North Africa
Algeria immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Algiers
Common route: Embassy visa / consular route for many nationalities
Land and air entry normally requires travelers to hold the correct visa or exemption before arrival. Accommodation proof, onward travel, travel purpose and passport validity are commonly checked.
Planning note: North African consular planning should be verified before tickets are finalized, especially for business, family visit or long-stay purposes.
Southern Africa
Angola immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Luanda
Common route: Visa exemption for selected nationalities / eVisa or consular route
Angola has moved parts of short-stay tourism into visa-exempt or simplified processes for eligible travelers, while other purposes may still require approval or a consular route.
Planning note: Yellow-fever certificate, hotel address and return-ticket evidence may be requested depending on routing and nationality.
West Africa
Benin immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Cotonou
Common route: eVisa / visa-free rules for eligible African nationals
Benin uses electronic authorization for many visitors and has regional facilitation rules for African passport holders. Travelers should check the exact purpose and stay limit before travel.
Planning note: Tourism, business visit and transit are treated differently from employment, residence or media activity.
Southern Africa
Botswana immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Gaborone
Common route: Visa-exempt for many nationalities / visa required for others
Botswana is often straightforward for eligible short-stay visitors, but non-exempt travelers need proper authorization before travel.
Planning note: Safari itineraries, funds, accommodation and return travel may be reviewed at entry.
West Africa
Burkina Faso immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Ouagadougou
Common route: Consular visa / official authorization route
Visitors should confirm current visa issuance channels before travel, particularly because appointment rules and security conditions can change.
Planning note: Business, NGO, media and long-stay purposes should not be treated as ordinary tourism.
East Africa
Burundi immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Bujumbura / Gitega
Common route: Visa on arrival or prior authorization depending on nationality and purpose
Travelers should verify current entry authorization rules and whether a sponsor, host letter or tour confirmation is needed.
Planning note: Extensions and long stays should be handled before the permitted stay expires.
West Africa / Atlantic Islands
Cabo Verde immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Praia
Common route: EASE pre-registration / visa-exempt or entry facilitation rules
Many visitors use electronic pre-registration before arrival. Passport details, travel dates and accommodation information should match the travel plan.
Planning note: Island connections and domestic flights should leave enough time for entry processing.
Central Africa
Cameroon immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Yaounde
Common route: eVisa / consular authorization route
Cameroon uses online and mission-based processes depending on nationality and visa type. Yellow-fever documentation and host details may be important.
Planning note: Travelers should verify whether their purpose requires ordinary visitor status, business support or a longer-stay permit.
Central Africa
Central African Republic immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Bangui
Common route: Consular visa / special authorization route
Most visitors should confirm visa and security-clearance requirements with official authorities before travel.
Planning note: Do not rely on generic regional information for CAR; mission availability and route safety can change quickly.
Central Africa
Chad immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: N'Djamena
Common route: Consular visa / ministry invitation for some cases
Chad commonly requires pre-arranged documentation. Host letters, travel purpose and supporting records should be aligned.
Planning note: Journalism, NGO, research and commercial projects may need additional permissions.
Indian Ocean Islands
Comoros immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Moroni
Common route: Visa on arrival / entry permit route
Comoros normally focuses on passport validity, travel purpose, accommodation and return travel at entry.
Planning note: Travelers should confirm ferry and inter-island movement rules separately from international entry permission.
West Africa
Cote d'Ivoire immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Abidjan / Yamoussoukro
Common route: eVisa pre-enrolment / consular route
Many travelers use online pre-enrolment followed by entry processing. The approval document should be printed and passport details checked carefully.
Planning note: Business travelers should confirm invitation and host-company evidence before applying.
Central Africa
Democratic Republic of the Congo immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Kinshasa
Common route: Consular visa / official authorization route
DR Congo cases often require strong documentation, invitation evidence and a clear travel purpose before departure.
Planning note: Yellow-fever documentation, address proof and local contact details can be important at entry.
Central Africa
Republic of the Congo immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Brazzaville
Common route: Consular visa / official route
Travelers should verify visa requirements, health documentation and host or hotel information before travel.
Planning note: Land-border and air-arrival procedures may differ, so route-specific checks are essential.
East Africa
Djibouti immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Djibouti City
Common route: eVisa route for many visitors
Djibouti visitors often apply electronically before travel. The authorization, passport and accommodation details should match.
Planning note: Transit, military-contractor, business and tourism purposes should be clearly separated.
North Africa
Egypt immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Cairo
Common route: eVisa / visa on arrival / consular route depending on nationality
Egypt offers several routes depending on nationality and purpose. Passport validity, hotel address and return or onward travel may be checked.
Planning note: Tourism permissions do not replace work, residence, journalism or equipment permits.
Central Africa
Equatorial Guinea immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Malabo
Common route: eVisa / consular route depending on nationality
Travelers should confirm online authorization availability, biometric steps and supporting documents before booking.
Planning note: Business visitors may need host-company evidence and a clearly defined itinerary.
East Africa
Eritrea immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Asmara
Common route: Consular visa route
Visitors usually need to arrange permission before travel through a mission or official channel.
Planning note: Internal travel permits may be separate from international entry permission.
Southern Africa
Eswatini immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Mbabane / Lobamba
Common route: Visa-exempt for many nationalities / visa required for others
Short-stay entry may be simple for exempt travelers, but visitors still need a valid passport, return plans and permitted purpose.
Planning note: Regional road trips should check South Africa and Mozambique border requirements as well.
East Africa
Ethiopia immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Addis Ababa
Common route: eVisa for eligible air arrivals / consular visa for other routes
Ethiopia's online visa process is commonly linked to Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, while land entries may require a different route.
Planning note: Travelers should verify airport-only conditions, health requirements and itinerary evidence.
Central Africa
Gabon immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Libreville
Common route: eVisa / consular route
Gabon visitors should verify whether their authorization applies to air arrival, land entry or a specific port.
Planning note: Using an airport-coded approval for a land border can create entry problems.
West Africa
The Gambia immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Banjul
Common route: Visa-exempt or visa on arrival depending on nationality
Travelers should confirm exemption periods, hotel address requirements and onward travel evidence.
Planning note: Tourism along the coast and business visits in Banjul may require different supporting documents.
West Africa
Ghana immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Accra
Common route: Consular visa for many visitors / exemptions for eligible groups
Ghana often requires travelers to secure visa approval before departure unless exempt. Yellow-fever documentation is commonly important.
Planning note: Business, conference and family visits should be supported by appropriate letters and addresses.
West Africa
Guinea immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Conakry
Common route: eVisa / online registration route
Visitors should complete the proper online process, print the approval and confirm the correct entry purpose.
Planning note: Airport and land-border expectations may differ and should be checked in advance.
West Africa
Guinea-Bissau immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Bissau
Common route: eVisa / visa on arrival depending on route
Travelers should confirm current authorization rules before departure and carry printed evidence where available.
Planning note: Regional overland travel needs extra care because checkpoints may ask for documents in hard copy.
East Africa
Kenya immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Nairobi
Common route: Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) / permit route for non-visitor purposes
Kenya requires travelers who need visitor entry clearance to hold an approved eTA before travel. Work, residence and study are handled through separate pass or permit processes.
Planning note: Check eTA status, onward travel, accommodation and health evidence before flight check-in.
Southern Africa
Lesotho immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Maseru
Common route: Visa-exempt for many nationalities / eVisa or consular route for others
Lesotho entry is often combined with South Africa road travel, so passport validity and multiple-entry needs should be planned carefully.
Planning note: A South Africa transit or re-entry issue can affect Lesotho trips.
West Africa
Liberia immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Monrovia
Common route: Consular visa for many visitors
Travelers should prepare invitation or accommodation evidence, yellow-fever documentation and a clear reason for travel.
Planning note: Emergency passport or business cases should be checked with the relevant mission before travel.
North Africa
Libya immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Tripoli
Common route: Consular visa / security pre-clearance route
Libya travel requires careful official verification because entry rules, security conditions and mission operations can change.
Planning note: Do not rely on informal border advice; use official channels and current travel-risk review.
Indian Ocean Islands
Madagascar immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Antananarivo
Common route: eVisa / visa on arrival depending on nationality and stay
Madagascar entry commonly involves short-stay visitor permissions, passport validity checks and proof of onward travel.
Planning note: Internal flights and island routes should be planned with enough buffer after immigration clearance.
Southern Africa
Malawi immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Lilongwe / Blantyre
Common route: Visa-exempt or eVisa/consular route depending on nationality
Travelers should check current exemption status, online visa availability and return-ticket requirements.
Planning note: Safari and lake itineraries should match accommodation records shown at entry.
West Africa
Mali immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Bamako
Common route: Consular visa route
Visitors generally need to verify visa and security procedures before travel, especially for work, media or NGO purposes.
Planning note: Operational conditions can change; travelers should confirm mission availability before applying.
West Africa / Sahara
Mauritania immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Nouakchott
Common route: Visa on arrival / consular route depending on nationality
Travelers should confirm whether arrival payment, biometric capture and clean cash payment rules apply.
Planning note: Sahara road crossings and overland routes require careful route-specific immigration checks.
Indian Ocean Islands
Mauritius immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Port Louis
Common route: Visa-free or permission on arrival for many travelers
Mauritius usually focuses on eligibility, return travel, accommodation, funds and purpose of stay.
Planning note: Long stays, work, digital work and residence routes are separate from ordinary visitor entry.
North Africa
Morocco immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Rabat
Common route: Visa-exempt / eVisa / consular route depending on nationality and residence status
Morocco uses nationality and residence-permit logic for some eVisa cases while many visitors are visa-exempt.
Planning note: Passport validity, accommodation and equipment rules should be checked for business, media or drone use.
Southern Africa
Mozambique immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Maputo
Common route: eVisa / border fee / visa-exempt categories depending on nationality
Mozambique procedures may involve online registration, arrival processing or exemption. Travelers should confirm current route and permitted stay.
Planning note: Cross-border trips from South Africa, Eswatini or Zimbabwe require careful vehicle and immigration planning.
Southern Africa
Namibia immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Windhoek
Common route: Visa-exempt / visa on arrival or visa required depending on nationality
Namibia rules have changed for some travelers, so users should check the current official route instead of relying on old exemption lists.
Planning note: Self-drive and cross-border travelers should confirm vehicle authorization and stay limits.
West Africa / Sahel
Niger immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Niamey
Common route: Consular visa route
Travelers should confirm visa issuance, sponsor documents and current operational requirements before travel.
Planning note: Security conditions and route permissions can affect immigration clearance.
West Africa
Nigeria immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Abuja / Lagos
Common route: Consular visa / visa on arrival pre-approval for eligible cases
Nigeria requires careful category selection, invitation evidence and passport page planning. Business visitors should align host letters with travel purpose.
Planning note: Entry issues often arise from weak invitation letters, insufficient blank pages or wrong visa class.
East Africa
Rwanda immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Kigali
Common route: Visa on arrival / eVisa / permit route depending on purpose
Rwanda has streamlined visitor entry and online government services, but work, residence and longer stays still require the right category.
Planning note: Visitors should confirm current fee, exemption and extension rules before travel.
Central Africa / Gulf of Guinea
Sao Tome and Principe immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Sao Tome
Common route: Visa-exempt or eVisa depending on nationality
Travelers should verify stay limits, passport validity and accommodation requirements before travel.
Planning note: Small-island flight schedules can make immigration timing and onward-ticket proof important.
West Africa
Senegal immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Dakar
Common route: Visa-exempt for many nationalities / entry formalities for others
Senegal often has straightforward short-stay access for eligible travelers, but long-stay, work or residence purposes need separate procedures.
Planning note: Travelers should confirm 90-day stay limits and residency-card requirements where relevant.
Indian Ocean Islands
Seychelles immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Victoria
Common route: Electronic Travel Authorization / visitor permit on arrival
Seychelles is visa-free in the traditional sense but travelers must complete the required travel authorization and meet visitor-permit conditions.
Planning note: Accommodation, return travel and funds evidence are important for island entry.
West Africa
Sierra Leone immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Freetown
Common route: eVisa / visa on arrival depending on nationality
Travelers should print electronic approval where applicable and confirm health-entry requirements before boarding.
Planning note: Airport arrival processing should be planned with enough time for document checks.
East Africa
Somalia immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Mogadishu
Common route: Sponsor-supported visa on arrival / prior authorization route
Travelers commonly need an approved sponsor or host documentation. Procedures depend heavily on route and purpose.
Planning note: Security zones, airport controls and local sponsor validity should be confirmed before travel.
Southern Africa
South Africa immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Pretoria
Common route: Visa-exempt / eVisa or consular route depending on nationality
South Africa has strict passport-page, overstay and purpose-of-visit controls. Some travelers may use online services while others need a mission route.
Planning note: Minor travel, long stays, work, study and business activities require careful category checks.
East Africa
South Sudan immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Juba
Common route: eVisa / consular route
Travelers should obtain authorization before travel, carry printed proof and confirm yellow-fever and security requirements.
Planning note: NGO, media, oil, business and official travel may need additional approvals.
North Africa / Northeast Africa
Sudan immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Khartoum / Port Sudan
Common route: Consular visa / security-clearance route
Sudan travel requires current official verification because mission operations and entry routes can shift during security disruptions.
Planning note: Do not assume normal consular processing timelines; verify current issuing location and route.
East Africa
Tanzania immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Dodoma / Dar es Salaam
Common route: eVisa / visa on arrival / referral visa depending on nationality and purpose
Tanzania provides online visa guidance and selected arrival processing, but referral cases and special purposes require prior review.
Planning note: Applicants should select the correct visa type and carry return-ticket, passport and fee evidence.
West Africa
Togo immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Lome
Common route: eVisa / electronic travel formalities
Togo uses online travel formalities for many travelers. Applications should be completed before departure according to the current official window.
Planning note: Business, conference and transit travelers should keep printed proof and hotel details available.
North Africa
Tunisia immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Tunis
Common route: Visa-exempt for many nationalities / consular visa for others
Tunisia entry is often straightforward for exempt tourists, but non-exempt travelers and long-stay visitors must use the correct route.
Planning note: Hotel confirmation, return ticket and permitted purpose may be checked at entry.
East Africa
Uganda immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Kampala
Common route: eVisa / East Africa Tourist Visa / permit route
Uganda uses online visa services for many visitors, and the East Africa Tourist Visa may suit Kenya-Rwanda-Uganda itineraries.
Planning note: Yellow-fever documentation and printed approval evidence should be prepared before boarding.
Southern Africa
Zambia immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Lusaka
Common route: Visa-exempt / eVisa / KAZA-related route depending on nationality and itinerary
Zambia entry may involve exemption, eVisa, or regional tourism corridors with Zimbabwe for eligible visitors.
Planning note: Victoria Falls and cross-border itineraries should confirm single-entry, multiple-entry or KAZA suitability.
Southern Africa
Zimbabwe immigration rules
Capital / main immigration hub: Harare
Common route: Visa-exempt / visa on arrival / eVisa depending on nationality
Zimbabwe requirements depend strongly on nationality and purpose. Visitors should confirm whether arrival processing is available before travel.
Planning note: KAZA, Victoria Falls and Zambia connections require careful entry-count planning.