When you expand to Cameroon or anywhere else in the world, you can either hire local employees or hire nationals from other countries. If you decide to bring international talent with you to Cameroon, you’ll need to know how to get a Cameroon work visa — as well as a work permit and residence permit — for each worker.
Types of work visas in Cameroon
Every non-national traveling to Cameroon for business will need either a short-stay visa or a long-stay visa. Short-stay visas are valid for 6 months and long-stay visas are valid for up to 12 months. Both allow for single and multiple entries.
It’s important to note that each larger category is broken down into smaller categories with additional requirements. Employees are required to provide a justification of the purpose of their visit and apply for the appropriate visa. Categories include:
- Short stay: For visitors — such as business travelers, students, and volunteers — issued for a maximum of 6 months.
- Long stay: For the visitors listed above planning visits for up to 12 months.
- Transit: Valid for up to 5 days for travelers passing through Cameroon to another destination.
- Courtesy and diplomatic: Diplomats, government officials, and members of international organizations with diplomatic, official passports, or laissez-passer can stay for up to 1 year.
It is now possible to apply for electronic visa authorization on the official online portal. Upon approval, an appointment will then need to be booked at the organizational unit of the relevant district. It is important to note that the visa holder must leave Cameroon at the latest on the day the visa expires.
Requirements to obtain Cameroon work visas
All international employees will need a Cameroon work permit before they can enter the country or start working. Companies must sponsor the applicant to confirm that they will receive compensation during their stay. Make sure all employees have an employment contract to show at the Ministry of Labor. Other necessary documents may include the following:
- Application
- Detailed job description
- Recent medical certificate
- Certified copies of academic or professional certificates
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Company’s memorandum and articles of association
- Company’s organization chart and profile
- Or any additional documentation required by authorities that may vary on a case-by-case basis
When employees are ready to apply for a work visa in Cameroon, they will have to submit certain requirements and paperwork. These obligations can vary depending on the type of visa and the activities they’ll undertake in the country. However, some of the most common specifications include:
- Original passport that’s valid for at least 6 months beyond the visa expiration date
- Confirmation of online pre-enrolment for the visa application
- 2 passport-size color photos
- A copy of flight and trip reservations
- A copy of up-to-date vaccination certificates showing a valid yellow fever vaccine
- A recent bank statement or letter of invitation from the employer
- Paid application and visa fees
Application process
All individuals can apply for a Cameroon work visa online. The application will be processed by the competent or closest diplomatic mission or consular post. The embassy will let the applicant know if they need any additional documentation or information. However, keep in mind that providing all necessary paperwork does not guarantee work visa approval.
We recommend applying for an entry visa no more than 90 days before planning to arrive in Cameroon. Most work visas take 15 days to issue, but it takes 2 to 5 months to complete the entire process, including:
- Applying for the work permit.
- Completing a visa application upon arrival.
- Entering Cameroon.
- Applying for a residence permit.
- Applying for an exit visa.
Other important considerations
Cameroon frequently creates job opportunities for investors to boost the local economy. International employees and workers are also taxed in Cameroon, which increases the country’s revenue. To ensure security, Cameroon also requires all international applicants to provide police clearance certificates to prove good character.
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