Passport valid for 6 months required by all.

Required by all except the following:
(a) nationals of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo for a maximum stay of 90 days;
(b) transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft provided holding valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport.

Tourist, Business: £20 (single-entry and multiple-entry). Transit: £20.

Visas valid initially for a stay of up to 30 days. Extensions are then granted at the discretion of the Immigration Authorities. Single-entry visas are normally valid for up to 90 days; multiple-entry visas are valid for up to 90 days within a period of 6 months.

Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see address section.

(a) 2 completed application forms. (b) 2 passport-size photos. (c) Passport valid for at least 6 months. (d) Letter from sponsor. (e) Fee.

Applications should be made 1 day in advance; same day if applying in the UK.

West Africa.

245.

All Embassies in Guinea-Bissau are now closed. The British, US and Canadian Embassies in Dakar, Senegal deal with enquiries relating to Guinea-Bissau (see Senegal section).

CP 294, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
Tel: 213 905 or 212 844 (government office).

CP 100, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
Tel: 201 224 or 201 216. Fax: 201 265.
The Consulate can only provide limited assistance.

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age coming from infected areas and from the following countries: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo (Dem. Rep. of), Congo (Rep. of), Côte d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea (Republic), Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Togo, Uganda, Tanzania and Zambia; and in Latin America: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Peru, Surinam and Venezuela. Travellers arriving from non-endemic zones should note that a vaccination is strongly recommended for travel outside the urban areas, even if an outbreak of the disease has not been reported and they would normally not require a vaccination certificate to enter the country.

Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is no longer a condition of entry to Guinea-Bissau. However, cholera is a serious risk in this country and precautions are essential. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness. See the Health appendix for more information.

Malaria risk, predominantly in the malignant falciparum form, exists all year throughout the country. Resistance to chloroquine has been reported.

All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Only eat well cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

Diarrhoeal diseases, including giardiasis, and typhoid fevers are common. Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water. Swimming pools which are well-chlorinated and maintained are safe. Onchocerciasis (river blindness) and trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) are present. Hepatitis A and E are widespread. Hepatitis B is hyperendemic. Epidemics of menigococcal disease may occur, particularly in the savannah areas and during the dry season. Immunisation against diptheria is sometimes recommended.
Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix.

Medical facilities are extremely limited and medicines often unavailable. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. Health insurance is essential. Most doctors work in the public service and have their private clinic in the afternoon and evening. There are few specialists. Several foreign aid agencies have their own doctor and medical facilities, including the French Mission and the Swedish Embassy. There is also a UN clinic. All these clinics will receive visitors in an emergency, but none of them have surgical facilities.

Jan 1 2002 New Year's Day. Jan 20 Death of Amílcar Cabral. Feb 23 Tabaski (Feast of the Sacrifice). Mar 8 International Women's Day.May 1 Labour Day. Aug 3 Anniversary of the Killing of Pidiguiti. Sep 24 National Day. Nov 14 Anniversary of the Movement of Readjustment. Dec 6-8 Korité (end of Ramadan). Dec 25 Christmas Day. Jan 1 2003 New Year's Day. Jan 20 Death of Amílcar Cabral. Feb 13 Tabaski (Feast of the Sacrifice). Mar 8 International Women's Day. May 1 Labour Day. Aug 3 Anniversary of the Killing of Pidiguiti. Sep 24 National Day. Nov 14 Anniversary of the Movement of Readjustment. Nov 25-27 Korité (end of Ramadan). Dec 25 Christmas Day.

Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Korité, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Korité itself. Korité and Tabaski may last anything from two to ten days, depending on the region. For more information, see the World of Islam appendix.