Travelling to Cameroon from the USA: visa, flights, time and money
Updated on 23 October 2026 · 8 min read
There is no direct flight from the United States to Cameroon: most travellers connect once, in Addis Ababa, Casablanca, Istanbul, Paris or Brussels, for a trip of roughly 18 to 24 hours from the East Coast. US citizens need a visa, applied for online at evisacam.cm and handled by the Embassy of Cameroon in Washington, D.C., plus a yellow fever certificate. Here is what is specific to leaving from the USA.
Cameroon visa from the USA: the e-visa and the Washington embassy
US citizens, and foreign nationals legally resident in the US (not on a visitor visa), apply on the official portal evisacam.cm; the file is handled by the Embassy of Cameroon in Washington, D.C. Fees are paid online only, by Visa or Mastercard or by Mobile Money, and are not refundable. There is no visa on arrival.
| Visa | Fee (embassy list) | Processing |
|---|---|---|
| Short stay, up to 6 months | US$181.82 | 3 business days |
| Short stay express | US$272.73 | 24 hours |
| Long stay, up to 1 year | US$272.73 | 3 business days |
Processing times exclude weekends and public holidays in both countries. The number of entries and the validity are decided by the embassy, whatever you request.
Where the sticker goes in
Fingerprints, photo and the visa sticker need you in person, children included. If you live in Washington, D.C., the embassy asks you to come in (Monday to Thursday afternoons at the time of writing). If you live elsewhere in the US, you can have it done at the embassy or on arrival at Douala or Yaoundé airport. Never board without the sticker or the approval with its QR code.
Flights from the USA to Douala and Yaoundé
At the time of writing, typical one-stop routes are, for example (routes change, so check before booking):
| Airline | From (examples) | Via |
|---|---|---|
| Ethiopian Airlines | Washington, New York, Newark, Chicago, Atlanta | Addis Ababa |
| Royal Air Maroc | New York, Washington, Boston, Miami | Casablanca |
| Turkish Airlines | Many US cities | Istanbul |
| Air France | Many US cities | Paris-CDG, then direct |
| Brussels Airlines | Via a transatlantic connection | Brussels |
At the time of writing, these airlines serve both Douala and Yaoundé; check the final airport on your ticket. From Texas, California or the Midwest, count an extra connection or a longer day. Book December and summer trips early.
Time difference between the US and Cameroon
Cameroon is on GMT+1 all year. The gap changes when the US moves its clocks (second Sunday of March, first Sunday of November).
| US time zone | Cameroon is ahead by |
|---|---|
| Eastern (New York, Washington, Atlanta) | 6 h in winter, 5 h in summer |
| Central (Houston, Dallas, Chicago, Minneapolis) | 7 h in winter, 6 h in summer |
| Mountain (Denver) | 8 h in winter, 7 h in summer |
| Pacific (Los Angeles, Seattle) | 9 h in winter, 8 h in summer |
Dollars, FCFA and sending money
- The dollar rate is not fixed. The FCFA is tied to the euro (1 euro = 655.957 FCFA), so the dollar's value in FCFA moves with the euro–dollar rate. Check the day's rate before you change.
- Withdraw FCFA from cash machines in town with your card (Visa is the most widely accepted); check your bank's foreign transaction fees and tell it you are travelling.
- Sending money home: services such as Remitly, WorldRemit or Western Union send from the US straight to MTN MoMo or Orange Money wallets, often within minutes. Compare the FCFA actually received, not only the fee; wallets have daily limits.
What to pack from the USA
- A plug adapter: US plugs (types A and B) do not fit Cameroonian sockets (types C and E, 220 V). Chargers marked 100–240 V work with an adapter; 120 V-only appliances such as hair tools need a converter or should stay home.
- Light clothes, a rain jacket from June to October, closed shoes for the rainy season.
- Your yellow fever certificate (the WHO yellow card) with your passport. For stays over 4 weeks, proof of polio vaccination can be asked. See a travel clinic about malaria.
- 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 advisory and STEP
At the time of writing, the State Department rates Cameroon Level 2 (exercise increased caution) and says do not travel to the North-West, South-West and Far North regions, or within 20 km of the borders with the Central African Republic, Chad and Nigeria. Douala and Yaoundé are visited with ordinary precautions. Read the current advisory and enrol in STEP before you go; the US Embassy is in Yaoundé.
About 90,000 people born in Cameroon lived in the US in 2023, the largest community being in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, with others around Houston and Dallas. Many trips are family visits; see our guides to the holidays and funerals and family events.
Frequently asked questions
Do US citizens need a visa for Cameroon?
Yes. Apply online at evisacam.cm before travelling; the Embassy of Cameroon in Washington, D.C. handles US applications. There is no visa on arrival.
How much is a Cameroon visa for Americans?
The embassy lists US$181.82 for a short stay of up to 6 months (3 business days) and US$272.73 for the 24-hour express option, paid online and not refundable.
Are there direct flights from the US to Cameroon?
Not at the time of writing. Most routes connect once, for example in Addis Ababa, Casablanca, Istanbul, Paris or Brussels.
What is the time difference between New York and Cameroon?
Cameroon is 6 hours ahead of New York in winter and 5 hours ahead in summer.
Do I need a power adapter for Cameroon from the US?
Yes. Cameroon uses type C and E sockets at 220 V. Dual-voltage chargers only need an adapter; 120 V appliances need a converter.