Embassy of The Gambia in Washington D.C.

Read interesting scoop of engagements, events and news on the June edition of our Newsletter. Click on the link below👇 to be updated on activities of the Embassy. drive.google.com/file/d/15atxC8…

The Embassy of The Gambia in Washington D.C. participated in this year's Passport DC to showcase our rich cultural heritage and traditions held in Washington D.C. In participation are 69 Embassies accredited to the United States of America. The event dubbed Passport DC is an annual event that brings together people from all walks of life in an atmosphere characterized by harmony, diversity, ambiance and celebrations. #Diplomacy #CulinaryDiplomacy #PublicDiploamcy

PRESS STATEMENT For Immediate Release The Embassy of the Republic of The Gambia in Washington D.C. extends its warm greetings to all Gambians residing in the United States, particularly students and visitors currently in the country on temporary visas. The Embassy wishes to draw urgent attention to the growing concerns regarding visa overstays among Gambian nationals in the United States. Recent data indicates that the overstay rate for Gambian students has reached 38 percent, while those on B1/B2 visitor visas stand at 13 percent. It should be noted that overstaying a visa is a violation of the United States immigration laws and carries significant consequences. Individuals who remain in the country beyond their authorized period risk facing penalties such as visa cancellation, ineligibility for future visas, possible deportation, and long-term travel restrictions. Beyond individual consequences, high overstay rates negatively impact the reputation of The Gambia and can lead to stricter visa condition for all Gambian nationals, as it is the case for now. It should be emphasized that this situation has far-reaching implications for current and prospective Gambian students and visitors. Elevated overstay rates may result in increased scrutiny during visa applications, higher denial rates, and reduced opportunities for genuine travelers and scholars seeking to study or visit the United States. In light of the above, the Embassy strongly urges all Gambians in the United States to: 1. Strictly adhere to the terms and duration of their visas 2. Ensure timely departure from the United States before the expiration of their authorized stay 3. Seek proper legal guidance or contact relevant U.S. immigration authorities should they require extension or adjustments of status 4. Check their i94 online to know the expected date of their departure from the United States 5. Conduct themselves in a manner that upholds the dignity and integrity of The Gambia The Embassy also calls on community leaders, student associations, and stakeholders within the Gambian diaspora community to intensify awareness and educational engagements on immigration compliance. The Government of The Gambia remains committed to safeguarding the interests of its citizens abroad while promoting lawful and responsible engagement with host countries. The cooperation of all Gambians is essential in addressing this trend and preserving opportunities for future generations. The Embassy stands ready to provide guidance and support where necessary and encourages all our nationals to stay informed through official communication channels. Issued by: Embassy of the Republic of The Gambia Washington D.C.

His Excellency Momodou Lamin Bah, Ambassador of the Republic of The Gambia to the United States of America, on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 paid a courtesy call on His Excellency Frederic Edem Hegbe, who doubles as the Ambassador of the Republic of Togo and the Dean of Ecowas Diplomatic Corps in Washington D.C. The meeting took place at the Embassy of Togo in Washington D.C. The two Ambassadors discussed matters of mutual interest to The Gambia and the entire Ecowas members. This includes policy developments affecting African countries in the United States, particularly the current visa pause policy of the United States administration which they highlighted as a matter of concern to Ecowas members and the wider African diplomatic community. They agreed that the policy changes affect mobility, bilateral relations and people-to-people exchanges. #GambiaEcowasPartnership #Diplomacy

The Embassy of the Republic of The Gambia in Washington D.C. on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 attended the Event DC’s walkthrough at the University of District of Columbia in Washington D.C. in preparation for the forthcoming Passport D.C. event, slated for May 2, 2026. This year, the objective is not only to showcase The Gambia’s culture, traditions, cuisine and investment opportunities but also to grant media interviews that highlight the long standing pre independence partnership and shared values between The Gambia and the United States.

At today's African Consultative Group, we exchanged notes on Africa's outlook, growth-promoting reforms, and the ongoing IMF policy reviews. I reaffirmed the Fund's strong commitment to our African members. My statement with @MofeaGambia Minister Keita. imf.org/en/news/articl…

We are appreciative of the just concluded convergence on Fostering the Future Together Coalition Summit organised by the First Lady of the United States, Melania Trump, and the invitation extended to the First Lady of the Republic of The Gambia, Her Excellency Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, to attend the inaugural high-profile summit in Washington D.C.

Ambassador Bah on Thursday April 9, 2026 launched the Embassy's new Consular Identification Cards designed with enhanced state‑of‑the‑art security features to serve as reliable identification documents for Gambian citizens residing in the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Honduras and Mexico. The ceremony was held at the Embassy premises in Washington D.C.

The Maryland African Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with the Ethiopia-American Chamber of Commerce on Friday March 27, 2026 conferred the Global Women Award on the First Lady of the Republic of The Gambia, Her Excellency Madam Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, in recognition of her outstanding leadership qualities as well as her unreserved dedication in advancing the well-being and empowerment of women and families in The Gambia and across the African continent.

The Embassy will be closed on Friday, April 3 and Monday April 6, 2026 respectively in observance of the Christian feast of Good Friday and Easter Monday. The Embassy further informs that it will resume normal operations on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

The First Lady Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, on March 24, 2026 paid a courtesy call on H.E. Ambassador Momodou Lamin Bah at the Embassy in Washington D.C. while attending a high-profile summit entitled “Fostering the Future Together Coalition Global Summit.” The visit to the Embassy provided the First Lady the opportunity to meet and engage in a constructive dialogue with the Ambassador and other diplomatic and local staff, as well as share messages of goodwill. During her visit, she was taken on a conducted tour of the facility.

At the Fostering the Future Together Summit, First Lady of the Republic of The Gambia, Her Excellency Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, noted that equipping children with digital technology is essential to expanding access to education in The Gambia. She made the remark during her address at the ongoing summit at the United States Department of State in Washington D.C.

Investment in children is central to The Gambia's national development, First Lady Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow told fellow First Spouses gathered at the U.S. Department of State at the invitation of First Lady Melania Trump.

The Ambassador of the Republic of The Gambia to the United States of America, His Excellency Momodou Lamin Bah, together with the staff of Embassy Washington today March 20, 2026 joined the Gambian community in Silver Spring, Maryland, to celebrate the Muslim feast of Eid ul‑Fitr.

The Gambia and Brazil have reaffirmed their readiness to deepen cooperation at the political, economic and multilateral levels as Ambassador Bah presented copies of his Letters of Credence to the Brazilian Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, in Washington D.C.

We appreciate the congratulatory message extended by Secretary of State Rubio to the Government and People of the Republic of The Gambia on the occasion of the country’s 61 Independence Anniversary.

Ambassador Bah on February 26, 2026 paid a courtesy call on His Excellency Abdul Wahab Haidara, Ambassador of the Republic of Senegal to the United States at the Embassy of Senegal in Washington D.C.