Japanese citizens hoping to travel to The Gambia are now facing new limitations on their stay, as the Senegalese Embassy in Tokyo has imposed a 30-day cap on visa validity. The policy, described by some affected individuals as “unfortunate,” may discourage long-term visits to the West African nation.
With The Gambia lacking a diplomatic mission in Japan, Japanese nationals must turn to the Senegalese Embassy in Tokyo for consular support and visa processing. It remains unclear why the embassy has chosen to restrict visa durations, but the move has raised concern among those with personal or professional reasons to spend extended time in the country.
“This kind of limitation is quite unfortunate,” said one Japanese national familiar with the process. “It could turn away people who want to explore The Gambia in a meaningful way or contribute through longer-term engagements.”
Though Japan is not one of The Gambia’s primary tourism markets, Japanese visitors do make the journey for various reasons, ranging from tourism to academic and cultural exchanges. Critics of the new policy warn it could create an unnecessary hurdle and reduce interest in travel to The Gambia from Japan.
For now, those hoping to visit will need to plan their trips within the 30-day window or explore possible visa extensions upon arrival — a process that can often be uncertain and bureaucratically challenging.
We will continue to intensify our efforts to reach Gambian authorities for comment
