Guinea-Bissau entry requirements for Croatia 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
Croatian passport holders can get a visa on arrival at any entry point in Guinea-Bissau. This is the standard way to enter for tourism or short business trips in 2026 — no need to apply in advance. Just show up with your documents and pay the fee at the immigration desk.
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 60 USD in cash for the single-entry tourist visa — the airport ATM often runs out of cash and card payments are not accepted. The process takes 15–30 minutes; fill out the application form at the counter and hand over your passport and fee.Check MFA website | Required |
| Valid passport Must be valid for the duration of stay | Your Croatian passport must be valid for your entire stay in Guinea-Bissau. No minimum validity beyond departure is required by law, but airlines at check-in may enforce 6 months — check with your carrier before flying. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Required for entry | Immigration officers at Bissau airport routinely ask for proof of a return or onward ticket before stamping you in. Have a printed or digital copy of your outbound flight booking ready — they may deny entry without it. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Recommended to carry | Hotel booking confirmations or an invitation letter from your host in Guinea-Bissau help speed up the visa-on-arrival process. Officers rarely ask, but having a printed address and contact number avoids delays. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Recommended to carry | Carry enough cash for your stay — credit cards are rarely accepted outside major hotels in Bissau. Immigration may ask how you plan to support yourself; having 200–300 EUR in cash shows you can cover expenses. | Recommended |
Cash only at immigration
The visa-on-arrival fee must be paid in cash — CFA francs or euros. No cards, no mobile payments. ATMs at the airport are unreliable, so bring enough cash from home.
Visa not extendable
The visa on arrival is valid for a single entry and cannot be extended. If you need to stay longer, you must leave and re-enter, or arrange a different visa before travel.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at immigration
At Bissau Airport (OXB) or any land border, go to the 'Visa on Arrival' counter. There's usually a separate queue from pre-arranged visa holders.
2
Present your documents
Hand over your passport, return ticket (printed or on phone), and accommodation booking. The officer will check your passport validity and blank page.
3
Pay the visa fee
Pay the fee in cash — CFA francs or euros. Get a receipt. Keep it safe in case you need to extend your stay.
4
Receive your visa sticker
The officer will affix a visa sticker in your passport and stamp the entry date. Check that the details are correct before leaving the counter.
5
Proceed to baggage claim
After immigration, collect your luggage and exit. There's no further check unless you're carrying restricted items.
Download Guinea-Bissau Entry Checklist
PDF · Croatia 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)
Max stay30 days, non-extendable
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost55 EUR (~60 USD)
Obtainable on arrival or in advance from a Guinea-Bissau embassy. Same as visa on arrival.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay30 days per entry, non-extendable
Validity6 months from issue date
Cost90 EUR (~98 USD)
Allows multiple entries within validity. Must be applied for at an embassy.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Visa on arrival (single entry)Payable in cash (EUR or XOF) at the border. Valid for up to 30 days. | 55 EUR (~60 USD) |
| Overstay fineOverstaying beyond the granted period incurs a daily fine. Avoid overstay to prevent future entry issues. | 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
Croatia passport holders transiting through Guinea-Bissau do not need a transit visa if they remain airside and have a confirmed onward ticket. However, if you need to enter the country (e.g., to change airports or overnight), a visa on arrival is required.
Airside transitAllowed
Transit hubsOsvaldo Vieira International Airport (Bissau)
Health & vaccines for Guinea-Bissau
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired for travellers arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission. Croatia is not endemic, but if transiting through an endemic country, a certificate is mandatory.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidEssentialYellow FeverRecommendedHepatitis BRecommendedRabiesConsiderMeningitisConsider
Health risks
MalariaHigh risk
Malaria is prevalent throughout Guinea-Bissau, especially in rural areas. Prophylaxis is strongly recommended.
Dengue FeverModerate risk
Dengue outbreaks occur, particularly during the rainy season. Use mosquito repellent and nets.
CholeraModerate risk
Cholera is present, especially in areas with poor sanitation. Drink only bottled or boiled water.
Malaria risk: high
Malaria is high throughout the country, including urban areas. Prophylaxis (e.g., atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine) is recommended. Use insect repellent and sleep under mosquito 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
Serviço de Migração e Estrangeiros (SME)
Av. Amílcar Cabral, Bissau
Mon–Fri 08:00–15:30
Main immigration office for visa extensions and permits. Bring passport, photos, and fee in cash (XOF or EUR).
Bafatá
Delegação do SME em Bafatá
Rua Principal, Bafatá
Mon–Fri 08:00–15:00
Regional office for immigration matters. Limited services; may refer to Bissau for complex cases.
Practical information for HR 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 standard single-entry tourist visa costs about 55,000 XOF (West African CFA francs), which is roughly €85. You can also pay in euros at some counters, but CFA francs are preferred. Have the exact amount in cash — no change is given.
No, the visa on arrival is not extendable. You get a fixed stay (usually 30 days) from the date of entry. If you need to stay longer, you'd have to leave and re-enter, or apply for a different visa type before travel.
You will be denied entry. The 6-month validity is strictly enforced at immigration. Renew your passport before traveling.
Yes, Guinea-Bissau requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for all travelers over 1 year old arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission. Croatia is not a risk country, but if you've recently traveled to an endemic area, you'll need proof. Even if not, carrying the certificate is recommended as immigration may ask.
No. Only cash is accepted — CFA francs or euros. There are ATMs at Bissau Airport, but they may not always work. Bring enough cash from home.
Usually 15–30 minutes, but it can take longer if multiple flights arrive at once. The queue moves slowly because each application is processed manually. Arriving early in the day helps avoid crowds.
If you're staying airside and not passing through immigration, you don't need a visa. But if you need to enter the country (e.g., for a layover longer than a few hours), you'll need the visa on arrival.
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.