Gambia
GMBThe Gambia is West Africa's smallest mainland country, a thin strip of land flanking the Gambia River and almost entirely surrounded by Senegal. Its economy relies heavily on tourism, remittances, and subsistence agriculture. English is the official language and a legacy of British colonial rule, making bureaucratic processes accessible to Anglophone expats.
The Gambian dalasi is weak against major currencies, making living costs very low for foreign income earners. Naturalisation is available after five years of lawful residence. The country has a stable democratic government following the 2017 transition from long-running authoritarian rule, though institutional development remains ongoing. Healthcare and infrastructure are limited, and most long-term expats rely on private clinics or medical evacuation cover.
- Naturalisation
- 5 years
- Tax system
- Residence Based
- Currency
- Gambian Dalasi (GMD)
- Dual citizenship
- Allowed
- Capital
- Banjul
- Region
- africa
- Population
- 2,640,000
- Cost-of-living
- 28 /100
Passport Rank
#93
Visa-Free
64
destinations
Visa-free travel
A Gambia passport has visa-free access to 64 destinations. See the full Gambia passport breakdown →
Passports that enter Gambia without a prior visa (131)
Visa-free, visa on arrival, or on an eTA.
Community-sourced (passport-index, synced 2026-08-18) — verify with the embassy before travel.
Immigrating to Canada from Gambia
Current IRCC processing times for Gambia nationals, by application type.
| Visitor visa (outside Canada) | 93 days |
| Super visa | No processing time available |
| Study permit | 5 weeks |
| Work permit | No processing time available |
| Sponsor a dependent child | No processing time available |
| Adopted child (citizenship) | Not enough data |
| Government-assisted refugees | Not enough data |
| Privately sponsored refugees | sponsor: Not enough data / refugee: Not enough data |
Your application may take longer than the times shown here. They’re not a maximum or a guarantee.
As of 2026-09-22 (IRCC). See all Canada processing times →
Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada — “Check processing times”. This is a copy of the version available at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html. Reproduced under the Government of Canada’s non-commercial reproduction terms; not endorsed by or affiliated with IRCC.
Sources & last verified
Government of Canada — non-commercial reproduction (canada.ca Terms and conditions)
Country Details
- Capital
- Banjul
- Currency
- Gambian Dalasi (GMD)
- Languages
- English
- Population
- 2,640,000
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Dual Citizenship
- Allowed
- Naturalisation
- 5 years
- Schengen / EU
- No
- Climate
- Tropical savanna — hot dry season (November–May), wet season (June–October)
- GDP per capita
- $919
- Life expectancy
- 66.06 yrs
- Population growth
- 2.23%/yr
GDP per capita, life expectancy, and population growth: World Bank (2025).
Indices
Cost of Living
28
Safety
52
Healthcare
32
Quality of Life
38
Tax Summary
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Territorial Taxation
- No — worldwide income taxed for residents
- Naturalisation
- 5 years of legal residency
- Dual Citizenship
- Allowed
Cost of Living by City
← scroll the table →
| City | Rent 1BR centre | Rent outside | Groceries | Utilities | Transit pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banjul | — | — | — | — | $20 |
| Serekunda | — | — | — | — | $15 |
| Brikama | — | — | — | — | $12 |
Monthly USD figures. Typical central 1-bedroom rent, grocery basket for one, household utilities, monthly transit pass.
Climate
Banjul
Rainfall range: 0–320 mm/month · Daylight 11.5h (winter) to 13.5h (summer)
Visa Categories & Immigration Authority
Major Visa Categories
- Tourist
- Business
- Work Permit
- Investor
- Student
- Family
- Authority
- Gambia Immigration Department
- Official Portal
- www.immigration.gov.gm
Naturalisation Details
- Residence Years
- Language Test
- No
- Civic Test
- No
- Oath Required
- No
- Dual Allowed
- No
- Fee
- —
- Processing
- —
Safety
GPI Rank
—
Global Peace Index ranking (lower is safer)
Regulators & official sources
Bodies that regulate immigration advice in Gambia, and the official sources indexed for it by Visa Atlas. Descriptions are verbatim; each links to its source.
Gambia Immigration Department
GIDOfficial immigration authority publishing visa, entry requirement, residential permit, expatriate quota, business establishment and border-control guidance.
Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency
GIEPAOfficial investment-promotion agency acting as investors first point of contact for procedures, business setup information and contacts in The Gambia.
Related Guides
Related on The Citizenship Desk
Visa routes
Official visa and residence routes for Gambia, indexed from Visa Atlas. Each links to its government source. This is a licensed external index, distinct from our own curated visa guides.
Residence
Non-Gambian ID Card
ResidenceGambia ID-card route for named regional nationals, allowing legal residence and work after payment of agreed prescribed fees.
Residential Permit A
ResidenceGambia biometric residence permit for people residing without gainful employment, including students, retirees and short business or mission visitors.
Short-term / business
Multiple Journey Visa
Short-term / businessGambia visa valid for multiple journeys to and from The Gambia for a stated validity period not exceeding 12 months.
Short Visit Visa
Short-term / businessShort-stay visa for tourists and bona fide business visitors to The Gambia, normally capped at 90 days and not for employment.
Single Journey Visa
Short-term / businessGambia visa valid for one journey or single entry, subject to entry screening by GID officers on arrival.
Transit Visa
Short-term / businessGambia transit visa for travellers passing through The Gambia to another destination with onward tickets and assured entry beyond The Gambia.
Work (sponsored)
Expatriate Quota
Work (sponsored)Employer-side approval for Gambian establishments that need expatriate staff where the skill is not available locally.
Residential Permit B / Work Residence
Work (sponsored)Gambia residence-and-work permit for non-citizens living and working in The Gambia, used by businesspersons, expatriates, unskilled workers and professionals.
Investor
Business Establishment / Investor Residence
InvestorGambia business-establishment route for foreign entrepreneurs and investors, linked to sector restrictions, equity rules and residence/work permits.
Sources & last verified
Route index from Visa Atlas (CC BY 4.0), as of 2026-09-12. Each route links to its official government source.
Sources & last verified
- Last verified