Last Updated:
November 5, 2007 10:32
EST
Still Valid:
November 15, 2007 22:46
EST
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1. RECENT UPDATES
Section 4 of this Travel Report has been updated (new entry requirements).
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2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
There is no Official Warning for this country.
You are advised to exercise a high degree of caution in the country. Travellers should maintain a high level of security awareness at all times and avoid public gatherings and street demonstrations.
OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency in a foreign country, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad.
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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY
The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions.
Petty crime and corruption occur. Armed robberies and muggings of foreigners have increased recently in Malabo. Ensure personal belongings, passports and other travel documents are secure at all times. You should avoid walking alone after dark and avoid groups of young men who may congregate near bars and restaurants. You should not pick up hitchhikers.
Police and military checks and roadblocks are common. If stopped for a small traffic violation, you should cooperate with local authorities and request a citation, to be paid at the local court. When travelling outside of Bata and Malabo, we recommend that Canadians carry a letter from their employer or organization stating the purpose of their travel. Any person in Equatorial Guinea must always carry proper identification. Failure to do so may result in detention by the local authorities. It is recommended that Canadians contact local authorities before travelling outside main cities. A security permit issued by the government is required to visit Pico Basile, Moka, and Ureca on the island of Bioko.
Tourist facilities are limited and often fully booked. Travel arrangements should be made well in advance and reconfirmed before departure.
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4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS
The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the Equatorial Guinea authorities and was valid on October 30, 2007. However, entry and exit requirements are subject to change.
It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the Embassy of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements.
A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Equatorial Guinea. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure from the country. Canadians must also be in possession of a visa. Equatorial Guinea now requires a Police Clearance Certificate for personal or tourist travel. An HIV test certificate may also be required, and HIV-positive status could lead to refusal of entry or deportation. Please contact the Equatorial Guinean authorities for more information on these new entry requirements.
Tourist Visa: Required
Business Visa: Required
Travellers are required to carry evidence of a yellow fever vaccination.
Travellers arriving with a domestic animal must present an international certificate of vaccination against rabies for the animal.
A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (CCC) is not a travel document. Airlines are known to refuse boarding to dual national Canadian passengers returning to Canada, travelling on a passport that requires a visa to enter Canada, regardless of whether the passenger presents a valid CCC as proof of Canadian citizenship. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document for the purpose of international travel. It proves your admissibility to enter Canada.
Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.
Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.
Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.
Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.
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5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS
There is no resident Canadian government office in Equatorial Guinea. You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address:
Cameroon - YAOUNDÉ, High Commission of Canada
Address: Immeuble Stamatiades, Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Postal Address: P.O. Box 572, Yaoundé, Cameroon,
Tel.: 237 2223-2311
Fax: 237 2222-1090
E-Mail: yunde@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.yaounde.gc.ca
For emergency assistance after hours, call the High Commission of Canada in Yaoundé (Cameroon), and follow the instructions. You may also make a collect call to the Department in Ottawa at 613-996-8885.
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6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail or death sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons.
Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.
The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare.
Although Equatorial Guinea recognizes dual nationality, dual nationals are considered Equatorial Guinean citizens and are subject to Equatorial Guinean laws.
Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs are strict.
Photography of the presidential palace and surrounding areas, airports, military installations, harbours, and other sensitive areas is strictly prohibited. Special permits may be needed for other photography or filming. For more information, contact local authorities.
The import or possession of camouflage clothing, large knives, binoculars, firearms, or similar items may be deemed suspicious by authorities. These items could be confiscated and you could be detained. Satellite phones are legally permissible, but not all immigration officials may be aware of this. If stopped, make an effort to speak to a higher authority, or if you are forced to leave the satellite phone with an official, ensure that you receive a receipt or some other identification of the confiscator to facilitate the return of the item at a later date.
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7. LOCAL TRAVEL AND CURRENCY
Most roads in Equatorial Guinea are paved and traffic signs are adequate. Excessive speeds, increased traffic, and driving habits pose risks. Avoid travel after dark. In the event of an accident, you should not move your vehicle until the police arrive. Minibuses and taxis are available throughout the country. Car rental companies also exist.
The Equatorial Guinean driver's licence is mandatory for residents. The licence is renewable each year.
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended for visitors.
The currency is the African Financial Community franc (XAF). You may be required to declare all currency you are carrying on arrival and departure. As certain import and export limits may apply, you should contact local authorities for information. Travellers should exchange foreign currency at banks. The economy operates on a cash basis. Credit cards and traveller's cheques are not accepted.
Canadian currency and traveller's cheques are not widely accepted worldwide. Check with your bank for information on Automated Banking Machine (ABM) services in other countries. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ABMs around the world. Your bank can advise if you need a new personal identification number (PIN) for overseas access to your account. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ABMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.
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8. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE
The climate is hot and humid. On Bioko Island, the rainy season extends from March to November. On the mainland, the rainy season extends from September to December and from April to June. Severe windstorms occur occasionally. Some roads may be impassable to all but four-wheel-drive vehicles during the rainy season. You should keep informed of regional weather forecasts and plan accordingly.
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9. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM
The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program Web site.
The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.
Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.
The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.
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10. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION
Medical facilities and supplies are very limited. Medicines are not always available outside Malabo and Bata.
Sanitation levels are low and travellers should regard all water as potentially contaminated. Water used for consumption should be previously boiled or otherwise sterilized.
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11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Returning to Canada
Traveller's Checklist
Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes. See Canada's Health Portal.
Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.
Adoption: Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child from another country, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.
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12. ANNEX
N/A
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