Guinea Tourist Visa - Definitive Guide

There are tourists from across the world who are willing to travel to Guinea for the beauty it has. A tourist visa for Guinea is issued for those foreigners who are looking forward to travelling to Guinea for tourism and other leisure activities. On this permit, the holder can even visit their friends and family members living in Guinea. This type falls under the higher visa category of Ordinary Visa that is provided to the civilians. The validity of the permit will differ depending on the number of entries required. For single-entry type, the validity is of 1 month, while for the multiple-entry type, the validity is of 3 months.

To obtain a tourist visa for Guinea, you first have to know if you are an eligible candidate for the application or not. To know this, you will have to go through the eligibility criteria provided by the embassy. The process for the application of a Guinea tourist visa is mainly offline. The step by step process 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.

At the time of filling out the application form, you need to take care that you are providing correct and verifiable information. The details provided must match with the information in the documentary proof submitted. If there are any kind of issues found with the application form, there are chances that your tourist visa for Guinea may get rejected. Such a visa refusal can affect your future visa applications to Guinea or any other country.

There are certain parameters that decide whether the applicant is eligible for the application of a tourist visa for Guinea. These parameters vary from type to type and the eligibility criteria for this permit are listed as follows:

• You must possess proof of purpose of visit

• If you are visiting your acquaintances, you must have an invitation letter from the resident in Guinea.
• You must visit for tourism only, or visiting acquaintances and not searching for or taking up any kind of employment.
• 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 (if asked).
  • 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 sufficient funds
  • You must possess or have access to sufficient funds to be able to cover your stay and other expenses in Guinea.
  • Bank statement or any equivalent document is to be submitted as well as proof of the same.

There are different kinds of requirements based on the nationality of the applicant. The documents required to issue a Guinea tourist visa for Indians are listed below:

• 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 for the past 3 months

• 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 processing time required for the issuance of a tourist visa for Guinea is about 3 to 5 days. The processing time depends on certain factors as well, some of them being - the rush at the embassy office, the season time, whether the visa is single-entry type or multiple-entry type, etc. If you need to issue your permit sooner, you can get it issued within 24 hours by paying 50% extra free for the express processing.

The fee to get a tourist visa for Guinea must be paid to the Embassy of Guinea directly. It can be paid in cash and should be paid at the time of the submission of the application form and the documents. There are several factors that affect the estimation of the fees. For instance, type of visa, number of entries permitted, the validity of the visa and other similar factors.

At the time of submission of the documents, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind. Some of the pointers are as follows:

• 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.

To check the status of your tourist visa for Guinea, you will have to contact the embassy with the contact information provided on the embassy website. You can contact the officials in the working hours specified.

When you have this Visa

After the completion of the whole process, the visa will be processed by the embassy and you can collect it from the Embassy office in the given timings, that is, after 2 pm on weekdays. When you have your visa, there are a few things that you need to know -

• 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.
    • You should travel to Guinea within the validity of your visa.
    • 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 for safety.

• At the Border

• • • Get your documents checked and your passport verified by the border officers.
    • 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 unpaid volunteer work.
    • 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 3 weeks prior to the expiry.