Togo Visa or Entry Stamp
Togo Consular
Information Sheet
July 26, 2007COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Togo is a small,
economically stagnant country in West Africa in a state of political
uncertainty. French is the official language, but Ewe and Mina are
commonly spoken as well. Tourism facilities are limited, especially
outside the capital city, Lomé. Read theDepartment of State Background Notes on Togo for additional information.
ENTRY/EXIT
REQUIREMENTS: A passport and visa are required. Travelers
are encouraged to obtain visas prior to arrival due to recent difficulties with
requesting them at the airport in Lomé or at some of the land borders.
Visas issued in Togo are limited to 7 days and can take an hour or more to be
issued. Travelers applying for visa extensions can also experience
significant delays. Vaccination against yellow fever is required before
entry. U.S. citizens should carry copies of their U.S. passports and
vaccination records with them at all times while traveling in Togo so that, if
questioned by local officials, they have proof of identity, U.S. citizenship,
and required vaccinations readily available.
Travelers may obtain the latest information and
details from the Embassy of the Republic of Togo, 2208 Massachusetts Avenue,
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008; telephone (202) 234-4212. Overseas,
inquiries should be made at the nearest Togolese embassy or consulate.
See our web site for more information about dual nationality, the
prevention of international child abduction and Customs Information .
SAFETY AND SECURITY:U.S.
citizens are urged to avoid political rallies and street demonstrations and
maintain security awareness at all times. Togo has experienced periodic
violence, strikes, and political tensions since 1990. Following the death
of President Eyadema in February 2005, political activists took to the streets
and held demonstrations throughout the country that resulted in more than 500
deaths. Land borders with Ghana and Benin are routinely shut down during
elections, which are expected to take place during the fall of 2007. While
there is considerable optimism about the election process and that it will be
non-violent, the potential for demonstrations remains.
For the latest
security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the
Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affair’s Internet
site at http://travel.state.gov, where the
current Travel Warnings and Public Announcements, including the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, can be found.
Up-to-date information on safety and security can
also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada, or
for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at
1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
The Department of State urges American citizens
to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling
overseas. For general information about appropriate measures travelers can
take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of
State’s pamphlet A Safe Trip
Abroad.
CRIME: Over the past
year, Togo has seen a marked increase in incidents of violent crime throughout
the country, including several recent machete attacks in poorly lit areas of
Lomé. Particular areas for Americans to avoid within Lomé, especially
during the hours of darkness, include the Grand Marché area, the beach road, and
the Ghana-Togo border areas. Travelers should avoid the beach even during
daylight hours as purse-snatching occurs there regularly.
Pick pocketing
and theft are common in Togo, especially along the beach and in the market areas
of Lomé. Incidents of residential burglary continue to increase, even
against foreigners. Theft while riding in taxis is also increasing, as
thieves steal bags, wallets, and passports. Taxicabs should not be shared
with strangers.
Perpetrators of business fraud often target foreigners,
including Americans. Formerly associated with Nigeria, these fraud schemes
are now prevalent throughout western Africa, including Togo, and pose a danger
of both financial loss and physical harm. An increasing number of
Americans have been the targets of such scams, losing anywhere from several
thousand to several hundred thousand dollars. Typically, these scam
operations begin with an unsolicited communication, usually by e-mail, from an
unknown individual who describes a situation that promises quick financial gain,
often by assisting in the transfer of a large sum of money or valuables out of
the country. The scenarios vary: an American must pretend to be the
next-of-kin to a recently deceased Togolese who left a fortune unclaimed in a
Togolese bank, or a person claiming to be related to present or former political
leaders needs assistance in transferring large sums of cash, or even a business
deal that appears to be legitimate. The requests are usually for the
payment of advance fees, attorneys’ fees, or down payments on contracts.
The final payoff does not exist; the purpose of the scam is to get any money
possible and to gain information about the American’s bank account. The
best way to avoid becoming a victim of advance-fee fraud is common sense – if it
looks too good to be true, it probably is. You should carefully check out
any unsolicited business proposals originating in Togo before you commit any
funds, provide any goods or services, or undertake any travel. Please
check the Embassy web site at http://lome.usembassy.gov/ for the
most current information on fraud in Togo. For additional information,
please see the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs’ brochure on
International Financial Scams.
INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF
CRIME: The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be
reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or
Consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to
reporting to local police, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate
for assistance. The Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example, assist you
to find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends and explain
how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution
of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular
officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to
find an attorney if needed. See our information on Victims of Crime.
MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH
INFORMATION: Medical facilities in Togo are limited and of very
poor quality, with no adequate emergency medical care. Availability of
medications through local pharmacies is unreliable, and travelers should carry
all necessary medications, properly labeled, with them. Malaria, a serious
and sometimes fatal disease, is prevalent in Togo. For additional
information on malaria, including protective measures, see the CDC travelers’
health web site at http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/.
Information on vaccinations and other health
precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection,
may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline
for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC’s
internet site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel. For
information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World
Health Organization’s (WHO) website at http://www.who.int/en. Further
health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith/en.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: The
Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical
insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy
applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical
evacuation. Please see our information on medical insurance overseas.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD
CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may
encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United
States. The information below concerning Togo is provided for general
reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or
circumstance.
While some major thoroughfares in urban parts of Togo are
paved, many secondary streets are not, and become severely flooded every time it
rains. Driving conditions are hazardous throughout Togo due to the
presence of pedestrians, large numbers of small motorcycles, disorderly drivers
(moped, car and truck drivers), livestock on the roadways, and the poor
condition of the roads, including deep potholes. Overland travel off the
main network of roads generally requires a four-wheel-drive vehicle. Many
drivers in Togo do not obey traffic laws and most traffic signals do not
function properly. Drivers should be prepared for other vehicles to run
red lights or stops signs and drive in the wrong direction on one-way
streets.
Nighttime travel on unfamiliar roads is dangerous. Poorly
marked checkpoints, often manned by armed, undisciplined soldiers, exist
throughout the country, including in the capital. Banditry, including
demands for bribes at checkpoints, has been reported on major inter-city
highways, including the Lomé - Cotonou coastal highway. Travelers are
advised to be aware of their surroundings and to drive defensively. At
official checkpoints, Togolese security officials prefer that you approach with
your dome light on, and have your driver’s license, registration, and proof of
insurance ready.
Americans should be aware of the staged-accident ploy
when driving in Lomé. In this scam, a motorbike will cut in front of you,
cause a collision, and draw a crowd, which can turn hostile if you attempt to
leave the scene of the so-called accident. Such encounters appear designed
to extort money from the vehicle driver. Pedestrians also cause staged
accidents. Genuine accidents can also draw hostile crowds. Travelers
should drive with their car doors locked and windows closed, and have a cell
phone in the vehicle. If you are involved in this kind of accident and can
drive away, you should leave the scene, drive to a safe location, and alert both
the police and the U.S. Embassy. Violent carjackings are periodically
reported in Togo and tend to increase during the summer months and holiday
season.
Travelers are advised to exercise caution when using any form of
local public transportation. Never get into a taxi with unknown passengers
and always agree on the fare before getting in.
Please refer to our Road Safety page for more
information. Visit a website of the country’s tourist office at http://www.togo-tourisme.com/.
AVIATION SAFETY
OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service between
the United States and Togo, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has
not assessed Togo’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International
Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. For more
information, travelers may visit the FAA’s Internet web site at http://www.faa.gov/safety/programs_initiatives/oversight/iasa.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES:
Power outages, voltage fluctuations, and water shortages are common throughout
the country. Only certain U.S. credit cards are accepted in Togo.
Most major hotels and their restaurants accept American Express, MasterCard, and
Visa, while smaller hotels and restaurants do not. Travelers planning to
use credit cards should know which cards are accepted before they commit to any
transaction. Travelers should keep all credit card receipts, as
unauthorized card use and overcharging are common. There are some
Automatic Teller Machines that dispense local currency in major banks and they
are generally considered safe. Well-known money transfer firms, including
Western Union, operate in Togo.
Photographing places affiliated with the
government of Togo, including official government buildings, border crossings,
checkpoints, police stations, military bases, utility buildings, airports,
government vehicles, and government or military personnel, is strictly
prohibited, and local authorities will confiscate film and cameras.
Government buildings are not always clearly identifiable, as they vary from
being very well marked to not marked at all.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign
country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which
sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not
afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law.
Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for
similar offenses. Persons violating Togolese laws, even unknowingly, may
be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or
trafficking in illegal drugs in Togoleseare severe, and convicted offenders can
expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Engaging in sexual conduct
with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country
is a crime, prosecutable in the United States. Please see our information
on Criminal Penalties.
CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For
information see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and
international parental child abduction.
REGISTRATION / EMBASSY
LOCATION: Americans living or traveling in Togoare
encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the
State Department’s travel registration web site so that they can obtain updated information on travel and
security within Togo. Americans withoutInternet
access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to
contact them in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy is located on
Boulevard Eyadema, Neighborhood Lomé II, Lomé; telephone (228) 261-5470, fax
(228) 261-5499. The local mailing address is B.P. 852, Lomé. Its web site
is http://lome.usembassy.gov/.
* *
* This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated February 23,
2007 to update sections on Entry / Exit Requirements, Safety and Security,
Crime, and Traffic Safety and Road Conditions.
*********************************************************** See
http://travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html for State Department Travel
Warnings
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Togo Visa or Entry
Stamp
