Residence card (carte de séjour) and investor resident card
Under Law No. 40/AN/19, any foreigner who stays in Djibouti for more than 3 consecutive months must get a residence card (carte de séjour) from the Immigration Directorate. A long-stay visa (90 days to 12 months) can lead to a residence card for people who want to settle. The card is issued to people who can live on their own resources and promise not to work, unless the law allows it. Investors and managers of companies approved by ANPI or the Port and Free Zones Authority can get a resident card.
1 entry rule for Djibouti based on recent travel
These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.
Yellow fever certificate needed after a stay in countries with risk of yellow fever transmission (WHO list)
Travellers aged 1 year and over arriving from a yellow fever risk country (or after more than 12 hours' airport transit in one) need a valid yellow fever certificate.
WHO International Travel and Health, Annex 1: Countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and countries requiring proof of vaccination against yellow fever (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) WHO ITH Country List: Vaccination requirements and WHO recommendations for international travellers, 2022 edition (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) Checked October 19, 2026
Life in Djibouti
Money
3
Currency
Djiboutian Franc
DJF
Djiboutian Franc
Cost of living
50
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
Up to 40%
Income tax (national)
VAT 10%
Monthly wages above DJF 50,000 taxed progressively; 40% top rate from DJF 2 million a month.
Living
1
Happiness
#1 of 1 countries
World Happiness Report 2014
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
Foreigners settling in Djibouti for more than 3 months: self-supporting residents, spouses of Djiboutians, family members of card holders, students, and investors or company directors.
Eligibility
Who must hold a card
Foreigners who came as visitors, students or to work; a spouse of a Djiboutian who entered regularly and lives permanently in Djibouti; and family members of a card applicant (art. 20).
Means of support
The card is issued to a foreigner who proves they can live on their own resources and undertakes not to work in Djibouti, except in cases provided by law (art. 22).
Investors and directorsInvestors
Foreigners who show they are investors or managers of companies approved by the Port and Free Zones Authority or the National Investment Agency (ANPI) can get a resident card (art. 27).
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementLong-stay visa
- Document checklistValid passport
- FeesResidence card stamp duty
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 1 more requirement
- 4 documents
- 1 fee
- 3 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in Djibouti
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
Other routes to Djibouti
- Visit & tourismeVisa
- Work permitsWork authorisation (ANEFIP) with professional visa and residence card
Status in-country in other countries
- HondurasResidence as rentista, pensioner or investor, and the special residence route (Migration Law art. 21(8), Ministerial Agreement 374-2025)
- IcelandRight of residence for EEA/EFTA citizens
- JamaicaUnconditional Landing
- KyrgyzstanDigital Nomad visa
- CambodiaOrdinary / Business Visa (E) and long-stay extensions
- KuwaitTen-year residence
