Comoros Entry Requirements

Visa, immigration, and customs information

The Union of the Comoros, a volcanic archipelago located between Madagascar and Mozambique, offers intrepid travelers a blend of Swahili-Arab culture, fragrant ylang-ylang plantations, and some of the Indian Ocean’s least-crowded beaches. Entry is straightforward: most visitors obtain a visa on arrival, immigration queues are short, and the whole process rarely exceeds 30 minutes. Have exact cash (EUR or USD) ready, keep your yellow-fever certificate handy if you’ve recently visited an endemic country, and remember that onward tickets and proof of lodging may be requested. Comoros is safe and welcoming, but infrastructure is basic—book Comoros hotels in advance, in Moroni, and bring small denominations for airport porters. Travelers should also know that inter-island transport runs on loose schedules; allow buffer days if you plan to hop between Grande Comore, Mohéli, and Anjouan. The best time to visit Comoros is April–November when the weather is driest, making it easier to explore things to do in Comoros such as hiking Karthala volcano or snorkeling Mohéli’s marine park. Finally, carry a copy of your passport—police checkpoints are common but courteous.

Visa Requirements

Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.

Comoros operates a liberal visa policy: every nationality can secure a visa on arrival, while a small group of mostly African and Gulf countries enjoy visa-free entry.

Visa-Free Entry

45 days

Passport holders of selected African, Gulf, and island-state countries may enter without prior authorization.

Includes

Tanzania Kenya Uganda Mauritius Seychelles Tunisia Qatar United Arab Emirates Saudi Arabia Bahrain Kuwait Oman

Free entry; passport must be valid 6 months beyond stay.

Visa on Arrival / eVisa

45 days single-entry; extensions possible at immigration offices in Moroni, Fomboni, or Mutsamudu.

All travelers not visa-exempt can obtain a 45-day tourist visa at Prince Said Ibrahim International Airport (HAH) in Moroni or apply online for an eVisa to speed up arrival formalities.

Includes

United States United Kingdom Canada Australia Germany France Netherlands Italy Spain Japan South Africa India China Brazil Russia

How to Apply: eVisa: apply at https://evisa.gouv.km at least 72 h before travel; approval letter printed and shown on arrival. Visa on arrival: fill form on plane/at desk; no pre-arrangement needed.
Cost: €30 (≈ USD 33) payable in EUR, USD, or KMF cash only; exact change recommended.

Passport validity 6 months; yellow-fever certificate required if arriving from endemic countries.

Visa Required (Embassy)

Determined by bilateral agreement.

There is no separate ‘visa-required’ list—every non-exempt traveler uses the visa-on-arrival or eVisa route. Diplomatic or service-passport holders on official duty may still wish to secure gratis visas in advance from the nearest Comoran mission (Paris, Dar es Salaam, Nairobi, or permanent mission to the AU in Addis Ababa).

How to Apply: Contact embassy for forms; processing 5–10 days.

Regular tourists should use visa-on-arrival or eVisa instead.

Arrival Process

Arriving at Prince Said Ibrahim International Airport (HAH) is relaxed but cash-oriented. Expect three quick stops: health desk (yellow-fever check), immigration (visa purchase & stamp), and customs (bag scan & occasional hand check). The whole sequence takes 20–45 min depending on how many passengers disembark your flight.

Health Screening

Officer checks yellow-fever card and may verify COVID-19 vaccination if requirements reinstated.

Immigration Control

Present passport, arrival form (given on plane), visa fee, and eVisa letter if you applied online. Receive passport stamp and detachable tourist card—keep the smaller slip for exit.

Baggage Claim & Customs

Collect luggage, place on X-ray belt. Green channel for nothing-to-declare; red channel if carrying dutiable goods.

Documents to Have Ready

Passport

Must be valid ≥ 6 months and have ≥ 1 blank page.

Visa fee

€30 or USD 33 cash; ATMs available but often empty.

Return/onward ticket

Airline or ferry ticket out of Comoros within 45 days.

Proof of accommodation

Hotel voucher or host invitation; digital copy accepted.

International Vaccination Certificate (Yellow Fever)

Required if arriving from or transiting through a yellow-fever country (e.g., Kenya, Tanzania, DRC).

Tips for Smooth Entry

Bring small EUR or USD notes; change is given in local KMF which you’ll need for taxis and Comoros food stalls.

Photocopy your passport and yellow-fever card; police roadblocks occasionally request them.

If taking domestic flights to Mohéli or Anjouan, reconfirm 24 h ahead—schedules shift with the tides.

Customs & Duty-Free

Comoros customs is lenient for personal effects but strict on import of alcohol, drones, and foreign currency. Declare anything that looks commercial to avoid confiscation or fines.

Alcohol

1 bottle of wine OR 1 bottle spirits (max 1 L total)

Must be 18+ years; larger quantities taxed at 50% duty.

Tobacco

200 cigarettes OR 250 g loose tobacco

18+ years only.

Currency

Amounts ≥ USD 10,000 or equivalent must be declared on arrival and departure.

Form available at customs desk; undeclared excess may be seized.

Gifts/Goods

Personal goods up to USD 250 duty-free; electronics (laptop, camera, phone) allowed one unit each.

New items in original packaging look commercial and attract 20–30 % duty.

Prohibited Items

Pork products—respect Islamic norms
Narcotics and recreational drugs—zero tolerance, jail terms
Explosives, firearms, and ammunition without prior ministerial permit

Restricted Items

Drones—require prior authorization from Civil Aviation Authority; confiscation likely if undeclared
Plants, seeds, and animals—phytosanitary certificate needed from country of origin

Health Requirements

Comoros demands yellow-fever vaccination for travelers arriving from endemic zones. Malaria is present year-round, so prophylaxis is recommended. Limited health facilities make travel insurance essential.

Required Vaccinations

Yellow Fever (if arriving from or transiting through a country with risk)

Recommended Vaccinations

Hepatitis A
Typhoid
Hepatitis B
Tetanus-diphtheria
Rabies for long stays or animal workers
Routine COVID-19 vaccination (not mandatory but useful)

Health Insurance

No compulsory insurance law, but hospitals expect cash up-front; carry complete travel insurance with evacuation coverage to Reunion or South Africa.

Current Health Requirements: As of June 2024, there are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements; this can change rapidly—consult Comoros Ministry of Health or WHO site before departure.

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Important Contacts

Essential resources for your trip.

Embassy/Consulate

Comoros maintains only a handful of missions abroad (Paris, Dar es Salaam, Addis Ababa, New York). Most travelers rely on their own embassy in Nairobi or Antananarivo for consular assistance.

Check your government's travel advisory website (e.g., travel.state.gov, gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice) for the nearest help.

Immigration Authority

Direction Générale de la Sécurité Publique – Bureau des Étrangers, Moroni; eVisa portal: https://evisa.gouv.km

For extensions, lost passports, or latest entry rules.

Emergency

Police 17, Fire & Ambulance 18, Gendarmerie 19

Little English spoken; ask your hotel to call if needed.

Special Situations

Additional requirements for specific circumstances.

Traveling with Children

Bring unabridged birth certificate; if only one parent is present, carry notarized consent letter from the other parent. No specific extra visa fee for minors.

Traveling with Pets

Obtain an import permit from Comoros Ministry of Agriculture; rabies vaccination ≥ 30 days but < 12 months before travel; health certificate from accredited vet within 5 days of flight; 7-day home quarantine observed.

Extended Stays

Tourist visa can be extended once for 45 days (total 90 days) at the immigration office in Moroni for €60. For longer durations apply for a residence permit (carte de séjour) with proof of income, local address, and police clearance.

Know what to pack

Climate-specific clothing, travel documents, electronics, and gear — with shopping links for every item.

View Comoros Packing List →