GoGuinea Visa Requirements

Visa Entry

Entry visa:

Chinese citizens holding private ordinary passports entering Guinea need to obtain visas in advance. An application for an entry visa must be submitted to the Direction Centrale de la Police aux Fronti è res of the Ministry of Security and Civil Protection of Guinea, and processed through the department's "E-visa online platform" (website: https://www.paf.gov.gn/visa ）. Any visa application submitted through channels other than those mentioned above will be rejected by all parties involved.

On September 16, 2017, the agreement between China and Guinea on mutual exemption of visas for diplomatic and official passport holders came into effect. Individuals holding Chinese diplomatic or official (including regular official) passports who travel to Guinea and stay for no more than 30 days from the date of entry are exempt from obtaining an entry visa, while those who stay for more than 30 days are required to obtain an entry visa; Permanent personnel of diplomatic institutions holding diplomatic or official passports are exempt from obtaining entry visas, but must complete relevant documents and residence visas within 30 days of their first entry.

Entry (exit) procedures:

Before entering or leaving the country, it is necessary to prepare a passport, visa, and an International Certificate of Vaccination or Preventive Measures (commonly known as the "Yellow Book") for inspection.

Customs epidemic prevention and control

Carrying foreign exchange with a value exceeding $1000 into or out of the country requires declaration. Carrying foreign exchange, gold, and jewelry out of the country requires approval from the Central Bank of Guinea (BCRG), otherwise it will be confiscated and fined. Carrying wooden carving crafts out of the country requires holding an exit certificate issued by the Ministry of Culture of Guinea.

Passengers' personal belongings are temporarily exempt from customs duties for import and export, and cigarettes and alcohol are limited according to international practices. Guinea joined the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (also known as the Washington Convention) in 1981, and implemented controls on the entry and exit of endangered wildlife and plants in accordance with the provisions of the Convention. Holders of regular passports are required to have their hand luggage inspected by customs upon opening the box. If necessary, customs may conduct a body search on passengers. Any prohibited items found will be confiscated and fined.

Individuals are restricted from carrying animals and plants into or out of the country. If carrying, they must present a health certificate and certificate of origin issued by an authoritative department for inspection.

Residency and Naturalization

Residence:

Foreigners living and working in Guinea for a long time need to apply for long-term residence visas, residence permits and work permits for foreigners. The specific reference information for handling institutions, handling locations, and handling fees is as follows:

1. Long term residence visa (Visa de s é jour de longue dur é e) and residence permit (Carte de r é sident) are valid for one year and can be extended, with a cost of approximately $150 per person per year.

Processing agency: Residence Permit Department of Air and Border Center Bureau of the National Police Headquarters

Section Titres de Séjour, Direction centrale de la Police de l’Air et des Frontières (DCPAF), Direction Générale de la Police Nationale (DGPN)

Address: COLEAH, Route du Niger, Rue MA 292, Conakry

website: https://www.paf.gov.gn/dnpaf/

Required documents: (1) Application letter from the employer to the Border Chief of the Police Department; (2) Employment contract; (3) Work permit; (4) Original passport and photocopy of information page; (5) 2 white background ID photos; (6) Business license of the enterprise; (7) Certificate fee payment voucher; (8) Copy of previously obtained visa; (9) Application Form

2. The permit for foreigners is valid for one year, and the annual fee per person is $1200 for ordinary employees (Class A), $2000 for middle managers (Class B), and $3000 for senior managers (Class C).

Agency for Employment Promotion in Guinea: Agence Guin é enne Pour la Promotion de l'Emploi (AGUIPEE)

Address: Rue KA 005, Conakry

Phone: 612121218

Required documents: (1) Enterprise Employment Declaration Certificate (Attestation de d é claration, certificat de régularité sociale)； (2) French work contract; (3) Original and photocopy of the certificate of no criminal record issued within 3 months; (4) Original nationality certificate and French translation; (5) Health certificate issued within 3 months; (6) Certified diploma and copy of French work certificate; (7) French resume; (8) 2 ID photos; (9) Copy of the applicant's passport; (10) Employee Training Program

Nationality Policy:

Guinea recognizes dual citizenship. There are three ways to acquire Guinean citizenship: 1. Place of birth: Anyone born in Guinea has the right to apply for Guinean citizenship upon reaching adulthood; 2. Marriage: Marrying a Guinean citizen allows one to apply for citizenship of Guinea; 3. Long term residence: Those who have resided legally in Guinea continuously for more than 10 years can apply for citizenship of Guinea. When applying for citizenship, the application form and relevant supporting documents (such as birth certificate, marriage registration, residence certificate, etc.) must be submitted to the first instance court in the jurisdiction where the applicant resides, and the court will approve the citizenship.

Guinea's risk level is yellow (medium risk).                                           

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminds Chinese citizens in Guinea 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

In recent years, Guinea has maintained overall security and stability, with average social order. Due to the lagging level of economic and social development, theft, robbery and other phenomena occur from time to time, and extortion such as "eating and taking cards" are also common. It is recommended to travel together as much as possible and avoid going out at night or rushing to remote areas; Not carrying valuable items and large amounts of cash with you; Carry your passport, residence permit, work permit, original or photocopy of your ID card with you for verification, and pay attention to the identity of the person being verified. Do not hand over personal documents to individuals who are not in uniform or do not hold valid documents; In case of sudden events or emergencies, one should remain calm, respond appropriately, report to the police in a timely manner, and also report to the Chinese Embassy in Guinea.

natural disaster

Guinea rarely experiences large-scale natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods. The heavy rainfall during the rainy season can easily lead to secondary disasters such as landslides, road collapses, and urban waterlogging. It is necessary to pay attention to safety and strengthen prevention measures.

FDA

Guinea is one of the least developed countries in the world, with low levels of food safety and hygiene. It is recommended not to drink tap water directly, not to consume cold drinks, fruit juice, raw and cold vegetables and fruits sold on the street, not to eat undercooked fish, meat, poultry, and dairy products, and to wash hands frequently.

Urgent Help

Except for the consular protection hotline of the Chinese Embassy, other numbers including emergency numbers cannot guarantee 24-hour duty.

Bandit police: 17

Fire alarm: 18

Military Police Headquarters: 122

Consular Protection and Assistance of the Chinese Embassy in Guinea: 664006622

Chinese medical aid team to Guinea: 627713009

Jade Hospital (established by overseas Chinese): 622661161, 611000273

China Guinea Friendship Hospital: 621088862

air traffic

Conakry International Airport, the capital of Guinea, is the only international airport in the country. At present, there are Air France, Brussels Airlines, Emirates Airlines, Türkiye Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Moroccan Airlines, Senegal Airlines, Ivory Coast Airlines and ASKY Airlines operating in Guinea. From Conakry, there are direct flights to cities such as Paris, Brussels, Dubai, Istanbul, Addis Ababa, Casablanca, Dakar, Abidjan, and Bamako. The distance between the city center of Conakry and the airport is about 20 kilometers, and there is no airport bus between them. Only individual operated small buses and taxis can be used for transportation, and traffic congestion is often encountered.

land transport

Guinea's domestic transportation is mainly by road, and there is no passenger railway between cities. The overall condition of the road is poor, with severe damage during the rainy season. It is best to drive an off-road jeep for travel. In recent years, the vehicle growth rate in Guinea has been very fast, and most of them are second-hand and old cars. In addition, drivers generally have not received formal training, resulting in frequent traffic safety accidents. The traffic regulations in Guinea are similar to those in China, where vehicles drive on the right side. A Chinese driver's license cannot be used in Guinea, and one must obtain a local driver's license to drive.

water communication

Conakry Port is one of the excellent deep-water ports in West Africa, but currently only has cargo routes leading to various parts of the world. Guinea has numerous waterways, but there are no commercial routes operating inland except for a few ferry services.

The Gare Maritime de Sandervalia, located in Conakry, has commercial passenger routes to Freetown, Sierra Leone. The routes depart every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday at 4:00 pm, with a travel time of about 2.5 hours. Real time schedules, ticket prices, and other information can be consulted with the route carrier Soci é t é Navale Guin é enne at 620659330, 628593217, 611003502; Social media (Facebook) account:@ SNG224。

Urban transportation

The transportation in the capital city of Conakry mainly consists of small buses and taxis, which have lower costs but are in poor condition and severely overloaded. There are also large buses in the city, but the routes are single and it is difficult to be punctual. Riding a motorcycle is convenient and fast, but the risk of accidents is relatively high. The road conditions in the city are poor, with severe traffic congestion during peak hours. Only a few intersections have traffic lights, and traffic control mainly relies on on on duty traffic police. Other cities have underdeveloped urban transportation, mainly relying on minibuses, taxis, and motorcycles. The local people have a weak awareness of traffic regulations and the traffic situation is chaotic.

major city

CONAKRY is the largest city in the country, with an area of 347 square kilometers and a population of approximately 3 million.

Conakry has a tropical maritime climate, with hot and humid conditions throughout the year, an average annual temperature of 26.4 ℃, an absolute maximum temperature of 38.1 ℃, and an absolute minimum temperature of 17.2 ℃. The dry season is from November to April of the following year, and the rainy season is from May to October. The annual precipitation is over 4000 millimeters, with the rainy season accounting for an average of over 95% of the annual precipitation.

Conakry was originally a small fishing village, which only took shape as a city in the early 20th century. Since the 1950s, it has gradually developed with the large-scale development of bauxite. The local economy is backward and the industry is underdeveloped, with only a small amount of light industry and manual manufacturing. Due to its coastal location and abundant fish resources, the fishing industry is relatively active. The business is mainly private, and there are multiple supermarkets in the city, most of which are relatively small in scale. There are also 23 free markets, among which MADINA and Niger markets are the larger commodity distribution centers in West Africa.

Commodity prices

The market structure in Guinea is diverse, and the main mode of operation is private. Except for tropical fruits and some vegetables, the vast majority of goods rely on imports. The service market is almost monopolized by foreign investment. Local supermarkets are mostly operated by foreigners, mainly imported goods, which are expensive.

The common currency of Guinea is the Guinean franc. According to the announcement by the Central Bank of Guinea on December 31, 2024, the exchange rates of the US dollar, euro, and Chinese yuan against the Guinean franc are 1:8602, 1:8940, and 1:1178, respectively. The daily limit for personal currency purchases is $5000 (or equivalent in other foreign currencies).

The main banks in Guinea include BICIGUI, ORABANK, ECOBANK, SOCIETE GENERALE, FIRST BANK, etc. The main payment method in the local area is cash payment in Guinean francs, and the government strictly prohibits settlement in foreign exchange. Large and medium-sized merchants can use checks for settlement, while a few foreign-related hotels and supermarkets in the capital can accept credit card settlement.

Insurance Medical

The main prevalent diseases in Guinea include malaria, typhoid fever, cholera, etc. The most harmful among them is malaria, but malignant cerebral malaria is relatively rare, with high incidence during seasonal and rainy seasons. In addition, epidemics such as intestinal schistosomiasis, panococcal disease, and meningitis, as well as infectious diseases such as hepatitis, tuberculosis, and leprosy, are also prevalent. There are about 121000 AIDS virus carriers nationwide. Guinea experienced an Ebola virus outbreak in early 2014, causing a large number of infections and deaths.

The national healthcare service system in Guinea consists of three levels: national hospitals and regional hospitals, provincial hospitals and district hospitals, and health centers and stations. State owned hospitals generally have poor conditions for diagnosis, treatment, and disinfection, but the cost of diagnosis and treatment is relatively low. Private hospitals have better conditions, but the cost of diagnosis and treatment is relatively high. The conditions of hospitals and clinics in the capital are still acceptable, but medical institutions in various cities in mainland China lack medical care and medicine, and the conditions are extremely rudimentary. The hospital under the Ministry of Health is Astin Hospital. Dongka Hospital is also a relatively large state-owned hospital in the capital. The Chinese medical team assisting Guinea is working at the China Guinea Friendship Hospital (Jibe Hospital) in the capital.

Guinea does not have a pharmaceutical industry and relies entirely on imports for its required drugs and medical equipment. The drugs circulating in the market mainly come from countries such as France, Germany, and Switzerland. Chinese drugs can also be seen everywhere, but most of them are sold privately, and only a few pharmaceutical companies have been approved by the Guinean Ministry of Health. It is recommended to carry medication that is suitable for your physical condition with you. Carrying drugs should be limited to personal use and should be accompanied by a foreign prescription or instruction manual for customs inspection.

Customs taboos

Approximately 89.1% of the population in Guinea practice Islam, 6.8% practice Christianity, 1.7% practice other religions, and 2.4% are atheists. Like other Islamic countries, in Guinea, Islamic rules and customs should be respected, and discussions about pigs and their products should be avoided as much as possible. Smoking and drinking should be avoided, and Muslim halal dietary and prayer habits should be particularly respected. People who are praying should not be questioned, and entry into mosques should not be allowed without authorization.

Communications Power

Guinea's national communication number is 00224, and there is no fixed line network in the area. Communication mainly relies on mobile phones, and there is currently Orange, Three telecom operators, MTN and Cellecom, have SIM cards that can be inserted into domestic mobile phones for direct use, while China Telecom, China Unicom, and China Mobile phone cards can also roam locally. The quality of mobile network calls is average, but the call fees are relatively moderate. The Internet is not yet popular. The network terminal is a wireless outlet, with slow and unstable network speed and high cost.

The voltage in Guinea is 220 volts, and the plug standard is French double cylindrical.

contact information

Urgent category (see "Security Prevention" column)

Aviation

Air France: 66420203

Brussels Airlines: 610101487

Emirates Airlines: 620717071, 620717072

Ethiopian Airlines: 664260554