🇹🇩 Chad visa requirements

Chad. Most passports need a visa before arrival. Seriously, don't show up expecting to sort it out at the airport.

Who Actually Gets In Visa-Free?

Let's cut to the chase: US, EU, UK, and Canadian citizens are out of luck. You need a visa. Same goes for Australians. You'll need to apply through an embassy or consulate. The process can be slow, and they might ask for a letter of invitation, which is a pain point for us remote workers.

There are a handful of countries with visa-free access, mostly neighbouring African nations. Think Nigeria, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Niger, Libya, Sudan, Egypt, and Ethiopia. If your passport is from one of these, you're golden for short stays. For everyone else? It's a pre-arranged visa or bust. This is the biggest hurdle for most nomads considering Chad.

How Long Can You Actually Stay?

Tourist visas for Chad are typically issued for 30 days. Sounds simple, right? It's not. Chad operates on a double-entry system for some visa types, meaning once you leave, you can't just pop back in on the same visa. Pay attention to the "valid for entry within X days" and "duration of stay" clauses.

The real kicker is overstaying. A penalty accrues per day and gets settled before you're allowed to exit, and in Chad that conversation happens at a desk where unofficial "facilitation fees" tend to attach themselves to the official one. The rate is the immigration directorate's to publish; what you actually hand over depends on who you're standing in front of. Getting an exit stamp can also be an adventure. Make sure you have all the correct paperwork and that your passport has been properly stamped upon entry. Without an exit stamp, you can face serious issues on your next visit.

What's New in Chad Travel?

Chad did roll out an eVisa system a couple of years back, aiming to simplify things. However, its actual functionality and accessibility for all nationalities are still a bit of a question mark. Many travellers still report needing to go through embassies. Fees have also fluctuated. A single-entry tourist visa is the cheapest tier and multiple-entry or longer-validity costs more; the consulate handling your application will quote the current schedule.

The biggest change recently is just the general understanding that Chad isn't a typical digital nomad destination. It requires significant pre-planning, patience, and a willingness to deal with bureaucracy. There haven't been massive expansions of visa programs or significant suspensions announced in the last 12-18 months, but the eVisa system is the main development to watch. If it becomes reliably functional for more passport holders, it could be a game-changer. For now, stick to the embassy route.