Resident card (carte de résident) - 10-year residence
Foreigners admitted as residents in Cameroon get a carte de résident valid for ten (10) years. Resident status covers foreigners who have lived in Cameroon regularly for at least six years, spouses of Cameroonian citizens (subject to Law 97/012), and members of recognised religious congregations. An applicant who is already in stay must show a carte de séjour that has already been renewed. Fees depend on nationality, for example 300,000 FCFA for Africans and 750,000 FCFA for non-Africans.
Life in Cameroon
Money
3
Currency
Central African CFA Franc
XAF
Central African CFA Franc
Cost of living
36
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
10–35%
Income tax (national)
VAT 17.5% · social security 4.2%
IRPP on salaries 10/15/25/35% (35% above XAF 5,000,000 net a year), plus 10% communal additional centimes on the tax (effective 11-38.5%).
Living
1
Happiness
#98 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Who it’s for
Long-term foreign residents (6+ years of regular stay), foreign spouses of Cameroonian citizens, and members of recognised religious congregations.
Eligibility
Six years of regular stay
You need to have stayed regularly in Cameroon for at least six consecutive years.
6 consecutive years
Required stay
- Applies to workers, independents, trainees, students, family members and refugees in stay
- Source: Decree 2023/147, art. 20
Official wording
Foreigners in stay (workers, independents, trainees, students, family members, refugees) who have regularly stayed in Cameroon for at least six (06) consecutive years are resident foreigners (Decree 2023/147, art. 20).
Spouse of a CameroonianSpouses of Cameroonian citizens
The spouse of a Cameroonian national is a resident foreigner, subject to article 21(1) of Law 97/012 (art. 20).
Religious congregationsReligious congregation members
Members of duly recognised religious congregations (art. 20).
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementPrevious carte de séjour
- Document checklistCarte de séjour renewed (second or third time) or current carte de résident
- FeesCarte de résident - Africans
The full requirements are for members
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- 1 more requirement
- 7 documents
- 5 fees
- 5 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in Cameroon
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
Other routes to Cameroon
- Visit & tourismShort stay visa (e-visa via evisacam.cm), including transit
- StudyLong stay visa for students and long-term trainees, then carte de séjour
- Work permitsEmployment: MINEFOP-approved (visé) work contract, long stay visa and carte de séjour
- FamilyFamily accompaniment and family reunification
- Asylum & protectionRefugee card
