The Gambia Resident Permit B (residence and work) with Alien Card and expatriate quota
Non-Gambians who want to work in The Gambia need a residence and work permit (Resident Permit B) from the Gambia Immigration Department. Non-ECOWAS nationals also receive an Alien Card. Employers hiring expatriates must get an expatriate quota approval, managed by the Ministry of Trade with GID as secretariat, and pay an annual per-expatriate fee. Resident Permit A covers residence without work, such as students and retirees.
1 entry rule for Gambia 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 9 months 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 Gambia
Money
3
Currency
Gambian Dalasi
GMD
Gambian Dalasi
Cost of living
29
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2024
Tax
5–25%
Income tax (national)
VAT 15%
0% up to GMD 36,000 a year (raised from GMD 24,000 in the 2025 budget); 25% above GMD 76,000.
Living
1
Happiness
#126 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
Foreign employees, businesspeople, professionals and other workers living in The Gambia; Permit A for students, retirees and non-working residents.
Eligibility
Timing
You must have lived in The Gambia for a set period after admission before a residence permit can be issued, and you need extensions of stay meanwhile.
Residence needed before permit
- Non-ECOWAS citizens
- 56 days
- ECOWAS citizens
- 90 days
Official wording
Non-ECOWAS citizens must have resided in The Gambia for up to 56 days after admission before a residence permit can be issued; ECOWAS citizens after 90 days. Extensions of stay are needed in the meantime.
Work requires a permit
It is an offence for a non-citizen to take gainful employment without a residence and work permit.
Age
The Residential Permit and Alien Card are for people aged 18 and above.
- Dependants are covered by the holder's permit until adulthood.
Official wording
Residential Permit and Alien Card are for aliens aged 18 and above; dependants are covered by the holder's permit until adulthood.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementExpatriate quota
- Document checklistPassport
- FeesResidential Permit A (ECOWAS)
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
- 6 documents
- 7 fees
- 7 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in Gambia
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
Work permits in other countries
- GuineaGuinea long-term visa (VLS) for employment, business, family, study or internship
- Equatorial GuineaResidence permit (residencia) for expatriates, requiring a work permit
- GreeceEU Blue Card - residence permit for highly qualified employees
- GuatemalaTemporary residence for migrant workers
- GuyanaEmployment visa and work permit
- Hong Kong SAR ChinaGeneral Employment Policy (GEP) – Professionals
