Senegal Visa Requirements 2025
Senegal is one of the easier African countries to enter as a Western tourist — most major nationalities get in visa-free for up to 90 days. Here's exactly what applies.
Who can enter visa-free
British nationals: No visa. Up to 90 days a visit, extendable at the Direction de la Police des Étrangers in Dakar.
EU nationals: No visa. The 90-day allowance applies across all member states.
US nationals: No visa for tourist stays up to 90 days.
Canadian nationals: No visa, 90 days.
Australian nationals: No visa, 90 days.
That covers the large majority of tourists. If your nationality isn't listed, check with the nearest Senegalese embassy — ECOWAS nationals also have free-movement rights under regional agreements.
What you need at the border
Even without a visa, you must have:
-
A valid passport with at least six months left beyond your departure date. Anything expiring sooner risks denial of boarding or entry.
-
A return or onward ticket. Officers may ask for proof you intend to leave; a booking on your phone is enough.
-
A yellow fever certificate if you're arriving from an endemic country (most of sub-Saharan Africa, parts of South and Central America). Flying direct from the UK, EU or US, it's not required — but bring it if you have it, as officers occasionally ask.
-
Proof of funds — rarely checked for Western tourists, but the rule exists: you should be able to show you can support yourself.
Arriving at Dakar Blaise Diagne Airport (DSS)
Blaise Diagne opened in 2017, 47 km southeast of the city — much further out than the old Léopold Sédar Senghor airport at Yoff. The process:
- Queue at immigration (one line for nationals, one for foreigners).
- Passport check and biometric fingerprint scan (first-time visitors).
- Entry stamp — usually 90 days by default.
- Baggage claim.
- Customs (green channel if you've nothing to declare).
It takes 20–45 minutes depending on how full your flight was; big charter arrivals create the longest queues, and early mornings tend to be quicker.
Airport taxis are regulated. The official rate to central Dakar (Plateau) is about CFA 20,000–25,000 (~£27–34) — agree it before getting in, as some drivers try inflated fares on new arrivals. Yango and Heetch (Dakar's ride-hailing apps) aren't available at arrivals but can be ordered once you walk out to the car park.
Overland entry from The Gambia
The main crossings from The Gambia into Senegal:
Amdalai / Karang (south of Banjul, north-bank road): the one most tourists use. Cross the river on the Barra ferry, then drive north through Kaolack to Dakar, or take the southern route via Karang towards Ziguinchor.
Farafenni (trans-Gambia highway): the crossing that links northern and southern Senegal without going through Banjul, used by bush taxis running Dakar–Ziguinchor. Your passport is stamped at both the Gambian and Senegalese posts.
At every land border: have your passport open at the photo page, and be patient. It rarely takes more than 30 minutes a post.
Extending your stay
To stay beyond 90 days, apply for a long-stay visa or residency permit at the Direction de la Police des Étrangers et des Titres de Voyage:
Address: Rue Docteur Thèze, Dakar Plateau Hours: Monday–Friday, 08:00–12:30
You'll need a form, photos, proof of accommodation, and sometimes a local guarantor. Allow 5–10 working days. For long-term visitors and digital nomads it's worth looking into — Senegal has a growing expat community and the administration is used to these applications.
Combining Senegal and The Gambia
Lots of visitors split a trip between the two. Both are visa-free for the same major nationalities, so it's straightforward, and your passport gets a fresh stamp at each crossing — the 90-day clock runs separately for each country.
If you're taking a hire car across, check the company's cross-border policy. Some Gambian hire cars aren't insured in Senegal and vice versa — you may need to hire separately in each country, or confirm the car has ECOWAS insurance.
Health requirements
Yellow fever certificate: required if arriving from endemic countries; not for direct arrivals from the UK, EU or North America.
Malaria: Senegal is a malaria zone. Prophylaxis (Malarone or doxycycline) is recommended. Coastal Dakar has lower transmission than rural areas, but the risk isn't zero anywhere.
Mpox: at the time of writing, no special entry requirements in Senegal. Check current FCDO/CDC guidance close to your travel date.
Key contacts
- Senegalese embassy in London — check requirements for nationalities not listed above.
- FCDO travel advice for Senegal — updated regularly; read it before departure.
- US State Department Senegal page — current safety and entry conditions for US travellers.
Next steps: the Senegal holidays guide for itineraries and accommodation, and best time to visit Senegal for when to go.
