How to get a visa for Guinea: the essential information

The Republic of Guinea is also called Guinea Conakry to differentiate it from its neighbouring countries Guinea-Bissau and Equatorial Guinea. The Republic of Guinea was formerly known as French Guinea. It is a country with an economy sustained by agriculture and mining and is rich in minerals such as bauxite, diamonds, gold and aluminium. Guinea has a total of 24 tribes, most of which are Muslim.

The country's official language is French, although each tribe has its own language. Overall, Guinea Conakry is a country still to be discovered. It is a country with a lot of nature and very little development. It is gradually beginning to position itself as an emerging destination on the African continent.

Do I need a visa to travel to Guinea?

Yes, to enter Guinea, regardless of the reason for your trip, you must apply for one of the visas offered by the government. There are different types of visas depending on your purpose for travel and requirements. The most common visas can be applied for online, which is a straightforward process in comparison to dealing with the embassy.

Types of visas for Guinea

The type of visa which you will need to apply for depends on your purpose for entry and the length of stay. The following visas are available for Guinea:

Tourist visa

This visa is issued to foreign nationals who wish to enter Guinea for a period not exceeding 30 days, with a single entry, or for a period not exceeding 90 days with multiple entries.

Transit visa 

This visa is issued to foreign citizens entering the country for a stopover in their final destination country. It is valid for 3 days.

Transshipment visa

This visa is issued to foreign citizens who enter the country by sea, to change their boat to their final destination. It is valid for 3 days.

Long term visa

Long-stay visas must be processed by foreign nationals who wish to stay in Guinea after their visa has expired for 3 months. Once processed, they are valid for 1 year from the date of issue.

Multiple Entry Visa

This visa is only permitted to foreign citizens of countries with special treaties in Guinea Conakry, who are eligible for this purpose. Its validity ranges from 3 to 5 years, depending on the bilateral commitment between the Republic of Guinea and the treaty countries.

Extension visa

This visa must be processed by foreign citizens who need to extend their previous visa; this will be of the same duration as previously approved.

Service visa, diplomatic visa and courtesy visa

These three types of visas require the invitation of an official or senior official of the country. The duration of these visas will depend on the functions to be carried out.

How do I apply for a Guinea visa?

The most common visas to travel to Guinea are tourist, transshipment, transit and long-term visas. All of these can be applied for online through the official government website. Alternatively, you can apply through a company specialized in processing visas such as visagov.com, which will assist throughout the process.

You can go personally to the country's embassy to carry out the procedure. It is also possible to process the visa on arrival at Guinea's Visas other than the tourist, transshipment, transit and long-term visa must be obtained in person at the embassy or consulate nearest to your place of residence.

Who needs a visa for Guinea?

Most foreign nationals wishing to travel to Guinea must apply for a visa. The exceptions include countries that have bilateral agreements with the government of Guinea, such as Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.

You can use this eligibility table to check your nationality.

What are the requirements to apply for a visa to Guinea?

To process a tourist, transshipment or transit visas, the required documentation is:

• Passport size photograph with white background.
• Valid passport or travel document.
• Scanned copy of the personal data of a valid passport.
• Return flight ticket.
• Yellow fever certificate.
• Sufficient funds to cover expenses during the stay.
• Proof of accommodation.

To apply for a long-term visa, you will need:

• Passport size photograph on a white background.
• Passport valid for more than six months from your date of entry.
• A scanned copy of the personal details of a valid passport.
• Scanned copy of the previous visa (extension visa).
• Valid return ticket.
• Yellow fever certificate.
• Repatriation guarantee.
• Sufficient funds to cover expenses during the stay.
• Work contract approved by the authorities for foreigners who wish to carry out paid employment in Guinea, or:
• An authorization to freely exercise a profession or to promote an agricultural, industrial, commercial, artistic or other activity, issued by the competent authorities.
• A deed proving a marital relationship (for a spouse), or a parental relationship for minor children.
• A certificate of registration or re-registration issued by the authorities of an institution (students).
• An internship agreement (for students).

A multiple-entry visa application requires:

• A passport-size photograph on a white background.
• A scanned copy of the personal data of a valid passport.
• Return ticket.
• Yellow fever certificate.
• To apply for an extension visa you will need.
• A passport-size photograph on a white background.
• Scanned copy of the personal data of a valid passport.
• Scanned copy of the previous visa, whether single or multiple entries.

To apply for a service visa, you will need:

• Valid passport or travel documents.
• A scanned copy of the personal data of a valid passport.
• Passport size photo with white background.
• Letter of the mission to be carried out in the country

To apply for a diplomatic visa, you need:

• Diplomatic or ordinary passport.
• A scanned copy of the personal details of a valid passport.
• Passport-size photograph on a white background.
• Letter of invitation from the diplomatic corps or affiliated associations.

To process a courtesy visa is required:

• Valid passport or travel documents.
• Scanned copy of the personal data of a valid passport.
• Passport size photograph on a white background.
• Invitation letter.

Can the Guinea visa be changed once it has been processed?

The visa application can be modified while it is in process; however, once it is approved or under review, the system will no longer allow changes. In this case, you would need to apply for a new visa, and assume the additional cost for a new visa.

How much does a visa to Guinea cost?

The government fees for visas that can be processed online are as follows:

• 30-day tourist visa, single entry: 60 USD
• 90-day tourist visa. With multiple entries: 80 USD
• Transhipment visa: 50 USD
• Transit visa: 50 USD
• Long term visa: 150 USD
• Extension visa: 30 USD

How far in advance do I need to apply for a Guinea visa?

Once the application has been submitted, the processing and delivery times for visas range from 3 to 5 working days. It is advisable to process your visa at least 15 to 20 days before your trip. If you intend to process your visa through the embassy, then you are best to apply at least 1 month in advance.

What are the entry borders to Guinea?

The most common entry to Guinea is through Conakry International Airport, also known as Gbessia International Airport. There are also land entrances to the country. You can get to Guinea by road with Danan, from the Ivory Coast, through Bamako, from Mali and through Tambacounda from Senegal. Note that if you plan to cross through one of these land borders posts, you must carry a series of permits which must be applied for in person at an embassy. This is in addition to your visa.

Another option is to enter Guinea by boat from neighbouring Guinea-Bissau, from Bamako (Mali) or Freetown (Sierra Leone). However, some of these boats only operate in the rainy season and do not have fixed schedules. They're usually used for quick visits, excursions, or as a connection to travel to a third country, so a transit visa will suffice. It is advisable to contact the embassy before trying to enter the country with a boat, as the continuous changes in services mean that special permits are required.

Do I need any vaccines to travel to Guinea?

Yes, it is compulsory to have the yellow fever vaccination and to present the vaccination card in order to travel to Guinea. Though not compulsory, it is advisable to get vaccinated against Tetanus-Diphtheria or Tetanus-Pertussis, Triple Virus (Measles, Rubella and Mumps) and Hepatitis A. Malaria prevention is also advisable. Please speak to your local tropic health care centre or family doctor for advice with regards to your personal situation.

What is the currency of Guinea?

The country's official currency is the Guinean franc (GNF) and it's divided into 100 cents. This type of currency may only be exchanged within the country, in banks and duly authorised establishments. You should never exchange money in the street, as it is illegal and you risk being sanctioned. Payment by credit card is not widespread. When you leave the country, bear in mind that you can take with you a maximum of 100,000 Guinean francs (12 euros) as a symbolic gesture and as a souvenir.

When is the best time to travel to Guinea?

If we want to enjoy a warm, pleasant climate with hardly any rain, the best months will be from January to June and from October to December. The average temperature in the country is 31 degrees in January and 27 degrees in August. The months of July, August and September, the temperatures drop a little, which could be pleasant if it weren't for the rainy season.

Is it safe to travel to Guinea?

Although it is possible to enter the country for tourism and have a quiet and safe trip, it is advisable to do so with recognized and reliable guides from established local agencies. These will take you to secure and stable places where you can enjoy a pleasant stay.

Important tips for travelling to Guinea

• You must travel to Guinea with a mapped-out route, avoid travelling at night  and follow the recommendations of the government.
• It is best to travel to the country with a trip organized by a qualified agency.
• You should not wear jewellery or flashy clothing.
• You will likely be approached on the street with offers of gold, metals and precious stones. You will have to be very careful, as most of the time these are scams.
• It is forbidden to take photographs in military areas, palaces, official residences, command posts, etc. You should contact the embassy and request special permission if you wish to photograph these places.
• You should always drink bottled water, avoid eating raw fruits and vegetables, and make sure that the food is thoroughly cooked.
• Getting an iced-cold drink is difficult, due to the continuous power cuts in the country.