Western Africa · Immigration

Togo

16 immigration routes

Togo sits in Western Africa. Its immigration system runs 16 distinct routes — led by free movement, work and family, each set out in official law. 13 of them cite an official government source, shown on the route with the date we last read it. Who actually qualifies depends on your full profile.

Immigration routes
16across 9 route categories, each set out in official law
Source-cited routes
13 of 16cite an official government source, with the date we last read it
Largest category
Free movement3 of the 16 routes — see them under Free movement below
Region
Western Africa
Capital
Lomé
Population
8,591,626
Official language
French
Currency
XOF
Time zone
UTC
Source-cited pathways

Immigration routes

All 16 routes, grouped by purpose — 13 of 16 cite an official government source directly. Any route below without one says so on the route.

Work

2 routes

For time-limited professional work, journalism, reporting, commercial follow-up, public works or expertise in Togo.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 5Process & costs: 4Report facts: 9
Official government source: jo.gouv.tg · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

Starting a business

1 route

For a foreign national establishing and operating their own registered business or professional activity in Togo.

Eligibility: 2Documents: 4Process & costs: 2Report facts: 11
Official government source: jo.gouv.tg · checked 2026-07-26 · 3 sources

Study

1 route

Family

2 routes

Long-term residence

2 routes

Free movement

0 of 3 source-cited
3 routes

For an ECOWAS citizen establishing or managing an economic activity in Togo, subject to national business and immigration formalities.

Report facts: 6
Official government source: old.comm.ecowas.int · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

For an ECOWAS citizen seeking or carrying out income-earning employment in Togo, subject to national registration and labour formalities.

Report facts: 8
Official government source: ecowas.int · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

For an ECOWAS citizen visiting Togo with a valid travel document for up to ninety days.

Report facts: 6
Official government source: old.comm.ecowas.int · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

Short stays and visits

2 routes

For a visa-required foreign traveller visiting Togo or attending an invited meeting, fair, seminar or conference.

Documents: 3Process & costs: 4Report facts: 8
Official government source: jo.gouv.tg · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

Humanitarian protection

1 of 2 says who you can bring
2 routes

For a person seeking individual refugee protection in Togo under the Geneva Convention or OAU refugee grounds.

Can bring: children
Process & costs: 2Report facts: 7
Official government source: jo.gouv.tg · checked 2026-07-26

For a member of a group fleeing a qualifying mass-influx situation and covered by a Togo prima facie recognition measure.

Process & costs: 2Report facts: 4
Official government source: jo.gouv.tg · checked 2026-07-26

Special cases

1 route

For a foreign national whose stay reaches the resident-card threshold and who has a lawful documented basis outside the separately structured work, study, family and self-employment classes.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 3Process & costs: 5Report facts: 7
Official government source: jo.gouv.tg · checked 2026-07-26 · 3 sources

Official sources

  • National immigration authority · last checked 2026-07-21

Compiled by António Mira, founder · How we verify our data · Not legal advice — immigration rules and thresholds change; confirm with the official sources above before deciding.

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