A Guinea eVisa requires a passport valid for at least six months after the date of arrival in Guinea. Applicants must have one to two blank pages and upload a clear colour scan of the bio-data page. Both biometric and older machine-readable passports are accepted. The rule is enforced at both the application stage and Guinea border control; non-compliant passports are denied.
Last reviewed: 9 September 2026. This guide is prepared by the editorial team at an independent travel information portal, not affiliated with the Government of Guinea. Always verify Guinea eVisa passport validity requirements with GOV.UK or the Guinea eVisa portal before applying.
6-Month Passport Validity Rule for Guinea eVisa
The Guinea eVisa requires a passport with at least six months of validity remaining beyond the date of arrival in Guinea. This six-month passport validity rule applies from the date you enter Guinea, not from your UK departure date or the date of application.
“Your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive.” – Source: GOV.UK travel advice for Guinea.
For example, if you arrive in Conakry on 15 October 2026, your passport must remain valid until at least 15 April 2027. Airlines may deny boarding if they determine your passport will not satisfy the six-month rule upon arrival. Passport validity verification for eVisa occurs at both the application stage and at border control.
How to Calculate the 6-Month Validity Window
Count from arrival date
Count six months forward from your date of arrival in Guinea, not from your UK departure date or application date.
Check expiry date
Check the expiry date printed on page 3 of your UK biometric passport.
Multi-country stopover
If Guinea is a stopover on a multi-country West Africa itinerary, the 6-month window runs from the Guinea arrival date.
Example: A UK traveller arriving in Conakry on 20 September 2026 with a passport valid until 10 March 2027 has only 5 months and 20 days remaining. This fails the six-month rule, and the airline denies boarding in London.
How Many Blank Pages Are Required for a Guinea eVisa?
The Guinea eVisa requires at least 1 to 2 consecutive blank visa pages for entry and exit stamps. Guinea uses physical stamps at both air and land borders. Airlines may refuse boarding if pages are full, even when the eVisa is valid. UK standard passports hold 32 pages; frequent-traveller versions hold 48 pages. If fewer than two pages remain, renew via HM Passport Office before applying. Land-border crossings may require additional stamp space compared to air entry at Conakry’s Gbessia International Airport. Meeting Guinea eVisa passport eligibility criteria includes having sufficient blank pages.
Biometric vs Old Passport: Does Guinea eVisa Require an e-Passport?
A biometric e-passport is not required for the Guinea eVisa. Both biometric and older machine-readable passports (MRP) are accepted. A biometric passport may ease processing at Guinea border control scanners, while MRPs undergo standard manual checks.
| Feature | Biometric (e-Passport) | Machine-Readable (MRP) |
|---|---|---|
| Guinea eVisa Accepted? | Yes | Yes |
| How to Identify | Gold chip symbol on front cover | No chip symbol on cover |
| Border Experience | May ease scanner processing | Standard manual check |
Holders of very old, handwritten, or damaged passports should verify acceptance with the Embassy of the Republic of Guinea in London before applying for the Guinea eVisa.
Scanned Copy Requirements for Guinea eVisa Upload
The Guinea eVisa application requires a scanned copy of your passport bio-data page, including the photo, full name, passport number, and Machine Readable Zone (MRZ). The Guinea eVisa portal at paf.gov.gn accepts files in PDF, JPEG, or PNG format, with a maximum size of under 2 MB per upload. The government fee is USD 500 per year, and the eVisa allows a maximum stay of up to 90 days, single entry, valid from the date of arrival.
- Scan in colour at minimum 300 dpi
- Frame the full page with all four corners visible
- Ensure the MRZ line is fully legible
- Submit black-and-white scans
- Allow flash glare over text
- Crop out page corners
- Photograph only a partial page
Common rejection reasons include glare obscuring the MRZ, truncated corners, scanning the wrong page, and resolution below 300 dpi. Failing these checks delays processing. For a full breakdown of accepted file types and sizes, see our document format requirements guide.
What If Your Passport Does Not Meet Guinea eVisa Requirements?
A Guinea eVisa application is denied if the passport fails validity or scan requirements. Compliance must be confirmed before applying; you cannot fix a passport with less than 6 months validity after the visa is issued. The passport scanned during application must be the one presented at Guinea border control. Mismatched passports result in denied entry, regardless of eVisa validity.
Renewing Your UK Passport Before Applying
UK passport renewal via HM Passport Office takes 3 to 10 weeks in 2026. Apply at least 3 to 4 months before planned travel to allow for renewal plus eVisa processing. A new passport number means the eVisa must be re-issued; you cannot transfer an existing eVisa to a new passport. See GOV.UK for current processing times.
Emergency and Temporary Passports for Guinea eVisa
Emergency or temporary travel documents may not be accepted for the Guinea eVisa. Holders of such documents should contact the Embassy of the Republic of Guinea in London directly before starting an application. The same passport validity rules apply to both the eVisa and visa on arrival pathways.
For a full checklist of required documents, including onward/return ticket and proof of sufficient funds, see our Guinea eVisa requirements guide.
FAQ: Guinea eVisa Passport Validity Requirements
Can I apply for a Guinea eVisa if my passport expires in less than 6 months?
No. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your arrival date in Guinea. Renew before applying.
How do I calculate the 6-month validity for the Guinea eVisa?
Count 6 months forward from your date of arrival in Guinea, not from your UK departure date or application date.
Does the Guinea eVisa require a biometric passport?
No. Both biometric e-passports and older machine-readable passports (MRP) are accepted.
How many blank pages do I need in my passport for Guinea?
At least 1 to 2 consecutive blank pages for entry and exit stamps.
What file format and size do I need for the passport scan upload?
Upload a colour scan in PDF, JPEG, or PNG at 300 dpi, with the MRZ fully visible, under 2 MB.
What happens if my passport does not meet requirements after my eVisa is issued?
An eVisa cannot be transferred to a new passport. If your passport expires or is lost, reapply with the new document.
Do children’s passports have different validity requirements for Guinea eVisa?
No. The same 6-month passport validity rule applies to all passengers, including children and infants.
Can I use a Guinea eVisa with a different passport than the one I applied with?
No. You must present the same passport at Guinea border control. Mismatched passports may result in denied entry.
What is the difference between Guinea eVisa validity and passport validity?
Passport validity is how long your document is valid (must be 6+ months). The eVisa visa validity period is the entry window: single entry, up to 90 days from arrival.
Is visa on arrival an alternative if my passport does not meet eVisa requirements?
Generally no. The same passport validity rules apply to both eVisa and visa on arrival.
