Gabon eVisa for Tourists from the United Arab Emirates
November 28, 2025 | by IoT Development Company
Gabon, a jewel of Central Africa, is globally recognized for its commitment to conservation. Home to 13 spectacular national parks, including Loango, known for its surfing hippos, and the untouched rainforests of Lope, Gabon offers the adventurous traveler an unforgettable encounter with nature.
For the cosmopolitan community of the UAE—including both Emirati nationals and expatriate residents—obtaining the necessary travel documentation is the first step toward exploring this magnificent destination. The Gabon eVisa system provides a convenient, digital pathway to securing your entry authorization.
This ultimate guide addresses all the critical questions for travelers embarking on this journey from the United Arab Emirates, covering Gabon eVisa requirements for United Arab Emirates, fees, processing times, and crucial arrival procedures.
Do UAE Citizens and Residents Need a Gabon Visa?
The visa requirement depends on your passport, but for most individuals departing from the UAE, pre-travel authorization is essential:
UAE National Passport Holders (Emirati Citizens): While some sources indicate that UAE nationals may be eligible for a visa on arrival (VOA), obtaining the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before departure is strongly recommended for the smoothest and fastest entry process at Libreville Airport.
UAE Residents (Expatriate Passport Holders): Travelers holding non-Gabonese passports and residing in the UAE must apply for the Gabon eVisa (ETA) online before flying. This pre-approval is mandatory to board your flight.
In either case, the eVisa process guarantees your authorization is reviewed and approved, eliminating uncertainty at the departure gate.
What types of Gabon eVisas are available besides tourism?
Gabon offers flexible visa options to accommodate various travel durations, from short business trips out of Dubai or Abu Dhabi to longer tourist excursions:
e-Visa – 30 Days, Single Entry: Ideal for short assignments or quick leisure breaks.
e-Visa – 60 Days, Single Entry: Suitable for longer tourism or family visits.
e-Visa – 90 Days, Single Entry: Offers maximum flexibility for a single, extended visit (up to three months).
e-Visa – 180 Days, Multiple Entry: Perfect for regional professionals who require frequent entries into Gabon over a six-month period.
What is the Gabon eVisa Valid for?
The eVisa is designed for short-term stays across a wide array of categories. When applying online, you must select your exact purpose of visit from the following options:
Tourism
Business
Fair or Event
Family Visit / Friendly Visit
Medical reason
Mission
Professional
Other
What documents are required for a Gabon tourist eVisa for UAE citizens?
Scan of the Passport Bio Page: A clear, color copy of the biographical data page of your passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months beyond your date of arrival and have at least one blank page.
Applicant Photo: A recent (not older than six months), colored passport-style photograph (standard size 35 x 45 mm) with a light or white background and no shadows.
How long does the Gabon eVisa take?
Processing times for applications originating from the UAE market can vary significantly, so it is essential to be aware of all possibilities:
“Normal Processing” window of 25 – 30 Working Days.
Travel Planning: Given the potential for the longer processing time, travelers are strongly advised to submit their eVisa application at least one month before their intended departure date from the UAE to prevent delays.
Is my entire travel investment vulnerable to automatic document rejection?
Government Website: High Risk & Zero Recourse. The automated government system is ruthless. It will immediately process your payment, but if your passport photo, scan, or any document contains a subtle blur, bad lighting, or incorrect cropping, your application will be automatically rejected. This failure is often communicated days later, providing no refund and risking your expensive flights and accommodation.
evisa-gabon.com: Risk Eliminated. Approval Guaranteed. Our certified visa specialists manually conduct a forensic review of every uploaded document. We check for clarity, compliance, technical specifications, and formatting before submission. If any issue is found, we proactively contact you with specific instructions, ensuring your documents meet the necessary regulatory standards and guaranteeing submission success.
Does one clerical error mean I forfeit the entire, non-refundable government visa fee?
Government Website: Unrecoverable Financial Loss. The application form locks instantly upon submission. If you realize you made a typo in a critical field (e.g., a misspelled name, incorrect passport number, or wrong date), the resulting visa will be invalid for travel. You are obligated to pay the full, non-refundable government fee again to submit a brand new, corrected application.
evisa-gabon.com: Full Financial Protection. We act as the final quality control barrier. Our specialists cross-reference every data point you provide against your physical passport scan. We flag and correct all clerical errors, eliminating the risk of paying the government fee twice and protecting you from unnecessary financial loss.
What documents are required for an immigration check at the airport?
Even with an approved ETA, travelers must be prepared to physically present the following Gabon Visa documents to the immigration officer at Libreville Airport:
Printed ETA Confirmation: The hard copy of the Electronic Travel Authorization receipt received via email.
Confirmed Flight Itinerary: A round-trip ticket or onward ticket proof.
Proof of Accommodation: A confirmed hotel reservation or official invitation letter from a host in Gabon.
Yellow Fever Certificate: A valid International Certificate of Vaccination (ICV).
Is the Gabon eVisa Valid at All Ports of Entry?
No, the Gabon eVisa is strictly limited to a single port of entry:
Valid Port of Entry: Only the Léon Mba International Airport (LBV) in Libreville, the capital city, is authorized for entry using the eVisa.
If your travel plans involve entering Gabon via a land border or a different airport, you must apply for a traditional visa at a Gabonese Embassy or Consulate before traveling.
How to apply for a Gabon e-visa?
The simple application process for travelers starts from the UAE:
Select Visa Type: Choose the required duration and entry type (e.g., 90 Days, Single Entry).
Complete the Form: Fill in all personal details, travel dates, and purpose of visit.
Upload Documents: Submit the digital copies of your Passport Bio Page and Applicant Photo.
Submit and Pay Admin Fee: Review details, pay the non-refundable 15 EUR administrative fee, and submit the application for the ETA approval.
Can a parent’s Gabon visa application include their child?
Every traveler, regardless of age (including infants and children), must submit a separate eVisa application and receive their own individual Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). There is no “family application” option. If a minor is traveling alone or with only one parent, additional certified legal documents (often in French) proving guardianship consent may be required upon arrival.
When to Apply for the Gabon eVisa from the UAE
Given the conflicting reports on processing times (from 72 hours to 30 working days), travelers from the UAE should apply at least 30 calendar days (four weeks) before their planned departure. This buffer ensures that any request for additional information or processing delays do not jeopardize your confirmed flights from the UAE.
What to Do with Your Approved Gabon ETA
Once the ETA confirmation arrives in your email (check your spam folder!), take these immediate steps:
Print Confirmation: Print a high-quality copy of the ETA receipt.
Organize Documents: Place the printed ETA with your passport, Yellow Fever Certificate, and physical flight/hotel confirmations.
Secure Cash: Ensure you have the exact cash amount (70 EUR or 185 EUR) ready for immediate presentation upon arrival.
Conclusion
The Gabon eVisa system offers a straightforward and modern route for travelers from the UAE to access the spectacular natural wonders of Central Africa. By understanding the two-step process—online ETA approval followed by cash payment and visa sticker issuance on arrival—you can ensure a seamless entry experience at Libreville Airport.
With your travel logistics secured, the only thing left is to prepare for Gabon’s incredible landscapes. Do you have any further questions about the specific supporting documents required for a business visit, or would you like to know more about local health precautions like malaria prevention?
