Entry and residence

Visa

• A visa obtained before departure is compulsory: no visa is issued on arrival. Apply and pay online, through the Congolese embassy in your country of residence.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/2/26High confidence

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Republic of the Congo, entry and residenceGOV.UK (FCDO), Republic of the Congo travel advice: entry requirementsGovernment of Canada, Travel advice: Republic of the CongoSPF Affaires étrangères (Belgium), Republic of the Congo: practical information
• Passport: France

  For French nationals, applications go through the Congolese embassy in Paris. The visa is valid for 15 to 91 days; processing takes 7 days (3 days express).

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/2/26High confidence

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Republic of the Congo, entry and residence

• An accommodation certificate issued by a district town hall in Congo, or a paid hotel booking, is required for the visa and must be shown at entry.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/2/26High confidence

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Republic of the Congo, entry and residence
• Passport: United States

  Get your visa before departure; bring a yellow fever vaccination card and an invitation letter or hotel booking (several copies).

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/2/26High confidence

  U.S. Department of State, Republic of the Congo International Travel Information
• Passport: Spain

  A visa is required before departure, from the Embassy of the Republic of the Congo in Paris (no embassy or consulate general in Spain). Yellow fever vaccination is compulsory.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/2/26High confidence

  Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores (España), Recomendaciones de viaje: República del Congo
• Passport: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon

  Citizens of the six CEMAC countries (Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Chad) move without a visa within the zone, according to the CEMAC Commission (September 2025). The Commission still reports administrative hassles at borders: keep your identity and travel documents with you.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/2/26High confidence

  Commission de la CEMAC, entretien avec le président de la Commission (libre circulation)

Passport and documents

• Canada requires a passport valid at least 6 months beyond your planned exit date; the UK only requires it to be valid for your whole stay. Check the rule for your passport and your airline's rule.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/2/26High confidence

  Government of Canada, Travel advice: Republic of the CongoGOV.UK (FCDO), Republic of the Congo travel advice: entry requirements

• In town, carry a photocopy of your passport including the visa page. For any trip between towns, take the original: failing to show it can mean a fine or up to 72 hours in custody.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/2/26High confidence

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Republic of the Congo, safety
• People who also hold Congolese nationality

  Dual citizenship is recognised in Congo, but consular assistance from your other country may be limited there.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/2/26Medium confidence

  Government of Canada, Travel advice: Republic of the CongoSPF Affaires étrangères (Belgium), Republic of the Congo: practical information

Vaccination required at entry

• Yellow fever vaccination is compulsory from 9 months of age, at least 10 days before departure, at an approved centre; the international certificate is checked at entry.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/2/26High confidence

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Republic of the Congo, entry and residenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Republic of the Congo, healthGOV.UK (FCDO), Republic of the Congo travel advice: entry requirementsCDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Travelers' Health: Republic of the Congo

• The UK says a polio vaccination certificate is also required at the border.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/2/26Medium confidence

  GOV.UK (FCDO), Republic of the Congo travel advice: entry requirements

• Enhanced health screening may apply on arrival because of the Ebola outbreak centred in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/2/26High confidence

  GOV.UK (FCDO), Republic of the Congo travel advice: entry requirements

Customs and currency

• Customs check luggage, especially for drugs, weapons, counterfeits and cultural goods. Buying ivory is prohibited. Antiques and traditional objects are taxed and proof of payment is required on departure.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/2/26High confidence

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Republic of the Congo, entry and residence

• Clearing goods through customs, even personal effects, must be done through an approved forwarding agent. A new car is taxed at 48 to 53% of its value.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/2/26High confidence

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Republic of the Congo, entry and residence

• Embassy of France in Republic of the Congo

  Passport: France

  French embassy in Brazzaville.

  Rue Alfassa, Brazzaville+33 5 33 52 08 48

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Republic of the Congo, entry and residence· Oct 2, 2026

• Consulate General of France in Pointe-Noire

  Passport: France

  Consular services for French nationals in the south.

  4 allée de Makimba, Pointe-Noire

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Republic of the Congo, entry and residence· Oct 2, 2026

• Embassy of Canada in RDC (covering Republic of the Congo)

  Passport: Canada

  Canada has no office in Congo; consular assistance is provided from Kinshasa.

  17, avenue Pumbu, commune de la Gombe, Kinshasa (RDC)+243 996 021 500knsha@international.gc.ca

  Government of Canada, Travel advice: Republic of the Congo· Oct 2, 2026

• Embassy of Belgium in Brazzaville

  Passport: Belgium

  Emergency consular assistance for Belgians; duty number for emergencies only.

  +242 05 209 71 71

  SPF Affaires étrangères (Belgium), Republic of the Congo: practical information· Oct 2, 2026