Skip to main content

Guinea Bissau Visa for United States Citizens 2026

Visa on Arrival

United States citizens traveling to Guinea-Bissau can obtain a visa on arrival at Bissau Osvaldo Vieira International Airport; the visa fee is 50,000 XOF (approximately 80 USD) for up to 30 days, single entry.

Guide last updated September 3, 2026. Always verify with official sources before travel.

What you need

  • Passport validity: Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from date of entry and have at least one blank page.
  • Specific forms: No pre-arrival visa form; on arrival you complete a short immigration form at the desk.
  • Financial proof: Not a formal requirement for visa on arrival, but carry sufficient funds for your stay and be prepared to show bank statements if asked (roughly 60-100 USD per day as a guideline).
  • Accommodation and return ticket: Proof of onward or return ticket is recommended; hotel confirmation or address of stay helps.
  • Photo spec: Two recent passport photos (35x45 mm) with a white background.
  • Biometrics: On arrival, you may be photographed and fingerprinted as part of standard immigration checks.
  • Travel health insurance: Not required for entry, but travel medical insurance is strongly recommended.
  • Health/entry notes: Yellow fever vaccination is recommended if you are coming from a country with risk; carry a vaccination certificate if applicable.

Visa types

  • Tourist visa on arrival (Tourist): Valid for 30 days, single entry, fee 50,000 XOF (approx 80 USD).
  • Business visa on arrival (Business): Valid for 30 days, single entry, fee 50,000 XOF (approx 80 USD).
  • Student visa: Not available on arrival; must obtain pre-arrival approval from the Guinea-Bissau authorities (embassy/consulate) before travel; typical initial stay aligns with academic program (check with the consulate).
  • Work visa: Not available on arrival; requires pre-arrival work permit and visa arranged through the relevant national migration authorities and employer; initial stay generally up to 90 days with extension possible.
  • Transit visa: Not typically offered on arrival; on-arrival options are limited to tourist and business categories at main entry points.

Application process

  • Visa on arrival: which ports: Bissau Osvaldo Vieira International Airport (main entry point); some land borders may offer limited VOA services—verify at the time of travel.
  • Steps: Upon arrival, proceed to the immigration desk, complete the visa on arrival form, submit passport, two photos, proof of onward/return ticket and hotel details, and pay the visa fee.
  • Fee and accepted currencies: 50,000 XOF (approx 80 USD); accepted currencies typically include USD, EUR, and XOF; pay in cash at the desk.
  • Processing time: usually 15–60 minutes depending on queue and completeness of documents.
  • How approval arrives: Passport is stamped with the visa; you will receive a visa sticker/stamp in your passport and the stay validity begins from entry date.

Fees & processing time

  • VOA fee (local currency): 50,000 XOF (approx 80 USD).
  • VFS/BLS service fee: Not applicable for visa on arrival; no third-party processing fee.
  • Total cost estimate: 50,000 XOF (plus any incidental costs if you require extra pages or services at the desk).
  • Standard processing time: 15–60 minutes at the airport immigration desk.
  • Express/priority option: Not available for visa on arrival.

Tips for United States travelers

  • How far in advance to apply: Do not apply in advance for VOA; plan to arrive early in your travel day to accommodate processing time at the port of entry.
  • Common rejection reasons for United States applicants specifically: Passport validity under 6 months, insufficient blank pages, lack of onward ticket or accommodation details, insufficient funds or inability to show funds if asked, missing/incorrect documents on arrival.
  • VFS/BLS vs direct embassy application: VOA at entry points avoids pre-arrival appointments; for long or complex stays, consider coordinating with a local Guinea-Bissau embassy/consulate for pre-arranged visas.
  • Travel advisories or bilateral notes: Check the latest U.S. State Department travel advisory for Guinea-Bissau; conditions can change; register with STEP for travel updates.
  • Extension options inside Guinea-Bissau: Visa extension can be requested at the Serviço de Migração e Estrangeiros (Migration Service) in Bissau; extensions are not guaranteed and depend on authorities, typically up to an additional 30 days with applicable fees.

Official links & resources

Always confirm requirements with government or embassy sources before applying.

More visa guides for United States passport holders

United KingdomFranceGermanyJapanAustraliaCanadaView all →

This guide is for information only. Visa policies change without notice. Travel Visa Stack is not an immigration authority. Always verify with official government or embassy sources before making travel plans.