Chad makes online visa applications mandatory for all foreign travelers

Visas issued outside the online platform will be considered invalid after May 21, 2026

Travelers planning to visit Chad must now submit their visa applications online, as the country has shifted to a mandatory digital process for all foreign visitors.

According to Manara Radio Télévision, the E-Visa Sub-Directorate of the Ministry of Public Security and Immigration announced in an official statement dated May 8, 2026, that visa applications for travel to Chad must now be filed exclusively online via the official platform. The change took effect on May 11, 2026.

The portal, which has been operational since December 2024, allows travelers to start an application, complete the form, make the payment, and track the status of their file online.

Designed to simplify and speed up applications

The expansion of the e-Visa system is part of the implementation of Decree No. 2299/PR/PM/MSPI/2025, which sets the conditions for the entry and stay of foreigners in Chad, as well as Joint Order No. 033/PR/PMFBEPC/MSPI/2026, which covers visa categories and fees.

The decree states, "The online visa known as 'E-VISA' is a system designed to simplify and speed up the application process while ensuring rigorous and secure management of applicants' information. The E-VISA may be single-entry or multiple-entry, depending on the conditions under which it is issued."

Most visa categories covered

The platform now covers all visa categories included in the new fee schedule, with one major exception. Diplomatic and courtesy visas remain under the exclusive authority of Chad's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and will continue to be issued by Chadian diplomatic missions.

Transition period and validity

Chadian authorities have set a transition period for the changeover. Visas properly issued before the new procedure took effect will remain valid until their expiration date. However, after May 21, 2026, any visa issued outside the official platform will be considered invalid and will not allow entry into Chad.

The statement also confirmed that manual entry authorizations for Chadian territory have been definitively abolished. This means the entry procedure for Chad is now handled through a centralized digital channel, except for specific cases that fall under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.