Immigration Laws for Foreigners in Cameroon
Cameroon is a growing economy and, as such, has become an attractive destination for nationals of other countries who come for business and investment opportunities as well as Job opportunities and other social reasons like marriages and adoption. For this reason, we have decided to develop this article containing the immigration laws for foreigners in Cameroon.Suggested: How to Verify Cameroon Passport OnlineWhat is Immigration Law?Immigration law refers to the established rules of a country to determine who is allowed to enter the country and how long they may stay there. It also provides how a non-citizen can become a legally naturalized citizen with full citizenship rights. Simply put, the Immigration law of a country determines who may enter, how long they may stay, and when they must leave that country.The law governing the entry, stay, and exit of foreign Nationals in Cameroon is Law N° 97/012 of 10 January 1997. The modalities for applying this law are contained in decree N° 2007/255 of 4 September. 2007. Law N°2016/373 of 4 August 2016 completed and modified specific provisions of this law. How to Get a Visa to CameroonThere are different visa options: temporal visas, short stay, and long stay. The table below shows each visa type and its duration of validity. Type of Visa ValidityTransit visaMaximum 5 daysTourist VisaMaximum 30 daysShort stay visaMaximum 3 monthsLong stay visaBetween 3 months to 6 months maximumSuggested: Cameroon Passport Visa Free CountriesRequirements to Get a Visa to CameroonA. To obtain all types of visas to Cameroon, the applicant must possess the following;A valid passport or any other travel document that has a minimum of six months validityA valid international yellow fever vaccination cardTwo recent color passport-size photographsTwo (02) visa application forms must be completed and signed by the applicant. Single visa application forms are usually rejected.copy of flight/trip reservation from the airline or travel agency confirming the trip itinerary to CameroonIn addition to these documents, the applicant must have the following, depending on the specific type of visa;1. Transit VisaA visa or any other authorization document to enter the destination country.A receipt of payment of the visa application fee.2. Tourist Visa (Maximum 30 days Validity)In addition to the documents listed in A) above, the applicant needs.Proof of financial capability for the duration of your visit.Hotel reservation signed y the appropriate authority or a lodging certificate issued by a competent authority of the community the applicant is visiting.Proof of guarantee of repatriation.A document from a valid travel agency, where applicable.A receipt of payment of the visa application fee.3. Short Stay Visa (Maximum 3 Months Validity)A document carrying the reason/explanation for your visit with accompanying proof.A mission order for official trips.A receipt of payment of the visa application fee.Proof of guarantee of repatriation. 4. Long Stay Visa (Duration Between 3 Months to 6 Months)In addition, the documents requested in A (above), applicants for a long-stay visa in Cameroon should have the following:For foreigners coming to work in Cameroon, a work contract is duly signed by the minister of labor.A competent authority of the school must sign a proof of registration at an institution of learning for foreign students.An internship letter which is signed by a competent authority of the institution where the internship will be carried out.A partnership contract and other related documents for business peopleProof of repatriation guarantee.A receipt of payment of the visa application fee. B. Special Visas1. Visas for Minors (Below 18 Years old)In addition to the requirements in A above, Copy of the minor applicant’s birth certificate.Notarized letter of support jointly signed by both parents/legal guardians.The notarized letter of support must specify the following:(a) That the parents/legal guardians are in agreement with the minor child’s travel to Cameroon, and (b) Who will be traveling with the minor.2. Official Visas (Courtesy and Diplomatic Visas) Up to six (6) months for officials and diplomats and up to one (1) year for U.S. officials with diplomatic and official passports. In addition to these, one or more of the following may be required: Diplomatic note / Note verbale.Official request from Government, International or Governmental Organization.Warrant for mission or mission order. Final WordsCameroon is a very hospitable country that welcomes ad hosts all Nationals without discrimination. After a successful application and obtention of your visa to Cameroon, foreigners can live freely and carry out their respective activities according to the Laws and regulations of the land. Cameroon is a signatory to numerous international conventions like the Universal declaration of human rights, among others.Hippotechgroup.com has a separate article on how to obtain a residence permi
Cameroon is a growing economy and, as such, has become an attractive destination for nationals of other countries who come for business and investment opportunities as well as Job opportunities and other social reasons like marriages and adoption. For this reason, we have decided to develop this article containing the immigration laws for foreigners in Cameroon.
Suggested: How to Verify Cameroon Passport Online
What is Immigration Law?
Immigration law refers to the established rules of a country to determine who is allowed to enter the country and how long they may stay there. It also provides how a non-citizen can become a legally naturalized citizen with full citizenship rights. Simply put, the Immigration law of a country determines who may enter, how long they may stay, and when they must leave that country.
The law governing the entry, stay, and exit of foreign Nationals in Cameroon is Law N° 97/012 of 10 January 1997. The modalities for applying this law are contained in decree N° 2007/255 of 4 September. 2007. Law N°2016/373 of 4 August 2016 completed and modified specific provisions of this law.
How to Get a Visa to Cameroon
There are different visa options: temporal visas, short stay, and long stay. The table below shows each visa type and its duration of validity.
|
Type of Visa |
Validity |
|
Transit visa |
Maximum 5 days |
|
Tourist Visa |
Maximum 30 days |
|
Short stay visa |
Maximum 3 months |
|
Long stay visa |
Between 3 months to 6 months maximum |
Suggested: Cameroon Passport Visa Free Countries
Requirements to Get a Visa to Cameroon
A. To obtain all types of visas to Cameroon, the applicant must possess the following;
- A valid passport or any other travel document that has a minimum of six months validity
- A valid international yellow fever vaccination card
- Two recent color passport-size photographs
- Two (02) visa application forms must be completed and signed by the applicant. Single visa application forms are usually rejected.
- copy of flight/trip reservation from the airline or travel agency confirming the trip itinerary to Cameroon
In addition to these documents, the applicant must have the following, depending on the specific type of visa;
1. Transit Visa
- A visa or any other authorization document to enter the destination country.
- A receipt of payment of the visa application fee.
2. Tourist Visa (Maximum 30 days Validity)
In addition to the documents listed in A) above, the applicant needs.
- Proof of financial capability for the duration of your visit.
- Hotel reservation signed y the appropriate authority or a lodging certificate issued by a competent authority of the community the applicant is visiting.
- Proof of guarantee of repatriation.
- A document from a valid travel agency, where applicable.
- A receipt of payment of the visa application fee.
3. Short Stay Visa (Maximum 3 Months Validity)
- A document carrying the reason/explanation for your visit with accompanying proof.
- A mission order for official trips.
- A receipt of payment of the visa application fee.
- Proof of guarantee of repatriation.
4. Long Stay Visa (Duration Between 3 Months to 6 Months)
In addition, the documents requested in A (above), applicants for a long-stay visa in Cameroon should have the following:
- For foreigners coming to work in Cameroon, a work contract is duly signed by the minister of labor.
- A competent authority of the school must sign a proof of registration at an institution of learning for foreign students.
- An internship letter which is signed by a competent authority of the institution where the internship will be carried out.
- A partnership contract and other related documents for business people
- Proof of repatriation guarantee.
- A receipt of payment of the visa application fee.
B. Special Visas
1. Visas for Minors (Below 18 Years old)
In addition to the requirements in A above,
- Copy of the minor applicant’s birth certificate.
- Notarized letter of support jointly signed by both parents/legal guardians.
The notarized letter of support must specify the following:
(a) That the parents/legal guardians are in agreement with the minor child’s travel to Cameroon, and
(b) Who will be traveling with the minor.
2. Official Visas (Courtesy and Diplomatic Visas)
Up to six (6) months for officials and diplomats and up to one (1) year for U.S. officials with diplomatic and official passports.
In addition to these, one or more of the following may be required:
- Diplomatic note / Note verbale.
- Official request from Government, International or Governmental Organization.
- Warrant for mission or mission order.
Final Words
Cameroon is a very hospitable country that welcomes ad hosts all Nationals without discrimination. After a successful application and obtention of your visa to Cameroon, foreigners can live freely and carry out their respective activities according to the Laws and regulations of the land. Cameroon is a signatory to numerous international conventions like the Universal declaration of human rights, among others.
Hippotechgroup.com has a separate article on how to obtain a residence permit in Cameroon.
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