At the airport
Health entry requirements for The Gambia: yellow fever and more
Short answer
- Certificate needed by
- Travellers aged 9 months or over arriving from a yellow fever risk country 3
- Transit rule
- Applies after more than 12 hours in transit at an airport of a risk country 4
- Arrivals from other countries
- No certificate requirement shown by WHO 4
- The Gambia's own status
- Listed by WHO as at risk of yellow fever transmission 4
- Certificate validity
- Life of the person vaccinated 3
- Malaria
- Risk all year in the entire country, mainly P. falciparum 3
The yellow fever rule
The World Health Organization (WHO) publishes the yellow fever entry rules of each country. Its 2022 country list says The Gambia requires proof of vaccination from travellers aged 9 months or over who arrive from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission 3.
The WHO table of November 2022, revised on 3 January 2023, gives the same rule. A footnote extends it to travellers who transited for more than 12 hours through an airport of a risk country. The table shows no certificate requirement for arrivals from any other country 4.
The UK government gives the same advice to British travellers. You need a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you arrive from a country listed as a transmission risk 1.
The US State Department country page says travellers from countries where yellow fever is common need a WHO card showing yellow fever vaccination. That page was last updated on 11 December 2018 6.
Why the vaccine is advised for The Gambia
WHO lists The Gambia itself as a country at risk of yellow fever transmission 4. Its country list gives a WHO vaccination recommendation of yes for travel to The Gambia 3.
WHO marks risk areas on the basis of cases in humans or animals, blood surveys, and the presence of mosquito vectors and animal reservoirs 3.
WHO says a single dose of the vaccine gives lifelong protection. Its fact sheet of 20 October 2025 says 27 African countries are classed as high risk for outbreaks 5.
The UK government lists yellow fever among the main health risks in The Gambia, with malaria, dengue, Zika virus and schistosomiasis. It advises checking vaccine advice at least 8 weeks before travel 2.
Some onward destinations may ask for a certificate from travellers who have been in The Gambia, according to the UK government 1.
How long a certificate lasts
WHO says the 2014 revision of the International Health Regulations extended the validity of a yellow fever certificate from 10 years to the life of the person vaccinated 3.
Under the regulations, countries may ask travellers for proof of vaccination. Medical exemptions must be certified 5.
Malaria
WHO says malaria risk, mainly from P. falciparum, exists all year in the entire country 3.
The US State Department says malaria is found throughout the country. It recommends preventive medicine (chemoprophylaxis) for all travellers, even for short stays 6.
No source reviewed by this site lists a malaria document as a condition of entry 3,4.
Medicines, illness and refusal of entry
Some medicines, including codeine and diazepam, are banned under Gambian drug laws. The UK government advises carrying a copy of your prescription and keeping medicines in their original packaging. Questions about a specific medicine go to the Gambian High Commission in the UK 2.
The Gambia Immigration Department says a person confirmed by medical staff to have a communicable disease can be refused entry under the Immigration Act 7.
The UK government says medical facilities in The Gambia are very limited and evacuation can be very expensive. It advises checking that travel insurance covers local treatment and medical evacuation 2.
| Item | What the source says | Source date |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow fever certificate 3 | Required from risk-country arrivals aged 9 months or over 3 | 2022 edition 3 |
| Transit of more than 12 hours 4 | Counts as arriving from the risk country 4 | Revised 3 January 2023 4 |
| Codeine and diazepam 2 | Banned under Gambian drug laws 2 | Updated 7 July 2026 2 |
| Communicable disease 7 | Grounds for refusal of entry 7 | Undated page 7 |
Common questions
Do I need a yellow fever vaccine to enter The Gambia?
Proof is required if you are aged 9 months or over and arrive from a yellow fever risk country 3. WHO recommends the vaccine for all travel to The Gambia 3.
Does a transit stop count for the yellow fever rule?
Yes, if you transited for more than 12 hours through an airport in a risk country 4.
How long is a yellow fever certificate valid?
For the life of the person vaccinated, under the 2014 revision of the International Health Regulations cited by WHO 3.
Do travellers from the UK need a yellow fever certificate?
The UK government says the certificate is needed if you arrive from a country listed as a transmission risk 1. The WHO table shows no requirement for arrivals from other countries 4.
Can I take codeine to The Gambia?
The UK government says codeine and diazepam are banned under Gambian drug laws 2.
Rules and charges change. Check the official source linked on this page before you pay or travel. Spotted an error? Email hello@gambiaairportguide.com.
Sources
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: The Gambia travel advice, entry requirements (updated 7 July 2026)
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: The Gambia travel advice, health (updated 7 July 2026)
- World Health Organization: Vaccination requirements and recommendations for international travellers and malaria situation per country, 2022 edition (18 November 2022, revised 3 January 2023)
- World Health Organization: Countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and countries requiring yellow fever vaccination (18 November 2022, revised 3 January 2023)
- World Health Organization: Yellow fever fact sheet (20 October 2025)
- US Department of State: The Gambia international travel information (last updated 11 December 2018)
- Gambia Immigration Department: Visa services (undated page)
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