Entry/Exit Requirements

Entry Requirements at a Glance

How different passports are treated entering Democratic Republic of the Congo. Don't see yours? Check any passport instantly »

Passport	Requirement	Typical stay	Approval Rate
Australia	eVisa	7 days	—
Bangladesh	eVisa	7 days	—
Brazil	eVisa	7 days	—
Canada	eVisa	7 days	—
China	eVisa	7 days	—
Germany	eVisa	7 days	—
India	eVisa	7 days	—
Nigeria	eVisa	7 days	—
Philippines	eVisa	7 days	—
Singapore	eVisa	7 days	—
United Arab Emirates	Visa on arrival	30 days	—
United Kingdom	eVisa	7 days	—
United States of America	eVisa	7 days	—
Vietnam	eVisa	7 days	—

Sourced from live visa requirement data. Provided for general guidance only and may not reflect the latest rule changes — confirm with the relevant embassy or consulate before booking travel.

Democratic Republic of the Congo Visa FAQ

Is the DR Congo e-Visa fee paid entirely online?

No -- per multiple sources, the online e-Visa is only a pre-approval; a separate ~$90 USD 'VAP' border fee must be paid in person on arrival to actually activate entry. Budget for both.

Is yellow fever vaccination required for DR Congo?

Yes, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory for entry and is one of the most common reasons for refusal at the border if missing -- get vaccinated at least 10 days before travel.

Source: DR Congo e-Visa Portal.

Democratic Republic of the Congo Entry/Exit General Information

A passport, DRC visa, and World Health Organization card with yellow fever vaccination are required for entry. Airport visas are not available, and visitors to the Democratic Republic of the Congo will need to obtain their visas in advance of travel. Please note that the DRC is now requiring visa applicants to provide an invitation letter notarized in the DRC and legalized at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kinshasa. For further visa information, contact the Embassy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in Washington, D.C., telephone (202) 234-7690 or the Permanent Mission of the DRC to the United Nations, in New York City, telephone (212) 319-8061. Overseas inquiries should be made at the nearest Congolese embassy or consulate.

All journalists working in the DRC must obtain permission from the Congolese Ministry of Information in Kinshasa and should enter the DRC via Kinshasa. Visitors who wish to travel to any mining areas must first obtain government approval from the appropriate government agencies or ministries; a cumbersome and often time-consuming process.

Travelers may experience difficulties at the airport and other ports of entry, such as temporary detention, passport confiscation, and demands by immigration and security personnel for unofficial “fees.” If confronted with harassment, please ask to contact the U.S. Embassy’s Consular Section at +243 81 556 0151 or +243 97 261 6145.

All departing travelers must pay a $50 airport exit fee, in U.S. dollars (cash). Passengers must have the correct entry stamp in the passport they use to exit the country.

The DRC does not permit its citizens to hold dual nationality. Dual nationals arriving in the DRC should carefully consider which passport they use to enter the DRC. Before being permitted to depart the DRC, travelers who entered on a Congolese passport may be required to obtain a valid for visa for their destination country, even if they hold a second passport. Congolese authorities require resident foreigners to register at the office of the Direction General of Migration (DGM) in the commune of their place of residence.

Information about dual nationality or the international child abduction can be found on our website. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information page.

The United States Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of the DRC.