● Recently, there have been multiple cases where Japanese nationals, having applied for an e-VISA to enter Gabon, visited the country before the visa was issued. As a result, they were denied entry by Gabonese authorities due to the lack of a valid visa. A similar consular notice was sent out in March of this year, but even after March, there have been additional cases of entry refusals for the same reason. Although this is a repeated warning, there is also new information, so if you are planning to obtain an e-VISA for Gabon, please be sure to read this email thoroughly.
- According to Gabonese authorities, when an e-VISA application is submitted, a notification of receipt is first sent, and if the application passes the review without issues, a notification of visa issuance is typically received within about three days. However, this assumes that all information is accurate and all required documents are properly submitted. Additionally, due to the local internet connectivity and the operational status of the e-VISA system, it may take a considerable amount of time to issue the visa, so please apply with plenty of time before your planned departure. Please refrain from visiting Gabon under the assumption that “it’s okay because I applied” without having received the issuance notification. Once you receive the notification, print it out and have it ready to present at the time of entry.
- A common reason for the non-issuance of e-VISAs has been the failure to attach the required documents during the application process. For example, if you plan to stay at a hotel in Gabon, you need to submit a “proof of accommodation” issued by the hotel when applying for the e-VISA. However, there have been multiple cases where the issuance process was halted due to the omission of this document. Ideally, in such cases, Gabonese authorities would send an email requesting the missing documents, but there appear to be issues with the email system, resulting in the communication not reaching the applicant. Consequently, applications with missing documents are effectively left unattended by Gabonese authorities.
- Given the current situation, where the e-VISA application process is not entirely reliable, if you do not receive a notification of visa issuance within a few days of applying, please contact Gabonese authorities directly via email (or phone). If you are unable to get in touch with the authorities, it is recommended that you consult or inquire with the Gabonese Embassy in Japan or the nearest Gabonese Embassy.
- Additionally, please note that credit cards are not accepted at the VISA counter at Libreville International Airport. The e-VISA fee can only be paid in the local currency (FCFA: Central African CFA franc) or in euros, so please ensure you have the appropriate amount in cash in advance.
Comment