Institutions and records
Gambia Immigration Department at Banjul International Airport
Short answer
- Border role
- Manages border crossing points 1
- Stay stamp for UK tourists
- 28 days on arrival 2
- Extensions
- Two 28-day extensions, Immigration Office Banjul or tourist police stations 2
- Overstay fine in 2018 US advice
- 1,000 dalasi per month, cash on departure 3
- Immigration security levy
- US$20 per arriving and per departing passenger from September 2020 4
- Official site
- gid.gov.gm 1
What GID handles
The GID website lists passport issuance, visa services, residence permits, national ID cards, border control and citizenship applications 1. It says it aims to ease legitimate travel, strengthen border security and manage migration 1.
Banjul International Airport is a border crossing point. The GID website does not publish airport-specific procedures 1.
Stay stamps and extensions
UK advice updated on 7 July 2026 says British passport holders need no visa for tourist visits. They get a 28-day stay stamp on arrival 2. The passport must be valid for the whole stay 2.
Two 28-day extensions are available from the Immigration Office in Banjul or the tourist police stations in the Tourism Development Area. Longer stays need a residence permit 2.
US advice, last updated on 11 December 2018, says tourists are typically granted 30 days. It says overstays are fined 1,000 dalasi per month, paid in cash on departure 3. The 28-day and 30-day figures come from different governments, for different passports, on different dates 2,3.
The immigration security system
On 9 September 2020 the government announced collection of the Immigration Security System Levy at the airport with immediate effect. Each arriving and each departing passenger was to pay US$20 at booths 4.
President Barrow said in March 2023 that Securiport, a US-based company, holds the aviation and immigration security contract. He said Securiport collects data and GID keeps all of it 5.
A presidential adviser on cyber security said in March 2023 that the Securiport Integrated Immigration Control System helped GID gain a new status with the aviation authority 6. This is an official's statement and not an audit finding.
Audit findings and official responses
In February 2023 The Point reported a National Audit Office report on the award of the Securiport contract for immigration security services. The office said contracting authorities signed without considering the Attorney General's legal advice, and that Ministry of Justice letters in 2016, 2017 and 2018 had urged due diligence 7.
The office recommended an investigation and a review of the whole contract. It demanded an explanation from the Office of the President and the Ministry of Interior. No reply was reported 7.
In June 2023 the Ministry of Interior said it had not approved a Securiport request to raise the airport fee. Securiport said the fee stayed at US$20 under the contract 8.
Passenger data
On 6 September 2022 the Minister of Interior signed an MoU with the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism on API and PNR passenger data 9. See the passenger data page for the status.
Common questions
Do I need a visa for The Gambia as a UK tourist?
UK advice says no visa is needed for tourist visits, and you get a 28-day stamp on arrival 2.
Where do I extend my stay in The Gambia?
At the Immigration Office in Banjul or a tourist police station in the Tourism Development Area 2.
What is the fine for overstaying in The Gambia?
US advice from 2018 gives 1,000 dalasi per month, paid in cash on departure 3. Check with GID for current rates 1.
Who keeps passenger data collected at the airport?
President Barrow said in March 2023 that GID keeps all data collected by Securiport 5.
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
- Gambia Immigration Department: Official website (undated)
- GOV.UK, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: The Gambia travel advice, entry requirements (updated 7 July 2026)
- US Department of State: The Gambia international travel information (last updated 11 December 2018)
- The Point: Gambia reimplement immigration levy (9 September 2020)
- The Point: Barrow justifies Securiport contract (21 March 2023)
- The Point (Momodou Jawo): Securiport intercepted many security threats at airport (28 March 2023)
- The Point (Adama Tine): NAO demands OP's explanation over Securiport contract (7 February 2023)
- The Point: Securiport denies fee increment (2 June 2023)
- UN Office of Counter-Terrorism: CT Travel Programme MoU signing ceremony with the Gambia, press release (6 September 2022)
Related
- Entry visa and entry clearance fees for The Gambia
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- Arriving at Banjul International Airport
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- Advance passenger information and PNR data in The Gambia
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- The Banjul airport security fee
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- Health entry requirements for The Gambia: yellow fever and more
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- ECOWAS free movement and entry to The Gambia
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