VISA REQUIREMENTS & GENERAL INFORMATION YOU SHOULD BE AWARE OF BEFORE VISITING CAMEROON

Cameroon is best known for Mount Cameroon, an active volcano that’s erupted several times, most recently in February 2012. It is one of the largest volcanoes in Africa, the highest peak in West Africa, and the fourth-highest peak in all of Africa.

The volcano stands 4023 metres (13,000 feet) above sea level and if you are an adventurous traveller you can actually climb it if you want.

Cameroon is rich in biodiversity with over 900 species of birds and over 300 species of animals, so if you are passionate about ecology and wildlife, there is a wide range of attractions that will satisfy your needs.

The country has some of the most unique and beautiful beaches in Africa, crystal-clear waters and fine, sparkling-white or black volcanic sand found in the southern regions. You can also take a tour of one of the tea plantations located in Limbe and at the Ndawara Highlands in Bamenda.

The plantations have a gorgeous mountainous backdrop and you can watch how the tea leaves get sorted, ground then dried. At the end of the tour you can enjoy a nice cup of tea with biscuits as a reward.

Cameroon is home to the Limbe Wildlife Centre which is an animal sanctuary run by the Ministry of Environment and Nature Protection along with the primate charity Pandrillus. It contains rescued gorillas, chimpanzees, drills and other primates. Here you’ll also find lots of interesting information about other local conservation issues. 

Most travellers who wish to experience the unique beauty of Cameroon will have to apply for a Cameroon visa, this information piece will tell you everything you need to know about visa requirements for visiting Cameroon.

It is important that you familiarise yourself with these legal requirements of entry before your visit, in particular if you are travelling with minors.

Visa requirements are governed by the Cameroon Embassy or Consulate located in the area you reside and can be found through visiting the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cameroon and are subject to change without prior notice.

WHAT IS A VISA?

A visa is issued to international travellers visiting Cameroon for a short stay on a temporary basis for tourism, business, study or medical reasons.

Visas are normally issued for a maximum 30 or 90 days, depending on your country of residence. A valid visa allows you to enter the country through a port of entry and stay in the country for the period specified in your visa.

 Note that you are restricted to the activity or reason stated in your application, for example, if you applied for a visa for a holiday or family visit, you are not allowed to work in the country during your stay.

VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR VISITING CAMEROON

The Cameroon tourist visa is issued for short-term purposes – up to 90 days maximum. Nationals of certain countries are exempt from applying for a Cameroon tourist visa prior to travel, but they still have to obtain a visa if they want to stay long-term.

Visitors holding passports from countries that are classified as ‘exempt’ do not need to apply for a visa prior to arriving in Cameroon. Instead, they are issued with a short-stay visa at the point of entry for a period of time relevant to the status of the visitor’s country.

The time it takes to process a Cameroon visa depends on the specific consulate or embassy in which you are applying from. It normally takes at least twenty-one working days, so make sure to apply well in advance, but not earlier than three months.

The duration of a Cameroon visa depends on which visa you are applying for and on the number of entries it allows. The tourist visa which is also used as a transit visa allows a stay from one to a maximum of 90 ninety days, the business visa grants a longer stay of up to six months.

Multiple entry visas are granted as deemed appropriate by the Embassy of the Republic of Cameroon and the duration of stay varies from country and reason for visiting.

A transit visa is not required for travellers continuing on the same or next connecting flight through Cameroon and are in possession of a valid passport and onward ticket.

Travellers must remain in the airport’s transit area. If you intend to pass through immigration, a visa will be required.

COUNTRIES EXEMPTED AND COUNTRIES THAT NEED VISAS

All visitors to Cameroon except those from the countries listed below, must have a visa to enter Cameroon.

Nationals of the following countries may enter Cameroon without a visa for stays of up to 90 days: Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Nigeria.

Holders of diplomatic or service category passports issued to nationals of China, Italy, and Turkey do not require a visa for Cameroon.

Visa waiver agreements for diplomatic and service passports were signed with Vietnam and   United Arab Emirates, but they are yet to come into force.

Holders of diplomatic and service passports can obtain a visa on arrival if they have a mission order and a return ticket.

DIFFERENT KINDS OF VISAS

When applying for a Cameroon visa, you need to know which one to apply for according to your reason for traveling to Cameroon:

• Business visa is needed for the purpose of conducting business in Cameroon.
• Student Visa is required for the purpose of educational studies on Cameroon.
• Visitors/tourist visa is required for the purpose of a vacation or sightseeing in Cameroon.
• Employment visa is needed for the purpose of working in Cameroon.
• Transit visa is needed for the purpose of leaving the airport while travelling through Cameroon.
• Short stay visa to family members is required for the purpose of visiting one’s family members in Cameroon.

Cameroon visas are issued as single entry or multiple entry which means you can enter Cameroon once or unlimited times within the validity of your visa, depending on which one was issued.

HOW AND WHERE TO APPLY FOR VISAS WHEN VISITING CAMEROON

You will need to apply for your Cameroon visa directly through your nearest Cameroon embassy or consulate. Unfortunately, Cameroon does not allow a visa on arrival or support the pre-approval system of an e-visa.

You will have to phone your nearest embassy or consulate and set up an appointment, fill out a Cameroon application form, gather the required documents, pay the visa fee and submit the documents in person or (if allowed) through the mail.

You might also be required to give biometric scans of your fingerprints or facial features. This is a quick, discreet and non-intrusive process that captures a facial image with a digital camera and a 10-digit fingerprint scan with a digital finger scanner and is done at the Cameroon embassy or consulate. 

DOCUMENTS NEEDED FOR APPLICATION FOR VISA

When you apply for a Cameroon visa, you will need the following documents to support your application:

• To copies of the application form
• Two passport-size pictures with your name written on the back of each.
• Your passport, valid for at least six more months from the date of entry and with at least two blank pages
• Two photocopies of the personal information page of your passport
• An international yellow fever vaccination certificate
• A residence permit or other proof of legal residence if you are not a citizen of the country from which you are applying
• Proof of a return or onward travel ticket
• Proof of payment of the visa fee
• If you apply by mail, a self-addressed and prepaid envelope for the return of your passport and documents.

Note that the exact required documents depend on the purpose of your travel as well as the embassy or consulate in which you apply.

Additional documents needed according to the different types of visas:

• Business Visas: company letter guaranteeing stay in Cameroon and stating the reasons for visit, a signed work contract from Cameroon (if it exists).
• Student Visas: should be accompanied by a letter from the institution where the applicant intends to study, together with and evidence of financial means while in Cameroon.
• Visitors/Tourist Visas: hotel reservation where applicant will be lodging.
• Employment Visas: should be accompanied with a contract of employment in Cameroon. Please provide a reference from the company or organization-employing applicant, and an authorization to work in Cameroon, issued by the Cameroon government.
• Transit Visas: enclose a valid to and return air ticket showing on ward or final destination; and passport should have visa for the said destination.
• Short Stay Visas to visit family members: a letter of invitation from a family member or friend, signed by a competent local authority.

COST OF A CAMEROON VISA

Fees may vary depending on the consulate or embassy; therefore, it is a good idea to check with them first. The below is guideline taken from the last known chargeable fees:

A tourist visa for one day to three months will cost USD 120 and a business visa for six months will cost USD 240.

VACCINES NEEDED WHEN VISITING CAMEROON

The international yellow fever vaccination certificate is a mandatory requirement when visiting Cameroon. A yellow fever certificate is valid 10 days after the vaccination is administered, making it important to get the vaccination in time before leaving for Cameroon.

You may be refused entry if you leave it too late and arrive in Cameroon within the 10-day waiting period.

The CDC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Cameroon: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, cholera, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza.

Cholera is active in certain regions of Cameroon and therefore it’s a good idea to get vaccinated before your trip.

Traveller’s diarrhoea is also a risk for those visiting Cameroon. Make sure you include a traveller’s diarrhoea kit on your packing list.

Due to the country’s location in Africa, there is a threat of meningitis, travellers should receive a meningitis vaccine, especially if visiting between December and June.

Cameroon has had outbreaks of Malaria and Dengue fever in recent years, both mosquito-borne diseases are potentially life-threatening, so it is highly recommended that you use mosquito repellents when visiting Cameroon and that you take antimalarial medication before, during, and after your trip to prevent malaria. Your doctor can help you decide which medicine is right for you. 

OTHER SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS WHEN VISITING CAMEROON

VISITING CAMEROON WITH MINORS

If you are travelling to Burundi with a minor, please take note of the additional documents you will need per child:

• There must be a completed visa application form for each child and certified copy of their birth certificate as well as a photocopy of the passports of the parents or legal guardians.
• There must be parental authorization for children (ages 0 to 14) signed in front of a notary or a commissioner of oath / legalized by administrative authorities, if done in Cameroon
• If the child is only traveling with one parent, a letter of consent, signed in front of a notary or a commissioner of oath / legalized by administrative authorities, from the other parent consenting to such travel is required. 
• If the child is traveling alone then a letter of consent or affidavit from both parents consenting to such travel is required.

WHAT HAPPENS IF ONE OVERSTAYS ON A VISA IN CAMEROON

Foreign visitors who overstay on a visa are normally declared ‘undesirable persons’ and may incur a ban from Cameroon for a period, which prevents them from applying for a visa and re-entering Cameroon for a prescribed period of time.

You may also be charged a fine for each day that you overstay on your visa.

There may even be legal action taken against you, it is highly recommended that you extend your visa well in advance.

Individuals who have been affected by the overstay visa regulations of a country can usually lodge a visa overstay appeal.

ENJOY A SAFE HOLIDAY IN CAMEROON WITH A REPUTABLE TOUR OPERATOR

MoAfrika Tours is a leading tour operator in South Africa that offers an outstanding selection of tours to Cameroon. We have a close association with the most reputable tour operators in Cameroon who make safety a priority.