Cameroon Visa Guide: E-Visa and Entry Rules

Last checked: October 2026

Safety notice for travellers

The UK FCDO advises against all travel to the Bakassi Peninsula, to areas within 40 km of the borders with the Central African Republic, Chad and Nigeria, to the North-West and South-West regions (including Buea, Muyuka and Tiko) and to most of the Far North region. It advises against all but essential travel to Limbe, the North region including Garoua, and some areas around Maroua.

The US State Department rates Cameroon Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution overall, but says Do Not Travel to the Southwest, Northwest and Far North regions for any reason (advisory dated 15 May 2026). A visa only gives permission to enter. It does not make any region safe.

Travel insurance may be invalid if you travel against government advice. This page is informational only. Read the advisories in full and re-check them before you travel.

Most travellers need a visa before visiting Cameroon, and the entry rules have several details that are easy to miss: the e-visa portal, the yellow fever certificate, passport validity and the fact that airport arrival does not include a visa on arrival. This guide pulls together what the sources we checked say, and it points out where they disagree. Visa rules change, so treat this page as a starting point and confirm everything on the official portal or with a Cameroonian embassy before you pay for flights. For the wider picture, see the Cameroon travel guide.

Do You Need a Visa for Cameroon?

For most nationalities, yes. World Travel Guide says a visa is required and recommends applying for an e-visa online, and the Government of Canada says Canadians need a visa for tourist, business and student travel, plus an onward or return ticket. Wikipedia’s visa policy page says most visitors need an e-visa and that a small group of countries, seven in the list we saw, are exempt for stays of up to 90 days. We did not confirm which countries are on that list, so do not assume an exemption. Check your own passport on the official portal or ask the nearest embassy.

How the E-Visa Works

Cameroon’s official e-visa portal is evisacam.cm. Applicants complete the form online, upload documents and pay the fee electronically. Processing times are reported differently. Wikipedia says an e-visa is issued within 72 hours of payment and recommends applying at least 10 days before travel. SAIGA Tours, a private agency, says regular processing can take from 5 days to 3 weeks and that an express option exists. World Travel Guide warns that the service can have technical problems. The safe approach is to apply several weeks ahead and keep digital and printed copies of the approval.

E-Visa Types and Reported Fees

SAIGA Tours published these figures in January 2026. They come from a third party rather than the government, so confirm them on the portal before paying:

Normal short stay (1 to 180 days): 153 euros.
Express short stay (1 to 180 days, processed within about 48 hours): 229 euros.
Long stay (181 to 360 days): 305 euros.
Transit (4 to 30 days): 153 euros.

Wikipedia’s fee table shows the same 153, 229 and 305 euro figures, although it describes the 305 euro option as a one-year visa rather than 181 to 360 days. That small difference is another reason to check the portal.

Documents You May Be Asked For

According to SAIGA Tours, applications can require a copy of your passport, a letter explaining the purpose of your trip or an invitation letter, a return ticket, proof of accommodation, proof of residence, proof of profession, a yellow fever certificate and proof of funds, which the agency puts at about 3,000 US dollars. Requirements may differ by nationality and visa type, and we could not verify the proof-of-funds figure from an official source. Prepare the documents as clean scans and keep the originals with you when you travel.

Passport Validity

World Travel Guide says your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date. The Government of Canada states a six-month validity beyond the planned departure date. Both are stricter than a simple three-month rule, so renew a passport that is close to this limit before you apply.

Airports, Land Borders and Ferries

World Travel Guide states that visas on arrival are not available at Yaounde or Douala airports, so an e-visa must be approved before you fly. It adds that people arriving by land or sea need a physical visa from a Cameroonian embassy or high commission. SAIGA Tours, by contrast, says the e-visa can be used at land borders and by ferry from Malabo. These statements conflict. If you plan a land or sea arrival, ask the embassy in writing which document the border post will accept, and remember that the UK FCDO advises against all travel within 40 km of the borders with the Central African Republic, Chad and Nigeria.

Yellow Fever and Health Requirements

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers from all countries, according to World Travel Guide, Wikipedia and the Government of Canada, which also recommends the vaccination. Traveladvisory.io describes the malaria risk as high. Speak to a travel clinic well before departure about vaccines, malaria prevention and what to carry, and keep the yellow fever certificate with your passport.

Local Laws Visitors Should Know

The FCDO says to carry ID or a certified copy of your passport together with your visa. It also lists several local rules: camouflage clothing is illegal, photographing military sites, government buildings, airports and ports is prohibited, drug penalties are strict, same-sex acts are illegal and wildlife trade is illegal. ATMs are rare outside larger towns and fees can be high, so plan how you will pay. These rules apply to visitors as much as to residents.

A Visa Does Not Make a Region Safe

An approved visa only gives permission to enter. It says nothing about whether an area is safe. Large parts of Cameroon are covered by government advice against travel, so read the safety section below and the best places guide before choosing where to go. When you know your dates, the best time to visit guide and the flights guide help you line up your arrival with the visa you apply for.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a Cameroon visa on arrival?

World Travel Guide says visas on arrival are not available at Yaounde or Douala airports, so you should have an approved e-visa or an embassy visa before you fly.

How long does the Cameroon e-visa take?

Sources disagree. Wikipedia says issuance within 72 hours of payment, while SAIGA Tours says regular processing can take from 5 days to 3 weeks. Apply several weeks ahead to be safe.

How much does a Cameroon e-visa cost?

SAIGA Tours listed 153 euros for a standard short stay, 229 euros for express processing and 305 euros for a long stay in January 2026. Confirm the current fee on the official portal.

Do I need a yellow fever certificate?

Yes. World Travel Guide, Wikipedia and the Government of Canada all say proof of yellow fever vaccination is required for travellers from all countries.

Does a visa allow me to travel anywhere in Cameroon?

A visa is permission to enter, not a safety guarantee. The UK and Canadian governments advise against travel to several regions, and insurance may be invalid if you travel against that advice.

Official Safety Advice

Always read the latest government advice before booking. The UK FCDO advises against all travel to the Bakassi Peninsula, the North-West and South-West regions, most of the Far North and areas within 40 km of the borders with the Central African Republic, Chad and Nigeria, and against all but essential travel to Limbe, the North region and some areas around Maroua. The Government of Canada advises avoiding all travel to the Far North, the North-West and South-West regions and areas within 30 km of the Nigeria, Chad and Central African Republic borders, and avoiding non-essential travel to the North and Adamaoua regions. The US State Department rated Cameroon Level 2 in an advisory dated 15 May 2026, with Do Not Travel for the Southwest, Northwest and Far North regions, so check that page too. Official pages: UK FCDO, Government of Canada and US Department of State. Travel insurance may be invalid if you travel against official advice.

Cameroon Visa Guide