How to Apply for a Gambian Passport

Procedure

To apply for a Gambian Passport, applicants must submit their application in person to the Department of Immigration in Banjul. Applications cannot be made through embassies, except for emergency travel documents used solely to return to The Gambia to apply in person.

Step-by-Step Process:

Visit the Department of Immigration in Banjul.
Obtain an application form at the immigration office and pay D10 for the form.
Fill out the form completely and attach all required supporting documents. Incomplete forms will not be processed.
Attach payment receipts for verification.
Question 15 on the application form must be endorsed by one of the following:
- Cabinet Minister
- Member of House of Representatives
- Justice of the Peace
- Medical or Legal Practitioner
- Head Chief
- City or Area Councillor
- Commissioner of Oaths
- Notary Public
- Civil Servant (Category VI and above) who has known the applicant for at least two years.
Submit the completed application and documents to the Department of Immigration.
Pay the passport fee (D12,000.00) as required.
Wait for processing and verification. The issuing authority will contact you once your passport is ready for collection.

Note: Passports will not be issued in less than seven (7) days, except for urgent, genuine cases.

Required Documents

Applicants must submit the following documents with their completed form:

Guarantor’s Form signed by a Commissioner of Oaths
Photocopy of Guarantor’s Passport Data Page, National ID, and Driver’s License
Father’s Consent Letter for minors under 16 years (or Mother’s Consent if the father is deceased)
Marriage Certificate and Husband’s Consent Letter (if applicable)
OR a Letter of Introduction for government or corporate employees
Birth Certificate or Age Declaration
Letter of Identification from the local government of residence or origin
One Passport-Sized Photograph
Acknowledgement Slip and Receipt of Payment

Office Locations & Contacts

The Director
Department of Immigration
Ministry of Interior
71 Dobson Street, Banjul, The Gambia
Tel: +220 4228717
Fax: +220 4228717

Eligibility

All Gambians by birth, naturalization, or registration are eligible to apply.
Passports remain the property of the Government of The Gambia and may be withdrawn at any time.

Fees

Gambia Green Ordinary Passport (Machine Readable): D12,000.00
The fee is non-refundable and must be paid upon submission.

Validity

All Gambian passports are valid for five (5) years from the date of issue.
Diplomatic and Service Passports become invalid if the holder ceases employment with the Government of The Gambia.

Processing Time

Minimum seven (7) days’ notice is required for processing.
Issuance cannot be guaranteed in less than this period, except for urgent, verified cases.
Applications made outside The Gambia may take significantly longer.

Instructions

No Gambian citizen may hold multiple standard passports.
A bond may be required to ensure the government is indemnified against costs if the passport holder becomes destitute abroad.
Applicants must pay all fees and attach receipts before processing.
Application forms must be countersigned by a Justice of the Peace and authenticated by one of the persons listed in Section 15 of the form.

Required Information

Applicant’s full name
Address and contact number
Place and date of birth
Parents’ ID numbers
Nationality
Gender and age

Need for the Document

A Gambian Passport is issued to Gambian citizens for international travel. The Gambia issues three main types of passports:

Diplomatic Passport
Pilgrim’s Passport
Standard Gambian Passport (Green Ordinary Passport)

Information Which Might Help

A passport is an official and valuable document. It should not be altered or handed to unauthorized persons. If lost or destroyed, report immediately to: