Travelling to Cameroon from Canada: visa, flights, time and money
Updated on 23 October 2026 · 8 min read
There is no direct flight from Canada to Cameroon: the trip usually takes one connection, in Europe, Casablanca, Istanbul or Addis Ababa, and around 15 to 20 hours door to door. Canadians need a visa, applied for online at evisacam.cm, a passport valid at least 6 months and a yellow fever certificate. Here is what is specific to leaving from Canada, whether you live in Quebec or elsewhere.
Visa from Canada: the e-visa and the High Commission in Ottawa
Canadian citizens need a visa, applied for before departure on the official portal evisacam.cm. Cameroon is represented in Canada by its High Commission in Ottawa (170 Clemow Avenue). Members of the diaspora travelling on a Canadian passport need a visa like any other Canadian. The general steps are in our guide to preparing your trip.
| Question | From Canada |
|---|---|
| Who handles it | High Commission of Cameroon in Ottawa, through evisacam.cm |
| Fee | Shown on the portal when you pay (card or Mobile Money) |
| Processing | Often about 3 working days; a dearer express option exists |
| Visa sticker | Follow the instructions with your approval: at the High Commission, or on arrival at Douala or Yaoundé airport |
Living far from Ottawa
The e-visa was designed so that travellers who live far from a Cameroonian mission can have their fingerprints taken and the sticker put in their passport on arrival. Never board without the sticker or the printed approval with its QR code.
Flights from Canada to Douala and Yaoundé
Most travellers leave from Montréal or Toronto. At the time of writing, typical one-stop routes are, for example (routes change, so check before booking):
| Airline | From | Via |
|---|---|---|
| Air France | Montréal, Toronto and others | Paris-CDG, then direct to Douala or Yaoundé |
| Royal Air Maroc | Montréal, Toronto | Casablanca |
| Ethiopian Airlines | Toronto | Addis Ababa |
| Turkish Airlines | Montréal, Toronto | Istanbul |
| Brussels Airlines | Via a European connection | Brussels |
Count roughly 15 to 20 hours of travel with one connection, more with a long layover. Arrivals in Cameroon are often in the evening or at night. December and July–August fill up early, so book flights and accommodation well ahead.
Time difference between Canada and Cameroon
Cameroon is on GMT+1 all year. The gap with Canada changes when Canada moves its clocks (second Sunday of March and first Sunday of November).
| Where you live | Cameroon is ahead by |
|---|---|
| Montréal, Ottawa, Toronto (Eastern) | 6 h in winter, 5 h in summer |
| Halifax, Moncton (Atlantic) | 5 h in winter, 4 h in summer |
| Winnipeg (Central) | 7 h in winter, 6 h in summer |
| Calgary, Edmonton (Mountain) | 8 h in winter, 7 h in summer |
| Vancouver (Pacific) | 9 h in winter, 8 h in summer |
Canadian dollars, FCFA and sending money
- The CAD rate is not fixed. The FCFA is tied to the euro (1 euro = 655.957 FCFA), so the Canadian dollar moves with the euro. Check the day's rate in your bank or transfer app.
- Canadian dollars are hard to change in Cameroon. Bring a card for cash machines (Visa is the most widely accepted) and, if you want cash, some euros.
- Tell your bank before you travel: cards are sometimes blocked after the first withdrawal abroad.
- Sending money home: services such as WorldRemit, Remitly or Western Union send from Canada straight to MTN MoMo or Orange Money wallets, often within minutes. Compare the FCFA actually received, not only the fee. Wallets have daily limits, so split large amounts.
What to pack from Canada
- A plug adapter: Canadian plugs (types A and B) do not fit Cameroonian sockets (types C and E, 220 V). Phone and laptop chargers marked 100–240 V work with a simple adapter; hair dryers or kettles made for 120 V only do not.
- Summer clothes in any season: it is hot and humid all year. Leave the winter coat in the car at the airport, or plan where to store it.
- Your yellow fever certificate with your passport, and a visit to a travel clinic for malaria prevention.
- The Douane CMR app: fill in the Cameroon customs declaration before you fly. It produces a QR code scanned on arrival, and some airlines check it at boarding.
- Printed copies of your visa approval, bookings and the address where you stay.
Travel advice and registration
Global Affairs Canada asks travellers to exercise a high degree of caution in Cameroon and to avoid all travel to the Far North, the North-West, the South-West and the areas near the borders with Nigeria, Chad and the Central African Republic. Douala and Yaoundé are visited with ordinary precautions. Read the official page before you go and sign up for the Registration of Canadians Abroad service.
Many travellers from Canada are francophones from Quebec: in 2016, Quebec counted about 17,100 people of Cameroonian origin, most of them in the Montréal area. This site and our team work in French and English.
Frequently asked questions
Do Canadians need a visa for Cameroon?
Yes. Canadian citizens apply online at evisacam.cm before travelling. There is no visa on arrival at Douala or Yaoundé airports.
Is there a direct flight from Montréal to Douala?
No, not at the time of writing. The usual routes have one connection, for example in Paris, Brussels, Casablanca, Istanbul or Addis Ababa.
What is the time difference between Montréal and Cameroon?
Cameroon is 6 hours ahead of Montréal in winter and 5 hours ahead in summer.
Do I need an adapter in Cameroon coming from Canada?
Yes. Cameroon uses type C and E sockets at 220 V. Chargers marked 100–240 V only need a plug adapter; 120 V appliances need a converter.
How do I send money from Canada to MTN Mobile Money in Cameroon?
Use a transfer service that pays into MTN MoMo or Orange Money, such as WorldRemit, Remitly or Western Union. Compare the amount received in FCFA before sending.