Except for the citizens of the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and other nations with a reciprocal visa abolition agreement with The Gambia, a visa is required to enter the country. All other nationalities should obtain a visa from any Gambian Embassy or Consulate. If you don't have time to get one, you will still be allowed entry, but you will have to go to the Department of Immigration in Banjul to be issued a proper visa within 48 hours.

Those who wish to stay in the Gambia will need a residential permit. For those who wish to work, a work permit arranged by the Immigration Department is necessary. Expatriates coming to work  will need their institutions, embassies or companies pay 10,000 dalasis to get them a work permit. All this paperwork should be arranged through the Immigration Department except when one works for an embassy; in which case requests pass through the External Affairs Department.