canivisit.com
Beta — verify with official sources⌘K
Home/from/gb/to/gw
🇬🇧UNITED KINGDOM
🏳GWGB-GW

Do United Kingdom passport holders need a visa to visit GW?

UK ordinary passport holders need a visa for Guinea-Bissau. A visa on arrival is available at Osvaldo Vieira International Airport in Bissau, but the UK FCDO strongly recommends obtaining a visa in advance from a Guinea-Bissau embassy (the nearest is in Paris; consulates also operate in Senegal). A yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory on entry. There is no visa-free or visa-waiver arrangement between the United Kingdom and Guinea-Bissau, and Guinea-Bissau is not in the Schengen area. UK citizens fall into the category of travellers who are not visa-exempt and who may obtain a visa on arrival at the airport in Bissau or apply in advance at a Guinea-Bissau diplomatic mission. The official UK FCDO travel advice states plainly that a visa is required and directs travellers to the Guinea-Bissau Embassy in Paris (or embassies in neighbouring countries such as Senegal). Wikipedia's visa policy summary confirms that non-exempt nationals, including UK citizens, may obtain a visa on arrival valid for a maximum stay of 90 days, or from a consulate. Because the on-arrival channel can be unreliable and is subject to change, the FCDO and most agencies advise securing the visa before travel. A valid yellow fever vaccination certificate is a strict, separately enforced entry requirement, and passports must be valid for at least six months from the date of arrival. As of 2026 there is no confirmed government-operated eVisa portal for Guinea-Bissau verified by official sources, so the conservative, accurate channel for a short tourist stay is a visa on arrival, backed up by an embassy-issued visa obtained in advance where possible.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMFLEXIBLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30
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.
United Kingdom (ILR)Living in United Kingdom as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
Tourist visa (visa on arrival / embassy-issued)
Maximum stay
Up to 90 days maximum
per entry
Entries
Single entry (multiple-entry available from embassies)
from issue date
Visa fee
Approx. EUR 45-85 / USD 50-85, payable in cash on arrival
consular fee only
Processing time
On arrival: immediate at airport; embassy: 2-5 business days
standard track
Validity
Visa typically valid 30-90 days from issue
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm you need a visa and gather documents
UK passport holders require a visa for Guinea-Bissau. Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond arrival and has blank pages.
· Passport 6+ months valid· Not visa-exempt
/02
Get a yellow fever vaccination
Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory and strictly checked at the border. Get vaccinated at least 10 days before travel and carry the physical international certificate.
· Mandatory· Carry physical certificate
/03
Decide your channel: embassy in advance (recommended) or on arrival
The FCDO recommends obtaining a visa before you travel from the Guinea-Bissau Embassy in Paris or a consulate in Senegal. A visa on arrival is also available at Bissau airport but is less reliable.
· Embassy recommended· VOA available
/04
Apply at the embassy/consulate (if applying in advance)
Contact the Guinea-Bissau Embassy in Paris (embgbfr@gmail.com, +33 1 48 74 36 39) with your passport, photos, application form, accommodation and onward ticket, and pay the fee.
· Paris embassy· 2-5 business days
/05
Prepare supporting documents for arrival
Carry proof of accommodation, a return or onward ticket, and sufficient cash in euros or US dollars to pay the visa fee if obtaining on arrival.
· Onward ticket· Cash in EUR/USD
/06
Arrive and clear immigration at Osvaldo Vieira International Airport
Present your passport, yellow fever certificate, and either your pre-issued visa or the cash fee for a visa on arrival. Keep your entry stamp and stay within the authorised period.
· Yellow fever check· Keep entry stamp
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

10 items
Personalized checklist
0 / 10 complete
Passport valid 6+ months beyond arrival with blank pages
required
Yellow fever vaccination certificate (mandatory, physical copy)
required
Completed visa application form
required
Passport-size photographs
required
Proof of onward or return travel
required
Proof of accommodation / hotel booking
recommended
Visa fee in cash (euros or US dollars)
required
Pre-issued embassy visa where possible (FCDO advice)
recommended
Travel insurance covering medical evacuation
recommended
Sufficient funds for the duration of stay
recommended
Track your progress · save & email a copy
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Tourist visa fee (single entry)EUR 45-85 / USD 50-85Payable in cash on arrival or at embassy; varies by mission
Embassy/consular service feeEUR 10-30May apply for in-advance applications
Yellow fever vaccination (UK)GBP 60-90Administered before travel at a UK travel clinic
Total estimateUSD 50USD 110incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Visa on arrival (Bissau airport)
Issued immediately on arrival
Available at Osvaldo Vieira International Airport for non-exempt nationals; pay fee in cash. Less reliable, subject to change.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
No visa-waiver agreement with the UK
The United Kingdom is not on Guinea-Bissau's visa-exempt list, which is limited to ECOWAS and a few other states, so UK citizens must hold a visa.
High
/02
FCDO directs travellers to obtain a visa in advance
Official UK government advice states a visa is required and points travellers to the Guinea-Bissau Embassy in Paris or consulates in neighbouring countries.
High
/03
Visa on arrival can be unreliable
While a visa on arrival is offered at Bissau airport, conditions change and agencies advise securing a visa beforehand to avoid being refused entry.
Medium
/04
Yellow fever certificate strictly enforced
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory and checked at the border, with no exceptions.
High
/05
Limited diplomatic presence in the UK
Guinea-Bissau has no embassy in London; applications are routed through Paris or Senegal, adding logistical steps.
Medium
/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
2026-05-30
United Kingdom to Guinea-Bissau route verified
Confirmed via UK FCDO travel advice and Wikipedia visa policy that UK citizens require a visa, with a visa on arrival available at Bissau airport and in-advance embassy application recommended. Yellow fever certificate mandatory.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Can UK citizens enter Guinea-Bissau without a visa?
No. The UK is not on Guinea-Bissau's visa-exempt list. All British ordinary passport holders need a visa for any visit, including short tourist stays.
Is there a visa on arrival for British travellers?+
Is there an official eVisa for Guinea-Bissau?+
Do I need a yellow fever vaccination?+
Where do UK applicants apply for a Guinea-Bissau visa in advance?+
How long can I stay on a tourist visa?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the United Kingdom passport

See something wrong on this page?
Policies change. If something looks off, tell us — we review every report within 48 hours.