Guinea-Bissau Entry Requirements
Visa, immigration, and customs information
Visa Requirements
Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.
Holders of passports issued by ECOWAS member states and a small group of other African nations.
National ID cards are accepted instead of passports for Cape Verde, Senegal, Guinea, Gambia and Sierra Leone.
All other nationalities must obtain an eVisa online before boarding. The authorization is checked at departure airports and again on arrival in Guinea-Bissau.
Cost: Budget-friendly processing fee paid by card
Print two copies, one to show airline staff, one for immigration. Extensions possible at the Serviço de Migração in Bissau before the 90 days expire.
Travelers who cannot apply online or who need multiple-entry visas must attend an embassy.
Embassy visas are issued as full-page stickers. Carry exact cash for the fee as many missions lack card terminals.
Arrival Process
Arrival at Osvaldo Vieira International Airport is straightforward if paperwork is ready. Land crossings from Senegal (São Domingos, Mpack) and Guinea (Buruntuma, Boé) follow similar steps but offices close for lunch and may lack electricity, carry extra photocopies.
Documents to Have Ready
Tips for Smooth Entry
Customs & Duty-Free
Guinea-Bissau allows modest duty-free quantities and requires declaration of high-value electronics or large cash sums. Officers may open suitcases to verify contents.
Prohibited Items
- Narcotics and illicit drugs, criminal penalties apply
- Counterfeit currency and pirated media, items destroyed on the spot
- Explosives, firearms and ammunition, special permit from Interior Ministry required
- Pornographic material in any format, confiscated
Restricted Items
- Endangered animal products (ivory, skins), CITES permit required
- Medications containing codeine or tramadol, carry physician letter translated into Portuguese
- Drones, must obtain prior authorization from Civil Aviation Agency
Health Requirements
Yellow-fever vaccination is the only compulsory health rule. Malaria prophylaxis, typhoid and hepatitis A vaccines are strongly advised given limited medical facilities outside Bissau.
Required Vaccinations
- Yellow fever (age ≥ 9 months)
Recommended Vaccinations
- Hepatitis A
- Typhoid
- Hepatitis B
- Meningococcal (dry season Dec, Jun)
- Rabies for long-stay or rural visitors
- Routine boosters (MMR, DPT, flu)
Health Insurance
No mandatory insurance. But evacuation to Dakar or Europe is mid-range to expensive. Carry a policy that includes medical repatriation.
Protect Your Trip with Travel Insurance
Comprehensive coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellation, lost luggage, and 24/7 emergency assistance. Many countries recommend or require travel insurance.
Get a Quote from World NomadsRead our complete Guinea-Bissau Travel Insurance Guide →
Important Contacts
Essential resources for your trip.
Special Situations
Additional requirements for specific circumstances.
Minors need individual passports. If only one parent is present, carry notarized consent from the absent parent plus the child's birth certificate. Guinea-Bissau border officers occasionally request proof of vaccinations.
Dogs and cats need an import permit from the Ministry of Agriculture (obtained in advance), rabies certificate issued at least 30 days before travel, and a vet health certificate dated within 48 h of arrival. Entry is only via Bissau airport.
Tourist eVisas can be extended once for another 90 days at the migration office in Bissau for a mid-range fee. For work or study, apply for a residence card (Titulo de Residência) before the extension expires.
Know What to Pack
Climate-specific clothing, travel documents, electronics, and gear, with shopping links for every item.
View Guinea-Bissau Packing List →Ready to plan your trip to Guinea-Bissau?
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