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🇵🇭Philippines
🇬🇲The GambiaPH-GM

Philippines to The Gambia visa requirements

Philippine passport holders need a visa to visit The Gambia. The Philippines is not on Gambia's visa-exempt list, and the airport visa-on-arrival channel is officially limited to France, Portugal, Spain and the United States. Apply in advance at a Gambian diplomatic mission (an Honorary Consulate operates in Manila). There is no eVisa. As of June 2026, a Philippine ordinary passport holder requires a visa to enter The Gambia for tourism or a short visit. The Gambia grants 90-day visa-free entry only to citizens of African Union, Commonwealth, EU and EFTA member states plus a short named list (e.g. Indonesia, Turkey, UAE, UK, Serbia). The Philippines belongs to none of these groups and is explicitly classified by Gambian authorities as requiring entry clearance before travel. Gambia's official visa-on-arrival facility at Banjul International Airport is restricted to a handful of nationalities (France, Portugal, Spain and the United States); there is no general eVisa or ETA system. While Gambian rules allow airport-issued visas where no Gambian diplomatic mission exists in the traveller's country, an Honorary Consulate of The Gambia operates in Manila, so Filipinos are expected to obtain a visa in advance rather than rely on arrival. The recommended route is to apply at a Gambian Embassy/High Commission or the Manila Honorary Consulate before departure. A short visit (tourist) visa permits stays of up to 90 days and is typically issued for single or multiple entry. Separately, every arriving and departing traveller pays a USD 20 airport security fee in cash. Because visa-on-arrival is not officially available to Philippine citizens and sources do not confirm a reliable no-visa channel, the conservative and accurate verdict is visa-required.
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.
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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
Short visit / tourist visa (obtained in advance from a Gambian diplomatic mission)
Maximum stay
Up to 90 days per visit
per entry
Entries
Single or multiple entry (depending on issuing mission)
from issue date
Visa fee
Approx. USD 100 visa fee + USD 20 airport security fee on arrival and departure
consular fee only
Processing time
Typically 3-10 working days at a Gambian mission
standard track
Validity
Visa valid for entry within 3 months of issue; passport valid for entire stay
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm you need a visa
As a Philippine ordinary passport holder you are not visa-exempt for The Gambia and are not eligible for the airport visa-on-arrival reserved for France, Portugal, Spain and the USA. Plan to obtain a visa before you travel.
· Visa required· Apply in advance
/02
Locate the nearest Gambian mission
Identify the Gambian Embassy/High Commission accredited to the Philippines or use the Honorary Consulate of The Gambia in Manila. Contact them to confirm current document requirements, fees and appointment procedure.
· Honorary Consulate, Manila· Call ahead
/03
Prepare your documents
Gather a passport valid for your whole stay, passport photos, completed application form, return/onward ticket, proof of accommodation and proof of sufficient funds for your stay.
· Passport + photos· Proof of funds & ticket
/04
Submit the application and pay the fee
Lodge the application at the Gambian mission, pay the visa fee (about USD 100) and allow several working days for processing. Request the appropriate single- or multiple-entry short visit visa.
· Fee ~USD 100· 3-10 working days
/05
Collect your visa and check details
Verify your name, validity dates, number of entries and permitted stay (up to 90 days) before leaving the mission.
· Check validity· Up to 90 days
/06
Travel and pay the airport security fee
On arrival at Banjul International Airport present your visa and passport. Pay the USD 20 security fee in cash on entry; budget another USD 20 for departure.
· USD 20 on arrival· USD 20 on departure
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

12 items
Personalized checklist
Philippines -> The Gambia · Short visit / tourist visa (obtained in advance from a Gambian diplomatic mission)
0 / 12 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RecommendedPhilippine passport valid for the entire duration of your stay (six months recommended)
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredCompleted Gambia visa application form
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
required
RequiredRecent passport-size photographs
Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route
required
RequiredConfirmed return or onward air ticket
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
required
RequiredProof of accommodation (hotel booking or host invitation)
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
required
RequiredProof of sufficient funds for the stay
Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances
required
RequiredVisa fee payment (approx. USD 100)
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredUSD 20 cash for the airport security fee on arrival (and USD 20 for departure)
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RecommendedYellow fever vaccination certificate if arriving from or transiting an endemic country
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RecommendedTravel/medical insurance for the trip
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
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 The Gambia - Wikipedia
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Short visit / tourist visa~USD 100Paid to the Gambian mission; exact amount and entries vary by mission
Airport security fee (arrival)USD 20Paid in cash at Banjul International Airport on entry
Airport security fee (departure)USD 20Paid in cash on departure; children under 1 and transit passengers exempt
Total estimateUSD 120USD 140incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Visa on arrival at Banjul (not available to Filipinos)
At the border
Officially limited to France, Portugal, Spain and the USA. Not a reliable option for Philippine citizens and should not be counted on.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Philippines is not on any Gambia visa-exemption group
Gambia waives visas for African Union, Commonwealth, EU and EFTA members plus a short named list; the Philippines is in none of them.
High
/02
Visa-on-arrival is restricted by nationality
Gambia's airport VOA is officially reserved for France, Portugal, Spain and the United States, excluding Philippine passport holders.
High
/03
No eVisa or ETA system
The Gambia does not operate an electronic visa or travel authorisation, so an in-person/mission application is required.
Medium
/04
Gambian representation exists in the Philippines
An Honorary Consulate operates in Manila, so the airport-visa exception for countries lacking a Gambian mission does not reliably apply.
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
Philippines to Gambia route verified
Confirmed against Gambia Immigration Department, Banjul Airport guidance, Wikipedia visa policy and GOV.UK that Philippine ordinary passport holders require a visa obtained in advance; airport VOA is limited to FR/PT/ES/US and no eVisa exists.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Can a Philippine passport holder get a visa on arrival in The Gambia?
No. Gambia's visa-on-arrival facility at Banjul International Airport is officially limited to citizens of France, Portugal, Spain and the United States. Filipinos should obtain a visa in advance.
Does The Gambia offer an eVisa for Filipinos?+
Where can a Filipino apply for a Gambia visa?+
How long can I stay in The Gambia on a tourist visa?+
Is there a fee just to enter the airport?+
Do I need a yellow fever vaccination for The Gambia?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the Philippines passport

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