Is it safe to travel to Democratic Republic of the Congo right now?

This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the DRC Embassy in the UK.

Passport validity requirements

Your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive in DRC.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

Visa requirements

You must have a visa to visit DRC.

Applying for a visa

Apply for a visa through the DRC Embassy in the UK.

Allow at least 2 to 3 weeks for application processing.

Some types of visa applications are referred to Kinshasa for a decision. In these cases, if you submit a letter of invitation from the person or organisation you’re visiting, stamped by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kinshasa, you may speed up the process.

Consider getting a long-term visa if you are planning to stay in DRC for a considerable period. When you apply for or renew a long-term visa, DRC authorities need a ‘consular certificate’ as part of the application. The British Embassy in DRC can issue a consular certificate for you.

Checks at border control

If you have a Rwandan or Ugandan immigration stamp in your passport you may have some difficulties on arrival, but it should not prevent you from entering DRC.

If you’re crossing regularly between Rwanda and DRC you may have immigration difficulties if you have not regularised your residency status.

Ebola

You may encounter health screening measures, such as being required to fill in a passenger locator form on arrival and departure and temperature checks, including at airports.

Some countries have heightened health screening for travellers from DRC. Check entry requirements for the country you’re travelling to or transiting.

Rwanda and Uganda have announced restrictions which impact travellers to DRC.

The UK’s Returning Workers Scheme has been activated, due to the outbreak of Ebola disease. Returning health and humanitarian workers should check the latest at UK’s Returning Workers Scheme before returning to the UK.

Departure tax

You need to pay a departure tax of 55 US dollars on international flights and 10 US dollars on domestic flights. You pay these fees when you check in for your departure. Get an official receipt and a copy for each fee. Hand the originals on request to immigration and at boarding and keep the copies.

Vaccine requirements

To enter DRC, you must have certificates to prove you’ve had:

• a yellow fever vaccination
• a polio vaccine, in some circumstances

For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s DRC guide.

You may need a yellow fever certificate for onward travel to some other countries, due to the risk of yellow fever in DRC.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of DRC. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

You may have difficulties when entering DRC if you are travelling with:

• satellite phones
• GPS receivers
• military clothing

Entry and exit restrictions and health screening measures related to the Ebola outbreak

Due to the outbreak of Ebola disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), you may be subject to health exit screening measures, such as completing a health form and temperature checks.

Some countries have imposed entry restrictions for persons who are arriving from or who have recently visited the DRC. Unless you are a citizen of one of these countries, you will be refused entry if you have been in the DRC in the preceding 21 to 30 days.

A larger number of countries, including Canada, have imposed health screening measures on travellers upon arrival and other border measures for travellers who have visited the DRC. These may include the completion of a health declaration form, temperature checks, quarantine and restrictions on travel until you are cleared by local health authorities. Contact the authorities of the country you are travelling to for more details.

More information on the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The authorities of a country or territory decide who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from local authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada.

Passport

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you're travelling with.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country's entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave from DRC.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

You should also be aware that current systems used by some countries and travel companies may not recognize the “X” gender identifier. You may still be asked to provide your sex/gender information as either male or female when travelling.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics
• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports and other travel documents

Visas

Tourist visa: required
Business visa: required
Student visa: required - students must obtain a tourist visa
Transit visa: required

To enter DRC, Canadians must obtain a visa from the DRC embassy in Ottawa before leaving Canada.

You cannot obtain a visa at a port of entry or at a DRC embassy other than that of your country of residence.

Foreign diplomatic missions and consulates in Canada

Difficulties at ports of entry

Travellers going to DRC commonly encounter difficulties at the airport and other ports of entry.

Arrival at N’Djili International Airport in Kinshasa can be chaotic. Travellers can sometimes be temporarily detained and asked by security and immigration officers to pay unofficial “special fees.”

Departure tax

All air passengers leaving DRC must pay an airport infrastructure development tax (IDEF) in the amount of US$58 (subject to change without notice). You must obtain proof of payment of the IDEF (called a Go Pass) to be permitted to board your flight. This document is available at special counters in banks or designated institutions, and at airports.

Crossing to Brazzaville

To cross the Congo River from Kinshasa to Brazzaville, you must have an entry visa issued by the Embassy of the Republic of the Congo (Brazzaville).

Children and travel

Learn about travelling with children.

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).