Preparing your trip to Cameroon: visa, e-visa, vaccines and checklist
Updated on 23 October 2026 · 9 min read
Most visitors need a visa for Cameroon, applied for online before the trip, and everyone needs a yellow fever certificate. Start about two months before you fly, and earlier for December and the summer holidays, when flights and apartments fill up. Here is what to prepare, in order.
1. The visa: apply online before you fly
Visas are applied for on the official portal, [evisacam.cm](https://www.evisacam.cm). There is no visa on arrival at Douala or Yaoundé airports. Holders of a Cameroonian passport do not need a visa, and citizens of the other CEMAC countries travel visa-free; everyone else, including members of the diaspora with a foreign passport, needs one.
- 1Fill in the online formPassport details, travel dates, length and purpose of your stay, and your host or accommodation in Cameroon. Check carefully: answers cannot be changed afterwards.
- 2Upload your documentsUsually scanned as PDF: passport page, return flight booking, yellow fever certificate, proof of means (recent bank statement or a sponsor's letter), and proof of accommodation (hotel or apartment booking, or a certificate of accommodation from your host).
- 3Pay onlineBy card or Mobile Money, through the portal. Fees depend on the embassy covering your country; for example, the embassy in Washington lists about US$182 for a short stay and a dearer 24-hour express option.
- 4Wait for approvalOften about 3 working days for a standard request. When it is approved, download the approval with its QR code.
- 5Get the visa stickerDepending on the embassy covering your country, the sticker is put in your passport at the embassy (biometrics) or at the airport on arrival. Follow the instructions you receive, and never fly without either the sticker or the printed approval.
Proof of accommodation
When your stay with us is confirmed, we send you a written booking confirmation that you can add to your visa file.
2. Health: yellow fever and the rest
- Yellow fever is compulsory. You must show the certificate on arrival. Get the vaccine at least 10 days before you leave; the certificate is then valid for life. Ask your travel clinic about children.
- Malaria is present all year round in the whole country. Ask a travel clinic about preventive treatment, and plan repellent and long sleeves for the evening.
- Polio: proof of vaccination can be asked for stays of more than 4 weeks.
- Travel insurance covering medical care and evacuation is strongly recommended.
- Bring your usual medicines in their original box, with the prescription.
3. Money: FCFA, cards and Mobile Money
The currency is the Central African CFA franc (FCFA, code XAF), fixed to the euro: 1 euro = 655.957 FCFA. Cash is still used every day; cards work in hotels, supermarkets and some restaurants, and cash machines are found in town (Visa cards are the most widely accepted). Mobile Money (MTN MoMo and Orange Money) is used everywhere, from taxis to markets, once you have a local SIM. Tell your bank you are travelling. There is no limit on cash brought in, but leaving with 5 million FCFA or more must be declared. More in our guide to money in Cameroon.
4. Phone and internet
MTN and Orange cover Douala, Yaoundé and the main roads well. A local SIM card is cheap and must be registered with your passport, in your own name. Data bundles are sold by the day, week or month. An eSIM bought before departure is an option for the first hours. Our apartments have Wi-Fi.
5. Practical details
| What to know | |
|---|---|
| Electricity | 220 V, plugs of type C and E (the round two-pin European plugs). Power cuts happen: some apartments have backup power, listed on each apartment page. |
| Weather | Hot and humid all year. The main dry season runs roughly from November to February; Douala is very rainy from July to September. Yaoundé is a little cooler. |
| Languages | French and English are both official. Douala and Yaoundé are mostly French-speaking. |
| Time | GMT+1 all year (no daylight saving time). |
| Safety | Douala and Yaoundé are visited by many travellers without problems with ordinary precautions. Several governments advise against travel to the North-West, South-West and Far North regions: check your own government's advice before planning trips outside the main cities. |
6. Your checklist, week by week
| When | To do |
|---|---|
| 2–3 months before | Check your passport (6 months valid after arrival); book flights; book your apartment and pickup (December and summer fill up early); get the yellow fever vaccine. |
| 4–6 weeks before | Apply for the e-visa; take out travel insurance; see a travel clinic about malaria prevention. |
| 1 week before | Print the visa approval, the yellow card, your bookings and the address where you stay; tell your bank; bring some euros or FCFA in cash. |
| The day before | Check in online; weigh your bags; send your flight number to whoever is picking you up. |
Next: your arrival
Read what happens when you land at Douala airport (DLA) or at Yaoundé-Nsimalen (NSI). If you are coming for a family event in the West, see our guide to funerals and family events.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Cameroon?
Yes, unless you hold a Cameroonian passport or are a citizen of another CEMAC country. Apply online at evisacam.cm before you travel: there is no visa on arrival at the airports.
How long does a Cameroon e-visa take?
Often about 3 working days for a standard request; an express option exists at a higher fee. Apply at least 4 to 6 weeks before your trip to stay safe.
Is the yellow fever vaccine compulsory for Cameroon?
Yes. The certificate is checked on arrival. Get vaccinated at least 10 days before you leave; the certificate is valid for life.
What plugs are used in Cameroon?
Types C and E, at 220 V: the round two-pin European plugs.
Can I pay by card in Cameroon?
In hotels, supermarkets and some restaurants, yes. Day to day, cash and Mobile Money (MTN MoMo, Orange Money) are used much more.