How to Apply for a Cameroon Visa in Buffalo : visasupply.com

The Central African nation of Cameroon is gradually drawing more visitors from Buffalo and other towns throughout Western New York with its vast geological, climate, and cultural diversity. Often referred to as “Africa in miniature”, the Republic of Cameroon boasts 27 million citizens, 240 tribes, and three main ethnic groups (Bantus, Semi-Bantus and Sudanese). Hundreds of African dialects are also present, although French and English are spoken by the vast majority of Cameroonians (70% and 30%, respectively).

Bordered by Chad, Nigeria, the Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, the Republic of the Congo, and the Atlantic Ocean, Cameroon provides everything you expect to find on the African continent. “Natural features include beaches, deserts, mountains, rainforests, and savannahs,” the presidential website (https://www.prc.cm/en/cameroon/50-country-information) states. “The country is well known for its native styles of music, particularly makossa and bikutsi, and for its successful national football team.”

In the 15^th Century, Portuguese sailors named the area Rio dos Camaroes (Shrimp River), which later became Cameroon in English. The area became a German colony in 1884, but France and England divided the territory following World War I. During the era of African independence, the French and British portions became independent countries in the early 1960s and merged in 1961, eventually becoming the Republic of Cameroon in 1984.

“Compared with other African countries, Cameroon enjoys relatively high political and social stability,” the presidential website notes. “This has permitted the development of agriculture, roads, railways, and large petroleum and timber industries. Nevertheless, large numbers of Cameroonians live in poverty as subsistence farmers.” Terrorism and crime are high in certain areas (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/cameroon-travel-advisory.html#).

The country also benefits from a growing middle class in its major cities, as reflected by the recent opening of its first Walmart-style hypermarket by French retailer Carrefour. “Though the market is flush with French and other European brands,” the U.S. Commerce Department stated, “space for U.S. products exists, as Cameroonians associate American products with quality and dependability.” With massive infrastructure investments underway, the department added, “U.S. firms that can provide solutions in transportation (railways, roads, seaports, and airports), utilities (water, sewage), electricity (generation, transmission, and distribution), and extractives (oil and gas, rare earth minerals, timber) could have opportunities in Cameroon.” (https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/cameroon-market-opportunities) With its strategic location near several major oil-producing areas, the department added, “Cameroon has the potential to serve as a hub for major regional energy and transportation infrastructure projects for all of Central Africa.” (https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/cameroon-market-overview)

Tourism is a small but growing part of the Cameroonian economy, with the government promoting leisure travel over the past few decades. “Like the majority of African countries, Cameroon remains relatively unknown to the general public,” according to the Tourist Information Bureau (https://tourisminformationcameroon.net). “Nevertheless, Cameroon stands out with a genuine identity expressing diversity and stability, modernity and traditions, dynamism and calm, at once. In short, the country concentrates all the beauties of Africa.” The bureau added, “The country is full of melting and contrasting views, which provide tourists with a unique spectacle. This ancestral land relies on a symbiosis between sea and desert, waterfalls and Sahara area, temperate climate in the South and great heat in the North.” The blend of modern cities and tribal societies, the variety of plant and animal life, and the diverse culture “always gives tourists the impression that they are visiting several countries at the same time,” the article added.

The largest city in Cameroon and the economic hub of Central Africa is the ocean port of Douala. It provides the main entry point to the country for Buffalo-based travelers (Douala International Airport) and a few tourist attractions. Top sight-seeing destinations include the Musée Maritime de Douala (museum), Douala water park, Cathedral of St Peter and Paul Bonadibong, contemporary arts center Doual’art, and performing arts venue CanalOlympia Bessengué.

Yaoundé, the capital of and second-largest city in Cameroon, is known more as the center of government than for tourist attractions. Hotels and restaurants are plentiful and modern, although other tourist infrastructure is lacking. Popular attractions include the Mvog Betsi Zoo (with primates, lions, and a kid's playground), the bustling Mokolo Market, the Cathédrale Notre Dame des Victoires, and views of the city from Mont Fébé.

However, Cameroon’s cultural and natural treasures provide the main draws for Buffalo area tourists. As one of the oldest countries in Africa, the republic boasts a number of historic and environmental destinations. It has two UNESCO World Heritage sites. Dja Faunal Reserve ranks among the largest and best-protected rainforests in Africa, boasting more than 100 species of mammals. Sangha Trinational, located in the northwestern Congo Basin, encompasses three contiguous national parks totaling around 750,000 hectares of tropical forest ecosystems with rich flora and fauna, including Nile crocodiles and the goliath tigerfish. The country has 19 national parks, plus wildlife sanctuaries, faunal reserves, and a flora sanctuary. Depending on the park, you can see gorillas, chimps, hippos, elephants, giraffes, cheetahs, or many other animals in the wild.

Other natural settings include white-sand beaches, active volcanoes, lush rainforests, and unique rock formations. Cameroon’s 400-kilometer Atlantic coastline features colorful bays, rich beaches, islets, mangroves, fishing villages, and waterfalls that plunge into the ocean. The grey-sandy beaches of Kribi -- known as the “Cameroon Cote D’ Azur” – feature two major seaside resorts and canoe safaris that visit pygmy villages. Tourist hotspot Limbe is located between the ocean and Mount Cameroon, a rugged volcanic formation favored by hikers. Limbe is known for its cafes, black sand beaches, and Limbe Botanic Gardens. Adventurous travelers also enjoy visiting vast expanses of desert, savannahs, lakes, and mountain ranges that span the country.

Cameroon Visa Requirements

Citizens of the United States and the majority of other countries living in the Buffalo area are required to obtain a visa to visit Cameroon. The country requires that visitors provide proof of yellow fever vaccination. (Infants less than 12 months old are exempt from the vaccination requirement.) Proof of polio vaccination is also required if you are visiting for more than four weeks, according to the U.S. State Department (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Cameroon.html).

The primary requirement to obtain a visitor visa is that your U.S. passport be valid for at least six months from your date of entry with two adjacent blank pages. If your passport expires within six or 12 months (depending on the length of your stay), you will need to renew your passport before applying.

Most tourist and business travelers from Buffalo can use the Republic of Cameroon’s online portal to obtain an electronic visa (e-Visa). While tourists can only obtain a short-term visa (good for six months), business travelers may receive a short-term or long-term (12 months) visa. You can request single-entry or multiple-entry visas (which allow you to leave Cameroon and return more than once). For diplomatic and services visas, or if there are issues when you apply online, you will need to obtain a conventional visa through the government’s embassy in Washington, D.C.

Option One: Apply Online for an Electronic Visa

For residents of Buffalo, the government portal at https://www.evisacam.cm/ords/r/dl_portal/public_portal/home provides access to the application form for an e-Visa. Details can be found at https://www.cameroonembassyusa.org/main23/Images/documents_folder/EVisaRequirements.pdf.

Requirements to obtain the e-Visa include the following documents (preferably uploaded as a PDF):

A copy of your passport’s bio data page. For short-term visa applications, you must have at least six months remaining before your passport expires; for long-term visas, the passport must be good for at least 12 months.
Yellow fever vaccination certification.
For non-Cameroonians, proof of your financial ability to support yourself during your visit. This could include your personal bank statement or, for business travel, a company letter confirming they will cover your expenses.
Proof of visa payment fees (see below).
Health Insurance. Although not required for the visa, we recommend purchasing international medical insurance to cover accidents, injuries, and illnesses while traveling in Cameroon. International medical insurance from GeoBlue can be purchased from Visa Supply online through the following link: ⇒ Order Now.

For minor children, you will also need to supply:

Copy of child’s birth certificate.
Parent’s proof of identity and residency.
Proof of legal guardianship (if the accompanying adult is not a natural parent).
Notarized letter of financial support for minor.

In addition to the items above, you must submit documentation that justifies your visit. These requirements vary by type of visa:

Tourist visa applications must provide proof of accommodation or a letter of invitation from a tour operator that covers the duration of your stay.
Business travelers must submit a company letter guaranteeing financial responsibility for the traveler; a letter of introduction from business partner(s) in Cameroon; and any business contracts and/or professional designation documentation.
Family visits require proof of a marital or parental relationship with a Cameroonian citizen.
Students need a letter from their local school and an acceptance letter/admission certificate from the school in Cameroon they will attend.
Interns and volunteers also need confirmation from the local organization where they will be working.

The process for obtaining a Cameroonian visa is:

Pre-enroll online. Visit https://www.evisacam.cm/ords/r/dl_portal/public_portal/home, the government’s online site, to create a user account and fill out the application form. Once approved, you will receive a confirmation email or text message.
Pay visa fees online. The portal offers a number of options for electronic payments, including credit cards. Current fees for the short-stay visa are $181.82 for normal processing (3 business days) and $272.73 for express service (24-hour turnaround). For long-stay visas, the fees are $272.73 for normal processing and $363.64 for express.
Process application. The Washington embassy will process the application and notify you by mail or text message. If there is documentation missing, your application will be put on hold and you will receive a text message/email to make corrections. Applicants who live in Washington, D.C., need to come to the embassy in person for biometric enrollment and to receive their visa sticker. All other approved applicants will receive a QR code via email which they can present at the border entry point or at the Washington embassy to receive their visa sticker.
Biometric enrollment. When you appear at the embassy or enter Cameroon, you will need to present your original passport, supporting documentation, and notification of visa approval. A government official will take your photograph and fingerprints to complete biometric enrollment. (NOTE: No appointment is needed if you visit the embassy between 1-5 pm daily.)

Option Two: Apply Through the Cameroonian Embassy

In certain situations, applicants are required to visit the embassy in Washington, D.C. to obtain a visa. Diplomatic and service visas currently require an in-person visit (although the government is developing an e-Visa portal for them). Also, after you apply for an online e-Visa, the government may determine you need to apply in person at the embassy (2349 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008). If so, the government will provide details on how to schedule an appointment. The documentation requirements are the same as those for the e-Visa.

We Can Help if You Need Assistance

Visa Supply can help you complete your application for any of these visas and answer your questions about visiting Cameroon. We also provide courier services to deliver your application and pick up your visa from the embassy in Washington, D.C. Our number one goal is to ensure your application documents for a visa are submitted accurately to the government of Cameroon. Our services eliminate delays and give you the peace of mind to focus on your travel plans.

If you live in Buffalo or anywhere in the state of New York and have difficulty applying for a Cameroon visa, or require assistance with any part of the visa process, please give our office a call at 404-682-5445 or schedule an appointment with our company. We are a private agency in Atlanta providing Cameroon visa services for Americans and other U.S.-based residents.

We provide the following Cameroon visa services for our customers in Buffalo:

Cameroon Tourist Visa
Cameroon Business Visa
Cameroon Volunteer Visa
Cameroon Student Visa
Cameroon Official Business Visa (for diplomats, government officials, etc.)
Cameroon Hotel Accommodations