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Work Permits, Visas & Immigration Support in Gambia through Employer of Record

Employing foreign nationals in Gambia involves navigating specific immigration and labour regulations. An Employer of Record (EOR) in Gambia can streamline this process by handling work permit sponsorship and visa applications and ensuring compliance with local laws, allowing businesses to focus on their core operations.

An EOR provides end-to-end support for employing foreign nationals in Gambia, including:

  • Work Permit Sponsorship: Acting as the legal employer, the EOR sponsors work permits for foreign employees, ensuring all applications meet the requirements set by the Gambia Immigration Department.

  • Visa Application Assistance: Guidance through the visa application process, including preparing and submitting necessary documents to Gambian embassies or consulates.

  • Compliance Management: Ensuring adherence to Gambia’s labour, tax, and immigration laws, including the management of payroll, statutory contributions, and employee benefits.

  • Residence Permit Processing: Facilitating the application and acquisition of residence permits post-arrival, allowing foreign employees to live and work legally in Gambia.

  • Ongoing Support: Managing renewals, compliance updates, and any changes in employment status or immigration regulations.

Work Permit and Visa Process in Gambia

Employing foreign nationals involves several key steps:

  1. Job Offer and Contract: The employer extends a formal job offer and employment contract to the foreign national.

  2. Work Permit Application: Employer of Record (EOR) service provider, we submit the work permit application to the Gambia Immigration authorities, including all necessary documentation and justification for hiring a foreign national.

  3. Visa Application: Depending on the applicant’s nationality, a visa application may be required at a Gambian embassy or consulate before arrival.

  4. Residence Permit and Alien ID Card: Upon arrival, the EOR assists the employee in obtaining a residence permit and Alien ID card, which are mandatory for legal employment in Gambia.

  5. Ongoing Compliance: As your Employer of Record (EOR) partner in Gambia, we ensure continuous compliance with local laws, including timely permit renewals and adherence to employment regulations.

Required Documentation for Work Permit Application

From the Employee:

  • Valid passport with at least six months’ validity

  • Passport-sized photographs

  • Completed visa application form

  • Medical certificate

  • Police clearance certificate

  • Proof of qualifications and experience

  • Yellow fever vaccination certificate

From the Employer (EOR):

  • Letter of employment offer

  • Justification for hiring a foreign national

  • Company registration documents

  • Tax clearance certificate.

Processing Timeline and Validity

  • Processing Time: Approximately 3 to 6 weeks, depending on the completeness of documentation and government processing times.

  • Validity: Work permits are typically valid for one year and are renewable upon application.

Disclaimer

This guide is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific guidance on employing foreign nationals in Gambia, consult a lawyer experienced in Gambian immigration and labour law.

Why Choose Acumen as Your Employer of Record in Gambia

Immigration-Integrated Employment for International Hires

Acumen handles both employment and immigration in one unified process. In Gambia, work authorisation must be secured before an employee can begin, and Acumen acts as the legal sponsor, coordinating directly with the Gambia Immigration Department. This ensures your foreign hires start work with all legal requirements already in place.

Local Sponsorship with Full Process Control

We act as the official local employer on record, submitting and managing all work permit and other employment-related procedures. Our team owns and executes the entire process, ensuring clear accountability and regulatory alignment.

Built for Business-Critical Hiring Needs

We support companies hiring pre-identified international staff, relocating technical specialists, or entering Gambia without a local entity. Our process is designed to accommodate urgent timelines, incomplete documentation cases, and onboarding recovery when a previous provider has failed to deliver.

Real Risk Management, Not Paper Compliance

Gambian immigration procedures are document-heavy and strictly enforced. We reduce exposure by aligning the employment timeline with visa issuance, residence approval, and tax authority registration. Every hire is structured for full compliance from day one, with no risk of overstays or employment violations.

One Partner for Employment and Immigration

With Acumen, there are no gaps between sponsorship, onboarding, and payroll. We manage every stage — from initial work permit planning through legal employment setup — with one dedicated team. This avoids the common failures that occur when immigration is treated as separate from employment.