Passports
Passport
valid for at least six months required by all, plus proof of sufficient funds
and a return ticket.
Visas
Required
by all except transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first
connecting aircraft within 48 hours, provided holding valid onward or return
documentation and not leaving the airport. French nationals are also exempt.
Types
of visa and cost
Tourist
and Business. Single-entry: US$69 (one month); US$125 (two months); US$180
(three months); US$249 (six months). Multiple-entry: US$112 (one month); US$167
(two months); US$208 (three months); US$333 (six months). Transit: US$41
(seven days).
Validity
Three
month from date of issue, although multiples are available.
Application
to
Consulate
(or Consular section at Embassy); see Passport/Visa information.
Application
requirements
(a)
Passport valid for at least six months. (b) One application form. (c) One
passport-size photo. (d) Yellow fever vaccination certificate. (e) Stamped,
self-addressed envelope (or cost of return postage) for postal applications.
(f) Fee (payable on submission of documents for application of visa; cash or
postal orders only). (g) Return or onward travel documentation or itinerary
from travel agent. Tourist: (a)-(g) and, (h) Letter from employer/university
giving proof of status. (i) Letter from bank/building society giving proof of
sufficient funds. Business: (a)-(g) and, (h) Official letter of invitation
endorsed by the Congolese authorities (only if a private company). (i) Letter
from company in the UK. Visits to friends and relatives: (a)-(g) and, (h)
Letter from friends/relatives endorsed by the Congolese authorities.
Working
days required
Two
weeks in person or by post.
Passport/Visa
Information
Embassy
of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the UK
281
Gray's Inn Road, London WC1 X8QF, UK
Tel:
(020) 7278 9825.
Opening
hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1400.
Embassy
of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the USA
1726 M
Street, Suite 601, NW, Washington, DC 20036, USA
Tel:
(202) 234 7690/1.
Travel
Advice
Travellers
are advised against all travel to eastern and north-eastern Congo (Democratic Republic of), which remains insecure. This includes entering Congo (Democratic Republic of) from Uganda or Rwanda.
There
are indefinite restrictions on tourist travel within or across the country. A
permit from the Ministry of the Interior is required for all travel outside the
capital. Government curfews are in force in Kinshasa. There are safety concerns
about all public transport, including Congolese aircraft.
The
threat from terrorism is low but there remain recurrent demonstrations and
clashes. Political demonstrations in Kinshasa and elsewhere on June 30 2005
were dispersed but with some casualties and arrests. There has also been an
increase in street robbery of foreigners in Kinshasa by individuals posing as
plain-clothes police.
The
Government has, of October 2005, imposed a quarantine zone on the Congo (Democratic Republic of)-Angola border in response to the outbreak of the Marburg fever in the
Uige Province, northern Angola.
This
advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change
rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organizations for the
latest travel advice:
British
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel:
(0845) 850 2829.
Website:
www.fco.gov.uk
US
Department of State
Website:
http://travel.state.gov/travel -A
