Ghanaians travelling to Gabon require a visa. A Gabon eVisa can be obtained online before travelling to the country. The evisa online portal is simple but the entire evisa application process looks complicated with little feedback from the online portal after completion of the application form. Applicants are urged to contact the office in charge of the evisa through the contact form on the evisa website if there’s something they need to understand.
Currently, Gabon e-Visas are valid only for those arriving at Leon Mba International Airport in Libreville.
Gabon is a francophone country so it’s a bit difficult to understand some of the information on the website during the application process. We will try to explain the entire process to assist you through the eVisa application.
Documents required for Gabon eVisa application
- A copy of the passport data page. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months.
- A color photograph less than 6 months of size 35 * 45 mm.
- Gabon eVisa application process
- Visit the Gabon e-visa website at https://evisa.dgdi.ga/.
- Hit on START
- Select Visa type and duration, then NEXT STEP.
- Complete the form with your personal information and travel details.
- Upload documents. Supported formats are PDF, JPEG, GIF, BMP and PNG. In the case of PDF, you must upload only one page PDF document. The maximum file size is 1MB.
- Review the information you have provided and submit
Applicants become confused after the submission. They receive an application ID and the following message:
Following documents must be provided for the e-Visa issuance
The e-Visa application has to be completed online and must be accompanied by a copy of the passport data page valid over six months before the date of arrival
Hotel Booking
Travel Authorization to Gabon
The message tells you the application isn’t completed until and additional documents are required to process it online but that isn’t what they really want to say. The tool used for the French to English messed up the whole thing. What they’re trying to say is that the application process isn’t completed yet and that the applicant should submit Hotel Booking and Travel Authorization to Gabon to complete it and receive a visa. What the message also missed is that these documents would be presented at the Gabonese airport upon arrival for the visa to be issued.
As a response to the online eVisa application, applicants would be issued a Travel Authorization to Gabon by email. That document along with your hotel booking are what you would be required to present at Gabon’s airport for a visa. Visa fees are paid after the visa is issued. So the fee is paid on arrival. The visa process is more like Visa-on-arrival except that you begin the process online.
Gabon Visa fees
- 1 to 3 months: 70 EUR or 45000 XAF + 15 EUR as file processing fee.
- 6 months with multiple entries: 185 EUR or 120000 XAF + 15 EUR as file processing fee.
Gabon eVisa extension
Gabonese visa may be extended by going to the visa department of the Directorate General of Documentation and Immigration (DGDI) in Libreville.
- A visa of one (1) month may be extended for two (2) months
- A visa of two (2) months may be extended for one (1) month
- A visa of three (3) months is cannot be extended
- A visa of six (6) months cannot be extended
Important things to note when applying for Gabon evisa
- Take note of the Application ID when it appears. Copy and save it. You will need it throughout the process.
How long can a Ghanaian stay in Gabon with eVisa?
The maximum period of stay allowed is 90 days (including extensions).
Other Immigration requirements when travelling to Gabon
Return or Onward Ticket
Ghanaians travelling to Gabon must hold a return or onward ticket. Persons holding one-way tickets may be denied entry unless they hold a visa that permits them to stay permanently.
Cash
Travellers should carry cash enough to cover their stay in the country. The amount of money you are to carry depends on the cost of living of the country you are visiting. A budget of $50 – $100 daily is recommended.
Accommodation
Immigration officers may want to know where you intend to stay. You may be required to provide addresses and telephone numbers of all the places you would be staying.
Tourist Voucher
Holding a tourist voucher or confirmation of tour package booked is a requirement and facilitates entry into a country upon arrival at the border. If you are visiting a friend or relative, a letter of invitation containing their address and telephone numbers is required instead.
The International Certificate of Vaccination
Ghanaians are required to carry The International Certificate of Vaccination, otherwise known as Yellow Card, when travelling. Ghana is among the countries at risk of Yellow fever transmission and as such a certificate to show a vaccination against the disease is required by Ghanaians.
Check Period of stay permitted
Taking note of the period of stay allowed as mentioned above is very important. The period of stay permitted could be different from what the immigration officer granted you. Crosscheck your visa to see the maximum number of stay indicated on it. Staying beyond the period indicated on your visa is illegal and considered overstay. Persons who overstay their visas may be prosecuted, fined, and/or forcibly removed.
Flights from Ghana to Gabon
Air Côte d’Ivoire, ASKY Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Royal Air Maroc and RwandAir.
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