🇸🇳 Senegal visa requirements

US, EU, UK, Canadian, and Australian passport holders get 90 days visa-free. Most other nationalities need to apply beforehand.

Who Gets In (and Who Doesn't)

Senegal is pretty welcoming to many travellers, especially from Western countries. Citizens of the US, EU, UK, Canada, and Australia can enter visa-free for up to 90 days. This covers most of your typical digital nomad stints. If you're from another country, check the official list, but a lot of African nations get 30 days on arrival or need a pre-approved visa. Don't assume; a quick check on the Senegalese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website will save you a headache. They often list specific countries that require an eVisa or a sticker visa obtained from an embassy.

How Long Can You Actually Stay?

That 90-day visa-free allowance for many nationalities is a single entry. This means if you pop over to The Gambia for a weekend, you can't just waltz back into Senegal without a new entry stamp and potentially needing to sort out a new visa if your initial allowance is used. It's not explicitly stated as "double-entry" or "multiple-entry" for the visa-free crowd, but effectively, leaving resets your clock. Overstaying is where things get expensive. While exact figures fluctuate and are hard to pin down officially, expect fines starting around 10,000 CFA francs per day. That adds up fast. It's far better to sort an extension or departure before your time is up. Extensions are sometimes possible at the immigration office in Dakar, but don't count on it being a simple process.

Working Remotely on a Tourist Stamp

This is the classic digital nomad question. Can you work remotely from Senegal on a standard tourist visa or visa-free entry? Officially, no. The stamps you get are for tourism, not for employment. However, enforcement is practically non-existent for most remote workers. You're not working for a Senegalese company, and you're not taking a local job. Most travellers here are in and out without anyone batting an eye. The risk comes if you're doing something highly visible, like setting up a permanent desk in a co-working space and staying for a year without any official status. The general consensus? You're likely fine working on your tourist stamp, but be aware it's technically a grey area. Don't tell immigration you're "working remotely." Just say you're "visiting" or "on holiday."

What's New with Visas in Senegal?

Senegal has been moving towards digitisation, which is good news for travellers. They rolled out an eVisa system for many nationalities who previously needed a sticker visa. This can streamline the application process, allowing you to apply and pay online before you travel. Check the official SnEDs (Senegal e-Visa System) portal for current requirements and fees. Fees can vary based on nationality and length of stay requested, often ranging from €50 to €100 for the eVisa. Keep an eye on their website for any programme changes, fee adjustments, or if certain nationalities are temporarily suspended from the eVisa due to geopolitical reasons. The system aims to simplify things, but always double-check current regulations before booking flights.