Chad Entry Requirements
Visa, immigration, and customs information
Visa Requirements
Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.
Chad hands out entry three ways: neighbors don't need a visa, most visitors get electronic pre-approval, and a short blacklist still faces the old-school embassy stamp.
Fourteen Central and West African states let their citizens walk straight into Chad—no visa, no paperwork, just the border.
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months. Overland borders are open—but you'll face extra health checks.
If you hold a passport from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, any EU member state, China, India, Japan, South Africa—or most other countries—you'll need an eVisa. Apply online before you fly.
Cost: USD 85 single-entry; USD 200 multiple-entry
Print your eVisa. Hand it over at N'Djamena airport—no app, no scan, just paper. Need longer? The immigration office in N'Djamena can stamp an extension.
A small number of nationalities must secure a visa from a Chadian embassy or consulate prior to travel.
Processing can take 2–4 weeks and may require security background checks.
Arrival Process
Touch down at N'Djamena International Airport and you’ll clear immigration, grab your bags, and roll through customs in one cool, air-conditioned hall—no maze, no sweat. Overlanders face a different story. From Cameroon you’ll trundle across the Ngueli Bridge; from Niger take the Maine Soroa-Mao route; from Sudan the Adré crossing—longer queues, vehicle searches, patience required.
Documents to Have Ready
Tips for Smooth Entry
Customs & Duty-Free
Chad customs gives you a stingy duty-free allowance and zero tolerance for drugs, weapons or cultural artifacts. Declare every dollar and every lens or they'll fine you on the spot.
Prohibited Items
- Narcotics and psychotropic substances - zero tolerance
- Firearms and ammunition without Defense Ministry authorization
- Counterfeit currency and goods - immediate seizure
- Cultural artifacts and fossils - protected heritage items
Restricted Items
- Bring a doctor’s letter and prescription for any medication that contains codeine or tramadol.
- Satellite phones and GPS devices won't work without advance approval from Chad telecommunications authority.
- Fresh meat and dairy products - subject to veterinary inspection
Health Requirements
You can't enter Chad without a yellow-fever certificate. It's mandatory. Several other vaccines are strongly recommended—get them for a safe trip.
Required Vaccinations
- Yellow fever (for travelers ≥9 months old)
Recommended Vaccinations
- Hepatitis A
- Typhoid
- Meningococcal meningitis ( during dry season)
- Hepatitis B
- Rabies (for long stays or animal contact)
- Polio booster
- COVID-19 (as per WHO guidance)
Health Insurance
You won't be asked to show health insurance at immigration—but if you break a leg, you'll want a policy that includes medical evacuation. Local clinics can't handle much.
Protect Your Trip with Travel Insurance
Comprehensive coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellation, lost luggage, and 24/7 emergency assistance. Many countries recommend or require travel insurance.
Get a Quote from World NomadsImportant Contacts
Essential resources for your trip.
Special Situations
Additional requirements for specific circumstances.
Minors need their own passport. One parent on the road? Bring a notarized consent letter from the one who stayed home—and the kid’s birth certificate.
Bring your pets—but only through N'Djamena airport. They’ll demand a rabies certificate dated 30 days before arrival plus a vet health form stamped by an official veterinarian.
Tourist eVisas can be extended once for an extra 30 days—if you queue at the Immigration Office in N'Djamena. Need longer? Apply for a residence permit (carte de séjour) through the National Police.
Know what to pack
Climate-specific clothing, travel documents, electronics, and gear — with shopping links for every item.
View Chad Packing List →