Visa policy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Visitors to the Democratic Republic of the Congo must obtain a visa from one of the Democratic Republic of the Congo diplomatic missions unless they are citizens of visa-exempt countries, citizens who can obtain a visa on arrival or citizens eligible to obtain an e-Visa.

In recent years, it is possible to arrange a tourist visa for visiting the Virunga National Park (on the Eastern Border) through the park itself.

Visa policy map

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  Democratic Republic of the Congo
  Visa not required - 90 days
  Visa on arrival
  eVisa

Visa exemption

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Citizens of the following countries may enter the Democratic Republic of the Congo without a visa for up to 90 days:[1]

Holders of diplomatic or service passports issued to citizens of Angola (on duty), Iran, South Africa and United Arab Emirates (only diplomatic passports)[2] do not require a visa.

Future changes

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Democratic Republic of the Congo has signed visa exemption agreements with the following countries, but they have not yet entered into force:

Country Passports Agreement signed on
  Russia[3] Diplomatic, service 27 July 2023
  Uganda[4] All 14 October 2023
  Chad[5] All 26 June 2024

Visa on arrival

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  • Citizens of Mauritius may obtain a visa on arrival valid for up to 7 days.
  • Visitors with a document that proves their DRC origins may obtain a visa on arrival for a maximum stay of 30 days.
  • Visitors with a document that proves that their parents are of DRC origins may obtain a visa on arrival for a maximum stay of 30 days.
  • Visitors arriving from a country with no DRC embassy may apply for a visa confirmation ("visa volant"). A letter of request is sent via e-mail to the Direction Générale de Migration with a photocopy of the passport of the applicant and the inviting person/organization. A confirmation is sent to the applicant which is then used to obtain a visa on arrival, valid for 7 days and extendable in the DRC.[6]

Electronic visa (e-Visa)

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Citizens of other countries may obtain an e-Visa for up to 7 days. The electronic visa must be used within 3 months from the date of issue.[7]

In November 2024 DR Congo authorities announced the introduction of electronic visas for early 2025.[8]

Virunga National Park

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As tourism is growing steadily for Virunga National Park, the government has joined forces and allowed the Park to act as a facilitator in the visa process.[9] Local tour operators can act as facilitators in the process.[10]

Visa required in advance

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Visitors requiring a visa need to submit a legalised letter of invitation from a DRC person or organization. For tourists, a hotel booking confirmation is accepted in case the traveller has no contact in the DRC.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Visa and passport". Timatic. International Air Transport Association through Emirates. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  2. ^ "UAE, Congo ink deal for visa-free travel".
  3. ^ "Press release on signing an Agreement between Russia and DR Congo on visa-free travel for holders of diplomatic and service passports".
  4. ^ "DR Congo, Uganda eliminate visa requirements to boost cross-border trade".
  5. ^ La RDC et le Tchad signent un accord d’exemption de visa réciproque
  6. ^ "DGM - Délivrance des Visas". dgm.cd.
  7. ^ "DRC eVisa".
  8. ^ DR Congo: the electronic visa is coming in 2025
  9. ^ "Virunga National Park - Securing Visas". Visit Virunga National Park. Retrieved 2017-07-13.
  10. ^ "Virunga National Park - Trusted Tour Operators". Visit Virunga National Park. Retrieved 2017-07-13.