Senegal
Corporate Guide

If there is no requirement to have a local director or shareholder in Senegal, what is the process of obtaining a work permit for foreign employees?

A work permit is required for all foreign employees wishing to work in Senegal except for citizens of the Economic Community of West African State countries. Thus, in order to be valid, a foreigner's employment con-tract must be approved by the Direction du Travail et de la Sécurité Sociale (DGTSS). The procedure to obtain a work permit is as follows: 

• Four copies of the employment contract signed by all parties.
• A copy of the employee’s passport or identity document. 
• The employee’s criminal record, certified by the court.
• The employee’s medical certificate. 

After submission of these documents, the DGTSS will verify the agreed work conditions, the identity of the employee, and the free consent and conformity of the employment with the applicable labour provisions. The DGTSS will then stamp the employment contract.