Guinea Business Visa - Definitive Guide

When foreign businessmen have plans to travel to Guinea on a business trip, a business visa for Guinea is issued in their name. With this visa, the holder is allowed to carry out business activities in the country and is even permitted tourism. The business activities include business meetings and conferences, exhibitions, business meetings for a branch of your own company or a sister company, or attend client meetings and others. If you are willing to invest in the country, there is a different kind of visa for the same called an investor visa. It falls under the higher classification of Ordinary Visa that is issued to the civilians. The validity of the permit will vary depending on whether the permit is single-entry type or multiple-entry type. The validity of a single-entry type is for 1 month and the validity of a multiple-entry type is 3 months.

In order to get a business visa for Guinea, you will have to apply offline to the Embassy of Guinea. However, before going ahead with the application process, you need to know if you are eligible for the application. The process for the visa application is given as follows:

1. Get the visa application form from the Embassy of Guinea.
2. Fill out the form thoroughly with clear and readable writing.
3. Attach your latest photograph.
4. Attach the required supporting documents.
5. Submit the application form and the documents to the Embassy.
6. Pay the required visa fee.
7. Collect your passport after the processing of the visa.

There are a few things that you need to keep in mind at the time of filling out the visa application form. The information that you are providing must be true and correct and the form should be filled as per the details on the documentary proof that is being provided. If there is any kind of false or incorrect information detected, then there are chances that your visa application may get rejected. Visa rejection of such kind can affect your future application for a visa to Guinea or any other country as well.

As it is known that before applying for any permit, it is important to know if you are eligible for the permit or not. There are certain criteria that decide whether the applicant can get a business visa for Guinea or not. These parameters are listed as follows:

• You must have proof of business ownership and purpose of visit

• • • You must have proper proof of your business enterprise to show it to the authorities.
    • If you have been invited to a business conference or to attend a business or client meeting, an invitation letter from the company must be provided to the embassy.
• You must meet the health requirements
  • • You must be healthy enough to travel to Guinea.
    • You must perform a medical test before travelling to the country and provide a relevant documentary proof.

• You must be of good character. You may not be granted the visa if -

• • • You have a history of a criminal conviction.
    • You have been deported or banned from another country.
    • You are found to be a threat or risk to the country.
• You must have truthful intentions, which means -
  • • Your documents and the application must be complete.
    • Any personal conditions affecting the process must be known to the authorities.
    • If applications were made previously, they must be provided at the time of a new application.

To get a business visa for Guinea, there is a set of documents that you need. Some of the documents for business visa for Guinea are listed as follows, there may be other requirements based on the case as well -

• Passport valid for at least 6 months ahead of the date of travel.
• A photocopy of your passport.
• Covering letter on the company letterhead.
• Completely filled and duly signed visa application form.
• One passport-sized photograph attached to the application form
• Copy of confirmed flight tickets
• Yellow fever vaccination copy
• Proof of purpose of visit - Invitation letter, copy of hotel reservation
• Proof of sufficient funds - Bank statement: Personal Account (3 months) and Business Account (1 month).

• One copy must be provided
• Photo size: 4.5 cm x 3.5 cm.
• Coloured copy must be provided.
• The face must cover about 70-80% of the frame.
• Head should well-centred.
• A gap of 2mm to 6mm must be kept between the top of the head and the frame.
• The picture must not be older than 6 months.
• The background must be white
• Neutral expressions
• Glasses are not permitted.
• Headgears are not allowed except for religious reasons.
• Clothing shouldn’t match the background.

The time required for the verification and processing of the documents to obtain a business visa for Guinea is about 3 to 5 days. There are several factors that affect the processing time of the Guinea business visa which include higher number of pending applications at the Embassy of Guinea,  whether the permit is single-entry type or multiple-entry type, if there is a requirement for additional documents and others. The embassy even renders an option for fast track issuance of the permit. You get the visa issued within 24 hours by paying 50% extra fee for the same.

There are certain factors that are considered at the time of estimation of the fee. It varies depending on the type of the permit, whether it is single-entry or multiple-entry. The fee is to be paid to the Embassy at the time of submission of the visa application form and the required documents. It can be paid in cash as well.

When you have completely filled out the application form and attached all the required documents, there are a few things that you need to know during and after the submission -

• After the submission of the application and the documents, the embassy officials will process your request.
• The documents must be in good condition and should be spoiled.
• If there are any kind of changes that are to be made in the form or the documents, the embassy officials must be informed accordingly.
• In case you have a change of plans, you can even withdraw the application before it is processed.
• You can even check the status of your permit in the meantime. 

The status of the processing of your visa application can be checked offline. To know the status, you will have to contact the Embassy of Guinea offline with the contact information provided on the embassy website. Make sure to call the embassy office only during the office hours.

After the submission of the documents, the embassy officials will process your application form and your documents. When this procedure is complete, you can collect your stamped passport from the embassy office in the time allotted for collection, that is, after 2 PM on weekdays. When you have this visa -

• Before you travel

• Make a note of the visa expiry date, as well as the number of entries permitted. You must not stay in the country beyond this period.
• Ensure that you set a reminder for the expiry date of your visa as you won’t legally be permitted to stay in the country for business post your business permit validity.
• Make sure to carry a copy of your passport and other travel documents while you are in the country.
• Issue health insurance and travel Insurance from a certified company.
• At the Border

• • • Get your documents checked and your passport verified by the Border Control.
    • Consult the airport authorities for any kind of assistance required.
    • Check your visa copy for other guidelines and rules to be followed.
• When you enter Guinea
  • • Ensure not to get involved in any kind of employment. You can, however, do volunteer work
    • The business visa does not permit you to employ or reside as a citizen in the country.
    • It is a permit that allows you to only perform business and business-related operations in the country. You are still permitted tourism.
    • The tourist prohibited areas must be stayed out of.
    • Make sure you don’t overstay and apply for a visa extension in time.
    • If you have a change of plans and you need to stay longer, you can apply for an extension or a different kind of visa at least one month prior to the expiry.