DIFFERENT TYPES OF DOCUMENTS THAT ARE ISSUED TO FOREIGNERS
For admission to Gabon
- An authorization for admission issued by the Department of Documentation and Immigration (D.D.I) depending upon the applicants’ status (temporary visitors or residents).
- A visa issued by Gabonese Embassies and Consulates after approval from the Department of Documentation and Immigration (D.D.I.).
Like authorization for admission, the visa is issued depending upon the applicants’ status (temporary visitors or residents)
Foreigners coming to Gabon must have either the first or the second documents (not both) mentioned above, unless they have been granted or are likely to be granted derogation.
Remarks:
- Temporary visitors cannot enjoy resident’s permits.Actually, authorization for admission to the country or the visa replaces the resident’s permit for the duration allowed by the authorities concerned.
- Temporary visitors must leave the country as soon as their visa comes to maturity.
- Foreigners coming to Gabon for the first time as residents are required to access the country as defined by the Department of Documentation and Immigration.
- Authorization for admission issued to residents allows them just to come to Gabon. They may apply for a resident’s permit to live in the country.
Temporary visitors and residents must show their passports and resident’s permits respectively as proofs that they legally stay in Gabon.
To stay in Gabon :
- The renewal by the D.D.I. (especially the Immigration section) of authorization to stay in Gabon is issued to temporary visitors who want to renew their stay within three months from the day of admission to Gabon.
- The resident’s permit: it is issued to residents after his/her file is approved by the authorities concerned (D.D.I.).
To travel abroad :
- Authorization to go abroad: it is issued to foreigners who want to leave the country.
- Authorization to go abroad and come back: it is issued to residents who want to go abroad for a duration not exceeding 6 months and come back.
Permanent authorization to go abroad and come back: it is also issued to residents; however they may travel many times thanks to their occupation.
III – DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR APPLICATION
TO STAY IN GABON (Articles 36-44 of Law n° 5/86)