Guinea-Bissau entry requirements for Brazil passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 20, 2026·View sources
Visa on arrival
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Brazilian passport holders can get a visa on arrival in Guinea-Bissau. You'll handle it at the airport in Bissau — no need to apply beforehand. This policy is current as of 2026.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Visa on arrival Visa on arrival | Get your visa on arrival at Osvaldo Vieira International Airport (OXB) in Bissau. Have 55 EUR or 85 USD in cash for the single-entry tourist visa — the airport ATM is unreliable and the visa counter does not take cards. The process takes 15–30 minutes depending on the flight load. | Required |
| Valid passport Must be valid for the duration of stay | Your Brazilian passport needs at least one blank page for the visa sticker. Guinea-Bissau does not enforce a 6-month validity rule — just make sure it covers your entire stay. Airlines at GRU and GIG may still ask for 6 months, so check with your carrier before flying. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of onward travel | Immigration officers in Bissau routinely ask for a return or onward ticket before stamping you in. Have a printed or digital copy of your outbound booking ready. If you are overlanding to Senegal or Guinea, a bus ticket or a letter of itinerary works too. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Carry a printed hotel reservation or an invitation letter from your host in Guinea-Bissau. Officers rarely ask for it at the visa-on-arrival counter, but having it ready avoids delays if they do. A simple Booking.com confirmation works. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Cash or bank statement | Have at least 500 EUR in cash or a bank statement showing sufficient balance. The visa counter does not check this strictly, but the immigration officer may ask if you look underprepared. ATMs in Bissau are scarce and often out of cash. | Recommended |
Cash only for visa fee
The visa on arrival fee must be paid in cash — CFA francs or euros. There are no ATMs at the airport before immigration. Bring enough cash to cover the fee and some extra for transport.
Visa on arrival is straightforward
This is one of the easier visa-on-arrival processes in West Africa. Have your documents ready, pay the fee, and you'll be through in about 15–20 minutes.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at Osvaldo Vieira International Airport
You'll land in Bissau. Follow signs to the immigration hall. There's a dedicated counter for visa on arrival — look for the 'Visa on Arrival' sign.
2
Present documents and pay the fee
Hand over your passport, return ticket (screenshot is fine), and accommodation booking. The officer will process your visa. Payment is in cash — CFA francs (XOF) or euros are accepted. Have the exact amount ready.
3
Receive your visa and enter
The visa is stamped into your passport. Check the validity dates before leaving the counter. Then proceed to passport control and then baggage claim.
Download Guinea-Bissau Entry Checklist
PDF · Brazil Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 20, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry) – pre-arranged
Max stay30 days, extendable 30 days
Validity3 months from issue
Cost55,000 XOF (~$90 USD)
Apply at Guinea-Bissau embassy in Brazil or nearest consulate. May allow longer stay than visa on arrival.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay30 days per entry, extendable
Validity6 months from issue
Cost110,000 XOF (~$180 USD)
For frequent travellers. Requires proof of multiple trips.
Business visa
Max stay90 days, extendable
Validity6 months from issue
Cost165,000 XOF (~$270 USD)
Requires invitation letter from a company in Guinea-Bissau.
work visa
Temporary Work Visa (Autorização de Trabalho)
1 year, renewable
~200,000 XOF (~$330 USD) plus processing fees
For those with a job offer from a Guinea-Bissau employer. Requires work contract, employer sponsorship, and approval from Ministry of Labour. Allows multiple entries.
student visa
Student Visa (Visto de Estudante)
1 year, renewable annually
~100,000 XOF (~$165 USD)
For enrolled students at a recognized institution in Guinea-Bissau. Requires acceptance letter and proof of funds. Allows part-time work with permission.
investor visa
Investor Visa (Visto de Investidor)
2 years, renewable
~500,000 XOF (~$820 USD) plus proof of investment
For individuals investing at least $50,000 USD in a local business or real estate. Requires business plan and approval from the Investment Promotion Agency.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Visa on arrival (single entry, up to 30 days)Payable in cash (CFA francs) at the airport. Exact fee may vary slightly. | 55,000 XOF (~$90 USD) |
| Overstay fine per dayPayable at immigration office before departure. Overstay beyond 30 days may incur additional penalties. | 5,000 XOF (~$8 USD) per day, max 50,000 XOF (~$80 USD) |
Common reasons for entry denial
No return ticket30%
Insufficient funds25%
Incomplete travel documents20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Guinea-Bissau
No transit visa needed
Brazil passport holders transiting through Guinea-Bissau do not need a transit visa if staying airside and not passing through immigration. However, if you need to leave the airport or have a layover over 24 hours, you must obtain a visa on arrival.
Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Exceptions & conditions
- Holders of a valid visa for Guinea-Bissau may transit without additional visa.
- Transit passengers with confirmed onward tickets and no checked luggage may remain airside for up to 24 hours.
Transit hubsOsvaldo Vieira International Airport (Bissau)
Health & vaccines for Guinea-Bissau
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired for all travellers arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission, including Brazil. Must show valid certificate at entry.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidEssentialHepatitis BRecommendedRabiesConsiderMeningitis (ACWY)ConsiderRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio, influenza)Essential
Health risks
MalariaHigh risk
Present throughout the country, especially during rainy season (June–November). Prophylaxis strongly recommended.
Dengue feverModerate risk
Outbreaks occur, especially in urban areas. Use mosquito repellent and sleep under nets.
CholeraLow risk
Occasional outbreaks linked to contaminated water. Drink only bottled or boiled water.
Malaria risk: high
Prophylaxis recommended for all travellers. Atovaquone-proguanil or doxycycline are common options. Use DEET repellent and sleep under insecticide-treated nets.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Bissau
Direção-Geral de Migração e Estrangeiros (DGME)
Avenida Amílcar Cabral, Bissau
Mon–Fri 08:00–15:00
Main office for visa extensions and overstay fines. Bring passport, visa, and fee in cash (XOF).
Bissau
Immigration Office at Osvaldo Vieira International Airport
Osvaldo Vieira International Airport, Bissau
Open during flight hours
For visa-on-arrival processing and entry/exit issues. Have cash ready.
Practical information for BR travellers
Country basics
CapitalBissau
LanguagePortuguese
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US license for up to 90 days.
Money
CurrencyWest African CFA franc (XOF)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 564.8 XOF
Time zone
Local timeUTC+0
vs New York+5h
vs Los Angeles+8h
Electricity
Voltage220V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,E,FTypes C (Europlug), E (French), and F (Schuko) are used.
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Tap water is not safe to drink; use bottled or boiled water.
Emergency numbers
Frequently asked questions
The fee is around 30,000 CFA francs (about €45) for a single-entry visa. Pay in cash — CFA or euros. Credit cards are not accepted at the immigration counter.
It's typically valid for 30 days. You can extend it once you're in the country at the immigration office in Bissau.
Yes, you can apply for an extension at the Serviço de Migração e Fronteiras in Bissau. Extensions are usually granted for another 30 days. The cost is around 10,000 CFA francs.
Visa on arrival is available at all official entry points, including land borders. The process is the same — show your passport, return ticket, and pay the fee. But the airport is the most straightforward.
Yes, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for entry into Guinea-Bissau. You'll need to show it at immigration. Get the vaccine at least 10 days before travel.
If you're transiting and not leaving the airport, you don't need a visa. But if you plan to leave the airport, you'll need the visa on arrival.
You'll likely be denied entry. The 6-month rule is strictly enforced. Renew your passport before traveling.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 20, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.