If I want to Live in The Gambia do I
Need a Residency Permit?:
The short answer is Yes.
In order to reside in The Gambia
(for work purposes, for example), non-Gambians require a
employment / residential permit for themselves and and an alien’s
identity card for themselves and each of their dependents who are 18
years of age or more. The residential / employment permit
and Aliens ID card needs to be renewed annually. You must carry both
your work / residency permit and your Aliens ID
Card in case you are asked for these by a member of the Immigration
Department or the Police.
There are 3 categories of
residential permits and the application form for each one is
D10.
Type A:
This is for
resident purpose only and issued to retired foreign citizens and
international students. The cost of the fee is D1,100.
Type B:
This category is used for employment and it is D1,300
for citizens of ECOWAS nations. For
other foreign nationals who are working in skilled employment and businesses pay a fee of
D1,800.
Type C:
This residential permit is issued to skilled workers and small traders for a
fee of D1,000.
Exemptions:
Nationals coming
from Mauritania, Republic of Guinea, Mali or Senegal are exempt
from having to pay the residential permit.
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Alien's ID Cards:
All persons living in The Gambia must have and carry their
identity card at all times. The alien card is valid for 1 full
year and its function is to identify foreign nationalities
living in the country. To get the alien's ID card one must first
submit their passport and own nation's ID card. Failing this he
or she should get a sworn affidavit or a consular's card
proving one's nationality.
There are 2 types:
A)
ECOWAS citizen members:
Cost - D1,000 plus D10 for
application form.
B) Non-ECOWAS nationalities:
Cost - 1,500 plus D10 for the
form.
NOTE:
The information above can be subject to
periodic change.
National Identity Cards:
It is compulsory by law for all Gambians over the age of 18
years of age to carry an ID card at all times. Before one is
issued you must produce proof of identity either in the form of
a Birth Certificate, Voter's Card or a sworn affidavit from your
local chief. Fines and / or imprisonment can be imposed for a
failure to produce one when requested to do so.
News:
Gambia tightens law on jobs for
foreigners:
In April 2007 the Panapress News Agency reported that a bill was introduced by Mousa Gibril Balla Gaye, Secretary of
State for Finance and Economic Affairs, which amends the Pay Roll Tax Act.
The effect would be that where
a specialised professional employee was needed by a company or
organisation, an employer shall not employ non-Gambians in excess of
20% of the
organization’s total staff strength.
Failure to meet this condition might lead to a fine "of not less than
D20,000 and not exceeding D50,000" being imposed on an
organisation.
In default of payment of the aforementioned fine, the premises
of the
employer shall be closed down.
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