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SenegalWork permitsLast checked October 16, 2026

Employment in Senegal: work contract approval and foreigner's establishment / identity card

carte d'identité d'étranger

Senegal's 1971 law on admission, stay and establishment of foreigners separates short stays from establishment, which covers people taking up a lasting income-earning activity. Foreign employees are generally described as needing an approved work contract from the labour administration and a foreigner's identity card from the police. Very little current procedure detail is published on reachable Senegalese government sites.

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1 entry rule for Senegal based on recent travel

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Life in Senegal

Money

3

Currency

West African CFA Franc

XOF

West African CFA Franc

Cost of living

39

Price level · US = 100

World Bank price levels, 2025

Tax

20–43%

Income tax (national)

VAT 18%

Annual scale: 0% to XOF 630,000; 43% above XOF 50,000,000.

Official rates, 2026 · headline only

Living

1

Happiness

4.8

#105 of 145 countries

World Happiness Report 2025

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Who it’s for

Foreign nationals taking up employment in Senegal for more than a short stay.

Eligibility

  • Establishment authorisation

    Senegal separates short-stay authorisation for non-immigrants from establishment authorisation for immigrants with a lasting income-earning activity or profession.

    4 months

    Maximum length of stay authorisation

    • Source: Law 71-10
    Official wording

    Law 71-10 distinguishes stay authorisation for non-immigrants (capped at 4 months) from establishment authorisation for immigrants, such as people with a lasting income-earning activity or profession.

  • Repatriation guarantee

    Expect a repatriation guarantee to be a condition of admission, but official amounts were not confirmed.

    • Provided for by Law 71-10 and its 1971 implementing decree
    Official wording

    The law and its 1971 implementing decree provide for repatriation guarantees as a condition of admission; amounts were not confirmed officially.

  • Entry visa where required

    Bring a valid passport, an entry visa unless exempt, vaccination certificates and a repatriation guarantee.

    • Source: Decree 71-860
    • A visa with establishment authorisation needs prior consultation of the Minister of the Interior
    Official wording

    Decree 71-860 requires a valid passport, an entry visa unless exempt, vaccination certificates and a repatriation guarantee; a visa with establishment authorisation needs prior consultation of the Minister of the Interior.

A sneak peek at what's inside

  • Document checklistValid passport
  • Steps to applyThe employer prepares the employment contract and submits it to the labour admin

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  • 4 documents
  • 4 steps
  • Processing times and conditions
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