situation, be vigilant, 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

The security situation in The Gambia is poor, with occasional theft cases. Recently, there has been an increasing trend of unstable local security factors. The Gambia is adjacent to the Casamance region in southern Senegal, and armed robberies have occurred from time to time.

Avoid carrying large amounts of cash when going out, and it is best to prepare several copies of travel documents. Try to avoid traveling to the border area with Casamance, Senegal.

natural disaster

Rainstorm are frequent in Gambia in rainy season, which often lead to ponding in urban areas and damage to urban and rural roads.

The last yellow fever outbreak in The Gambia occurred in 1978.

FDA

The local health conditions in Gambia are poor, and the incidence rate of food hygiene related diseases is high. Diseases such as hepatitis A and typhoid fever are often transmitted through contaminated food and water. Please pay attention to food hygiene and reduce the occurrence of diseases. It is recommended to drink bottled water and boil it before drinking to reduce the occurrence of diseases.

Urgent Help

police station

Alarm hotline: 117

Bakau, Sait Matty Road：00220-4495328

Barra：00220-5710275

Kairaba Avenue：00220-4497758

Kotu：00220-4463351

Serrekunda：00220-4392208

fire department

Alarm hotline: 118

Bakau：00220-4495824

Kotu：00220-4463470

Churchill Town / Brikama：00220-4372707

Head Quarters: Banjul：00220-4224324/118

EMERGENCY CALL

Africmed emergency hotline: 1191/7739415/7332101/4410685

MRC emergency hotline: 4497114

West African Holistic Medical Center Phone: 3265959

air traffic

There is no direct flight between Gambia and China. Airlines from Belgium, Morocco, Türkiye, Senegal and other countries have flights to Gambia.

Yundum International Airport in Banjul, the capital, can take off and land all kinds of large passenger aircraft, and there are regular flights to Belgium, Ghana, Türkiye, Senegal and other countries every week. The annual passenger transportation capacity is 1 million people. The above routes are subject to changes from time to time.

Special Reminder: Flights in Africa are subject to significant changes and often experience delays or cancellations. It is necessary to confirm with the airport or airline before departure.

land transport

No railways. The total length of the highway is about 2680 kilometers, including about 1000 kilometers of asphalt roads, about 600 kilometers of gravel roads, and about 1080 kilometers of dirt roads.

water communication

The Gambia River runs through the entire east-west region and is the main transportation route for the inland areas of the country. Banjul Port is a major international shipping port in Gangnam, handling 10000 TEUs of containers per month and an annual throughput of 2.5 million tons.

Urban transportation

There is basically no public transportation system in the city, but there are more private minibuses and taxis. Passengers can also rent cars from taxi companies.

major city

Banjul, the capital and seaport of The Gambia, is located on the east coast of Saint Mary's Island at the mouth of the Gambia River. In 1816, British colonizers established it as a military stronghold. It is now the political, economic, and transportation center of the country. There are small-scale industries such as oil extraction (peanuts), fish processing, and textiles. The port has two deep-water docks (16-27 meters) that can accommodate sea vessels. Traveling upstream along the Gambia River to the eastern border, it is navigable year-round. Output peanuts and their products, brown kernels, leather, and dried smoked fish. The climate is mild, the scenery is beautiful, and there are many birds, making it a tourist destination. The main tourist attractions in the city include the "Never Repeat" arch, The Gambia National Museum, Albert Market, Banjul City Hall, Banjul Court, as well as several mosques and churches.

Commodity prices

In 2022, the Gambian economy showed a trend of recovery, with a growth rate of 4.9% in gross domestic product. However, due to multiple impacts such as the Ukrainian crisis and global financial tightening, the recovery speed of the Gambian economy was lower than expected. In 2023, benefiting from strong private demand, stable remittance inflows, gradual recovery of the tourism industry, and increased public investment expenditures, the economy performed well in the first quarter. The World Bank predicts that the Gambia's economic growth rate will continue to exceed 4% in 2023.

The local price is about twice that of the domestic price. The local currency is Dalasi, with 1 US dollar equivalent to 60 Dalasi.

The main banks in The Gambia include The Central Bank of The Gambia, Standard Chartered Bank, Trust Bank, and International Commercial Bank. Standard Chartered Bank's ATM machines can withdraw cash using Visa credit cards.

Most places of consumption in The Gambia charge cash in Dalasi, while a small number of hotels and restaurants can use VISA credit cards, Mastercard credit cards, and American Express credit cards. Major banks and other specific institutions across the country can exchange major currencies.

Insurance Medical

Common diseases in Gambia include malaria, typhoid fever, cholera, etc. The Gambia has a certain number of government or private hospitals and clinics that can provide medical and health services. It is recommended that personnel traveling to Gang bring anti malaria drugs, insecticides, sunscreen, antifungal ointments, and disinfectants. These drugs are expensive or difficult to purchase in some areas of The Gambia.

Customs taboos

climate

The dry season is from November to June of the following year, and the rainy season is from July to October. The average daily temperature is 27 ° C, and the average nighttime temperature is 20 ° C.

Customs taboos

About 95% of the population in The Gambia practice Islam, while the rest practice Christianity, among others. Islam has had a significant impact on the society, culture, and even politics of the country. Most residents avoid eating pork and drinking alcohol. The official language is English, and the ethnic languages include Mandingo, Wolof, Fula, and Serahuli. Local people pay attention to etiquette, dress neatly, and avoid exposing their chests and backs. Women should avoid wearing bikinis or strapless clothing outside hotels or on beaches. The main taboos include: not cleaning the house at night, not placing hands on the head (a moment of silence), not visiting patients at night and on Saturdays, not using the left hand to fetch food, etc. Eid al Fitr and Eid al Adha are the most important festivals for local Muslims every year.

Communications Power

The power interface is British/European standard, with a voltage of 230V. Chinese electrical appliances must use corresponding conversion plugs.

The country code for Gambia is 00220. To call the local number in Gambia from China, dial 00220+local number, and to call China from Gambia, dial 0086+Chinese number.

Mobile phones are quite popular in Gambia, with good mobile signal and convenient purchase of local mobile recharge cards. The local mobile phone system is GSM/WCDMA, and the mobile Internet network speed is fast. The average traffic cost is about 20 yuan/G, but it is difficult to make and receive international calls. Many hotels in The Gambia offer internet service, but the internet speed is slow.

contact information