What You Need to Know When You’re Moving to Lomé

Relocating to Lomé

The Climate in Lomé

December is the driest month in the city of Lomé and June and October are the most wet. The average temperature is always high and you will find the seasons run in a different way to those you and your family may be used to. The rainy season runs from April to July with the driest period being from November to January. March is the hottest month of the year with temperatures around 32°C. Even in the hottest months the temperature is bearable as the winds from the sea offer refreshment. Lomé is recognized as having a microclimate that makes it a pleasant place to both live and work.

Finding Accommodation in Lomé

When first arriving in the city of Lomé and looking for apartments, you will find that there is a choice of short term accommodation, such as hotels, in the city itself. The rates here are reasonable and even the beachside hotels would seldom cost more than 30 USD a night. For expats, long-term rental of apartments and housesl is the way forward. These units normally come fully furnished with all cooking and laundry utensils fitted as standard. Again, these are reasonably priced with smaller apartments being available from as little as 100 USD per week.

Visas for Living and Working in Lomé

Some other African nationals may enter and work in Lomé visa free. For expats hailing from western countries a visa will be required. These can be obtained either from the consulate of the expat’s home country or from the Togo embassy itself. If you are moving to Lomé as part of your job, then this will be arranged for you. Should things go wrong, a seven day visa can be purchased on arrival as long as a return ticket is shown. This visa can then be extended for a further 90 days.

You must have six months left on your current passport before you arrive in Lomé and a letter from your sponsoring company should be included in your visa application. For more information visit the Togo government website. Forms can be downloaded from the Embassy website and you need to complete two application forms per visa.