Local Laws

CRIMINAL PENALTIES: All international visitors to the DRC are subject to its laws, including U.S. citizens. U.S. citizen travelers have reported denial of freedom to travel, detention, and other legal difficulties with varying justifications given by Congolese authorities. In the DRC, you may be taken in for questioning for different reasons such as if you are not in possession of your passport or if you take pictures of certain buildings. In some places, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs could land you immediately in jail. If you break local laws in the DRC, your U.S. passport will not help you avoid arrest or prosecution. As the U.S. Embassy does not have legal jurisdiction in the DRC, the embassy will be limited in ways it can assist you, even if the reasons for your legal difficulty are obscure.

There are also some things that might be legal in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but still illegal in the United States.

It is a crime prosecutable in the United States to engage in sexual conduct with children and use or disseminate child pornography in a foreign country. You can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods, regardless of local law.

According to international convention, local authorities should notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, but this does not always occur in practice. In the event of an arrest or detention, ask the police and prison officials to notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as possible.

Photography: It is illegal to take pictures of government buildings, military installations, and other key infrastructure. Persons caught photographing such sites will likely be fined, have their photographic equipment confiscated, and risk detention and possible arrest. Keep your camera out of sight in such locations, and do not take photos of Congolese without permission.

Phone Service: Cellular phones are the norm, as other telephone service is unreliable and landlines are nearly non-existent. Depending on the type of phone, it may be possible to purchase a SIM card locally and use a U.S.-compatible cell phone in the DRC.

Currency: U.S. currency is widely accepted in urban areas, but most vendors and banking institutions will accept only bills printed from 2006 or later. Bills must be crisp and in good condition; even those with minor stains or small tears may be rejected. One-dollar bills are rarely accepted. Examine U.S. bills before accepting them to ensure that they are legitimate; counterfeit currency is widely circulated. Currency exchange should be conducted only at reputable banks and not on the street. 

WOMEN TRAVELER INFORMATION: If you are a woman traveling abroad, please review our tips on the Women Travelers page.

LGBT RIGHTS: Consensual same-sex sexual relations are not illegal in the DRC. Prejudice against LGBT persons is widespread however. In the past year, individuals engaging in public displays of same-sex sexual conduct were subject to prosecution under public indecency provisions in the law on sexual violence and to harassment by the state security forces. Same-sex sexual orientation remains a cultural taboo. The DRC does not recognize same-sex marriages.

For more detailed information about LGBT rights in the DRC, see the State Department’s Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2013.  For further information on LGBT travel, please read our Information for LGBT Travelers page.

ACCESSIBILITY: Persons with disabilities traveling in the DRC face limited access to transportation, communication, accommodations, and public buildings. There are few sidewalks and no curb-cuts, and most buildings lack functioning elevators. Persons with disabilities often find it difficult to obtain employment, education, or government services.