How to apply for a residence permit in Togo as a foreigner. Costs, required documents, and step-by-step process for students, employees, and self-employed residents.
Any foreigner who decides to settle in Togo is classified as an immigrant and is required to hold a residence permit. Togo has made the process partially online, which removes much of the friction that comes with this kind of application in other West African countries. From submission to collection, expect a turnaround of 30 to 45 days.
Which permit is right for you
The permit you apply for depends on whether you are a student and how long you plan to stay.
For students whose reason for being in Togo is directly tied to their studies:
Temporary student permit - 1 year - 100,000 CFA francs
Ordinary student permit - 3 years - 250,000 CFA francs
For all other foreigners:
Temporary permit - 1 year - 200,000 CFA francs
Ordinary permit - 3 years - 500,000 CFA francs
Privileged permit - 5 years - 800,000 CFA francs
If you are planning a long stay, the privileged permit works out to the best value over time. All prices are subject to change as regulations evolve, so confirm the current costs when you apply.
Documents every applicant needs
Regardless of your category, every applicant must submit the following:
- Completed online application form
- First three pages of your passport, valid for at least three months beyond the permit expiry date
- Recent passport photo Criminal record from your country of origin, dated within the last three months
- Certificate of non-conviction from Togolese justice or your last country of residence, dated within three months
- Medical certificate from a sworn doctor, dated within three months
- Proof of sufficient financial resources to support yourself during your stay
- Your old residence permit if you are renewing
Additional documents for students and interns
On top of the above, students and interns must also provide:
- Certificate of enrolment from an approved educational institution in Togo, or
- Certificate of internship from a company or association duly registered in Togo
Additional documents for self-employed applicants
If you are working for yourself in Togo, you will also need:
- Single business creation card
- Tax clearance certificate for your company
- Personal tax receipt
- Social discharge
Additional documents for employed applicants
If you are working for an employer, you will also need:
- Hiring permit issued by the relevant Togolese administration
- Employment contract
- Certificate of employment from your employer
- Employer's single business creation card
- Personal tax receipt
- Scanned copy of your employer's valid residence permit, if your employer is a foreigner
- Scanned copy of the first three pages of your employer's valid passport or national identity card, if your employer is Togolese
What about spouses and children
The spouses and dependent children of a foreigner who holds or is applying for a residence permit are subject to the same residence requirements. The one exception is that minor children do not need to provide a bank certificate, account statement, credit card evidence, or tax receipts.
How to apply step by step
- Fill in the online application form on the DGDN platform and specify whether you are applying as a student or not.
- The DGDN reviews your submission. If anything is incomplete or incorrect, they will notify you through your account, return the form with the error flagged, and you resubmit once corrected.
- Once your information is approved, you receive a payment request in your account.
- Pay the fees via mobile money - Flooz or TMoney - or by Visa or Mastercard through the platform.
- Download and print your completed application form.
- Visit the DGDN in person on a deposit day - Monday, Wednesday, or Friday from 07:30 to 12:00 and from 14:30 to 17:00 - with your printed form and all required documents.
- The DGDN will notify you by SMS and email as your application progresses and when your card is ready.
- Collect your permit at the DGDN on a collection day - Tuesday or Thursday from 07:30 to 12:00 and 14:30 to 17:00, or Saturday from 08:00 to 12:00.
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