How to Enter Gabon
Do I need a passport or visa to enter?
A valid passport, visa, and proof of vaccination against yellow fever are required. You will need to get your visa in advance, as visas are not available at the airport. U.S. citizen travelers without the required visa have been refused entry into Gabon. Tourist and business visas to Gabon are issued at the Embassy of Gabon, 2034 20th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009, and the Consulate of Gabon at 18 East 41st Street, Ninth Floor, New York, NY 10017 (email ConsulatGabon@aol.com ). To obtain a visa for Gabon, you will need the application form, your passport, your itinerary and reservations, the visa fee, a photo, your International Certificate of Vaccination (Yellow Card) proving that you have been vaccinated against yellow fever at least 10 days before entering the country, and a prepaid return envelope. You may call the Gabonese Embassy at (202) 797-1000 or the Consulate at (212) 683-7371 to obtain the latest visa information. You should carry with you the supporting documentation that you provided with your visa application to prevent delays upon arrival in Gabon. Overseas, the nearest Gabonese embassy or consulate can assist you. Short-term visitors to Gabon are normally permitted to stay for up to 90 days. U.S. citizens with a residence permit (carte de sejour) must obtain exit visas from the Direction Générale à la Documentation et l’Immigration (DGDI, formerly known as CEDOC) before departing Gabon. Visit the Embassy of Gabon website for the most current visa information.Special Travel Circumstances in Gabon
Language: The official language of Gabon is French; if you do not speak French, you will face difficulties in communication associated with the language barrier.
Identification: You should always carry identification and proof of legal immigration status in Gabon with you in case you are stopped at a police checkpoint, such as a residence permit (carte de sejour), your U.S. passport, or a legalized photocopy of your U.S. passport biographic information page and your Gabonese visa page. City hall offices in Gabon can legalize these photocopies for a nominal fee.
Photography: Taking photographs of the Presidential Palace, airport, and military or other government buildings is strictly forbidden.
Official Corruption: Official corruption is reportedly common, but paying bribes is strongly discouraged and may make you a target for further attempts at securing bribery payments.
Currency: Gabon is largely a cash economy. Credit cards are accepted at only a few major hotels, and because of the high rate of credit card fraud, you should exercise caution when using them. Travelers’ checks can be cashed or dollars exchanged for Central African Francs (CFA) at hotels and banks. ATMs are available in major urban centers, and dispense CFA. You should exercise the same safety precautions as in the United States while withdrawing funds from ATMs as they are commonly targeted by thieves.
Disclaimer
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