The Gabonese Republic (or simply Gabon) is a state located in Central Africa. Until 1960, the country was a colony of France, after which it gained independence. The population of Gabon is over 2.2 million people. The oil deposits found on its territory helped turn the country into one of the richest in the region. The problem, however, is that oil revenues are unevenly distributed. Because of this, most of the population continues to live below the poverty line. At the same time, the government is open to foreigners and does not prevent citizens of other countries from coming to the country to work or for permanent residence in Gabon. This stimulates the development of the economy.

Obtaining a visa to Gabon

For citizens of most countries, a visa is required to cross the border into Gabon. Its type depends on the purpose of the stay. The easiest option is a tourist visa, which gives the right to stay in the country for 90 days from the date of issue. If necessary, it can be extended. This must be done at least 30 days before the end of the current visa.

To obtain a visa, you must contact the nearest embassy of Gabon (embassies and consulates of this country are not available in all states). In general, you will need the following documents to obtain a tourist visa:

• A valid international passport with a minimum validity period of at least 6 months.

• A hand-filled application form. You can download it on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Gabon. The application must be completed in French (the official language of Gabon). If you do not know French, it is allowed to fill in English.

• Two 3 x 4 cm passport-type photographs.

• The original international certificate of vaccination against yellow fever.

• Certificate stating that you are not a carrier of HIV.

• Proof of rental of a hotel or other accommodation.

• Printed airfare to and from Gabon.

• Medical insurance.

If you are taking children with you, then each of them needs the listed package of documents. In addition, the original birth certificate and its copy are required. In this case, a visa for children under the age of 16 will be entered into the visa of the father or mother. As of summer 2022, the cost of a visa for one person is approximately 200 euros. In some cases, additional requirements may apply. Therefore, to avoid possible misunderstandings, it makes sense to seek legal advice from a visa company.

Obtaining a residence permit in Gabon

The government of Gabon is open to foreigners, therefore, it creates all conditions so that citizens of other countries do not have problems with local legislation. In particular, for people who work for the government of Gabon, a residence permit (permit) is issued for 2 years with the possibility of extension. This requires official confirmation that you work for a state-owned company or directly for the government. After crossing the border, you must contact the migration service and fill out all the documents. This is a simple formal procedure. The residence permit is issued within a few days.

The second option for obtaining a residence permit is related to work. You must first get a job in the specified country, regardless of the structure and affiliation of the company. The main thing is that a foreigner has a work visa, which gives them the right to work legally in the country. After receiving it and crossing the border, you must contact the migration service to obtain a residence permit (Carte de Sé jour) there.

A primary visa allows you to enter the country only once. After a three-month continuous stay in the territory of Gabon since the last entry, foreigners are eligible for a permanent visa. It has a validity of up to 6 months and allows multiple entries and exits from the country.

If you have any questions about immigration to Gabon, you can always seek legal support. It is also recommended to buy a checklist that provides up-to-date information about Gabon, including visa and immigration issues.