If you’re planning on taking a trip to Togo, chances are you will likely have to obtain a visa beforehand. Luckily, Togo offers visas on arrival to nationals of all countries, except those who are visa-exempt.
This article will detail the visa requirements for Togo, including who needs one, how to apply for it, required documents, and other frequently asked questions.
Who Needs a Togo Visa?
Nearly everyone who wants to travel to Togo has to obtain a Togo visa. The only ones who are exempt are nationals of the following countries:
- Benin
- Burkina Faso
- Cape Verde
- Côte d’Ivoire
- The Gambia
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Liberia
- Mali
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Romania
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- South Africa
Additionally, holders of diplomatic and service passports issued by China and Morocco are also exempt from visa requirements.
Nationals of all other countries not mentioned above have to obtain a Togo visa to be allowed entry into the country.
What are the types of Togo Visas?
The main types of visas issued by the Togolese government are:
- Togo Tourist Visa, issued for single and multiple entries, and for up to 90 days. You can apply for a Togo Tourist Visa if you are traveling for tourism, visit, or other non-business related purposes.
- Togo Business Visa, issued to foreigners traveling to Togo for business-related purposes of up to 90 days. It can be single- or multiple-entry.
- Togo Transit Visa, issued to foreigners transiting through the territory of Togo. The transit visa for Togo can be for a single or double-entry (roundtrip).
- Togo Immigration Visa, for foreigners intending to settle in Togo long-term
What Documents Do I Need for a Togo Visa?
When applying for a Togo visa, you should have several supporting documents such as:
- Your passport. It must have a validity of at least another six months from the end of your stay and at least two blank pages.
- Photocopies of the first two pages of your passport.
- The Togo visa application form.
- Two recent passport-size pictures, with the following requirements:
- Dimensions: 4.5 x 3.5cm
- White background
- Neutral facial expression
- Your face and head must be fully visible (headgear only accepted for religious purposes, provided it does not obstruct the face)
- Proof you have purchased or booked a return flight ticket.
- Travel insurance for the duration of your stay, or proof you have paid a repatriation deposit.
- Yellow Fever Certificate or the vaccination notebook.
- For Togo Tourist Visa: Proof of accommodation in Togo, such as a hotel reservation.
- For Togo Business Visa: Letter of invitation from the company inviting you in Togo or any documents regarding the relevant assignment which you will take part in.
- For Togo Transit Visa:
- Proof of onward travel,
- visa for the final destination, if a visa is required.
- For Togo Immigration Visa:
- Proof of income, such as in the form of bank statements;
- a motivational letter;
- proof of health insurance.
To get a visa for Togo if you are under 18, you also need a parental consent form, signed by both of your parents.
Note: This is not an exhaustive list of requirements, since the required documents may change depending on the specific case and/or the consulate in which you apply.
How Can I Apply for a Togo Visa?
There are two ways through which visa-required foreigners apply for a Togo visa:
- On arrival, at the port of entry in Togo; or
- At a Togonese Embassy or Consulate in your country or a neighboring country
See both Togo visa application processes detailed below.
Applying for a Togo Visa On Arrival
Nationals of all countries are eligible for a Togo Visa On Arrival.
However, the Togo Visa On Arrival is only valid for seven days, with the possibility to extend it for up to 90 days once you’re already in Togo.
You can get a Togo Visa On Arrival at the visa-issuing counters at the international airport in Lome or any of the major border crossings. You need to have a Togo visa application form and two passport-size pictures with you and pay a fee of 15,000 CFA or its equivalent in Euro or Dollars. You may also have to show proof of Yellow Fever vaccination, accommodation, and a return flight ticket, as well as any other documents depending on the purpose of your travel.
If you want to stay for longer than 7 days, you can apply to extend your visa at the Foreigners and Passport Service in Toga before your current visa expires. The Togo visa extension is free of charge.
However, many travelers who know they want to stay in Togo for longer than 7 days opt for applying for the visa before they travel at a Togolese Embassy or Consulate because they consider it to be less of a hassle than applying for an extension.
Applying for a Togo Visa before you travel
If you want to stay in Togo for longer than 7 days, you can apply for a visa from a Togolese embassy or consulate before you travel. The exact Togo visa application process changes depending on the specific embassy/consulate in which you apply, but can be summed up as follows:
- Contact the embassy/consulate or, if possible, visit their website to learn about their opening hours, working days, and any specific requirements.
- Complete the Togo visa application form
- Gather the required documents (see the documents below)
- Pay the Togo visa fee*
- Submit the documents and application at the embassy or consulate. Some diplomatic offices allow applicants to submit their visa applications through the mail, especially if they live far away.
- Wait for the visa application to be processed. If the application is approved you will either have to go pick up your passport in person or have it mailed back to you, depending on the way through which you applied.
*The method of paying for the visa fee changes from one consulate to the other. You may have to pay in cash at the time of application or through a bank transfer beforehand.
How to complete the Togo visa application form?
You can download the Togo visa application form from one of the websites of Togo’s diplomatic representations abroad. Some embassies or consulates require you to fill it out beforehand and have it with you when you submit the application.
Depending on the format of the application form file, you may be able to complete it electronically then just print it and sign it. Or, you may have to print it first and fill it out by hand.
The Togo visa application form includes questions that clarify the purpose of your travel to Togo.
You may also be able to pick up the visa application form at the embassy or consulate itself.
How Long Does it Take to Process a Togo Visa?
The processing time for a Togo visa depends on the specific Embassy or Consulate, but you can expect to wait at least between 5 – 10 working days starting from the time they receive your completed application. It may take longer, however, depending on the specific circumstances so you should start the application process at least about a month in advance, especially if you’re going to apply by mail.
How Much are the Togo Visa Fees?
The visa fees for Togo are as follows:
- For a Togo Visa On Arrival: 15,000 CFA ($25)
- 30-day single-entry visa: appx. $70 (£55)
- 90-day single-entry visa: appx. $97 (£75)
- 30-day multiple-entry visa: appx. $85 (£65)
- 90-day multiple-entry visa: appx. $110 (£85)
Note: This is an approximate list of Togo visa fees. The fees may differ slightly from one country or currency to the next.
How Long is a Togo Visa Valid For?
The duration of your Togo visa depends on the manner through which you apply. As such:
- A Togo Visa On Arrival is valid for only up to 7 days and can be extended for an additional 30 days while in Togo
- A Togo visa obtained from an embassy/consulate is issued for a maximum of 90 days, for single or multiple entries
Can I Extend a Togo Visa?
Yes, you can extend a Togo Visa On Arrival before it expires at the Togo Foreigners and Passport Service offices in Lome.
If you want to extend a 30-day or 90-day visa, then you can apply for an extension at the Directorate General of National Documentation of the Togo Ministry of the Interior.
Where Can I Find a Togo Embassy or Consulate?
The Togolese Republic has diplomatic representations (Embassies and Consulates) in the following countries:
Togo Embassies around the world
- Togolese Embassy in Brussels, Belgium
- Togolese Embassy Office in Cotonou, Benin
- Togolese Embassy in Brasilia, Brazil
- Togolese Embassy in Ottawa, Canada
- Togolese Embassy in Beijing, China
- Togolese Embassy in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Togolese Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Togolese Embassy in Paris, France
- Togolese Embassy in Libreville, Gabon
- Togolese Embassy in Berlin, Germany
- Togolese Embassy in Accra, Ghana
- Togolese Embassy in New Delhi, India
- Togolese Embassy in Tokyo, Japan
- Togolese Embassy in Kuwait City, Kuwait
- Togolese Embassy in Rabat, Morocco
- Togolese Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria
- Togolese Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa
- Togolese Embassy in London, United Kingdom
- Togolese Embassy in Washington, D.C., United States
Togo Consulates around the world
- Togolese Honorary Consulate in Vienna, Austria
- Togolese Honorary Consulate in Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Togolese Honorary Consulate in Douala, Cameroon
- Togolese Honorary Consulate in Quebec, Canada
- Togolese Honorary Consulate in Toronto, Canada
- Togolese Honorary Consulate in N’Djamena, Chad
- Togolese Honorary Consulate in Copenhagen, Denmark
- Togolese Honorary Consulate in Helsinki, Finland
- Togolese Honorary Consulate in Nice, France
- Togolese Honorary Consulate in Bonn, Germany
- Togolese Honorary Consulate in Bremen, Germany
- Togolese Honorary Consulate General in Hanover, Germany
- Togolese Honorary Consulate in Mannheim, Germany
- Togolese Honorary Consulate in Munich, Germany
- Togolese Honorary Consulate General in Athens, Greece
- Togolese Honorary Consulate in Conakry, Guinea
- Togolese Honorary Consulate in Reykjavik, Iceland
- Togolese Honorary Consulate in Rome, Italy
- Togolese Honorary Consulate in Luxembourg Ville, Luxembourg
- Togolese Honorary Consulate in Bamako, Mali
- Togolese Honorary Consulate General in Casablanca, Morocco
- Togolese Honorary Consulate in Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Togolese Honorary Consulate in Manila, Philippines
- Togolese Consulate General in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Togolese Honorary Consulate in Dakar, Senegal
- Togolese Honorary Consulate in Barcelona, Spain
- Togolese Consulate General in Geneva, Switzerland
- Togolese Honorary Consulate in Los Angeles, United States
- Togolese Honorary Consulate General in Miami, United States