USA – Cameroon

Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Cameroon really has just about everything a traveller could want and is probably One of the most culturally diverse countries on the continent, that what is called commonly “Africa in miniature” for its geological and cultural diversity. its people include ancient tribal kingdoms, Muslim pastoralists and forest-dwelling pygmies.
Cameroon is in Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria.
The Republic of Cameroon is a unitary republic of central and western Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Cameroon’s coastline lies on the Bight of Bonny, part of the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean
The capital is Yaoundé, though Douala, the country’s largest city, is its main port and commercial center.
The official languages of Cameroon are English and French, although French is more commonly spoken and is the language of business. There are also more than 240 other African dialects
The national airline of Cameroon is Cameroon Airlines.
The Public Holidays in Cameroon is the Republic Day (National Day), 20 May of every year.
Local time is GMT +1.
Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. Round two-pin attachment plugs are in use.

The climate varies according to the region. In the south, the dry season runs from November to February, the little rainy season from March to June and the big rains come between August and September. The average temperature is 79°F (26°C). The tropical coastal areas receive a lot of rain that can reach in excess of 30ft (9m). In the north the rainy season is spread out from May to the end of September, but receives very little over the year and drought is a way of life in the far north.

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for all travelers older than one year of age to Cameroon. There is a risk of malaria throughout the country and prophylaxis is recommended for all travelers. Cholera outbreaks do occur in Cameroon, particularly between the months of December and June. Travelers should drink only boiled or bottled water. Medical facilities are very limited with frequent shortages of medication and outdated equipment; visitors should ensure they have comprehensive medical insurance, which includes emergency air evacuation. Doctors and hospitals generally expect immediate cash payment.

Law requires that everyone carry identification at all times. It is forbidden to take photographs of ports, airports, government buildings and military sites. Homosexuality is illegal.
The international dialing code for Cameroon is +237.

Yaounde Nsimalen International Airport (NSI)
Location: The airport is situated 12 miles (20km) from Yaoundé.
Time: Local time is GMT +1.
Contacts: Tel: +237 223 3602.
Facilities: Facilities include a bank and currency exchange, restaurants, bars, post office, various shops and duty-free, a tourist help desk and a business centre.
Departure Tax: CFA 10,000 (international), CFA 500 (domestic).

Douala International Airport (DLA)
Location: The airport is situated six miles (10km) from Douala.
Time: Local time is GMT +1.
Contacts: Tel: +237 342 3630.

Facilities: Facilities include a bank, post office, shops, a restaurant and bar, and duty-free shopping. Warning: there is currently a scam with fraudsters claiming to operate from Douala airport selling puppies.
Departure Tax: CFA 10,000 (international), CFA 500 (domestic).

US nationals, UK nationals, Canadians, Australians, South Africanss, New Zealanders, Irish nationals, require a passport and a visa to enter Cameroon.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTRY VISA TO CAMEROON

01. Original passport with validity period of at least six (6) months after the projected expiration date of the visa;
02. Two application forms to be completed and signed by the applicant; In the case of under-aged persons, the application must be signed by the legal guardian;
03. Two passport-size photographs with white background (Both ears must be seen);
04. An application fee (cf. Consular Fees) paid in Cash (only for applications submitted in person to the Embassy) or in the form of a money order, certified check or a check drawn from a business bank account.
05. A visa fee (cf. Consular Fees) submitted separately, paid in cash (only for applications submitted in person to the Embassy) or in the form of a money order, certified check or a check drawn from a business bank account.
06. Copy of the vaccination certificate showing proof of yellow fever immunization.

07.Types of visas

- Tourism Visa : For tourists Up to Thirty (30) days – Consular Fees
- Short Stay Visa : For visitors, travelers on business, and students(* Up to Three (3) months – Consular Fees
- Long Stay Visa : For visitors, travelers on business, and students(* Up to Six (6) months – Consular Fees

- Transit Stay Visa : For visitors, travelers on business, and students(* Up to Five (5) days – Consular Fees
- Short or Long Stay Courtesy visa : For diplomats, government officials and members of international organizations with diplomatic or official passports – Depends on the nature of the assignment – Free of charge

08. Documents required as related to type of visa requested:

a) For tourists: one copy of round-trip tickets, or documents from airline or travel agency confirming that a reservation has been made , that return trip tickets have been purchased or that a ticket for continuing the journey is available; (2) Bank statement from prospective traveler or proof of sufficient resources to be used during stay in Cameroon;

b) For visitors: one certificate of accommodation issued by the inviting party, and undersigned by Administrative or Immigration authorities; (2) Copy of round-trip tickets or airlines or travel agency receipt bearing the traveler’s name; Warranty of repatriation is requested when applying for a Long Stay visa;

c) For travelers on business:
- One company letter guaranteeing financial and legal responsibilities while in Cameroon.
- One copy of legalized letter of introduction from thoroughly identified business partners in Cameroon, or contract of employment between traveler(s) and partners in Cameroon, undersigned by Administrative Authorities in both cases;
- In the visa application form, indicate exact address and telephone number of contacts in Cameroon;

d) For students:
- Acceptation letter from a recognized school in Cameroon;
- Letter from US school acknowledging the student’s trip to Cameroon and eventually guaranteeing financial and legal responsibilities for the student while in Cameroon;

e) For diplomats, government officials, and members of international organizations with diplomatic or official passports: Official request from Government or International Governmental Organization; warrant for mission or mission order;

f) For transit:
- Copy of tickets, or documents from airline or travel agency confirming that a reservation has been made and that a ticket for continuing the journey is available.
- Visa from the country of destination;

g) For all types of visa: any other document or information to be requested by the Embassy.

NOTES:

01. MINORS TRAVELING TO CAMEROON:
For minors, in addition to the aforementioned requirements, the following documents are also needed:
a) Notarized letter of support jointly signed by both parents or legal guardians agreeing with the trip and specifying who will be traveling with the child;
b) If parents or guardians are Cameroonians, provide original passport(s) and copy of immigration document(s) attesting of their residency status in the U.S. (e.g. green card, I-20 form for students, any set of documents justifying that a procedure of adjustment of status is in progress…);
c) If parents or guardians are not Cameroonians, provide copy of passport pages bearing photo and validity information;
d) This also applies to any third party taking a child to Cameroon on behalf of the parents.

02. U.S. citizens born in Cameroon or of Cameroonian origin do not need to provide a certificate of accommodation.

IMPORTANT GENERAL INFORMATION
01. Payments with personal checks or credit cards will NOT be accepted;
02. Applicants residing in the U.S.A. are advised to obtain their visas from the Cameroon Embassy at the above indicated address;
03. Visa applications are accepted by mail or only between 9:00am and 1:00pm, Monday through Friday at the Cameroon Embassy. Processing time for a visa is approximately 4 business days. Passports shall be picked up only between 3:00pm and 4:00pm;
04. When issued, a visa must be used within 90 days, i.e. the recipient must enter Cameroon within that time frame;
05. Applicants unable to pick up their passport in person from the embassy are responsible for making necessary arrangements to get them back.

In execution of current financial law and regulations, according to the new Chancery Rate and until further notice, the following Consular Service fees will apply as of May 11th, 2009:

- Ordinary fiscal stamp for ANY AND ALL applications or requests submitted to the Consular Service (Application Fee) : $5.00
- Legalization of documents : $5.00
- Extension, Renewal or Replacement of a Lost or Stolen Passport (Passport Fee) : $136.00
- Issuance of Travel Document or Sauf-Conduit : $90.11
- Visa for up to Three Months, Including Transit visas (Visa Fee) : $136.00
- Visa for up to Six Months (Visa Fee) : $270.00
- Temporary permit to Import Firearms for Hunting Purposes : $637.28

N.B. Submitting multiple applications to the Consular Service will require providing a separate application fee for each type of application.
e.g. A tourist traveling to Cameroon on a hunting trip and submitting an application for a tourist visa and an application for a temporary permit to import firearms will submit a $5 application fee for the visa and a $5 application fee for the permit; those fees will not count towards, and are distinct from the tourist visa fee which is $136.00 and the permit fee which is $637.28.

For all types of passport requests submitted to the Consular Service of this Embassy, please provide the following documents:

01. Two completed “APPLICATION FOR PASSPORT” forms signed by the very bearer of the passport. In the case of under-aged persons, the application must be signed by the legal guardian;
02. An application fee (cf. Consular Fees) paid in Cash (only for applications submitted in person to the Embassy) or in the form of a money order, certified check or a check drawn from a business bank account.
03. A passport fee (cf. Consular Fees) submitted separately, paid in cash (only for applications submitted in person to the Embassy) or in the form of a money order, certified check or a check drawn from a business bank account.
04. A proof of the applicant’s residency status in the United States (for examples, see NOTES below, item Nº 02).

• ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PASSPORT EXTENSION
If your passport expired or has less than SIX MONTHS of validity left, and you wish to extend it, the application submitted to the Consular Service of this Embassy must include the following documents:
- The current passport,
- Two passport-size photographs with white background (both ears must be seen).

• ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PASSPORT RENEWAL
If your passport is damaged, has no more visa pages left or has no more extension pages available, the application submitted to the Consular Service of this Embassy in order to renew that passport must include the following documents:
- The old passport,
- Four (04) passport-size photographs with white background (both ears must be seen);
- Original of work I.D., student I.D., or certification by the school or employer; if profession is to be specified on the passport, Employer / School should communicate directly with the Consular Service.

• ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR REPLACEMENT OF LOST OR STOLEN PASSPORT
If you have lost your passport and wish to request a new one, in addition to the general requirements, provide the following documents:
- Information about the lost document: references, date and place of issue, photocopies of all pages if possible;
- Cameroonian National Identity Card and Birth Certificate;
- Four (04) passport-size photographs with white background (both ears must be seen);
- Police report or a report file number to be verified;
- Original of work I.D., student I.D., or certification by the school or employer; if profession is to be specified on the passport, Employer / School should communicate directly with the Consular Service.

NOTES:
01. Cameroonian citizens requesting the services of the Embassy must be conscious of the fact that, according to Cameroon Law, they can bear one and only one passport!
02. Proof of Residency status in the United States:
Copies of immigration documents MUST BE attached to any passport request submitted to the Cameroon Embassy:
- For permanent residents: copy of their green card,
- For applicants whose case is awaiting a final decision, or about to start: provide any set of documents justifying that a procedure of adjustment of status is in progress or about to start,
- For international students in American schools: copy of the most recent form I-20, along with a letter from the International Students Office of the school confirming the current enrollment under the F-1 student status.
- For other cases: provide a copy of any available immigration documents.

IMPORTANT GENERAL INFORMATION
06. Payments with personal checks or credit cards will NOT be accepted;
07. The Cameroon Embassy shall request any additional document or information deemed necessary for the processing of any type of request.
08. Applicants residing in the U.S.A. are advised to extend, renew or have their passports issued by the Cameroon Embassy at the above indicated address;
09. Applications are accepted by mail or only between 9:00am and 1:00pm, Monday through Friday at the Cameroon Embassy. The processing time for an extension is approximately 5 business days. Passports can be picked up only between 3:00pm and 4:00pm, Monday through Friday;
10. Children who came to the United States with visas in their parents passports are required, when they apply for their own passport, to forward the originals of their parents’ passport; this falls into the Passport Renewal category;
11. Applicants unable to pick up their passport in person from the embassy are responsible for making necessary arrangements to get them back.