Cameroon
Corporate Guide

What are the requirements for obtaining a work permit in Cameroon?

Article 5 of Decree No. 93/575/PM of 15 July 1993, laying down the procedures for drawing up and approving certain employment contracts, provides that a request is addressed through a registered letter with a request for advice of delivery to the Minister of Employment and Vocational Training. An employer may apply for a work permit on behalf of foreign employees, whether they are already in Cameroon or still abroad. For this purpose, foreigners already in Cameroon must have a long-term visa (more than three months). The application shall contain:

• Six signed copies of the employment contract for which the visa is requested.
• A medical certificate less than three months old issued by a medical authority from the place of recruitment, attesting that the person concerned is fit to carry out their employment activities in Cameroon.
• Professional or academic references of the applicant, such as certified copies of work certificates or diplomas.
• A detailed descriptive note of the job in question, highlighting the corresponding profile.
• The applicant’s curriculum vitae.
• A certified copy of the entry and residence permit in Cameroon for expatriates already in Cameroon.
• A copy of the contract, convention or any other document justifying the occupation of the post by a foreigner.
• A plan for the Cameroonisation of jobs, approved by the minister in charge of labour.
• A detailed organisation chart of the company, showing all the managerial and supervisory positions, with the corresponding profiles.
• For certain types of jobs, the work permit seeker shall provide a certificate of manpower shortage (Article 2 of Decree No 93//571/PM of 15 July 1993, laying down the conditions of employment of foreign workers for certain occupations or levels of professional qualification).