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Avoid non-essential travel
Avoid non-essential travel to Chad, including the capital, N’Djamena, due to the threat of terrorism, the incidences of violent crime and of civil unrest.
Chad
French and Arabic conversations flow from N’Djamena’s markets to the shifting sands of the Sahara and Lake Chad’s shores.
Overview
Chad’s vast geography spans desert, savanna, and lake regions, with over 200 ethnic groups shaping its social fabric. Regional contrasts define daily life—from the Sahelian north to the greener south—while French and Arabic provide a common thread in a country where diversity is the norm.
At a glance
Languages
- Arabic(Official)
- French(Official)
Population19,319,064
CurrencyCentral African CFA Franc (XAF)
1 XAF = 0.001739 USD
1 USD = 575.19 XAF
Popular places
Cost of living
Numbeo publishes these source indexes relative to New York City.
RentPotentially much less expensiveSource category: Rent | 2026
GroceriesPotentially much less expensiveSource category: Grocery | 2026
Sources
- Numbeo Cost of Living Index
Quality of life
SafetyLimitedSource category: Safety | 2026 | Safety index (100 = safest)
HealthcareMixedSource category: Healthcare | 2026 | Healthcare quality index (100 = best healthcare)
PollutionElevatedSource category: Pollution | 2026 | Pollution index (100 = most polluted)
TrafficModerateSource category: Traffic | 2026 | Overall traffic index (considers time + inefficiency + CO2)
Sources
- Numbeo Cost of Living Index
Entry requirements
Visa and residency reference data is available for Tourist / Visa Waiver.
Tourist / Visa Waiver
- e-Visa
Chad official eVisa platform for visa applications, with the May 2026 notice stating that all new visa requests must be submitted online through evisa.td, except diplomatic and courtesy visas handled by Foreign Affairs.
Sources
Languages
- Arabic(Official)
- French(Official)
Sources
- Country language reference
Safety
3 source-backed travel advisories are available for Chad.
United Kingdom
FCDO advises against all travel; FCDO advises against all but essential travel
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Borkou, Ennedi Ouest, Ennedi Est and Tibesti provinces.
FCDO advises against all travel to the northern provinces of Chad:
- Borkou Province
- Ennedi Ouest Province
- Ennedi Est Province
- Tibesti Province
Kanem Province, including Nokou. FCDO advises against all travel to the western part of Kanem Province, including the town of Nokou. Lake Chad region. FCDO advises against all travel to the Lake Chad region. Within 30km of all Chad’s other borders. FCDO advises against all travel to within 30km of all of Chad’s other borders. The rest of Chad. FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the rest of Chad, including the capital, N’Djamena.
United States
Level 4Do not travel
Do not travel in Chad for any reason due to risk of crime, terrorism, unrest, inadequate health infrastructure, kidnapping, and landmines. Outside of N’Djamena, the U.S. government has extremely limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Chad. U.S. government employees working in Chad need special authorization to travel outside of the capital due to safety risks. Embassy N’Djamena has implemented in-city restrictions for U.S. government employees, to include limits on areas acceptable for night driving and requirements for mandatory armored vehicle use. Crime Both violent and petty crime are a real danger in Chad. Violent crimes include muggings, purse snatching, armed robbery, home invasion, carjacking, and sexual assault. Common petty crime includes pickpocketing. Both visitors and residents face these threats. Limited resources and inadequate law enforcement training hinder police response to serious crime in most areas. Terrorism There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Chad. Visit the U.S. Department of State's country reports on terrorism to learn more.
Terrorist groups have targeted:
- Religious venues
- Schools
- Government buildings
- Police stations
- Transportation hubs
- Markets
- Areas visited by tourists, including national parks
- These attacks have resulted in the deaths of Chadians as well as foreign visitors
Americans should remain alert and avoid large public gatherings. Unrest Protests can happen without warning. They often develop around special events or political issues like elections. When protests, strikes, and demonstrations escalate, security services have responded with force, deploying batons, rubber bullets, tear gas, and gunfire to disperse crowds. Health Medical services in Chad are extremely limited. Access to routine and emergency medical treatment is often unavailable. There is limited access to medicines, including antibiotics. All medical services, from treatment for a minor health issue to one requiring medical evacuation, are at your expense. If you purchase additional medical insurance, be sure to keep records of all medical services paid for and provided. Kidnapping Kidnapping for ransom is common in Chad. Criminal groups and terrorist organizations target both locals and foreign visitors. Landmines Landmines and unexploded ordnance from prior and ongoing conflicts exist throughout Chad.
Areas of greatest risk are:
- Northern Chad (Tibesti, Borkou, Ennedi-Est, and Ennedi-Ouest provinces)
- Sila province in eastern Chad
- Moyen-Chari province in southern Chad
- Not all landmine areas are clearly marked or easy to recognize
Stay on main roads and well-traveled areas.
Explore within Chad
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