Senegal Visa Requirements 2025
Senegal is one of the most open countries in Africa for Western tourists. Most major nationalities enter visa-free for stays up to 90 days. Here is exactly what you need to know.
Who Can Enter Visa-Free
British nationals: No visa required. Up to 90 days per visit, extendable at the Direction de la Police des Étrangers in Dakar.
EU nationals: No visa required. The 90-day allowance applies to all EU member states.
US nationals: No visa required for tourist stays up to 90 days.
Canadian nationals: No visa required, 90 days.
Australian nationals: No visa required, 90 days.
This covers the vast majority of travellers visiting Senegal for tourism. If your nationality is not 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:
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A valid passport with at least six months of validity beyond your intended departure date. An expired passport or one expiring within six months will result in denial of boarding or entry refusal.
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A return or onward ticket. The border officer may ask to see proof that you intend to leave. A return flight booking on your phone is sufficient.
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Yellow fever vaccination certificate if you are arriving from an endemic country (most of sub-Saharan Africa, parts of South America and Central America). If you fly directly from the UK, EU, or US, this is not required — but bring the certificate if you have one, as officers occasionally ask.
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Proof of funds — this is rarely checked for Western tourists but the rule exists: you should be able to demonstrate you can support yourself during your stay.
Arriving at Dakar Blaise Diagne Airport (DSS)
Blaise Diagne International Airport opened in 2017 and is located 47 km southeast of the city centre — significantly further than the old Léopold Sédar Senghor airport at Yoff. The border process is:
- Queue at the immigration counters (one queue for nationals, one for foreigners).
- Passport check, biometric fingerprint scan (first-time visitors).
- Entry stamp — usually 90 days by default.
- Baggage claim.
- Customs (green channel for nothing to declare).
The process takes 20–45 minutes depending on how full your flight was. Large group charter flights can create long queues. Arriving early in the morning tends to be faster.
Airport taxis are regulated and metered. The official rate to central Dakar (Plateau) is approximately CFA 20,000–25,000 (~£27–34). Negotiate before getting in — some drivers will propose inflated fares to new arrivals. Yango and Heetch (Dakar's ride-hailing apps) are not available at the airport arrivals zone but can be ordered once you exit to the parking area.
Overland Entry from The Gambia
The main crossing points from The Gambia into Senegal:
Amdalai / Karang (south of Banjul, north bank road): Most used by tourists. Cross the Gambia River at Barra ferry, drive north through Kaolack to Dakar, or take the southern route via Karang to Ziguinchor.
Farafenni / Farafenni (trans-Gambia highway): The crossing that links northern and southern Senegal without going through Banjul. Used by bush taxis running between Dakar and Ziguinchor. Your passport is stamped at both the Gambian and Senegalese posts on either side of the road.
At all land borders: have your passport open at your photo page, and be patient. The process rarely takes more than 30 minutes per post.
Extending Your Stay
If you want to stay more than 90 days, you must 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
The process involves a form, photos, proof of accommodation, and in some cases a local guarantor. Allow 5–10 working days. For digital nomads and long-term visitors, the process is worth investigating — Senegal has a growing expat community and the administration is used to these applications.
Combining Senegal and The Gambia
Many visitors split their trip between the two countries. Both countries are visa-free for the same major nationalities, so combining them is straightforward. Your passport receives a new stamp at each crossing — the 90-day clock is separate for each country.
If you are driving a hire car across the border, check your hire company's cross-border policy. Some Gambian hire cars are not 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 required for direct arrivals from the UK, EU, or North America.
Malaria: Senegal is a malaria zone. Anti-malarial prophylaxis (Malarone or doxycycline) is recommended. Coastal Dakar has lower transmission than rural areas, but the risk is not zero anywhere in the country.
Mpox (formerly monkeypox): At the time of writing, no special entry requirements related to mpox in Senegal. Check current FCDO/CDC guidance close to your travel date.
Key Contacts
- Senegal embassy in London: senegal.embassy.london.gov.sn — check visa requirements for nationalities not listed above.
- FCDO travel advice for Senegal: Updated regularly — always read before departure.
- US State Department Senegal page: Current safety and entry conditions for US travellers.