UAE MOFA lists 90 days for tourism, and The Gambia government describes visa-exempt holiday or business visits as not exceeding 90 days. The immigration stamp controls the actual stay granted.

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🇦🇪United Arab Emirates

🇬🇲The GambiaAE-GM

United Arab Emirates to The Gambia visa requirements

Q: Is yellow fever vaccination always required?

No. The current detailed rule requires a yellow fever certificate for travelers aged 9 months or older arriving from risk countries or transiting more than 12 hours through an airport in a risk country.

Q: Do I still pay a fee if no visa is required?

Yes. The airport security fee is separate from a visa fee. The Gambia government lists USD 20 / D1000 payable in cash on arrival and again on departure at Banjul International Airport.

Q: How long must my passport be valid?

UAE MOFA advises at least 6 months' passport validity. U.S. State guidance also notes one blank page is required for the entry stamp.

Q: Can I work in The Gambia on this entry?

No. Visa-free entry is for short tourism, business visits, or family visits. Employment, residence, or long-term activity requires the appropriate immigration permission.

UAE ordinary/normal passport holders can visit The Gambia visa-free for tourism for up to 90 days. No eVisa or visa-on-arrival purchase is required, but travelers pay the airport security fee on arrival and departure. As of 18 June 2026, The Gambia is visa-free for UAE ordinary/normal passport holders travelling for short tourism. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs destination page lists normal UAE passports as "Normal Visa Free" for the Republic of the Gambia and gives 90 days for tourism. The Gambia government's immigration page also says visitors from visa-exempt countries or reciprocal visa-exemption agreements may enter for holiday or business trips not exceeding 90 days. This replaces earlier non-official sourcing and corrects the previous universal yellow fever wording. The Gambia government's detailed health section states that a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travelers aged 9 months or older arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission, or after transiting for more than 12 hours through an airport in such a country; GOV.UK and U.S. State guidance give the same conditional rule. Travelers should use the stricter practical passport standard from UAE MOFA - at least 6 months' validity - and keep at least one blank page for the entry stamp. Banjul International Airport collects a USD 20 / D1000 airport security fee in cash on arrival and again on departure. The actual permission to stay is controlled by the immigration stamp, so check the stamp and arrange an extension before expiry if the officer grants less than the expected 90 days.

VISA-FREETOURISMEACH ENTRY IS SUBJECT TO IMMIGRATION DISCRETIONLast verified 2026-06-18

For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.

Policy alertWatch this route for rule changesSave this passport and destination for email summaries and optional browser notifications.Subscribe →UAE (Golden Visa)Living in United Arab Emirates as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→

/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-06-18

Visa type

Visa-free entry for UAE ordinary/normal passports

Maximum stay

Up to 90 days for tourism per UAE MOFA and The Gambia visa-exempt guidance

per entry

Entries

Each entry is subject to immigration discretion

from issue date

Visa fee

No visa fee; airport security fee USD 20 / D1000 on arrival and departure

consular fee only

Processing time

None - entry is handled at the border

standard track

Validity

Passport should be valid at least 6 months; one blank page required for entry stamp

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Confirm visa-free eligibility

Verify you hold a UAE ordinary/normal passport. UAE MOFA lists normal passports for The Gambia as visa-free, with tourism stays of 90 days.

· Normal Visa Free· 90 days

/02

Check passport and stamp space

Use a passport valid for at least 6 months from arrival and keep at least one blank page available for the entry stamp. Two blank pages are safer for airline checks.

· 6-month validity· Blank page

/03

Prepare supporting documents

Carry return or onward travel, accommodation or host details, sufficient funds, travel insurance, and your address in The Gambia in case immigration asks.

· Onward travel· Funds

/04

Check yellow fever routing

Carry a yellow fever certificate if you are 9 months or older and arrive from a yellow-fever-risk country or transit more than 12 hours through an airport in one.

· Conditional· Yellow fever

/05

Bring airport fee cash

Non-transit travelers entering and leaving through Banjul International Airport should be ready to pay the USD 20 / D1000 airport security fee on arrival and again on departure, preferably in cash.

· USD 20· Cash

/06

Check the entry stamp

On arrival, confirm the date or number of days granted by the immigration officer. If it is shorter than your plan, request an extension before the stamp expires.

· Check stamp· Extend early

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

12 items

Personalized checklist

United Arab Emirates -> The Gambia · Visa-free entry for UAE ordinary/normal passports

0 / 12 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RequiredUAE ordinary/normal passport

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

required

RequiredPassport valid at least 6 months from arrival

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

required

RequiredAt least one blank passport page for entry stamp

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

required

RecommendedReturn or onward travel ticket

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

recommended

RecommendedAccommodation or host address in The Gambia

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

recommended

RecommendedProof of sufficient funds for the stay

Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances

recommended

RequiredAirport security fee cash for arrival and departure

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

required

ConditionalYellow fever vaccination certificate if route triggers the requirement

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

conditional

RecommendedTravel and medical insurance covering The Gambia

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

recommended

ConditionalOfficial application form or online application

Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed

Visa-free routes usually do not require a visa form; submit any arrival card or authorization if required.

RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary

Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it

Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.

RecommendedTravel medical insurance

Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates

Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.

Official sourcesUAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Travel requirements for The Gambia Official Government of The Gambia - Immigration and Visa Information GOV.UK - The Gambia entry requirements

Application link included: Official Government of The Gambia - Immigration and Visa Information

Open link

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

Tourist visa fee0No visa fee for eligible UAE ordinary/normal passport holders

Airport security fee on arrivalUSD 20 / D1000The Gambia government says this is payable in cash at Banjul International Airport

Airport security fee on departureUSD 20 / D1000Paid again when leaving through Banjul International Airport

Stay extensionVariesOnly if immigration grants less time than needed or the traveler stays beyond the initial stamp

Total estimateUSD 40 — USD 40 plus any extension or vaccination costincl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Visa-free entry at border

Immediate on arrival

No application is needed for eligible UAE travelers; admission is handled by immigration at the port of entry.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

UAE MOFA confirms normal passports are visa-free

The current UAE destination page for The Gambia lists normal UAE passports as Normal Visa Free and tourism stay as 90 days.

High

/02

The Gambia government lists a 90-day visa-exempt category

The official immigration page says visitors from visa-exempt countries or reciprocal agreements may enter for holiday or business trips not exceeding 90 days.

High

/03

Yellow fever is conditional

The current detailed health rule is not a universal requirement; it applies to travelers from or transiting through yellow-fever-risk countries under the stated timing threshold.

Medium

/04

Airport security fee is separate from visa status

Visa-free travelers still pay the airport security fee on arrival and departure at Banjul International Airport.

Medium

/05

Stamp controls the actual stay

Although the route is listed as 90 days, travelers should follow the stay written or stamped by the immigration officer.

Low

/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01

Immigration

Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.

/02

Customs

Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.

/03

Connectivity

Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.

/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024

2026-06-19

Reviewed by Claude Code

Second-pass review: re-verified the evidence chain against official sources; key facts confirmed and checked-date refreshed.

2026-06-18 · major

United Arab Emirates to The Gambia route reverified

Replaced non-official source priority with UAE MOFA and government travel sources, confirmed normal passports are visa-free for 90-day tourism, corrected yellow fever from universal to conditional, refreshed airport security fee wording, and added Chinese localization.

/09 — The questions