How to Apply for a Gambia Visa in Seattle

Seattle is the largest city in America’s Pacific Northwest region and located in the state of Washington.  The Seattle metropolitan area has a population of 4 million people and is the fifteenth-largest metropolis in the United States.  Known as the “Emerald City”, Seattle is situated in a magnificent natural environment, surrounded by evergreen forests, mountains, and water.  The Seattle metropolitan area includes the cities of Tacoma, Bellevue, Kent, Everett, Renton, Kirkland, Federal Way, and Redmond.  Seattle has nearly twenty thousand immigrants from West Africa that have come here to study, open businesses, and work in various industries including health care, education, manufacturing, and engineering.  Others have come here as refugees, the diversity lottery program, or reunite with family.  Gambians have been in the Seattle area for over 35 years and have an active community that holds annual events such as Gambia Independence Day and social gatherings to celebrate weddings and naming ceremonies.  Seattle is home to the Washington West African Center, an organization dedicated to promoting West African culture and providing services to Gambian people.  Seattle even has some West African restaurants and markets serving Gambian dishes such as Yassa, Benachin, and Domoda. 

The Gambia may be the smallest country in mainland Africa, but its diverse culture and wealth of tourist attractions make it a destination that residents of Seattle should add to their travel list if considering a trip to West Africa.  English is the official language of The Gambia, making it easy for Seattleites to communicate with the friendly residents who gave the country the nickname “the smiling coast of West Africa”.  Its 50-mile Atlantic coastline draws visitors year-round to its warm, sparkling beaches, such as Kotu Beach.  Luxury hotels and modest accommodations alike are nearby, yet many of the beaches are secluded and unspoiled.  Gambia’s nature preserves offer great views of native jungle animals, such as the rainforest of Bijilo National Park, the Abuko Nature Reserve, and the Kachikally Crocodile Pool.  Cruises, eco-tours, and birdwatching opportunities are plentiful along the Gambia River.  The Gambia River also made the region a focal point of international slave trading, which victimized three million residents over a 300-year period. The Gambia was featured in Alex Haley’s international bestseller Roots as the home of his ancestor, Kunta Kinte.  Today Kunta Kinteh Island (formerly called James Island) is a destination for those interested in exploring their ancestral heritage.

Obtaining a Gambia Visa from Seattle

Visas for Gambia are issued by the Gambian government in the United States.  The government of Gambia is represented by their embassy located in Washington, D.C., an honorary consulate in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and their office at the United Nations in New York City.  To apply for a Gambia visa from Seattle, you must first fill out the paper visa application found on The Gambia Embassy website and then send your original passport and supporting documents to their office by US Mail, FedEx, or UPS.  Here is the address:

Embassy of The Gambia
5630 16th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20011

It is important to review the requirements for visas on The Gambia Embassy website and ensure your application and all supporting documents are accurate.  Here is the link to the embassy website with detailed information: Gambia Embassy In Washington DC - Documents (gambiaembassydc.us) Then scroll down to the bottom of the page and open the PDF file titled “American Visa Application Form 2020”. 

Please be sure to include a self-addressed USPS (US Postal Service Express Mail or Priority Mail), FedEx, or UPS prepaid envelope (please make note of the tracking number) so the embassy can return your passport and visa to your home or office. 

The government fee for the multiple-entry visa (which will be valid for five years) is $200 for U.S. citizens and takes about 2 weeks for processing once the embassy receives the documents.  There is also an option to pay $250 for three-day express service and $275 for same-day service. 

If you want to ensure safe delivery of your passport and visa application documents to the embassy, please contact our company and our courier in Washington, D.C. will hand-carry your application materials to the embassy and will promptly retrieve them from their pick-up window once the visa has been issued. 

Other things to consider:

  • U.S. citizens must have a valid visa and a passport that does not expire within six months of your date of entry into The Gambia.
  • Your U.S. passport must be signed; the signature page of your passport is located opposite the data page that has your name and photo.
  • For the latest health recommendations for travel to The Gambia, please review the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website: The Gambia - Traveler view | Travelers' Health | CDC
  • It is recommended to purchase travel insurance before any international trip in case of medical emergencies.  We advise getting the Geo Blue Voyager Single Trip Plan.
  • Please review the U.S. Department of State website for the latest travel information about The Gambia: The Gambia International Travel Information (state.gov)  

Emergency Assistance for Gambia Citizens in Seattle 

If you are a citizen of The Gambia living in the Seattle area with an emergency or require urgent assistance, you can reach the embassy in Washington, D.C. by calling 202-785-1399 or by email at info@gambiaembassydc.us or gambiaembassydc@gmail.com.  The Gambia Embassy can provide new passports, emergency travel certificates, and consular cards to its citizens

We Can Help if You Need Assistance

If you live in Seattle or anywhere in the state of Washington and have difficulty applying for a Gambia visa, or require assistance with any part of the vias 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 Gambia visa services for Americans and other U.S.-based residents.  Our number one goal is to ensure your application documents for a visa are submitted accurately to the Gambian government.  Our services eliminate delays and give you the peace of mind to focus on your travel plans. 

We provide the following Gambia visa services for our customers in Seattle:

  • Gambia Tourist Visa
  • Gambia Business Visa
  • Gambia Missionary Visa
  • Gambia Official Visa
  • Gambia Hotel Accommodations