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6 routes
Visit
Short stays: tourism, transit, business trips, medical, pilgrimage.
Tourist Visa
Togo Visa-Free Entry for African Nationals (2026)
From 18 May 2026 Togo grants visa-free entry to all nationals of African states holding a valid national passport, for a stay of up to 30 days, becoming the sixth African country to adopt such a policy. The exemption replaces the visa/e-visa for African travellers but does not open the border unconditionally: every visa-exempt traveller must complete a compulsory online arrival declaration on voyage.gouv.tg at least 24 hours before departure and obtain a travel slip (bon de voyage) presented at the air, land or sea border. Standard immigration, health (yellow fever) and security rules still apply, and the 30-day limit is firm with penalties for overstay. Longer stays, work or study require an immigration visa and a carte de séjour.
Government fee
F CFA 0
Max stay
30 days
Validity
30 days
Document checklist (5)
Valid national passportPassport of any African state.
Online arrival declarationMandatory declaration on voyage.gouv.tg at least 24 hours before departure, producing a travel slip.
Yellow fever vaccination certificateInternational health certificate checked at the border.
Return or onward ticketOptionalProof of onward or return travel.
Proof of accommodationOptionalHotel booking or host details (recommended).
Tourist Visa
ECOWAS Free Movement (Visa-Exempt Entry, Residence and Establishment)
Citizens of ECOWAS (CEDEAO) member states enter Togo without a visa under the 1979 Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, Residence and Establishment, for an initial stay of up to 90 days on a valid travel document and international health certificate. The protocol's later phases provide rights of residence and establishment, so ECOWAS nationals may settle, run a business or take employment in Togo, though salaried work still requires the employer to obtain a labour authorisation (autorisation de travail) from the Ministry of Labour and longer residence is regularised through a carte de séjour. Holders of an ECOWAS travel document, a Togolese residence card, a Togolese consular card or a long-term courtesy visa are exempt from visa formalities. Note that Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have begun withdrawing from ECOWAS but their citizens retain free-movement rights during the transition.
Work: Establishment rights allow employment and business; salaried work still needs an employer-obtained labour authorisation.
Study: May enrol and study; longer stays regularised via a student carte de séjour.
Residency: Residence and establishment rights under the protocol; regularised through a carte de séjour.
Family: Family members who are ECOWAS nationals enjoy the same free-movement rights.
Government fee
F CFA 0
Max stay
90 days
Validity
90 days
Document checklist (5)
ECOWAS travel document or passportValid national passport or ECOWAS travel certificate of a member state.
International health certificateYellow fever vaccination certificate.
Online immigration declarationPre-arrival entry/exit declaration on voyage.gouv.tg.
Carte de séjour (for residence)OptionalResidence card applied for at the DGDN for stays beyond 90 days.
Labour authorisation (for employment)OptionalAutorisation de travail obtained by the employer for salaried work.
Tourist Visa
Togo Visa on Arrival (Legacy, Being Phased Out)
Togo historically issued a 7-day visa on arrival at Lomé-Tokoin (Gnassingbé Eyadéma) International Airport and major land borders, extendable for free at the immigration office in Lomé up to 90 days. Since the launch of the e-visa platform, the government strongly prioritises pre-arrival online visas and several official and aggregator sources report that visa on arrival is no longer reliably issued; availability is inconsistent and travellers are advised to obtain the e-visa before departure. The on-arrival fee was historically around 10,000-15,000 FCFA (paid in cash, also accepted in EUR/USD) but is not currently published as an official tier; treat this route as legacy and unreliable. A yellow fever certificate and the online immigration declaration are required regardless.
Processing time
0 days
Max stay
7 days
Validity
7 days
Document checklist (6)
PassportValid at least 6 months from entry, with a blank page.
Yellow fever vaccination certificateOriginal international certificate, checked at the border.
Online immigration declarationPre-arrival entry declaration on voyage.gouv.tg before boarding.
Return or onward ticketProof of onward or return travel.
Visa fee (cash)OptionalOn-arrival fee historically around 10,000-15,000 FCFA in cash (EUR/USD accepted) where still issued.
Free extension requestOptionalExtension up to 90 days obtained without charge at the Lomé immigration office.
Tourist Visa
Togo e-Visa (Tourism)
Togo's official electronic visa, issued through the government portal voyage.gouv.tg, is the standard route for non-exempt nationals to visit Togo for tourism or to attend meetings, trade shows, seminars and conferences. The platform offers tiered fees: 25,000 FCFA single-entry 1-15 days, 35,000 FCFA multiple-entry 1-15 days, 45,000 FCFA multiple-entry 16-30 days, and 65,000 FCFA multiple-entry 31-90 days. Applications must be filed at least 5 business days before arrival and are processed within a maximum of 5 business days; late filings incur surcharges. The passport must remain valid at least 3 months beyond the requested visa. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required, and every traveller must also complete the online immigration declaration before boarding. The e-visa does not authorise paid work or enrolled study; stays beyond 90 days require an immigration visa and a carte de séjour.
PassportTravel document valid at least 3 months beyond the requested visa, with a blank page.
Online visa applicationApplication completed on the official portal voyage.gouv.tg after creating an account.
Passport photographRecent identity photograph.
Yellow fever vaccination certificateInternational certificate of vaccination against yellow fever (mandatory for entry).
Flight reservationProof of travel itinerary for arrivals by air.
Proof of accommodationOptionalHotel booking or accommodation certificate (recommended).
Online immigration declarationPre-arrival entry/exit declaration completed on voyage.gouv.tg before boarding.
Visa fee paymentOnline payment by Visa/Mastercard or mobile money (Flooz, TMoney) of the tier fee (25,000-65,000 FCFA).
Transit Visa
Togo e-Visa (Short Transit / Short Stay)
Togo does not publish a separate transit visa class; short transit and brief stays are covered by the shortest e-visa tier on voyage.gouv.tg. The 1-15 day single-entry visa costs 25,000 FCFA, and a 1-15 day multiple-entry option costs 35,000 FCFA. The visa is issued online within a maximum of 5 business days and must be obtained before travel, as Togo no longer issues visas at the airport for most travellers. A passport valid at least 3 months beyond the visa, a yellow fever certificate and the pre-arrival online immigration declaration are required. Travellers merely connecting airside without entering Togo follow the carrier's transit rules.
PassportValid at least 3 months beyond the requested visa.
Online visa applicationApplication on voyage.gouv.tg selecting the 1-15 day tier.
Passport photographRecent identity photograph.
Onward travel proofTicket showing onward or return travel for the connection.
Yellow fever vaccination certificateInternational certificate of vaccination against yellow fever.
Online immigration declarationPre-arrival declaration completed before boarding.
Visa fee paymentOnline payment of 25,000 FCFA (single) or 35,000 FCFA (multiple) by card or mobile money.
Business Visitor Visa
Togo e-Visa (Professional / Business)
The professional (visa professionnel) tier of the official voyage.gouv.tg platform is for foreigners exercising a profession such as journalism or commerce, or carrying out a time-limited project in Togo. Standard fees match the tourist scale (25,000 FCFA single-entry 1-15 days up to 65,000 FCFA multiple-entry 31-90 days), and a dedicated 91-365 day multiple-entry tier of 100,000 FCFA exists for business promoters and established professionals. The visa is delivered online within a maximum of 5 business days; applicants should file at least 5 business days before arrival. A passport valid 3 months beyond the visa, a yellow fever certificate and the online immigration declaration are required. The professional visa permits business activity and projects but a salaried posting still requires a labour authorisation (autorisation de travail) and, beyond 90 days, a carte de séjour.
PassportValid at least 3 months beyond the requested visa.
Online visa applicationApplication on voyage.gouv.tg selecting the professional category.
Passport photographRecent identity photograph.
Yellow fever vaccination certificateInternational certificate of vaccination against yellow fever.
Proof of professional purposeOptionalInvitation from a Togolese company, project documentation or press accreditation.
Flight reservationProof of itinerary for arrivals by air.
Online immigration declarationPre-arrival entry/exit declaration completed before boarding.
Visa fee paymentOnline payment of the tier fee (25,000-100,000 FCFA) by card or mobile money.
Not yet researched
Medical Treatment Visa
Pilgrimage Visa
2 routes
Study & Training
Universities, language courses, internships and exchanges.
Student Visa
Togo Student Residence Card (Carte de Séjour Étudiant)
Foreign students enrolled at an accredited Togolese higher-education institution regularise stays over three months with a student carte de séjour issued by the Direction Générale de la Documentation Nationale (DGDN), applied for online via service-public.gouv.tg. Two student tiers exist: a temporary student card valid 1 year at 100,000 FCFA and an ordinary student card valid 3 years at 250,000 FCFA, both renewable through the studies. Processing typically takes 30-45 days. Applicants submit a stamped application, passport, photos, a recent medical certificate, a home-country criminal record (first application) and a certificate of enrolment. The card authorises residence for study but not general employment.
Study: Full enrolment at the accredited institution.
Residency: Renewable through studies; can transition to worker/investor cards leading to ordinary (3yr) and privileged (5yr) status.
Government fee
F CFA 100,000
Processing time
37 days
Validity
365 days
Document checklist (7)
Stamped applicationApplication addressed to the Director General of the DGDN, filed online via service-public.gouv.tg.
Passport copyCopy of the first 3 pages plus the valid visa page; passport valid 3+ months beyond the card.
Certificate of enrolmentAttestation of enrolment at an accredited Togolese institution.
Medical certificateCertificate from a state physician, less than 3 months old.
Home-country criminal recordPolice clearance from the country of origin (first application).
Proof of financial meansEvidence of resources to support the studies.
Student Visa
Togo Immigration Visa for Studies / Internship
The immigration visa on voyage.gouv.tg is the entry route for foreigners coming to settle in Togo for studies, internships, family reunification or professional establishment. The study/internship strand requires proof of enrolment in an accredited Togolese educational institution. The visa is multiple-entry for 31-90 days at 65,000 FCFA and is renewable once, and on arrival the holder must regularise their stay by obtaining a student carte de séjour at the DGDN. The passport must be valid 3 months beyond the visa, and a yellow fever certificate plus the online immigration declaration are required. Processing takes a maximum of 5 business days.
Study: Enrolment at the admitting institution; regularised by a student carte de séjour.
Residency: Leads to a student carte de séjour; long-term residence via ordinary/privileged cards over years.
PassportValid at least 3 months beyond the requested visa.
Online immigration visa applicationApplication on voyage.gouv.tg selecting the immigration (studies) category.
Certificate of enrolmentAttestation of admission/enrolment from an accredited Togolese institution.
Proof of financial meansEvidence of resources to cover the stay.
Passport photographRecent identity photograph.
Yellow fever vaccination certificateInternational certificate of vaccination against yellow fever.
Online immigration declarationPre-arrival entry/exit declaration before boarding.
Visa fee paymentOnline payment of 65,000 FCFA by card or mobile money.
Not yet researched
Language Course Visa
Internship / Trainee Visa
Exchange Program Visa
2 routes
Work & Self-Employment
Digital nomad, freelance, skilled employment and company transfers.
Skilled Work Visa
Togo Temporary Residence Card (Worker)
Foreigners who have spent more than three months in Togo or intend to settle apply to the DGDN for a carte de séjour. The temporary card is valid 1 year at 200,000 FCFA (the student rate is 100,000 FCFA) and is the usual first residence title for foreign employees, technical assistants and the self-employed; it is renewable and can lead to the ordinary (3-year) and privileged cards. The application is filed online via service-public.gouv.tg and processed in roughly 30-45 days. Required documents include a stamped application to the Director General of the DGDN, passport copy, photos, a state medical certificate, a home-country criminal record (first application), proof of resources, and category evidence such as the work authorisation and visaed contract for employees.
Work: Authorises residence for work under a valid labour authorisation.
Study: Lawful residence permits study.
Residency: Renewable; pathway to the ordinary (3yr) and privileged (5/10yr) residence cards.
Family: Spouse and children may obtain their own residence cards.
Government fee
F CFA 200,000
Processing time
37 days
Validity
365 days
Document checklist (7)
Stamped applicationApplication addressed to the Director General of the DGDN, filed online.
Passport copyCopy of the first 3 pages plus the valid visa page.
Work authorisation and visaed contractFor employees: labour authorisation and the visaed employment contract.
Medical certificateCertificate from a state physician, less than 3 months old.
Home-country criminal recordPolice clearance from the country of origin (first application).
Proof of financial meansBank statements or evidence of stable resources.
Skilled Work Visa
Togo Work Authorisation and Visaed Employment Contract
Under Togo's 2021 Labour Code, hiring a foreign worker must be preceded by a work authorisation and a written employment contract visaed by the Director General of Labour. The work authorisation is generally tied to a work visa valid 2 years and renewable once (up to 4 years total); the Labour Minister may extend it for up to a further 2 years if the employer submits a training plan to localise the role. The worker must also obtain a carte de séjour from the DGDN. Employing a foreigner without authorisation, a valid visa or a residence card exposes the employer to criminal penalties and can void the contract. The employer initiates the process; published government fees for the labour authorisation are not consistently available.
Work: Authorises salaried employment for the specified employer; localisation plan may be required for extensions.
Study: Lawful residence permits study alongside work.
Residency: Paired with a carte de séjour; long residence via ordinary (3yr) then privileged (5/10yr) cards.
Family: Dependents may obtain residence cards (spouse as conjoint, children) once the worker is regularised.
Validity
730 days
Document checklist (7)
Work authorisationAutorisation de travail issued by the labour administration for the specific foreign worker.
Visaed employment contractWritten contract visaed by the Director General of Labour.
Employer's business registrationCopy of the employer's single business card (carte unique).
Tax clearanceTax clearance certificate in the worker's name.
PassportValid travel document.
Carte de séjour applicationResidence-card application filed at the DGDN once in Togo.
Medical certificateCertificate from a state physician, less than 3 months old.
Not yet researched
Digital Nomad Visa
Freelancer Visa
Self-Employment Visa
Startup / Entrepreneur Visa
Seasonal Work Visa
Intra-Company Transfer Visa
1 route
Invest & Capital
Golden visas, real estate, citizenship by investment, passive income.
Business Investor Visa
Togo Investor / Business Founder Residence
Togo has no passive golden-visa or citizenship-by-investment scheme; foreign investors establish residence through an active business and a carte de séjour. After incorporating (typically an SARL via the CFE one-stop shop) and registering business activity, the foreign manager applies to the DGDN for a residence card, with self-employed founders providing a labour authorisation for own-account activity. The ordinary card (3 years, 500,000 FCFA) is common for established investors, while substantial investors may obtain the privileged card (800,000 FCFA, 5+ years). Required evidence includes company registration, tax clearances, proof of the investment and the standard residence-card documents. Applications are processed in about 30-45 days. There is no published minimum investment threshold for residence.
Work: Authorises management of the founder's own business in Togo.
Study: Lawful residence permits study.
Residency: Renewable; substantial investors may reach the privileged long-term card.
Family: Family members obtain their own residence cards.
Government fee
F CFA 500,000
Processing time
37 days
Validity
1,095 days
Document checklist (8)
Company registrationProof of incorporation (e.g. SARL) and registration via the CFE.
Own-account labour authorisationAuthorisation for self-employed/business activity from the competent administration.
Tax clearancesCompany and personal tax clearance certificates.
Proof of investmentEvidence of the capital invested or business plan.
Stamped residence-card applicationApplication addressed to the Director General of the DGDN, filed online.
Passport copyCopy of the first 3 pages plus the valid visa page.
Medical certificateCertificate from a state physician, less than 3 months old.
Togo has no dedicated retirement visa, but retirees with sufficient financial means are an explicitly recognised category for the carte de séjour issued by the DGDN. After entering on an immigration visa, a retiree applies for a temporary card (1 year, 200,000 FCFA), renewable and convertible to the ordinary (3-year, 500,000 FCFA) card, by showing proof of a pension or stable income, plus the standard documents (stamped application, passport copy, photos, state medical certificate, home-country criminal record on first issue). Applications are filed online via service-public.gouv.tg and processed in about 30-45 days. No specific minimum-income figure is officially published.
Study: May study under lawful residence.
Residency: Renewable; transitions to ordinary and privileged long-term cards.
Family: Accompanying spouse may obtain a dependent residence card.
Government fee
F CFA 200,000
Processing time
37 days
Validity
365 days
Document checklist (7)
Stamped applicationApplication addressed to the Director General of the DGDN, filed online.
Proof of pension / incomePension statements or evidence of stable financial resources.
Passport copyCopy of the first 3 pages plus the valid visa page.
Medical certificateCertificate from a state physician, less than 3 months old.
Home-country criminal recordPolice clearance from the country of origin (first application).
Proof of accommodationOptionalEvidence of housing in Togo.
Not yet researched
Working Holiday Visa
2 routes
Family & Origin
Reunification, spouse routes and ancestry-based repatriation.
Family Reunification Visa
Togo Immigration Visa for Family Reunification
The family-reunification strand of the immigration visa on voyage.gouv.tg lets the spouse and dependent children of a foreigner lawfully established in Togo (or of a Togolese national) join them. It is the 31-90 day multiple-entry immigration tier at 65,000 FCFA, renewable once, after which the family member obtains a carte de séjour at the DGDN (a non-working spouse is recorded as a dependent / 'au foyer' holder). Applicants provide proof of the family relationship, the sponsor's residence status and resources, plus a yellow fever certificate and the online immigration declaration. Processing takes a maximum of 5 business days.
Study: Children may enrol in education.
Residency: Leads to a dependent carte de séjour aligned with the sponsor's status.
Family: For the spouse and dependent children of the established sponsor.
PassportValid at least 3 months beyond the requested visa.
Online immigration visa applicationApplication on voyage.gouv.tg selecting family reunification.
Proof of family relationshipMarriage certificate or birth certificate, legalised where required.
Sponsor's residence statusCopy of the sponsor's Togolese residence card or national ID.
Proof of resourcesEvidence the sponsor can support the family member.
Yellow fever vaccination certificateInternational certificate of vaccination against yellow fever.
Online immigration declarationPre-arrival entry/exit declaration before boarding.
Visa fee paymentOnline payment of 65,000 FCFA by card or mobile money.
Spouse / Partner Visa
Togo Spouse Residence Card
The spouse or non-working partner of a foreigner established in Togo (or of a Togolese national) obtains a carte de séjour from the DGDN, recorded in the dependent 'homemaker / au foyer' category. The temporary card is valid 1 year at 200,000 FCFA and renewable, transitioning to the ordinary (3-year, 500,000 FCFA) card over time. Applications are filed online via service-public.gouv.tg and processed in about 30-45 days. Required documents include the marriage certificate, the sponsor's residence status, a stamped application, passport copy, photos, a state medical certificate and a home-country criminal record on first issue. The card authorises residence; salaried work requires a separate labour authorisation.
Study: May study under lawful residence.
Residency: Renewable; transitions to ordinary and privileged cards; spouses of Togolese may naturalise.
Family: For the spouse; children obtain dependent cards.
Government fee
F CFA 200,000
Processing time
37 days
Validity
365 days
Document checklist (7)
Stamped applicationApplication addressed to the Director General of the DGDN, filed online.
Marriage certificateMarriage certificate, legalised where required.
Sponsor's residence statusCopy of the spouse's Togolese residence card or national ID.
Passport copyCopy of the first 3 pages plus the valid visa page.
Medical certificateCertificate from a state physician, less than 3 months old.
Home-country criminal recordPolice clearance from the country of origin (first application).
Talent, religious, humanitarian, media, official and permanent residence.
Long-Term Residence Permit
Togo Ordinary Residence Card (3 Years)
The ordinary carte de séjour issued by the DGDN is valid 3 years at 500,000 FCFA (250,000 FCFA for students) and is the medium-term residence title for established foreign workers, investors and long-staying residents who have typically already held a temporary card. It is renewable and is a step toward the privileged card. The application is filed online via service-public.gouv.tg and processed in about 30-45 days, with the same core documents as the temporary card (stamped application, passport copy, photos, state medical certificate, home-country criminal record on first issue, and proof of resources) plus category evidence appropriate to the holder's status.
Work: Residence for work or business; salaried roles still rely on a valid labour authorisation.
Study: Education permitted under lawful residence.
Residency: Renewable; precedes the privileged long-term card.
Family: Family members hold their own residence cards.
Government fee
F CFA 500,000
Processing time
37 days
Validity
1,095 days
Document checklist (7)
Stamped applicationApplication addressed to the Director General of the DGDN, filed online.
Passport copyCopy of the first 3 pages plus the valid visa page.
Previous residence cardOptionalPrior temporary carte de séjour where applicable.
Medical certificateCertificate from a state physician, less than 3 months old.
Home-country criminal recordOptionalPolice clearance from the country of origin (first issue).
Proof of financial means / statusEvidence of resources and of work, business or family status.
Permanent Residence
Togo Privileged Residence Card (Long-Term)
The privileged carte de séjour is Togo's long-term residence title, granted to investors, highly qualified professionals and long-established residents. Official service-public.gouv.tg pricing lists it at 800,000 FCFA for a validity of 5 years, while other government and press sources describe a privileged card valid up to 10 years; the longer term reflects the most senior category. It is the most stable residence status short of naturalisation and is renewable. Applications are filed at the DGDN via service-public.gouv.tg and processed in about 30-45 days, with the standard residence-card document set plus evidence of the investment, qualifications or long residence supporting privileged status.
Work: Broad residence and work rights for the privileged holder.
Study: Education permitted on equal footing with other residents.
Residency: Most stable long-term residence; naturalisation possible after qualifying years under the nationality code.
Family: Family members hold their own residence cards.
Government fee
F CFA 800,000
Processing time
37 days
Validity
1,825 days
Document checklist (7)
Stamped applicationApplication addressed to the Director General of the DGDN, filed online.
Passport copyCopy of the first 3 pages plus the valid visa page.
Evidence of privileged statusProof of investment, high qualifications or long-term residence in Togo.
Medical certificateCertificate from a state physician, less than 3 months old.
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