Living in Cameroon
Information for British citizens moving to or living in Cameroon, including guidance on residency, healthcare and driving.
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This guide sets out essential information for British citizens moving to or living in Cameroon. Read about how our British High Commission in Yaounde can help.
This information is provided as a guide only. You should get definitive information from the Cameroonian authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.
Support for British Nationals Abroad: A Guide sets out how British nationals can stay safe abroad and how the FCDO can help if you do get into difficulty.
Read general guidance on moving or retiring abroad.
To stay up to date: follow the British High Commission Yaounde on:
Facebook/UKinCameroon and Twitter/UKinCameroon
Before you go
See our Cameroon travel advice for up-to-date information on entry requirements, local laws and customs, safety and emergencies.
See our Overseas Business Risk guide for Cameroon for the latest risks in doing business in Cameroon.
Visas and residency
A valid visa is required to enter Cameroon (see the Cameroon travel advice page for more information. Visitors planning to stay in Cameroon for longer than 3 months should obtain a residence permit from DGSN. The minimum payment for a residence permit is 250,000F CFA.
All visitors should ensure they have a valid visa which covers the whole of their stay. The penalty for overstaying a visa is 20,000F CFA per day.
You can find more details at DGSN “Délégation Générale à la Sûreté Nationale”
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Délégation Générale à la Sûreté Nationale, Rond Point Province Yaounde /Cameroon
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Emi-Immigration Rond Point Province Yaounde / Cameroon
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Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rond Point Province Yaounde / Cameroon
Passports and travel
You can apply for or renew your British passport from Cameroon.
Check the Cameroon travel advice for passport validity requirements.
Healthcare in Cameroon
Health services in Cameroon are offered by public and private clinics. The services on offer are often rudimentary outside major population centres and private clinics are often better equipped. All health care is based on a user pays system. Experience shows that credit cards are not accepted.
If you cannot register for healthcare, you must ensure you have private healthcare cover for Cameroon
NOTE: UK travel insurance providers will not generally cover your healthcare costs if you live overseas.
Medicine
If you are on a prescription for any medication you should ensure you have a supply of it, or are able to get it when in Cameroon. Certain medicines may not be available in Cameroon (including major brands readily available in the UK), and you may be prohibited from taking them into the country. You should consult your GP before travelling to Cameroon to find out about any alternative medication.
Read the guidance if you need to travel with medicines
Working in Cameroon
If you are planning to move to Cameroon and work, you may need a visa. Read the Cameroon government’s guidance on working in Cameroon as a foreign national and how to get a visa. Read more about entry requirements for Cameroon.
Residency Permits:
British citizens who expect to work in Cameroon for an extended period of time must apply for a work permit (carte de séjour) at the local immigration office. The following documents should support the application:
• Photocopy of the passport
• Birth certificate
• Police or criminal record
• Completed application form
• Proof of employment
• Medical certificate
Employment and recognised qualifications
Foreign workers need a work permit before obtaining salaried employment. This can be obtained from the Délégation Générale de la Sureté Nationale (DGSN). The headquarters are in Yaoundé but all regions should have branches.
Workers are also expected to obtain a “certificate of equivalence” from the Ministry of Higher Education for all qualifications, although this is often not an impediment to working. Applications for this certificate have been known to take several years.
Studying in Cameroon
If you plan to study in Cameroon you must meet all visa requirements before you travel.
Contact the relevant higher education provider in Cameroon to check what fees you have to pay.
Tax
Visitors should contact the Ministry of Finance about what tax arrangements are in place for them in Cameroon.
Please see our Doing Business in Cameroon guides for information about investing in Cameroon.
Tax and customs
The fiscal year runs from 1 January to 31 December. The tax system in Cameroon is governed by the General Tax Code, which is amended and supplement through annual Finance Laws. The Code is administered by the Ministry of Finance through the Direction General des Impôts.
Customs regulations are set through the sub-regional market body CEMAC. There is no double-taxation agreement between Cameroon and the UK.
VAT
The value added tax (VAT) rate is 19.25%. The rate includes an additional council tax. The tax is levied on both individuals and organisations. Exemption from VAT is granted by law in certain specified circumstances.
Corporate tax
The corporate income tax rate is 38.5% inclusive of an incremental 10% additional council tax. A minimum tax level is set based on an assessment of the turnover.
You need to be aware of the challenges and seek legal counsel where necessary.
See our list of lawyers Cameroon
The UK doesn’t have a double taxation agreement with Cameroon
Cameroon tax and treaties so you may pay tax on the same income in both countries. Ask the relevant tax authority your questions about double taxation relief. UK collections tax and treaties
You should get professional advice on paying tax in Cameroon. Find an English-speaking lawyer in Cameroon
Read guidance on:
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paying National Insurance while abroad to protect your State Pension and entitlement to other benefits and allowances.
Education
Public schooling is available, but most expatriates send their children to private school.
Benefits
Check which UK benefits you can claim while abroad and how to claim them.
Many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit cannot be paid if you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.
Social security pensions are available for locals only. British nationals living in Cameroon are not entitled to social security pensions. For more details, visit : CAISSE NATIONALE DE PREVOYANCE SOCIALE – Available services
Pensions
Read State Pension guidance if you have lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand and you are claiming or waiting to claim your UK State Pension
If you retire in Cameroon, you can claim your UK State Pension or new UK State Pension. Contact the International Pension Centre for further information.
In Cameroon, you can contact CNPS for further details: CAISSE NATIONALE DE PREVOYANCE SOCIALE – Home
Life certificates for UK State Pensions
If you get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you must respond as soon as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you do not.
Accommodation and buying property
See buying a property abroad. There is no law that prohibits, limits or conditions foreign nationals buying and renting of property. Land ownership in Cameroon according to the law gives you the rights to exclusive possession and use of your land, the right to mortgage the land, and the right to transfer the land.
Driving in Cameroon
If you’re asked for a letter authenticating, certifying or validating your UK driver’s licence, you should contact your UK issuing office (eg the DVLA).
For guidance for travelling by road in Cameroon, see our travel advice.
If you wish to take your vehicle with you, see information on taking vehicles out of uk.
Visitors are allowed to use driving licences from their own countries for 3 months. After this time, visitors should obtain a Cameroonian driving licence from the Ministry of Transport.
All vehicles, by law, must be left-hand drive.
Importing vehicles can be very difficult, expensive and take a long time. Delays at customs could take several months to resolve. For more details, contact the Ministry of Transport
You need to convert your permit to a valid Cameroon license if you plan on staying in the country for more than a year. For this, you will have to visit the Ministry of Transport’s office along with required documents:
- a photocopy of your driver’s license
- an authentication certificate issued by your home country’s embassy or consulate in Cameroon or Public Notary in Commonwealth Countries.
- a photocopy of your resident permit
- fee applies.
Disabled drivers
- If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Cameroon, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.
Voting
You must be Cameroonian by either birth or naturalization to be eligible to vote.
You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:
Births, deaths, marriage and civil partnership
Births
If your child is born in Cameroon you should register the birth with the local authorities. You can then register with the UK authorities and apply for a UK birth certificate
If your child has British nationality, you do not need to register the birth with the UK authorities to apply for a British passport get a first child passport.
Deaths
If someone dies in Cameroon read our guidance on:
What to do if someone dies abroad
Bereavement guidance for Cameroon: Cameroon bereavement: death abroad
English-speaking funeral directors in Cameroon
Marriage and civil partnership
Find out how you can get married or get a civil partnership abroad.
Pets
You can find details on Export cats and dogs to Cameroon: certificate 3038
Emergencies
Dial the 177 for the police, ambulance, fire brigade, or to report a missing child
If you have been the victim of a rape or sexual assault in Cameroon, read the the Guidance for victim of rape and sexual assault abroad
List of English-speaking lawyers: Cameroon – List of Lawyers
If you’re the victim of a crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis, contact the British High Commission – Yaoundé on +44 207 008 3355 (24H/7) / +237 222 220 545 (only during working hours).
Read the guidance on international parental child abduction International parental child abduction if your child may be at risk of this.
Returning to the UK
Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on bringing family members, tax and access to services.
Last updated 13 December 2023 + show all updates
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Information has been added on how to apply for a visa online.
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First published.
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We have completely removed the section on Corona Virus.