Long stay or moving to Cameroon: your first weeks in Douala or Yaoundé
Updated on 23 October 2026 · 8 min read
When you move to Cameroon or come for several months, the hardest part is the first weeks: finding the right neighbourhood, a long lease you can trust, a phone line, a way to pay. Many newcomers start with a furnished apartment by the month in Douala or Yaoundé, visit long-term rentals calmly from there, and sort out the paperwork in order. For residence permits, only official sources count: we point you to them, we do not advise on them.
Moving to Cameroon: why start with a furnished month
- You see the neighbourhoods before you commit. Traffic, noise, water and power supply, the route to work or school: a few weeks on the spot tell you more than any listing.
- You do not sign a long lease in a hurry. For unfurnished rentals, landlords commonly ask for several months of rent in advance, and an agent's fee is often one month's rent. Better to be sure.
- You arrive with everything ready: furniture, kitchen, Wi-Fi, and someone to call. Some of our apartments have backup power, shown on each apartment page.
- Your shipment can arrive later. Goods sent by sea take weeks; you live normally meanwhile.
Your first weeks: a checklist
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Day 1–2 | Airport pickup, settle in, buy a local SIM card (registered with your passport), basic shopping. |
| Week 1 | Open Mobile Money on your SIM; register with your embassy if it offers it; find the nearest pharmacy, clinic and supermarket. |
| Weeks 2–3 | Visit neighbourhoods and long-term rentals; visit schools if you have children; meet a bank about opening an account. |
| Weeks 3–6 | Start the residence formalities that apply to you (see below); sign your lease once you have checked the documents; plan the move. |
Phone, Mobile Money and bank
- SIM card: MTN and Orange are the two main networks. Every SIM must be registered in the user's name, with a passport for foreigners.
- Mobile Money: MTN MoMo and Orange Money are used everywhere, from taxis and markets to some utility bills. You open the wallet on your registered SIM and top it up with an agent.
- Bank account: requirements vary by bank and by status. Expect to be asked for your passport, proof of address and often a residence document or an employer's letter. Ask the bank for its list before you go.
- Cards and cash: see our guide to money in Cameroon for cash machines, cards and transfers from abroad.
Visa and residence permit: official sources only
A long stay starts with the right visa, applied for at evisacam.cm or through the Cameroon embassy covering your country; long-stay categories exist, with their own documents. Foreigners who settle in Cameroon then need a residence document: Cameroonian law provides a residence card (carte de séjour) and, after several years, a resident card (carte de résident). The applications are handled by the national security services (Sûreté nationale), through their immigration offices.
Rules change: check before you act
Deadlines, fees and documents for residence permits change and depend on your situation (work, family, studies). Get the current list from the Cameroon embassy before you leave and from the immigration services once you arrive, or from your employer's HR team. Be wary of intermediaries who offer to speed things up.
- Carry ID at all times: your residence permit, or a certified copy of your passport with a valid visa.
- Keep copies of every document you submit and the receipt you are given.
- Polio: proof of vaccination can be asked for stays of more than 4 weeks; yellow fever is compulsory for everyone. See preparing your trip.
Finding a long-term rental
- 1Choose the area firstClose to work or school matters more than anything in Douala or Yaoundé traffic. In Douala, Bonapriso, Bonanjo, Akwa, Bonamoussadi and Kotto suit different budgets; in Yaoundé, Bastos and Golf are calm residential districts.
- 2Visit at different timesGo once in the morning and once in the evening: traffic, noise and street lighting change. Ask about the water supply and power cuts, and whether there is a generator or a water tank.
- 3Check who you are dealing withAsk to see the owner's title or mandate, and get a written lease and a receipt for every payment.
- 4Agree the terms in writingAdvance rent, deposit, who pays which bills, repairs, notice period. Keep a dated inventory with photos.
Getting around while you settle
In the first weeks, you have many errands in places you do not know yet: offices, banks, schools, visits. A car with driver by the day makes those days efficient, and the driver shows you the city as you go. Coming with a family and a lot of luggage? A van at the airport takes everyone at once.
Good to know for daily life
- Electricity is 220 V with type C and E plugs; time is GMT+1 all year.
- French and English are both official; Douala and Yaoundé are mostly French-speaking.
- Leaving the country with 5 million FCFA or more in cash must be declared.
- For a monthly stay with us, a 30% deposit secures the dates and the balance is due by the day of arrival; see our cancellation policy.
Frequently asked questions
Can I rent a furnished apartment by the month in Douala or Yaoundé?
Yes. Many newcomers stay one or two months in a furnished apartment while they look for a long-term rental. Tell us your dates for a quote.
How much advance rent do landlords ask in Cameroon?
For unfurnished rentals, several months of rent in advance is common, plus often an agent's fee of about one month's rent. Always get a written lease and receipts.
How do I get a residence permit in Cameroon?
Residence documents are handled by the national security services through their immigration offices. Get the current requirements from the Cameroon embassy and the immigration services; they depend on your situation.
Can a foreigner open a bank account in Cameroon?
Usually yes, but each bank sets its own requirements: passport, proof of address and often a residence document or an employer's letter. Ask the bank for its list.
Can foreigners use Mobile Money in Cameroon?
Yes. Buy an MTN or Orange SIM card registered with your passport, then open MoMo or Orange Money on it.