Cameroon Visa Guide 2026: Types, Steps, and eVisa Success

(CAMEROON) Cameroon now requires online visa applications for entry visas, and most travelers should plan to use the official eVisa system well before departure. If you show up without the right approval, airlines can refuse boarding and border officers can deny entry, even if you already paid.

For most ordinary passport holders, the practical rule is simple: get your Cameroon eVisa first, then book the rest of your trip with confidence. The shift to online processing, in place since April 30, 2023, has reduced in-person paperwork for many applicants, but it also means mistakes in uploads or dates can derail travel plans.

Key rule for 2026

Cameroon’s visa policy stays strict in 2026: foreign nationals need a visa unless they are from a small group of visa-exempt African countries allowed stays of up to 90 days for non-commercial visits. The exempt list highlighted in current guidance includes Nigeria, Chad, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Mali.

If you travel on an ordinary passport from a visa-required country, including the United States (🇺🇸), you must apply in advance. Diplomatic and service passport holders from many countries can enter visa-free for up to 90 days, but that rule does not cover most leisure or business travelers.

Cameroon also does not recognize dual citizenship, which matters for U.S. citizens of Cameroonian heritage. Travelers in that situation should expect closer questions from authorities and should make sure their documents match the passport they will use to enter.

Important: Plan to use the eVisa system well before travel. Airlines and border officials can deny boarding or entry without the correct approval.

Choosing the right eVisa type

Cameroon offers several eVisa types. Choosing the wrong one can cause delays or denial at the border. Tourist and business visas can be issued with validity up to 180 days or 1 year, with single or multiple entry options depending on what you request and qualify for.

• Tourist eVisa
• For leisure travel, safaris, cultural visits, and family trips.
• Short stays commonly treated as up to 90 days, with extensions possible at authorities’ discretion.

• Business eVisa

• For meetings, conferences, and trade.
• Requires an invitation from a Cameroonian contact.

• Standard processing often 2–3 business days.

• Transit eVisa

• For airport stays exceeding 24 hours.
• Must show onward travel plans and funds.

• Passport must be valid 6 months from the transit date.

• Long-stay eVisa

• For work, study, family reunification, religious visits, or pension follow-up when the stay goes beyond 90 days.
• Requires extra supporting evidence (enrollment proof, work documentation, etc.).

Visa-on-arrival is described as available at some entry points for some nationalities, often for up to 30 days, but it is unreliable compared with the eVisa and is not a sound plan for time-sensitive travel.

Where to file and finalization steps

The official filing site is the government eVisa portal. Approved visas are delivered by email with a QR code for scanning at entry.

• Start with the official portal: https://www.evisa.cm
• Keep login details and confirmation emails.

Some applicants use paid services for help with uploads and tracking. For example, VisaHQ is widely used by U.S.-based travelers who want someone else to manage document uploads and tracking. You remain responsible for accuracy. Services typically charge additional fees—compare cost vs. convenience.

VisaVerge.com reports the biggest driver of last-minute refusals is not “missing travel experience,” but mismatched dates, blurry scans, and incomplete invitations.

U.S.-based applicants should note that some cases require in-person steps after online pre-approval. Guidance currently points to Washington, DC finalization requirements for certain applicants, including restrictions on representation. Check the Embassy guidance before booking nonrefundable flights:

• Embassy of Cameroon in the United States: https://www.cameroonembassyusa.org

Recommended timeline

Processing is often described as 1–3 business days for many eVisas, but build a buffer. The recommended filing window is at least 4–6 weeks before travel, especially for December to February when demand increases.

Suggested planning rhythm:

1. Week 6–4: File, upload, pay, and fix any document issues quickly.
2. Week 3–2: Confirm approval details, print copies, and align bookings with visa dates.
3. Final week: Pack proof documents and health certificates where you can reach them fast.

The Cameroon eVisa application process (four actions)

1. Create your application and select the correct visa type.

– Start on the official portal and enter personal details, passport information, and intended entry details.
– Use the exact spelling as your passport data page.

1. Upload core documents, then add purpose-specific evidence.

– Applications often fail due to poor document quality—upload clean scans, not photos with shadows.

1. Pay the correct fee and submit.

– Fees depend on nationality, entry type, validity, and speed.
– Refunds are rare—confirm selections before payment.

1. Track the decision and print the approval.

– Approvals arrive by email with a QR code.
– Print the PDF, keep a phone copy, but expect to need paper at check-in.

Document checklist

Standard documents most applicants must present:

• Passport valid 6 months beyond departure with 2 blank pages.
• Two passport photos (2×2 inches, white background, no glasses).
• Round-trip ticket or reservation showing entry and exit plans.
• Hotel booking or a legalized invitation letter from a host or tour operator.
• Proof of funds, such as bank statements, traveler’s cheques, or a sponsorship letter.
• Yellow fever vaccination certificate (International Vaccination Card), obtained at least 10 days before travel.

Purpose-specific add-ons:

• Business: invitation letter from the Cameroonian counterpart.
• Student: enrollment certificate.
• Work/long-stay: additional residence and professional evidence, plus repatriation coverage in some cases.
• Minors: birth certificate, parental consent, and guardians’ identification.

Carry printed copies of every upload. Border officers can ask for the same items you submitted online.

Fees and cost expectations (example for U.S. travelers)

Fee schedules vary by route and service. One commonly cited example for U.S. applicants using VisaHQ:

Embassy fees can start at $69 for basic single-entry cases. Confirm current pricing on the platform you use before payment, and keep receipts in your travel folder.

Health and customs controls

• Cameroon enforces yellow fever vaccination for all travelers. If you arrive without proof, you can be vaccinated on arrival at your expense, which may cause delays.
• Customs: declare electronics and cash over $10,000.
• Drones can be treated as restricted items without permits.

For U.S. travelers, consult the U.S. State Department page for safety and entry messaging: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Cameroon.html

If you enroll in STEP, you receive embassy messages during disruptions: https://step.state.gov/step/

Arrival expectations at Douala and Yaoundé

At major airports such as Douala and Yaoundé:

• Officials will scan the QR code on your eVisa and compare it to your passport and arrival details.
• Officers can still shorten the stay or refuse entry for security reasons.
• Keep itinerary, hotel confirmation, and invitation letters easy to reach.

Final pre-departure checklist:

• Visa validity dates match your trip.
• Passport validity meets the 6-month rule.
• Yellow fever card is in your carry-on.
• Your name and passport number match across every document.

Warning: Mistakes in uploads, mismatched dates, blurry scans, or incomplete invitations are common causes of last-minute refusals. Plan and verify everything well before travel.