What it means in practice
28 days is about a month. If you arrive on 1 November 2026, your last legal day is 28 November 2026, because the arrival day is day one. Use the stay calculator for your own dates.
For a longer base you need an extension, if one exists, or a different visa from the start. Repeated back-to-back entries are at the officer's discretion.
How the Gambia counts your stay: The entry stamp shows your permitted stay (28 days for visa-exempt visitors).
For United Kingdom passports: Visa-free, 28-day stamp; two 28-day extensions possible.
Before you go
Official details are shown in English.
- Airport Security Fee — On arrival and on departure at Banjul airport; US$20 each way (EUR, GBP or dalasi also accepted). Children aged 1 or under and transit passengers are exempt. Card machines are often out of order: bring cash and pay at the kiosks at Banjul International Airport. Official site
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate — Vaccinate at least 10 days before arrival; Depends on the vaccination centre. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you arrive from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission (including transit there). Some onward destinations may also ask for it. Official site
At the border
Official details are shown in English.
- Passport valid for the whole stay
- US$20 airport security fee in cash on arrival
- Yellow fever certificate if arriving from a risk country
- At land borders, drivers of private vehicles may be charged a vehicle registration fee
- Declare any goods that may be prohibited or subject to duty; customs rules are strict
How to avoid overstaying
- Go by your stamp or visa. The date the officer gives you is the one that counts, even if it is shorter than the maximum.
- Plan to leave a day or two early. With 28 days, book your exit before the last legal day so a cancelled flight doesn't push you over.
- Extend before you run out. Two extensions of 28 days each at the Immigration Office in Banjul or the tourist police stations in the Tourism Development Area. Longer stays need a residence permit.
- Penalties. Our data does not list the overstay penalty for the Gambia. Ask the immigration authority before you risk it: fines, deportation and entry bans are common elsewhere.
Questions
Do British citizens need a visa for the Gambia?
British citizens can visit the Gambia without a visa for up to 28 days.
How long can British citizens stay in the Gambia?
Up to 28 days, according to Bordr's data. The entry stamp shows your permitted stay (28 days for visa-exempt visitors).
Can I extend my stay in the Gambia?
Two extensions of 28 days each at the Immigration Office in Banjul or the tourist police stations in the Tourism Development Area. Longer stays need a residence permit.
What do I need at the border in the Gambia?
Passport valid for the whole stay; US$20 airport security fee in cash on arrival; Yellow fever certificate if arriving from a risk country.
When was this checked?
Bordr last checked the entry rules for the Gambia against official sources on 30 October 2026. Rules change: confirm with the official source before you travel.
Sources and last check
Entry rules for this destination were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026. Visa-free days come from the passport matrix in the Bordr app, corrected where the official rules differ.
- GOV.UK — The Gambia entry requirements
- GOV.UK — The Gambia travel advice (warnings)
- MFA of Russia — entry regimes for Russian citizens (open data)
This page is general information, not legal advice. Entry rules change and border officers have the final say. Check the official government source for your destination before you travel.
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