🇹🇬 Togo visa for Japanese citizens

Most Western passports get you a visa on arrival for 30 days. If you're from Ghana or Mali, you can skip it entirely.

Who can just walk into Togo?

Togo is pretty straightforward for most travellers. Citizens of the US, EU countries, UK, Canada, and Australia can get a visa upon arrival at Lomé–Tokoin International Airport (LFW) or land borders. It's a single entry, 30-day visa, usually processed quickly. Just have your passport, a passport photo, and the fee ready. You can extend this by another 60 days if you apply for an extension at the immigration office in Lomé.

A handful of West African nations, including Ghana, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, and Burkina Faso, have visa-free agreements with Togo. They can stay for up to 90 days without needing any entry permit.

For citizens of countries not on these lists, you'll need to apply for a visa in advance at a Togolese embassy or consulate. This usually means a more involved process, so plan ahead if you're coming from somewhere like China or Russia.

How long can you actually stay, and what's the catch?

The standard visa on arrival grants you 30 days. Want more time? You can apply for an extension for another 60 days. This is done at the Direction de l'Immigration in Lomé. Be aware that extensions aren't automatic; you need to present a good reason and often have proof of onward travel or accommodation.

Overstaying is where things get sticky. The official penalty for overstaying can involve fines and deportation. While specific fines aren't always publicly published and can vary, expect to pay per day of overstay, potentially several thousand West African CFA francs (XOF) per day. A recent traveller reported paying around 10,000 XOF per day for a short overstay. More significantly, overstaying can lead to being banned from re-entering Togo for a period, so it's best to stick to your allowed duration or get the official extension. Also, make sure you get an exit stamp when you leave. Some travellers have reported issues on re-entry if their passport doesn't show an exit stamp from their previous visit, even if they didn't overstay.

Working remotely on a tourist stamp: what happens?

Togo's official stance is that you cannot work remotely on a tourist visa. However, the enforcement of this is… lax, especially in Lomé. Many digital nomads and business travellers use their 30-day or extended tourist visas to work from cafes or co-working spaces. Immigration officials are generally more concerned with your intent to leave and not overstaying. They aren't actively checking people's laptops or asking about their employment status.

The grey area is that if you're caught engaging in formal employment within Togo or representing a Togolese company without the proper work permit, you'll face issues. But for simply connecting to Wi-Fi and doing your international job? Most people don't encounter problems. It's a risk, certainly, but one that many digital nomads take without incident. The key is to maintain a low profile and not draw undue attention to your work activities.

What's new with Togo's visas?

Togo has been moving towards digitalization. The big change in the last 18 months was the rollout of an eVisa system. This allows you to apply for your visa online before you travel. While it's not mandatory for nationalities eligible for a visa on arrival, it can expedite the process if you prefer to have your entry permit sorted beforehand. The fees for the eVisa are generally comparable to the visa on arrival, typically around 50,000 XOF for the standard 30-day tourist visa†.

There have been no major suspensions of visa-on-arrival facilities for key nationalities recently. Fee structures remain relatively stable, though it's always wise to check the latest figures with the Togolese immigration authority or your local embassy before your trip, as minor adjustments can occur. The eVisa platform is the main development, aiming to streamline entry for a wider range of applicants.