Check Your Visa Status in 30 Seconds
Select your nationality and trip type below. The check is based on official Senegalese sources but does not replace consular advice.
Visa-Free Nationalities (90-Day Tourist Stay)
Holders of an ordinary passport from the following countries can enter Senegal without a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days:
European Union & Schengen
France, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Ireland, Luxembourg, Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Greece, Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Cyprus.
Americas, Asia, Middle East
United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, India, Singapore, United Arab Emirates.
Africa (ECOWAS + others)
Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Togo, plus Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia, Djibouti, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, Mauritius.
List based on official Senegalese sources (see references at the bottom). Check the latest status with your embassy before booking.
If You Need a Visa
If your nationality is not on the exempt list above, you must apply for a Senegalese visa before travel. The application is made at the Senegalese embassy or consulate in your country of residence.
Typical required documents
- Visa application form (signed)
- Passport valid at least 6 months past your entry date, with at least 2 blank pages
- Two recent ID photos (passport format)
- Copy of round-trip flight ticket
- Proof of accommodation: hotel booking, tour operator voucher or invitation letter
- Proof of sufficient funds (bank statement or similar)
- Consular fees (vary by country and visa type)
Processing times range from a few days to several weeks. Apply at least 4 to 6 weeks before your trip.
Passport Requirements
- Validity: at least 6 months beyond your planned entry date.
- Blank pages: at least 2 blank pages for entry/exit stamps.
- Condition: damaged or torn passports are refused at boarding. Renew before travel if needed.
- National ID cards: generally not sufficient for nationals outside ECOWAS. A passport is required.
On Arrival at Dakar Airport (AIBD)
Border police at Blaise Diagne International Airport (AIBD) may ask for the following documents. Having them ready avoids long queues:
- Valid passport (and visa if required)
- Return or onward flight ticket
- Proof of accommodation: hotel booking confirmation or tour operator voucher
- Proof of sufficient funds for the stay (cash, card statement)
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate if you arrive from at-risk country (see Health section)
If you arrive late at night, see our checklist: Late arrival at Dakar Airport.
Plan your arrival
Book your AIBD airport transfer
Driver waiting with a name sign, fixed price, direct ride from the airport to your hotel. From €38, English-speaking driver-guide on request.
Health Requirements: Yellow Fever & Malaria
Beyond visa rules, health requirements can be checked at the border:
- Yellow fever: a vaccination certificate is required for travelers aged 9 months and older coming from an at-risk country. The vaccine must be administered at least 10 days before entry.
- Malaria: Senegal is a malaria-risk zone year-round. Consult your doctor for chemoprophylaxis 4 to 6 weeks before departure.
- Other recommended vaccines: hepatitis A and B, typhoid, tetanus, rabies (for extended stays). Verify with a travel medicine center.
Staying Longer Than 90 Days
If you plan to stay beyond 90 days (long-stay tourism, study, work, family visit), you have two options:
- Apply for a long-stay visa before departure at the Senegalese embassy/consulate. Required for study, professional or extended stays.
- Request an extension on site from the DPAF (Direction de la Police de l’Air et des Frontières) in Dakar before your 90 days expire. Bring passport, accommodation proof, financial means and travel motive.
Overstaying without regularization triggers a fine and may complicate future entries to Senegal.
FAQ
Do I need a visa to travel to Senegal in 2026?
Citizens of the European Union, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, India, Singapore, and most ECOWAS countries do not need a visa for a tourist stay of up to 90 days. Other nationalities must apply for a visa at a Senegalese embassy or consulate.
How long can I stay in Senegal without a visa?
For exempt nationalities, the visa-free tourist stay is limited to 90 days. Beyond that, you must request an extension from the Direction de la Police de l'Air et des Frontières (DPAF) in Dakar, or apply for a long-stay visa before departure.
What are the passport requirements?
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned entry date into Senegal and must contain at least two blank pages. Damaged or expired passports will be refused at boarding.
What might I be asked for on arrival at Dakar (AIBD)?
Border police may request: a return or onward flight ticket, proof of accommodation (hotel booking, tour operator voucher, invitation letter), and proof of sufficient funds. Having these documents ready speeds up entry.
Is there an e-visa for Senegal?
Senegal has tested an e-visa system in the past, but it is not consistently operational. Check the latest status with the Senegalese Ministry of Foreign Affairs or your local Senegalese embassy before traveling.
Where do I apply for a Senegalese visa if needed?
At the Senegalese embassy or consulate in your country of residence. Prepare: application form, two recent ID photos, valid passport, copy of round-trip ticket, hotel reservation or invitation letter, and the consular fees (which vary by country).
Minors: do I need a special authorization?
A minor traveling with only one parent or a third party may be required to present a travel authorization signed by the non-accompanying parent(s) along with a copy of their ID. Rules vary by country of origin.
What happens if I overstay the 90 days?
An unregularized overstay results in a fine and can complicate future entries to Senegal. If you plan to stay longer than 90 days, request an extension from DPAF in Dakar before the 90 days expire, or apply for a long-stay visa before departure.
Official Sources
Visa policies can change at short notice. Always confirm with your local Senegalese embassy or consulate before booking flights.