Passport and visa regulations
Nationalities
| Passport required | visa required | Return ticket required | |
| Switzerland | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Austria | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Turkey | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Other EU countries | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Germany | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Passport information
Generally required, must be valid for at least 6 months upon entry and should not contain visas or entry/exit stamps from Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.
Note on the passport
Due to the ongoing military conflicts in some parts of the country (Equateur, Orientale, North and South Kivu provinces, Haut-Uélé district and Garamba National Park in the extreme north-east of the country), tourist trips to the Democratic Republic of the Congo are not recommended. The Federal Foreign Office has issued a partial travel warning for the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The entry regulations can change at short notice. The embassies provide further information (see contact addresses).
Visa information
A visa for the Democratic Republic of the Congo is required for nationals of the countries mentioned in the table above, among others.
Note on the visa
In any case, the visa must be applied for in their country of origin/residence before departure – also for globetrotters, individual travelers and expedition travelers.
- Lawschoolsinusa: Offers ultimate guide to duty-free shopping in Democratic Republic of the Congo. Also includes import and export regulations, as well as embassy and telecommunication information about this country.
Costs
Germany and Austria tourist visa €109 (single entry, valid for 1 month); €148 (multiple entries, valid for 1 month); €173 (single entry, valid for 2 months); €199 (multiple entries, valid for 2 months); €227 (single entry, valid for 3 months); €237 (multiple entries, valid for 3 months); €272 (single entry, valid for 6 months); €352 (multiple entries, valid for 6 months). A processing fee of €25 is added to the visa fees. Express exhibitions are no longer offered in Berlin.
Visa types and costs
Single and multiple entry tourist, business and special visas. Transit visas will not be issued.
Validity
Single and multiple visas 1, 2, 3 or 6 months. Visas must be used within 3 months of issue.
Transit
The possibility of a visa-free transit does not exist. In person or by post to the consular section of the embassy (see contact addresses).
Application required
(a) 1 application form (downloadable from the website of the relevant diplomatic mission). (b) 2 passport photos. (c) Passport valid for at least 6 months upon entry and containing blank pages. (d) Yellow fever vaccination certificate and international vaccination card and health certificate confirming that the applicant has no contagious diseases. (e) Return or onward travel ticket or travel agency certificate or invitation from DR Congo. (f) Police clearance certificate for stays longer than one month. (g) Fee (Transfer). (h) Approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. (i) officially confirmed invitation. Business visa additionally: (h) Letter from your own company and business partner with information on the purpose and duration of the trip and confirmation of the assumption of costs. A stamped, registered return envelope and proof of payment of the visa fee should be enclosed with the application by post. Depending on the purpose of the trip, additional documents may be required. Visiting relatives requires a letter of invitation approved by the local authorities. All required documents must be translated into French.
Temporary Residence
Inquiries to the consular representations (see contact addresses).
Processing time
In Berlin: 10 days. Express issue: 2-3 days (also in Berlin).
Legally Required Registration
Visitors must also report to the Direction Générale de Migration (DGM) (Boulevard du 30 Juin 65, Commune de Gombe, Kinshasa) after any change of location.
Documents required upon entry
International vaccination card with proof of a valid yellow fever and meningitis vaccination, health certificate.
Entry with children
German: Machine-readable children’s passport with photograph or your own passport. Austrians: Own passport (recommended). Swiss: Own passport. Turks: Own passport. Note: The same visa requirements apply to children as to their parents. Note: Unaccompanied minors require an “authorization parentale”, written parental approval, and a “prise en charge” from the airline concerned. There are no special features when accompanied by only one parent. Since June 27, 2012, children need their own travel document (passport / children’s passport) for trips abroad (also within the EU).
