GENVISEC
Protecting People and Profit
Guinea Bissau
Overall country Risk Rating:
CC - There is a high corruption risk affecting all personnel. HSE risk is high as there is no regulation or HSE culture in country. The country scored 163/177 on the corruption perception index with a score of -1.06 on corruption control.(Point estimates range from -2.5 to 2.5. Higher values correspond to better governance outcomes)
Crime
Crime rates in Guinea-Bissau are not high but Guinea-Bissau is an extremely poor country. You should take sensible precautions. Avoid carrying valuables in public.
Local travel
Land mines remain a problem in parts of the country and de-mining operations are continuing. The capital city of Bissau was declared mine-free in June 2006 by the national de-mining centre (CAAMI), which is responsible for de-mining operations and maintains lists of known minefields. Outside of the capital city, you should take local advice and stick to paved roads.
If you are travelling to or from Guinea-Bissau by road you should note that the Casamance region of south-western Senegal (an area between the southern border of Gambia and the north-western border of Guinea-Bissau) remains affected by incidents involving separatist groups and by incidents of banditry. Genvisec advise against travel by road in some parts of this region of Senegal.
Road travel
Traffic is generally light but road conditions (including in the capital) and driving standards are poor. Avoid road travel at night and take suitable precautions in the rainy season (June to October) when road and driving conditions can become particularly poor.
Political situation
Guinea-Bissau is an inherently unpredictable country in which political instability can, and does, occur without warning. A military coup d’état in April 2012 established a transitional government which some countries did not recognise. Successful internationally recognised democratic elections (Legislative and Presidential) were held on 13 April 2014. The second round of Presidential elections was held on 18 May. Jose Mario Vaz was elected as President, taking office on 23 June. A new government, led by Prime Minister Domingos Simoes Pereira, was formed in July.
Money
Guinea-Bissau is very much a cash economy. Credit cards are rarely used and there are few ATMs. The CFA Franc is the local currency.
Health
Medical facilities in Guinea Bissau are extremely limited and hospitals are not fully operational. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.
There are occasional outbreaks of cholera, particularly during the rainy season and in areas where there is poor sanitation.
In the 2010 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 20,000 adults aged 15 or over in Guinea-Bissau were living with HIV; the prevalence percentage was estimated at around 2.5% of the adult population compared to the prevalence percentage in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS.
Visas
European nationals need a visa to enter Guinea Bissau. Contact the Guinea Bissau Embassy in Paris at 94 Rue St Lazare (tel: +33 1 48 74 36 39) for further information. Guinea Bissau also has Embassies in neighbouring countries, including Senegal, which issue visas.
Yellow fever
Yellow Fever vaccination is required for travellers arriving from all countries.
Passport validity
Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into Guinea-Bissau.
Consular Assistance
UK citizens
There is no British Embassy in Guinea-Bissau and the ability to provide assistance to British nationals is limited. If you need consular assistance, you should contact the British Honorary Consul in Bissau, Mr Jan Van Maanen (telephone: +245 5522772 or +245 6622772) or the British Embassy in Dakar, Senegal.
US citizens
In the event of an emergency use the following numbers:
· During working hours in Senegal: +221 33.879.4000. Working hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and Friday from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm.
· During non-working hours in Senegal call Post One—After Hours: +221 33.879.4444. Please ask for U.S. Citizen Services.　
· The Department of State's Office of Overseas Citizen Services can be reached within the U.S. toll free at 888-407-4747.
There is no US embassy in Guinea Bissau
The U.S. Embassy in Dakar has jurisdiction over Guinea-Bissau. U.S. citizens travelling or residing in Guinea-Bissau are encouraged to enroll online through STEP with the U.S. Embassy in Dakar.
Telephone
+(221) 33-879-4000
Emergency After-Hours Telephone
+(221) 33-879-4444
Canadian citizens
Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa :
Email:
Emergency contact form
Telephone:
From outside Canada
613-996-8885 (call collect where available)
Toll-free numbers in some countries
From inside Canada
613-996-8885
1-800-387-3124 (toll-free from the U.S. and Canada only)
TTY:
613-944-1310
1-800-394-3472 (toll-free from the U.S. and Canada only)
You may be asked to leave a message. Please follow the instructions carefully. Under normal circumstances, an operations officer will get back to you within 15 minutes. This delay may be longer during large-scale emergencies.
There is no embassy in Guinea-Bissau, nearest embassy is in Senegal.
Embassy of Canada
Rue Galliéni x Amadou Cissé Dia
Dakar, Senegal
Postal Address
Embassy of Canada
P.O. Box 3373
Dakar, Senegal
Tel.: 221-33-889-4700
Fax: 221-33-889-4720
Email: dakar@international.gc.ca
For all visa and immigration questions: dakar.immigration@international.gc.ca
Hours of Operation
Monday to Thursday: 08:00 – 12:30 and 13:15 – 17:00
Friday: 08:00 – 12:30
Norwegian Citizens
No embassy in Guinea Bissau
Bissau-Guinean Embassy in Dakar, Senegal
Rue 6 X B Point E
BP 2319
Dakar
Senegal
Telephone(+221) 33 825 9089
Telefax
E-mail: ambgb@orange.sn
Head of Mission Idrissa Embalo, Ambassador
Swedish Citizens
Swedish consulate
53 rua Eduardo Monolane
173
Bissau
Guinea-Bissau
Phone
+245-202822
Fax
+245-201838
+245-202616