Introduction

All you need to know about getting a Senegal visa: find out the available Senegal visa types. 

Alright, I’m not going to beat around the bush. If you want to know how you can get a Senegal visa, you are unsure which Senegal Visa type you need or if you’d need a visa for that your planned trip to Senegal. Then have no fear. You are in the right place. 

In this article, we would discuss the requirements to visit Senegal, an intro to visas and the types of Visa, and the Senegal visa application process. 

What do I need to visit Senegal?

Most travels –– especially travels that extend over a few days or longer–– you need to provide for money, food, change of clothing, and shelter. For domestic travels, these are usually the necessities. 

This, though, is not the case for international travel. For most international trips, the two essential documents you need before stepping on an airplane or ship are a visa and an international passport.

In this regard, traveling to Senegal is not different. You will need a visa and an international passport to be allowed out of your country and be granted entry into Senegal.  

In some instances, though, you won’t need a visa if you are a citizen of or are traveling into Senegal with an international passport of a country that is a Senegal Visa-free country. 

We would get to that later. 

Firstly, to apply for a Visa, you have to know what a Visa means.

What is a Visa?

A visa is a stamp or any endorsement placed within your passport (may include attachments), which confers on you the official permission to enter, stay for a specified period, or leave a particular country.

Features of a Visa

There are different Visas types; tourists, students, transit, and work visas are the most common types. 

The Visa you have may have all or any of the following features: 

• The Visa you are granted might be valid for only single or multiple visits.
• Your Visa might be granted before entering the country or at the point of entry.
• Some country-to-country international travels are Visa-free.
• Interviews and/or medical screening may be a prerequisite to obtaining a visa.

Considering all the above-listed points, before applying for a Senegal Visa, you have first to know if you need a Visa to be granted entry into Senegal when traveling from your country.

Who needs a Senegal Visa?

You need a Senegal Visa if you’re not a citizen. Suppose you’re traveling to Senegal with an international passport that isn’t one of the following under-listed countries.

Senegal Visa-free Countries for 90 days

If you’re a citizen of one of the following countries, you’re legally allowed to visit Senegal without a Visa for a period of not more than 90 days.

 Any European Union country 

• Benin                               
• Brazil  
• Burkina Faso  
• Canada
• Cape Verde                               
• The Central African Republic 
• Chad         
• Congo DR
• Côte d’Ivoire                              
• Djibouti                                          
• The Gambia            
• Ghana
• Guinea-Bissau                                 
• Japan                                        
• Liberia                                   
• Malaysia
• Mali                                                 
• Mauritania                                  
• Morocco                                                         
• Niger
• Nigeria                        
• South Korea    
• Tunisia                                               
• Singapore 
• Mauritius 
• Togo
•  Guinea.        
• United States 
• Vatican City                                                             
• India 

 Note: 

Being a citizen of one of these countries or having a visa is not a 100% guarantee of Senegal admittance. Your entry pass is ultimately placed in the hands of the Senegalese immigration officer(s); he or she must gauge you worthy before you are granted entrance.

If you are a citizen of one of the above-listed countries but plan to visit Senegal for a period exceeding 90 days, you need a Senegal visa.

You also might not need a Senegal Visa for a short stay if:

• You’re a United Nations Ambassador visiting with a UN diplomat passport.
• You’re an ECOWAS ambassador visiting with an ECOWAS diplomat passport.
• You’re visiting with a diplomatic passport issued by any of the under-listed countries:

1.  Turkey
2. Algeria
3. Ghana
4. Russia
5. Libya
6. Gabon
7. Tanzania
8. Uganda

What documents would I need to travel to Senegal if I’m exempted from obtaining a Senegal Visa?

Suppose you fall under the country or circumstances which allow you a Senegal Visa exception. You Will still need to present the following documents at the Senegalese immigration.

• Proof of accommodation 
• Your International Passport
• Your return-flight ticket
• Proof of yellow fever vaccination.

How to Apply for a Senegal Visa

As earlier stated, you can either be issued a visa before you leave for the country of destination or get to the country. In this case, as it is in most visa applications, you are advised to get your Visa with you before traveling. This is to avoid unnecessary expenses in the event that your visa application is rejected. 

Your Visa type is defined by your purpose of visit and also your duration of stay. Therefore, you have to first define clearly your purpose of visit before seeking a Senegal Visa. Since Senegal visa applications are still made manually, you will need to visit the Senegalese embassy closest to you to commence your visa application process. There you will be advised on the best Visa to apply for after clearly defining the purpose of your visit. 

The process of applying for a Senegal visa is, therefore, as follows:

• Find a Senegal embassy in your country.
• Manually obtain a visa application form and other necessary documents from the embassy.
• Carefully fill out the form and attach the appropriate documentation wherever required.
• Submit the form either by mailing it back to the Senegal Embassy or manually taking it to the Senegal embassy yourself.
• Wait and prepare yourself to be called in for interviews and screenings 
• Wait for the approval or rejection of your Visa.

What would I need to apply for a Senegal Visa?

If you are not within the category of persons who can visit Senegal without a visa, you must apply for one. Some of the documents you will need to submit along with your Senegal Visa application form may include:

• Proof of sufficient financial capability (bank statements)
• A certification of yellow fever vaccination (mostly optional)
• Original copy and also photocopies of your International passport.
• Two passport-size photographs.
• A Proof of accommodation in Senegal.
• Proof of tickets(return) reservation.

Note: The documents you submit have to be either in English or in French.

Processing Duration for a Senegal visa.

The processing duration for a Senegal visa is usually dependent on the country you applied from. However, visas are generally processed within 2 weeks of application.

How long do Senegal Visas last?

Senegal visas have a 90 days maximum duration. Except on special occasions where you could specially and specifically request for Visa with a more extended stay. With a recommendation letter where appropriate.

What do I do if my Senegal Visa gets rejected?

You can reapply for another Senegal Visa if your visa application is rejected as long as the conditions for rejection do not prohibit you from reapplying.

Other frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What are the Senegalese Visa types available?

Major types of Senegal visas include:

1. Tourist visa
2. Transit visa
3. Business visa

Other sub-groups of Senegal visa types, which are considered as special visas and are not included in the primary category, include:

1. Parent visa
2. Student visa
3. Marriage visa
4. Work visa

For more information on Senegal visa types, visit; www.iVisa.com/senegal

Senegal visa application form (source: Senegalese government official website)

How much does a Senegal visa cost?

The cost of your Senegal visa depends on the type of your Visa and the country from which you’re visiting Senegal.

Single entry Senegal Tourist visa, valid for 90 days, costs 105 US dollars.

Single entry Senegal business visa, valid for 90 days, costs 241 US dollars.

For more information on Senegal visa costs, visit; www.iVisa.com

The average daily cost per person in Senegal is about 43,955CFA, which is about 82 USD. This includes Food, Shelter, Transportation. The crucial needs you can’t do without. Of course, if you want to treat yourself to a spa session or a fancy meal, you would spend way more than that.

 Therefore, when preparing for your Senegal trip, make sure to make provisions for yourself.

For more information on Senegal travel costs, visit; www.budgetyourtrip.com/senegal

Can I still visit Senegal despite the Covid-19 crisis?

Yes, you can.

Senegal, like most countries worldwide, has placed some restrictions on travel due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

But you will be granted entry into Senegal if you:

1. Present a piece of evidence showing your Covid-19 negative status, of a test not taken later than 7 days earlier; and
2. Allow yourself to be subjected to further medical screening on getting to the entry port.

Get more visa guides to other countries