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Japan to Guinea-Bissau visa requirements

Japanese ordinary passport holders need a visa for Guinea-Bissau. A visa on arrival is available at Osvaldo Vieira International Airport (Bissau) for stays up to 90 days, but because entry can be refused at the border and the eVisa portal has been unreliable, obtaining a visa in advance from a Guinea-Bissau diplomatic mission is strongly recommended. Guinea-Bissau is not part of the Schengen area and grants no visa-free access to Japan. Visa-free entry is reserved for ECOWAS member-state citizens (14 West African countries) under the 1980 ECOWAS protocol; Japan is not included. For all other nationalities, including Japan, Guinea-Bissau's policy allows a visa to be obtained on arrival or in advance at a consulate, valid for a maximum stay of 90 days. Visa on arrival is processed at Osvaldo Vieira International Airport in Bissau, typically for around CFA 55,000. A government eVisa system has existed on paper but its portal has been reported non-functional through late 2025, so it is not a reliable channel. Multiple diplomatic missions caution that travelers can be denied entry at the border, so securing the visa beforehand at an embassy or consulate is the safer route. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory for entry. The verdict is recorded as visa on arrival (voa) since that is the formal short-stay channel for Japanese tourists, but advance arrangement is advised.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMSINGLE 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.
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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
Tourist visa (visa on arrival; advance embassy visa recommended)
Maximum stay
Up to 90 days
per entry
Entries
Single entry (typical)
from issue date
Visa fee
Approx. CFA 55,000 (visa on arrival); embassy fees vary
consular fee only
Processing time
On arrival at airport; embassy 5-10 business days
standard track
Validity
Up to 90 days from entry
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm your eligibility and route
Japanese ordinary passport holders are not ECOWAS citizens, so a visa is required. Decide between visa on arrival at Bissau airport or, recommended, an advance visa from a Guinea-Bissau embassy or consulate.
· Visa required· Not visa-exempt
/02
Get a yellow fever vaccination
A valid International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is mandatory for entry and must be administered at least 10 days before travel. Carry the yellow card.
· Mandatory· 10 days ahead
/03
Prepare your documents
Passport valid at least 6 months beyond intended stay with two blank pages, passport photos, confirmed onward/return ticket, hotel booking and proof of sufficient funds.
· 6-month validity
/04
Apply in advance (recommended) or arrange visa on arrival
Contact the nearest Guinea-Bissau diplomatic mission to apply ahead, as there is no resident embassy in Tokyo (handle via accredited mission). Alternatively, plan for visa on arrival at Osvaldo Vieira International Airport.
· Embassy recommended
/05
Pay the visa fee
Pay the embassy fee in advance, or the visa-on-arrival fee of about CFA 55,000 in cash on entry at the airport.
· CFA 55,000 VOA
/06
Enter and observe the 90-day limit
Present your visa, vaccination certificate and supporting documents at immigration. Do not exceed the 90-day maximum stay to avoid fines or removal.
· Max 90 days
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

13 items
Personalized checklist
Japan -> Guinea-Bissau · Tourist visa (visa on arrival; advance embassy visa recommended)
0 / 13 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredJapanese passport valid 6+ months beyond stay
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredAt least two blank passport pages
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredYellow fever vaccination certificate (10+ days prior)
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredConfirmed return or onward ticket
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
required
RequiredHotel reservation or proof of accommodation
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
required
RequiredProof of sufficient funds (bank statement)
Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances
required
RequiredTwo recent passport-size photos
Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route
required
RequiredVisa fee in cash (CFA) for arrival, or embassy fee
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RecommendedTravel itinerary
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
recommended
RecommendedAdvance visa from embassy/consulate
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RequiredOfficial application form or online application
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
Use the current form from the official or designated application channel.
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.
Application link included: Visa policy of Guinea-Bissau - Wikipedia
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Visa on arrival fee~CFA 55,000Paid in cash at Osvaldo Vieira International Airport on entry
Embassy/consulate tourist visaVaries by missionRecommended channel; confirm exact fee with the issuing mission
Yellow fever vaccinationVaries (clinic-dependent)Mandatory; administer at least 10 days before travel
Total estimateCFA 55,000CFA 90,000incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Visa on arrival
At the airport on entry
Issued at Osvaldo Vieira International Airport for up to 90 days; carries risk of denial, so use only if advance options are unavailable.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Japan is not ECOWAS or otherwise exempt
Visa-free entry to Guinea-Bissau is limited to citizens of 14 West African ECOWAS member states under a 1980 protocol; Japan is not included.
High
/02
Short tourist stays use the visa-on-arrival channel
Guinea-Bissau allows nationals of all other countries to obtain a visa on arrival or at a consulate for a maximum 90-day stay.
High
/03
eVisa portal unreliable
The government eVisa site has been reported non-functional through late 2025, so it is not a dependable channel.
Medium
/04
Border-refusal risk
Diplomatic missions warn that visa-on-arrival travelers can be denied entry, making an advance embassy visa the safer choice.
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 · major
Japan to Guinea-Bissau route verified
Confirmed against Guinea-Bissau visa policy, Japan MOFA exemption list and U.S. State Department advisory: Japan passport holders require a visa; visa on arrival (max 90 days) available at Bissau airport, advance embassy visa recommended; eVisa portal unreliable.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Can Japanese citizens enter Guinea-Bissau without a visa?
No. Visa-free entry is only for citizens of 14 West African ECOWAS member states. Japanese passport holders must obtain a visa, either on arrival or in advance.
Is a visa on arrival available for Japanese travelers?+
Does Guinea-Bissau have a working eVisa?+
Do I need a yellow fever vaccination?+
How long can I stay?+
Is Guinea-Bissau in the Schengen area?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the Japan passport

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