Gambia · Entry rules

Who needs a visa for the Gambia?

Entry rules for the Gambia by nationality, for short tourist or business visits, from Gambia Immigration Department, checked 31 Oct 2026.

In brief

Citizens of 28 countries and territories can visit the Gambia without a visa. 22 get a visa on arrival. 43 can apply for an eVisa or ETA online. Everyone else, 98 nationalities, needs a visa.

Visa-free: 28
On arrival: 22
eVisa or ETA: 43
Visa required: 98

About 5.1 bn people (66% of the world's other nationalities by population) need a visa arranged before they travel to the Gambia: a visa, an eVisa or a visa only with another permit.

Checked 31 Oct 2026Source: Gambia Immigration DepartmentBurkina Faso, Brunei, Indonesia and 4 more: not verified (the source leaves them unclear)Report a change

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Gambia entry rules at a glance

Group	Stay	Nationalities	Examples	Source
Free movement	Not stated	11	Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal	Gambia Immigration Department
Visa-free	Not stated	17	Russia, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy	Gambia Immigration Department
Visa on arrival	Not stated	22	United States, Brazil, Mexico, France	Gambia Immigration Department
ETA	Not stated	43	Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Tanzania	Gambia Immigration Department
Visa required	Not stated	78	India, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh	Gambia Immigration Department
Visa required	As granted	20	Türkiye, Peru, Guatemala, Dominican Republic	Gambia Immigration Department

Free movement: Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire and 8 more

11 nationalities

Free movement by treaty.

Source: Gambia Immigration Department, checked 31 Oct 2026ECOWAS Member States Allows Free Entry

Visa-free: Russia, Germany, the UK and 14 more

17 nationalities

No visa is needed; the official source does not state how long you may stay.

Source: Gambia Immigration Department, checked 31 Oct 2026Countries With Visa Exemption Agreement

Visa on arrival: the US, Brazil, Mexico and 19 more

22 nationalities

The visa is issued at the border.

Source: Gambia Immigration Department, checked 31 Oct 2026Visa can be acquired from all Gambian Embassies and some Consulates abroad as well as Visa upon arrival at the border.

ETA: the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand and 40 more

43 nationalities

No visa, but an entry clearance approved in advance by the Gambia Immigration Department (the host in The Gambia presents it; valid 30 days for entry).

Source: Gambia Immigration Department, checked 31 Oct 2026Countries That Need Only Clearance For African Countries

Visa required: India, China, Pakistan and 75 more

78 nationalities

A visa plus an entry clearance approved in advance by the Gambia Immigration Department (the host in The Gambia presents it; valid 30 days for entry).

Source: Gambia Immigration Department, checked 31 Oct 2026Countries That Need Both Visa And Clearance For African Countries

Visa required: Türkiye, Peru, Guatemala and 17 more

20 nationalities

Apply before you travel at an embassy or consulate of the Gambia, or the visa centre it names.

Nationalities not listed above: the official source says so in as many words.

Source: Gambia Immigration Department, checked 31 Oct 2026Generally, securing a visa to the Gambia is one of the requirements in order that entry may be permitted to a visitor.

Where to apply

A visa is applied for at an embassy or consulate of the Gambia, or the visa centre it names, in the country where you live.

These rules cover ordinary passports and short visits; work, study and transit have their own rules.

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FAQ

Do I need a visa to visit the Gambia?

It depends on your passport: 28 nationalities are visa-free, 22 get a visa on arrival, 43 can use an eVisa or ETA and 98 need a visa. Choose your passport above.

Do Indian citizens need a visa for the Gambia?

Yes. Indian citizens need a visa before they travel to the Gambia (Gambia Immigration Department, checked 31 Oct 2026).

Do US citizens need a visa for the Gambia?

Not in advance. US citizens get a visa on arrival (Gambia Immigration Department, checked 31 Oct 2026).

Sources and changes

Gambia Immigration Department: visa and country listsgid.gov.gm · checked 31 Oct 2026
Gambia Immigration Department: entry requirementsgid.gov.gm · checked 31 Oct 2026

31 Oct 2026All groups checked against Gambia Immigration Department. No change since.

Something out of date? Tell us and we'll check it against the official source.