Working in Gabon
Work authorisation, visa and residence card for your expatriate staff. DI-Africa (Gabon), based in Port-Gentil and Libreville, handles every step with the authorities and can employ your people on your behalf.
Request a Gabon quoteKey figures
Four steps, in this order
1. Job posting
- The position is first advertised to Gabonese candidates (Law No. 10/2022)
- Certificate of publication issued: without it, no work authorisation can be filed
2. Work authorisation
- Individual work authorisation filed with the contract and the employee's documents
- Processing: usually 3 weeks to 1 month
3. Entry authorisation and visa
- Resident entry authorisation: about 12 days
- Visa issued on arrival, with meet and greet at Libreville or Port-Gentil airport
4. Residence card
- Receipt issued on filing, the card follows within 2 to 3 weeks
- 2-year card, renewable; a deposit may be required depending on nationality
Good to know — the work authorisation must be obtained before arrival: allow at least two months between the job posting and the start date. Timelines remain at the discretion of the Ministry of Labour and the DGDI.
The right route for each profile
| Profile | Route |
|---|---|
| Business visit: meetings, prospecting, audit | 3-month entry visa, or 6-month multiple-entry visa, on DGDI authorisation. It is not a work authorisation. |
| Expatriate employee hired for Gabon | Full process: PNPE posting, work authorisation, entry authorisation and visa, residence card. |
| You have no entity in Gabon | DI-Africa (Gabon) employs the person, carries the filings and runs payroll; you keep direction of the work. |
| Spouse and children | Visa and residence card for each family member; documents and conditions set out in the quote. |
| Employee already in post | Renewal of the work authorisation and residence card every 2 years; we track the deadlines. |
From Port-Gentil to Libreville, the whole cycle
- Job posting with the PNPE and follow-up of the certificate
- Individual work authorisation with the Ministry of Labour
- DGDI entry authorisation, visa on arrival, airport meet and greet
- Residence card and renewals
- Employment by DI-Africa (Gabon), contracts, payroll, CNSS and CNAMGS
- Exit visa and departure formalities, where applicable
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to bring an expatriate to Gabon?
Allow about ten weeks, and at least two months, between the PNPE job posting and the start date. The residence card is then filed within a month of arrival.
Why post the job with the PNPE?
Law No. 10/2022 gives priority to Gabonese candidates. The PNPE certificate of publication is a prerequisite: without it, the work authorisation cannot be requested.
Can you work in Gabon on a business visa?
No. The 3- or 6-month visa covers business visits. A position in Gabon requires the work authorisation and the residence card.
Can we employ someone in Gabon without a company there?
Yes. DI-Africa (Gabon) becomes the legal employer, carries the immigration filings, registers the employee and runs payroll.
How long is the residence card valid?
Two years, renewable. A receipt is issued on filing and the card follows within two to three weeks. A deposit may be required depending on nationality.
How much does the process cost?
It depends on the profile, the duration and the nationality. Our quote itemises official fees, any deposit and DI-Africa fees.
A project in Gabon?
Tell us the role, the target arrival date and the nationality: we send you the timeline and an itemised quote. Write to gabon@di-africa.com.
Request a quote