Guinea-Bissau entry requirements for South Korea passport holders

Checked daily · Updated May 15, 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

South Korean passport holders can get a visa on arrival in Guinea-Bissau. You don't need to apply in advance — just arrive at Bissau's Osvaldo Vieira International Airport with the required documents and pay the fee on the spot. As of 2025, this is the standard entry method for Korean travellers.

Entry requirements

RequirementDetailsStatus
Visa on arrival
Apply at the border
Get your visa on arrival at Osvaldo Vieira International Airport (OXB) in Bissau. Have 55 EUR or 85 USD in cash ready for the visa fee — the airport has no ATM that reliably works. Bring two passport-sized photos and your hotel booking printed out.Check MFA portalRequired
Valid passport
Must be valid for the duration of stay
Your South Korean passport needs at least 6 months of validity from your date of entry into Guinea-Bissau. Airlines check this at check-in — if your passport expires sooner, you will be denied boarding.Required
Return or onward ticket
Proof of departure from Guinea-Bissau
Immigration officers at Bissau airport ask for a confirmed onward or return ticket. Have a printed copy of your flight itinerary ready — showing a flight out of Guinea-Bissau within your visa validity.Recommended
Proof of accommodation
Hotel booking or host invitation
Carry a printed hotel reservation or a letter of invitation from your host in Guinea-Bissau. Immigration may ask for it during the visa-on-arrival process.Recommended
Proof of funds
Show you can cover your stay
Have at least 500 EUR in cash or a bank statement showing sufficient funds for your trip. Guinea-Bissau is a cash economy — credit cards are rarely accepted outside major hotels in Bissau.Recommended
Cash only for visa fee
The visa-on-arrival fee must be paid in cash — euros or CFA francs. There are no ATMs or card facilities at the immigration counter. Bring enough small bills to cover the fee (€55–€85) plus any unexpected costs.
Yellow fever vaccine required
Guinea-Bissau requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for entry. Get the vaccine at least 10 days before you travel and carry the official WHO yellow card. You may be asked to show it at immigration.

What happens at the border

1
Arrive at Bissau Airport
Fly into Osvaldo Vieira International Airport (OXB) in Bissau. After deplaning, follow signs to the immigration hall. There's a dedicated counter for visa-on-arrival processing.
2
Present documents and pay fee
Hand over your passport, completed arrival card (usually given on the plane), and your return ticket. Pay the visa fee in cash — euros or CFA francs are accepted. The fee is around €55–€85 depending on your nationality and length of stay. Keep the receipt.
3
Receive visa and enter
The officer will stamp your passport with the visa. Processing takes 10–20 minutes. Once stamped, proceed to baggage claim and customs. Welcome to Guinea-Bissau.
Download Guinea-Bissau Entry Checklist
PDF · South Korea Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 15, 2026
Download PDF

Staying longer & fees

Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:

Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days
Validity3 months from issue
Cost55 EUR (~$60 USD)

Apply at embassy or on arrival; same as VoA.

Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry
Validity6 months
Cost90 EUR (~$98 USD)

Available at embassy; requires invitation letter.

Business visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days
Validity3 months
Cost70 EUR (~$76 USD)

Requires company sponsorship letter.

Other fees
ServiceCost
Visa on arrival (single entry)Payable in EUR or USD at the border; valid for up to 90 days.55 EUR (~$60 USD)
Overstay fine per dayPay at immigration office before departure.5 EUR (~$5.50 USD) per day, max 150 EUR (~$165 USD)

Common reasons for entry denial

No return ticket35%
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

South Korea passport holders transiting through Guinea-Bissau do not need a transit visa if they remain airside and have a confirmed onward ticket within 24 hours.

Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Transit hubsOsvaldo Vieira International Airport (Bissau)

Health & vaccines for Guinea-Bissau

Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission; certificate must be presented.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidEssentialYellow FeverEssentialMalaria prophylaxisEssentialRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio)RecommendedHepatitis BRecommendedRabiesConsider
Health risks
MalariaHigh risk

Present throughout the country; prophylaxis strongly recommended.

Dengue feverModerate risk

Common in urban and rural areas; use mosquito repellent.

CholeraLow risk

Occasional outbreaks; practice food and water safety.

Malaria risk: high

Malaria is high throughout Guinea-Bissau; CDC recommends atovaquone-proguanil or doxycycline prophylaxis.

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 Fronteiras (SMF)
Avenida Amílcar Cabral, Bissau
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00

Handles visa extensions and overstay fines; bring passport and payment in EUR.

Bafatá
Delegação do SMF Bafatá
Rua Principal, Bafatá
Mon–Fri 08:00–15:00

Limited services; best to handle issues in Bissau.

Practical information for KR 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 = 561.56 XOF
updated May 15
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
Police117
Medical119
US EmbassyFind contact

Frequently asked questions

The visa-on-arrival fee is typically €55–€85 (about 36,000–56,000 CFA francs). Pay in cash — euros or CFA francs are preferred. US dollars may be accepted but at a poor exchange rate. Bring small bills to avoid change issues.
No, the visa on arrival is not extendable. You must leave before the stamped validity expires. If you need to stay longer, you'd need to exit and re-enter, or apply for a different visa type before travel.
Visa on arrival is only guaranteed at Osvaldo Vieira International Airport. Land border crossings may not have the facility — you could be turned away or forced to pay a bribe. Fly into Bissau to be safe.
Yes, Guinea-Bissau requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for all travellers over 1 year old. You'll likely be asked to show it at immigration. Get the vaccine at least 10 days before travel and carry the WHO yellow card.
No, Guinea-Bissau does not offer an e-visa for South Korean passport holders. The visa on arrival is the standard method. There's no way to apply online in advance.
You'll need your passport (valid 6+ months), a completed arrival card (usually given on the plane), your return or onward ticket, and proof of accommodation. Cash for the visa fee is essential. A yellow fever certificate may also be requested.
Guinea-Bissau has a high crime rate, especially in Bissau. Avoid walking alone at night, don't display valuables, and use registered taxis. Political instability can occur. Check your government's travel advisory before booking. Travel insurance with evacuation coverage is strongly recommended.

Official sources

Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 15, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.