The Gambia Permanent Residency Permit

Despite being the smallest country on Africa’s mainland, the Republic of Gambia, also known as The Gambia, presents significant prospects for businesses seeking to expand their operations internationally. Known as the melting pot of West Africa, The Gambia is an English-speaking, safe, liberal, and free-market democracy.

In this blog post, we’re going to look at getting a permanent residency permit in The Gambia, temporary residency permits in The Gambia, and the required documents.

How to Register as a Permanent Resident in The Gambia

In the Republic of Gambia, various types of visas are available for foreign nationals who intend to visit the country.

Foreign employees and individuals planning to reside in The Gambia must apply for a residence permit. The Gambian government issues three categories of residence permits, namely:

Note that citizens of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and other foreign nationals working in skilled employment are eligible to apply for Type B residence permits. 

When you enter The Gambia, you are granted a temporary residence permit for up to 90 days. To extend your stay beyond the initial 90 days, you must apply for a long-term residence permit and pay the required fees. The fees for residence permits vary depending on the permit type and the stay duration.

UK citizens

UK citizens do not need a visa and can obtain a passport stamp when arriving in The Gambia. If they want to stay for longer than 28 days, they can extend their stay twice for an additional 28 days each time. 

UK citizens are instructed to do this in the Immigration Office in Banjul or the Tourist Police Stations in the Tourism Development Areas. Once they have completed the three 28-day periods, they will need to apply for an alien ID card and a residence permit issued by the Gambia Immigration Department. 

How much is a resident permit in The Gambia?

In December 2023, the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs announced an increase in immigration fees for non-Gambians. The currency used in The Gambia is Gambian Dalasi.

The following prices are now in effect: 

• The ECOWAS permit Type B increased from D1,850 ($29) to D2,500 ($40)
• The Type C permit increased from D3,100 ($49) to D5,000 ($80)
• The Alien ID card increased from D1,500 ($24) to D2,500 ($40)
• An Entry Visa now costs D7,000, and entry clearance is also increasing to D,7000 ($112)
• The naturalization and registration of ECOWAS nationals, currently at D,5000 ($80) will increase to D25,000 ($401)
• For Non-ECOWAS nationals, naturalization and registration will increase from D15,000 ($240) to D75,000 ($1,203)

Note that nationals from Mauritania, the Republic of Guinea, Mali, or Senegal are exempt by law from having to pay for the resident permit.

Application Process and Required Documents

However, you can expect to provide the following documents:

• A signed and valid passport with a minimum of two blank pages and a validity of at least six months
• A completed and signed application form
• A recent passport photo
• A police clearance certificate (criminal record check)
• A letter of responsibility from an employer in the Republic of Gambia stating your purpose of travel, evidence of financial support for the applicant during your stay in Gambia, and business references

Applicants must be vaccinated against yellow fever, meningitis, and malaria before traveling to the Republic of Gambia.

Application process

To start the visa application process, foreign employees must contact the Gambian Embassy or Consulate in their country of residence. The embassy officials will provide an updated list of visa requirements.

Applicants must ensure they have received the necessary vaccinations and have gathered all the required documents to support their residence and work permit application. After completing the various application forms, they should submit them to the Gambian Embassy and await approval in their country of residence.

Once the permit is issued, applicants can travel to The Gambia.

Alien’s ID card

If you want to establish residency in The Gambia, you should visit your local police department to get an Alien’s ID card upon arrival. This requires the submission of your passport and a valid ID from your country of residence or birth. After obtaining the card, foreign nationals can legally reside and work in Gambia.

Everybody living in Gambia must always have and carry their identity card. The Alien ID card is valid for one full year. 

There are 2 types:

• A) ECOWAS citizen members
• B) Non-ECOWAS nationalities

Citizens of the Economic Community of West African States are from the following countries:

Nigeria	Guinea-Bissau	Liberia	Côte d’Ivoire	Niger
​​Mali	Guinea	Togo	Benin	Burkina Faso
Sierra Leone	Senegal	Ghana	Cabo Verde	The Gambia

Useful Resources

The following blog posts shed some light on the benefits of permanent residency in The Gambia:

• The Global Passport Index, The Gambia
• The Global Passport Index, the African Continent
• The Global Citizen Solutions Quality of Life Index
• The Gambia Citizenship by Investment

Global Citizen Solutions: How We Can Help

Expats and foreign investors can encounter many difficulties when applying for residency visas, which is why it is worthwhile to have an expert on hand to provide personalized Gambian visa assistance throughout the application process.

Our specialists can help you with the following:

• Minimize the visits you have to make to the designated country
• Have someone who works solely on your behalf
• Reduce the hassle associated with putting your application together
• Acquire insider knowledge from someone with years of experience in the market

Let’s get you moving forward in your quest to obtain The Gambia Permanent Residency Permit. Get in touch with us to book a free consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions about Getting a Permanent Residence Permit in The Gambia

How do I get permanent residency in The Gambia?

To obtain permanent residency in The Gambia, you will need to apply for a Gambian Permanent Residency Permit through the Gambia Immigration Department.

The application process involves providing a set of required documents and meeting certain criteria, such as having a clean criminal record and being able to support yourself financially. The requirements and process may vary depending on your nationality, circumstances, and the type of permit you are applying for.

How much is a resident permit in The Gambia?

The cost of a resident permit in The Gambia also varies depending on the type of permit you are applying for, your nationality, and the duration of the permit. It is recommended to contact the Gambia Immigration Department for up-to-date information on the fees and requirements for obtaining a Gambian Permanent Residency Permit.