Senegal Visa Guide 2026: Who Needs It and How to Apply

Senegal’s entry rules in 2026 remain generous. Visa exemptions cover more than 60 countries for stays up to 90 days. Visa on arrival is limited to eligible passports at Dakar Airport, for stays up to one month.

For many travelers, that means you can book flights, arrive, and clear immigration without any pre-trip paperwork beyond your passport and basic proof of travel plans. For others, it means preparing an embassy application or confirming eligibility for the airport-issued visa before you fly.

Start by checking whether you’re covered by visa exemptions

Senegal waives visas for short visits for citizens of more than 60 countries, including all ECOWAS member states and U.S. citizens, for tourism, business, or transit.
If you qualify, immigration officers normally admit you for up to 90 days, provided you meet the entry checks at the border.

This policy matters for families visiting relatives, entrepreneurs attending meetings in Dakar, and students doing short courses that fit inside that 90-day window. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, Senegal’s broad exemptions have made it one of West Africa’s easiest entry points for short-term travel.

Even if you’re visa-exempt, you still need to meet document rules, and airlines can refuse boarding when those basics aren’t in order.

The non-negotiable documents immigration will ask for

Bring the following core documents and evidence:

• Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond arrival, with at least two blank pages for stamps.
• Return or onward ticket.
• Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or an invitation letter from a host).
• Evidence of funds; the guide cites a minimum of €50 per day in available funds.
• Yellow fever vaccination certificate if arriving from yellow-fever-risk areas (health checks can still take place at the border).

Additional notes:

• If you’re a U.S. lawful permanent resident or another long-term resident traveling on a foreign passport, the passport nationality controls whether you fall under visa exemptions.
• U.S. citizens can confirm the current visa-free rule and other entry reminders through the U.S. State Department’s Senegal travel page: U.S. State Department’s Senegal travel page.

Quick reference table: core entry requirements

When Visa on arrival at Dakar Airport makes sense

If your passport isn’t on the exemption list, the main fallback for short visits is Visa on arrival (VOA) issued at Dakar’s international airport.

Key points about VOA:

• Available only at the former Dakar-Yoff Léopold Sédar Senghor Airport entry point (not at land borders).
• Valid for up to 1 month.
• Expect on-the-spot processing that can add time after a long flight.
• Required evidence is the same core set: passport valid 6 months, round-trip ticket, accommodation proof, and sufficient funds.
• The cost varies and the eligibility list is limited, so many frequent travelers prefer an embassy visa for predictability.

Applying in advance for stays longer than 90 days

If your plans exceed 90 days, Senegal expects you to apply through a Senegalese embassy or consulate before travel.

• Longer stays typically cover study, employment, or family reunion and often trigger local work-permit rules after entry.
• The guide points applicants to the Senegalese Embassy in Washington, D.C., and the Consulate in New York City for submissions.
• There is no single government-run online portal, although third-party services such as VisaHQ offer email-based processing for some visa types.
• Apply early: standard consular processing is often listed as 3–5 business days, and peak months can stretch waits.

A practical 5-stage timeline, from planning to entry

Most trips follow a similar path. Breaking it into stages helps avoid last-minute surprises.

1. Confirm your status: Check whether your passport qualifies for visa exemptions or whether you must plan for an embassy visa or VOA at Dakar Airport.
2. Gather core documents: Ensure passport validity, flight booking, accommodation proof, and funds evidence are ready before paying for non‑refundable flights or tours.
3. Handle health rules: If you need a yellow fever certificate, get it early—airlines sometimes check vaccination records before boarding.
4. Apply when required: For long stays, submit your embassy file with photos, itinerary, and supporting letters, then track the return of your passport.
5. Prepare for arrival: Keep your papers in hand luggage, expect questions about the purpose of travel, and stay inside your authorized period to avoid fines.

What happens at the border, step by step

After you land, immigration procedures typically follow these steps:

• An officer reviews your passport, checks your entry stamp history, and may ask for your address in Senegal and your return date.
• First-time visitors can face biometrics and brief interviews, so printed bookings and a clear itinerary speed the conversation.
• If using Visa on arrival at Dakar Airport, you pay, submit documents, and wait for the sticker or stamp that sets your one‑month limit.
• Travelers staying airside in transit usually don’t need a transit visa, but border checks change when you leave the airport or cross a land border.

Keep printed copies of bookings and ID handy—biometrics, interviews, or spot checks can occur and speed depends on having documents at hand.

Staying legal after entry: extensions, work, and overstays

• Senegal treats the entry stamp as the clock for your stay. An overstay can lead to €100+ penalties, detention, deportation, or future entry bans.
• If you expect to work, volunteer, or study beyond 90 days, plan for local immigration follow-up and the permits connected to your activity.
• Dual nationals should travel on the passport that gives them the cleanest entry path, because officers base admission on the document presented.
• Keep copies of your passport photo page and entry stamp—hotels, employers, and police checks often request identification in daily life.

Policy watch: reciprocal visa proposal and why travelers should care

In September 2024, Senegal’s Minister of African Integration and Foreign Affairs proposed a reciprocal visa policy aimed at countries that impose visa requirements on Senegalese citizens.

• As of January 2026, the proposal has not been implemented, so existing visa exemptions remain the practical rule for most short-term visitors.
• The discussion matters because it signals that entry rules can shift quickly, especially with changing migration and security concerns in the region.

Common travel scenarios and smart choices

• A U.S. tourist flying in for two weeks usually enters visa-free but should carry a hotel confirmation and return ticket to satisfy airline and border staff.
• A non-exempt business traveler with a tight schedule should avoid relying on VOA at Dakar Airport, as long queues can lead to missed meetings.
• An aid worker planning several months in Dakar should treat the first 90 days as the entry window and line up longer-stay paperwork early.
• A regional traveler moving inside ECOWAS often has the simplest trip but should avoid unofficial crossings and exit only through approved borders to prevent departure problems.

A final checklist before you fly

• Re-check your passport expiry the night before departure and pack printed copies of bookings (phone batteries die and airport Wi‑Fi fails).
• If you need a visa, confirm your submission method and payment rules with the consulate—some offices accept only specific fee types.
• At check-in, expect airlines to screen for the same entry conditions immigration uses: proof of onward travel and accommodation.
• On arrival, stay calm, answer questions directly, and keep your stay within the stamp you receive—whether you entered through visa exemptions or Visa on arrival.

Safe travels to Senegal.