Buea

Passport validity requirements

To enter Cameroon, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual Citizenship.

Visa requirements

You must have a visa to enter Cameroon.

You must apply for a e-visa online – some people encounter technical problems with this online service, so apply in good time.

You cannot get a visa on arrival at either Yaoundé or Douala airport.

If you travel to Cameroon by road or sea, you must get a physical visa before you arrive by applying at your nearest Cameroon embassy or high commission. You cannot get an e-visa at land or sea borders.

If you are in Cameroon and have questions about your immigration status, contact the General Delegation for National Security in Yaoundé:

Telephone: +237 22221 2884

Make sure you get your passport stamped.

Make sure the border control officer puts a stamp in your passport. 

Vaccine requirements

To enter Cameroon, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination.

For more details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Cameroon guide.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Cameroon. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Cameroon. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Emergency services in Cameroon

Ambulance: 112

Fire: 119

Police: 117

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• finding English-speaking lawyers, funeral directors and translators and interpreters in Cameroon
• dealing with a death in Cameroon
• being arrested or imprisoned in Cameroon
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime
• what to do if you’re in hospital
• if you’re affected by a crisis such as a terrorist attack

Contacting FCDO 

Help abroad  

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency. 

Help in the UK  

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.  

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)  

Find out about call charges

Get travel advice updates  

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.  

Follow FCDO: 

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

Risk information for British companies

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Cameroon on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.

Areas where FCDO advises against travel

Bakassi Peninsula

FCDO advises against all travel to Bakassi Peninsula.

Cameroon-Central African Republic border

FCDO advises against all travel to within 40km of the border with Central African Republic.

Cameroon-Chad border

FCDO advises against all travel to within 40km of the border with Chad.

Cameroon-Nigeria border

FCDO advises against all travel to within 40km of the border with Nigeria, except for Garoua in the North Region.

Far-North Region

FCDO advises against all travel to the Far-North Region, except for:

• a 20km radius to the north, east and west of Maroua
• 30km south of Maroua

North-West Region

FCDO advises against all travel to the North-West Region.

South-West Region

FCDO advises against all travel to the South-West Region, including the towns of Buea, Muyuka and Tiko in Fako Division. Except for:

• Limbé
• the 35km stretch of the N3 road connecting Limbé to the Littoral Region in Fako Division

Limbé

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Limbé and the 35km stretch of the N3 road connecting Limbé to the Littoral Region in Fako Division, South-West Region.

North Region, Adamawa Region and Maroua

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the North Region, including Garoua,, and a 20km radius to the north, east and west of Maroua, and 30km south of Maroua, in Far-North Region.

Adamawa Region

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to within 20km of the border with the North region of Cameroon. FCDO advises against all travel to within 40km of the Central African Republic (CAR) and Nigeria borders.

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel. 

Support from the UK government

The British High Commission can only offer limited support for British nationals in areas where we advise against travel.

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

Get travel advice updates

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. 

Follow FCDO:   

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

• Travel Aware on Instagram

Laws and cultural differences

Personal ID

Always carry ID, either a residence permit or a certified copy of your passport showing a valid visa. The police can detain you if you do not have ID.

Camouflage clothing

It is illegal to wear camouflage clothing unless you are in the armed forces. Penalties may include a fine and detention.

Illegal drugs and prison sentences

Penalties for using and possessing drugs are severe and usually include a prison sentence.

Using cameras in secure areas

It is illegal to photograph military sites, government buildings, airports and ports. While photography elsewhere is not illegal, communities can be sensitive to people taking photos or may ask for money in return. Officials may also ask you for money, perhaps suggesting that you need to pay for a ‘permit’ to photograph certain places.

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex relationships are not widely accepted in central African society, and same-sex sexual acts are illegal in Cameroon. Same-sex partners have been arrested and prosecuted.

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.

Wildlife, animal products and souvenirs

It is illegal to buy, sell, kill or capture any protected wild animal or trade its parts without a licence. If you are caught buying or trafficking these goods, you’ll be prosecuted and could get a prison sentence or a fine.

Money

It is difficult to exchange sterling travellers cheques in Cameroon. Many banks will only allow you to exchange travellers cheques if you hold an account with them. Euros and US dollars are the most widely accepted foreign currency.

Shops usually require small notes, which can be difficult to obtain.

You must pay heavy fees to make cash withdrawals from UK bank accounts and ATMs. ATMs are not often available outside of large towns.