Update
January 10, 2024

Information for U.S. Citizens in the Middle East

U.S. Visas

English

U.S. Visa: Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country

Cameroon

Cameroon
Republic of Cameroon

Reciprocity Schedule

Select a visa category below to find the visa issuance fee, number of entries, and validity period for visas issued to applicants from this country*/area of authority.

Explanation of Terms

Visa Classification: The type of nonimmigrant visa you are applying for.

Fee: The reciprocity fee, also known as the visa issuance fee, you must pay. This fee is in addition to the nonimmigrant visa application fee (MRV fee).

Number of Entries: The number of times you may seek entry into the United States with that visa. "M" means multiple times. If there is a number, such as "One", you may apply for entry one time with that visa.

Validity Period: This generally means the visa is valid, or can be used, from the date it is issued until the date it expires, for travel with that visa. If your Validity Period is 60 months, your visa will be valid for 60 months from the date it is issued.

Visa Classifications

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V
 
Visa
Classification
Fee Number
of Entries
Validity
Period
A-1 None Multiple 12 Months
A-2 None Multiple 12 Months
A-3  N/A N/A N/A
B-1 $35.00 Multiple 6 Months
B-1 $215.00 Multiple 12 Months
B-2 $35.00 Multiple 6 Months
B-2 $215.00 Multiple 12 Months
B-1/B-2 $35.00 Multiple 6 Months
B-1/B-2 $215.00 Multiple 12 Months
C-1 $35.00 Multiple 12 Months
C-1/D $35.00 Multiple 12 Months
C-2 None Multiple 3 Months
D $35.00 Multiple 12 Months
E-1 N/A N/A N/A
E-2 None Multiple Less than 12 Months
E-2 $130.00 Multiple 12 Months
F-1 $35.00 Multiple 6 Months
F-2 $35.00 Multiple 6 Months
G-1 None Multiple 12 Months
G-2 None Multiple 12 Months
G-3 None Multiple 12 Months
G-4 None Multiple 12 Months
G-5 None Multiple 12 Months
H-1B $45.00 Multiple 6 Months
H-1B $225.00 Multiple 12 Months
H-1C $45.00 Multiple 6 Months
H-1C $225.00 Multiple 12 Months
H-2A $45.00 Multiple 6 Months
H-2A $225.00 Multiple 12 Months
H-2B $45.00 Multiple 6 Months
H-2B $225.00 Multiple 12 Months
H-2R $45.00 Multiple 6 Months
H-2R $225.00 Multiple 12 Months
H-3 $45.00 Multiple 6 Months
H-3 $225.00 Multiple 12 Months
H-4 $45.00 Multiple 6 Months
H-4 $225.00 Multiple 12 Months
I $35.00 Multiple 6 Months
I $215.00 Multiple 12 Months
J-1 $35.00 Multiple 6 Months
J-1 $215.00 Multiple 12 Months
J-2 $35.00 Multiple 6 Months
J-2 $215.00 Multiple 12 Months
K-1 None One 6 Months
K-2 None One 6 Months
L-1 $45.00 Multiple 6 Months
L-1 $225.00 Multiple 12 Months
L-2 $45.00 Multiple 6 Months
L-2 $225.00 Multiple 12 Months
M-1 $35.00 Multiple 6 Months
M-2 $35.00 Multiple 6 Months
N-8 $35.00 Multiple 6 Months
N-8 $215.00 Multiple 12 Months
N-9 $35.00 Multiple 6 Months
N-9 $215.00 Multiple 12 Months
NATO 1-7 N/A N/A N/A
O-1 $45.00 Multiple 6 Months
O-1 $225.00 Multiple 12 Months
O-2 $45.00 Multiple 6 Months
O-2 $225.00 Multiple 12 Months
O-3 $45.00 Multiple 6 Months
O-3 $225.00 Multiple 12 Months
P-1 $45.00 Multiple 6 Months
P-1 $225.00 Multiple 12 Months
P-2 $45.00 Multiple 6 Months
P-2 $225.00 Multiple 12 Months
P-3 $45.00 Multiple 6 Months
P-3 $225.00 Multiple 12 Months
P-4 $45.00 Multiple 6 Months
P-4 $225.00 Multiple 12 Months
Q-1  $45.00 Multiple 6 Months
Q-1  $225.00 Multiple 12 Months
R-1  $45.00 Multiple 6 Months
R-1  $225.00 Multiple 12 Months
R-2 $45.00 Multiple 6 Months
R-2 $225.00 Multiple 12 Months
S-6  None One 1 Month
S-7  None One 1 Month
T-2 None One 6 Months
T-3 None One 6 Months
T-4 None One 6 Months
T-5 None One 6 Months
T-6 None One 6 Months
U-1 None Multiple 48 Months
U-2 None Multiple 48 Months
U-3 None Multiple 48 Months
U-4 None Multiple 48 Months
U-5 None Multiple 48 Months
V-1 None Multiple 120 Months
V-2 None Multiple 120 Months
V-3 None Multiple 120 Months

Country Specific Footnotes

Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.

ALL /

Visa Category Footnotes

  1. The validity of A-3, G-5, and NATO 7 visas may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the person who is employing the applicant. The "employer" would have one of the following visa classifications:

    • A-1
    • A-2
    • G-1 through G-4
    • NATO 1 through NATO 6

  2. An E-1 and E-2 visa may be issued only to a principal alien who is a national of a country having a treaty, or its equivalent, with the United States. E-1 and E-2 visas may not be issued to a principal alien if he/she is a stateless resident or national of a country without a treaty.  *When the spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 principal alien are accorded derivative E-1 or E-2 status and are themselves a national of a country that does not have a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the principal alien’s country of nationality should be used.  **Spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 visa principal applicant, where the spouse and children are also nationals of a country that has a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the spouse and children’s country of nationality should be used.  

    *Example 1: John Doe is a national of Country A that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country B which has no treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the same reciprocity as John Doe, the principal visa holder.

    **Example 2:  Mike Doe is a national of Country Y that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country Z that also has a treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the reciprocity issued to nationals of Country Z.

  3. The validity of H-1 through H-3, O-1 and O-2, P-1 through P-3, and Q visas may not exceed the period of validity of the approved petition or the number of months shown, whichever is less.

    Under 8 CFR §214.2, H-2A and H-2B petitions may generally only be approved for nationals of countries that the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated as participating countries. The current list of eligible countries is available on USCIS's website for both H-2A and H-2B visas. Nationals of countries not on this list may be the beneficiary of an approved H-2A or H2-B petition in limited circumstances at the discretion of the Department of Homeland Security if specifically named on the petition.  

    Derivative H-4, L-2, O-3, and P-4 visas, issued to accompanying or following-to-join spouses and children, may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the principal alien.

  4. There is no reciprocity fee for the issuance of a J visa if the alien is a United States Government grantee or a participant in an exchange program sponsored by the United States Government.

    Also, there is no reciprocity fee for visa issuance to an accompanying or following-to-join spouse or child (J-2) of an exchange visitor grantee or participant.

    In addition, an applicant is eligible for an exemption from the MRV fee if he or she is participating in a State Department, USAID, or other federally funded educational and cultural exchange program (program serial numbers G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-7).

    However, all other applicants with U.S. Government sponsorships, including other J-visa applicants, are subject to the MRV processing fee.

  5. Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian and Mexican nationals coming to engage in certain types of professional employment in the United States may be admitted in a special nonimmigrant category known as the "trade NAFTA" or "TN" category. Their dependents (spouse and children) accompanying or following to join them may be admitted in the "trade dependent" or "TD" category whether or not they possess Canadian or Mexican nationality. Except as noted below, the number of entries, fees and validity for non-Canadian or non-Mexican family members of a TN status holder seeking TD visas should be based on the reciprocity schedule of the TN principal alien.

    Canadian Nationals

    Since Canadian nationals generally are exempt from visa requirement, a Canadian "TN' or "TD" alien does not require a visa to enter the United States. However, the non-Canadian national dependent of a Canadian "TN", unless otherwise exempt from the visa requirement, must obtain a "TD" visa before attempting to enter the United States. The standard reciprocity fee and validity period for all non-Canadian "TD"s is no fee, issued for multiple entries for a period of 36 months, or for the duration of the principal alien's visa and/or authorized period of stay, whichever is less. See 'NOTE' under Canadian reciprocity schedule regarding applicants of Iranian, Iraqi or Libyan nationality.

    Mexican Nationals

    Mexican nationals are not visa-exempt. Therefore, all Mexican "TN"s and both Mexican and non-Mexican national "TD"s accompanying or following to join them who are not otherwise exempt from the visa requirement (e.g., the Canadian spouse of a Mexican national "TN") must obtain nonimmigrant visas.

    Applicants of Iranian, Iraqi, Libyan, Somalian, Sudanese, Syrian or Yemeni nationality, who have a permanent resident or refugee status in Canada/Mexico, may not be accorded Canadian/Mexican reciprocity, even when applying in Canada/Mexico. The reciprocity fee and period for "TD" applicants from Libya is $10.00 for one entry over a period of 3 months. The Iranian and Iraqi "TD" is no fee with one entry over a period of 3 months.

  6. Q-2 (principal) and Q-3 (dependent) visa categories are in existence as a result of the 'Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998'. However, because the Department anticipates that virtually all applicants for this special program will be either Irish or U.K. nationals, the Q-2 and Q-3 categories have been placed only in the reciprocity schedules for those two countries. Q-2 and Q-3 visas are available only at the Embassy in Dublin and the Consulate General in Belfast.

  7. No S visa may be issued without first obtaining the Department's authorization.

  8. V-2 and V-3 status is limited to persons who have not yet attained their 21st birthday. Accordingly, the period of validity of a V-2 or V-3 visa must be limited to expire on or before the applicant's twenty-first birthday.

  9. Posts may not issue a T-1 visa. A T-1 applicant must be physically present in the United States, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or a U.S. port of entry, where he/she will apply for an adjustment of status to that of a T-1. The following dependents of a T-1 visa holder, however, may be issued a T visa at a U.S. consular office abroad:

    • T-2 (spouse)
    • T-3 (child)
    • T-4 (parent)
  10. The validity of NATO-5 visas may not exceed the period of validity of the employment contract or 12 months, whichever is less.

  11. The validity of CW-1 and CW-2 visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (12 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.

  12. The validity of E-2C visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (24 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.

 

 

ALL / ALL /

General Documents

There are no general documents

 

Birth, Death, Burial Certificates

Birth Certificates

Available

Fees:  There are fees

Document Name: Birth Certificate / Acte de Naissance

Issuing Authority: Civil Status Registration Centre / Centre D’Etat Civil

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There is no Special(s)/Color/Format.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Civil Status Registrar / Officier D’etat Civil

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining:

Birth certificates (Actes de Naissance) are issued by the Council (la Mairie or Commune) or Secondary Civil Status Center (Centre Secondaire d’Etat Civil) at the child's place of birth. If application is made within three months of birth, Civil Status officials rely on the hospital birth record to issue a birth certificate. After 3 months, they require a Declaratory Judgment of Birth from the High Court (Tribunal de Grande Instance) of the area of birth of the child. Adoption, recognition and legitimation of the child are annotated at the back of the birth certificate by the Civil Status official. If the father’s name is left blank on the birth certificate, the child was not recognized by the father. There may be a fee for this service. Court declarations used in the re-issuance process of missing/lost/destroyed birth certificates can only be issued by the High Court (Tribunal de Grand Instance).

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available

Alternate Documents: There are no Alternate Documents.

Exceptions: None

Comments: None

 

Death Certificates

Available

Fees: There are fees

Document Name: Death Certificate / Acte de Deces

Issuing Authority: Civil Status Registration Centre / Centre D’Etat Civil

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There is no Special(s)/Color/Format.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Civil Status Registrar / Officier D’etat civil

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining:

Death certificates (Actes de Décès) are issued by the Council (la Mairie or Commune) or Secondary Civil Status Center (Centre Secondaire d’Etat Civil) at the place of death of deceased. To issue a death certificate within three months of death, Civil Status officials rely on the hospital death record. After three months officials require a declaratory Judgment of Death from the High Court (Tribunal de Grande Instance) of the place of death of the individual. There may be a fee for this service.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available

Alternate Documents: There are no Alternate Documents.

Exceptions: None

Comments: None

Marriage, Divorce Certificates

Marriage Certificates

Available

Fees: There are fees

Document Name: Marriage Certificate / Acte de Mariage

Issuing Authority: Civil Status Registration Centre / Centre D’Etat Civil

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There is no Special(s)/Color/Format.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Civil Status Registrar / Officier D’etat Civil 

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining:

Marriage Certificates (Actes de Mariage) are issued by the Council (la Mairie or Commune) or Secondary Civil Status Center (Centre Secondaire d’Etat Civil) of the town where the marriage took place (place of residence or place of birth of one of the spouses), usually within one month after the publication of intent to marry. A couple may seek a waiver from the State Counsel (Procureur) of their area to celebrate their marriage without having to wait for the one month period after the publication. A marriage certificate must carry a photograph of the couple together and must be signed by their witnesses, the civil status secretary and the Civil Status Registrar. There may be a fee for this service.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available

Alternate Documents: There are no Alternate Documents.

Exceptions: None

Comments: None

 

Divorce Certificates


Available

Fees: There are fees

Document Name: Divorce Decree/  Jugement de Divorce

Issuing Authority: High Court / Tribunal de Grande Instance

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There is no Special(s)/Color/Format.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title:  Registrar-in-Chief / Greffier en Chef

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining: Divorce decrees (Jugement de Divorce) are issued by the High Court (Tribunal de Grande Instance) and must be signed by the presiding Judge and the Registrar-in-chief (Greffier en Chef) (even if another Registrar was in attendance) at the place where the divorce was granted. Only the High Court has jurisdiction over divorce. The Divorce Petition must state the reasons for requesting divorce. Divorce cases can take a while (sometimes years) to result in a final judgment, especially where the couple have children. The services of a lawyer are recommended. There are fees for the Court and the lawyer’s services.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available

Alternate Documents: There are no Alternate Documents.

Exceptions: None

Comments: None

Adoption Certificates

Available

Fees: There are fees

Document Name: Adoption Decree / Adoption Pleniere

Issuing Authority: High Court / Tribunal de Grande Instance

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There is no Special(s)/Color/Format.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Registrar-in-Chief  / Greffier en Chef

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining: An adoption decree (Adoption Pleniere) is issued exclusively by the High Court (Tribunal de Grande Instance) and must be signed by the presiding Judge and the Registrar-in-chief (Greffier en Chef) preferably at the place where the decree is issued. All other courts, such as the Court of First Instance (Tribunal de Premiere Instance), customary court and the Tribunal de Premier Degre  have no jurisdiction over adoption matters and any adoptions approved by these courts will not be considered valid adoptions for U.S. immigration law purposes. The application for adoption must include the consent of the biological parents or legal guardian, social welfare studies demonstrating that the welfare of the adopted child is best guaranteed by approving the adoption, the health and financial situation of the adoptive parents, the child’s birth certificate and the reasons for adopting the child. The services of a lawyer are recommended. There are fees for the court and the lawyer’s services.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available

Alternate Documents: There are no Alternate Documents.

Exceptions: None

Comments: None

Identity Card

National ID Cards

Available

Fees: There are fees

Document Name: National Identity Card / Carte Nationale D’Identité

Issuing Authority: Delegate General for National Security / Delegue Generale a la Sureté Nationale(DGSN)

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There is no Special(s)/Color/Format.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Delegate General for National Security / Delegue Generale a la Sureté  Nationale

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining: There is no Procedure for Obtaining.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available.

Alternate Documents: There are no Alternate Documents.

Exceptions: Generally minors are not expected to have National Identity Cards.

Comments: None

Police, Court, Prison Records

Police Certificates

Unavailable: In Cameroon, the Certificate of Non-Conviction (Extrait du Casier Judicaire or Bulletin No. 3) reports on the police, court conviction and prison records of a person.

 

Court/Prison Records

Available

Fees: There are fees

Document Name: Criminal Record / Casier Judicaire

Issuing Authority: Court of First Instance/ Tribunal de Premiere Instance; Department of Criminal Affairs and Pardon

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There is no Special(s)/Color/Format.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: The State Counsel / Le Procureur de la Republique

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining: In Cameroon, the Certificate of Non-Conviction (Extrait du Casier Judicaire or Bulletin No. 3) reports on the police, court conviction and prison records of a person.  It must be signed by the State Counsel (Procureur) and the Registrar-in-Chief (Greffier en Chef) of the Court of First Instance (Tribunal de Premiere Instance) where the applicant was born.  English-speaking Cameroonians and French- speaking Cameroonians from the three Northern Regions can obtain the Certificate of Non-Conviction in Yaounde. An individual can obtain the Certificate of Non-Conviction by presenting his/her National Identity Card or birth certificate at the office of the Registrar-in-Chief, in person or through a relative. There may be a fee for this service.

Alternatively, Cameroonians and foreigners residents for more than six months may obtain a Certificate of Non-Conviction (Casier Judiciaire) from the office of the Registrar-in-Chief (Greffier en Chef) at the Department of Criminal Affairs and Pardon at the Ministry of Justice in Yaounde. This Certificate of Non-Conviction (Casier Judiciaire) can be obtained by presenting the following information: names, date and place of birth, nationality, passport number and issuance information, number and date of any Cameroon visas issued, number and date of issuance of the Resident Permit (Permis de Sejour), dates of residence and addresses while in the Cameroon. This can be done by the individual in person, or by a relative or friend. There is a fee for this service.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available.

Alternate Documents: There are no Alternate Documents.

Exceptions: None

Comments: None

Military Records

Available

Fees: There are fees

Document Name: Military Record / Certificat de Position Militaire

Issuing Authority: Ministry of Defense

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There is no Special(s)/Color/Format.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no Issuing Authority Personnel Title.

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining: A military record (Certificat de Position Militaire) of a Cameroonian who has served in the Gendarmerie or the Army is issued by the Human Resources Office of the Gendarmerie or the Ministry of Defense, depending on the service.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available.

Alternate Documents: There are no Alternate Documents.

Exceptions: None

Comments: None

Passports & Other Travel Documents

Travel Documents

Types Available (Regular, Diplomatic, Official, etc.):  Available

Fees: There are fees

Document Name: Passport

Issuing Government Authority: Delegate General National Security/ Delegue General a la Sureté Nationale

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There is no Special(s)/Color/Format.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Delegate General National Security/ Delegue General a la Sureté Nationale

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining: Generally applicants present themselves in person to the regional immigration authorities with birth certificate, fees and National ID card for adults.

Alternate Documents: There are no Alternate Documents.

Exceptions: None

Comments: None

Other Documents Available: Other Documents are not available.

Other Records

Not Available

Visa Issuing Posts

Post Title:  U.S. Embassy Yaoundé, Cameroon

Address: Avenue Rosa Parks

Phone Number: 222201500 or 222201603

Comments / Additional Information: None

Visa Services

All visa categories for Cameroon.

 

Additional Information for Reciprocity

Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.