Ways to live in Senegal
These are the residence routes in Bordr's guide that we have checked against official sources. Each one links to the government page.
Programme details are shown in English.
Work permit Work permits →
Residence card for employees
Foreigners hired by a company in Senegal get the foreigner identity card on the basis of their employment contract.
- What you need
- The general residence card documents plus the employment contract.
- Renewable
- Yes
- Cost
- 15,000 CFA francs tax stamp, plus the repatriation deposit
- How to apply
- At the Foreigners' Police and Travel Documents Division (DPETV) in Dakar
Student visa Student visas →
Residence card for students
Foreign students enrolled at a school or university in Senegal get the foreigner identity card for their studies.
- What you need
- The general residence card documents plus a certificate of enrolment for the current academic year and a scholarship or sponsorship certificate from your country's embassy.
- Renewable
- Yes
- Cost
- 15,000 CFA francs tax stamp, plus the repatriation deposit
- How to apply
- At the Foreigners' Police and Travel Documents Division (DPETV) in Dakar
Residence permit Residence permits →
Foreigner identity card (residence card)
The main residence document for foreigners who settle in Senegal for longer than a short visit, whatever the reason for the stay.
- What you need
- Handwritten request to the Minister of the Interior, copy of the first 5 passport pages, criminal record from your home country and a medical certificate (both under 3 months old), birth certificate under 6 months old, 3 photos, and a receipt for the repatriation deposit, whose amount depends on nationality.
- Renewable
- Yes
- Cost
- 15,000 CFA francs tax stamp, plus the repatriation deposit
- How to apply
- In person at the Foreigners' Police and Travel Documents Division (DPETV) in Dakar
Cost of living
Monthly amounts in US dollars.
| Room in a shared flat | $200 |
|---|---|
| One-bedroom flat | $500 |
| Two-bedroom flat | $800 |
| Bills | $80 |
| Typical local salary | $250 |
Some of these figures are estimates; treat them as a rough guide.
Cities to consider
Climate by month, neighbourhoods and costs for each city are in the Bordr guide.
What life is like
Programme details are shown in English.
Why people move
Teranga, the local spirit of hospitality, shapes daily life. Dakar has a strong music and arts scene and good surf on its peninsula, and thieboudienne, the national rice-and-fish dish, is everywhere. Saly and the Petite Côte offer calmer beaches.
Day to day
Shared taxis and buses link cities, and a regional express train serves Dakar. Good private clinics are concentrated in Dakar. Mobile money is widely used, cash still dominates markets. French is the official language and Wolof is spoken by most people.
Trade-offs
Dakar traffic is heavy and the hot season is humid. Healthcare outside the capital is basic, and dust from the Sahara can hang in the air for weeks.
Before you move: visa-free entry
Most people arrive as visitors first, then apply from inside the country or come back with the right visa. How long you can stay as a visitor depends on your passport:
United States90 days
United Kingdom90 days
AustraliaVOA · 90 d
Canada90 days
New ZealandVOA · 90 d
Switzerland90 days
NorwayVOA · 90 d
Singapore90 days
Japan90 days
South Korea90 days
IsraelVOA · 30 d
United Arab Emirates90 days
Hong KongVOA · 30 d
South AfricaVOA · 30 d
MexicoVisa
Brazil90 days
Questions
Does Senegal have a digital nomad visa?
Not among the routes we have checked. Remote workers usually come as visitors within the visa-free limit or use one of the other routes on this page.
How can I move to Senegal?
The routes we have checked are: Work permit, Student visa, Residence permit.
Sources and last check
This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Requirements change; confirm with the official government page or a licensed adviser before you apply.
