Many may know the Republic of the Congo as Congo Brazzaville. The Republic of the Congo is a unique place to visit and see. It has a coastline along the South Atlantic Ocean.
Foreigners who want to visit the country probably will need to apply for a Republic of the Congo visa. For further information regarding the application process, the duration, requirements and interesting facts about the country, look at the article below.
Who Needs a Visa for the Republic of the Congo?
Citizens of the following countries do not need a visa to enter and stay in the Republic of Congo for 90 days:
- Cameroon
- Chad
- Gabon
- Central African Republic
- Equatorial Guinea
Other Visa Exemptions
Foreign nationals who fulfill the following conditions can enter the Republic of Congo without a visa:
- China citizens who are holders of normal passports are endorsed ‘For Public Affairs.’
- Holders of a VIP invitation letter.
- Holders of diplomatic or service category passports issued to the following countries:
- Brazil
- China
- Russia
- Portugal
- Turkey
How to Apply for a Republic of the Congo Visa?
Here are a few options on how to apply for a Republic of the Congo visa:
- Visa on arrival.
- At the embassy/consulate of the Republic of the Congo.
Visa on Arrival
A visa on arrival is issued to citizens of the following countries:
- Benin
- Niger
- Burkina Faso
- Rwanda
- Ivory Coast
- Senegal
- Mauritania
- Togo
- Morocco
- United Arab Emirates
Citizens who want to apply for a visa on arrival do not need to apply for a visa before traveling to the country. Instead, they will be issued a Republic of the Congo visa at the port of entry.The applicant must have a valid passport and accommodation proof to apply for a visa on arrival.
Important: Make sure you contact the embassy of Congo before traveling to the Republic of the Congo regarding the requested documents you must submit at the port of entry.
At the Embassy/Consulate of the Republic of the Congo
To apply for a visa for the Republic of the Congo, follow these instructions:
- Contact the nearest embassy or consulate of the Republic of the Congo and book a visa appointment.
- Fill out the Republic of the Congo visa application form.
- Gather all the required documents. See ‘Republic of the Congo Visa Requirements.‘
- Submit the required documents to the embassy or consulate of the Republic of the Congo.
- Wait for an email or SMS from the Republic of the Congo embassy with your visa result.
Republic of the Congo Visa Requirements
To apply for a visa for the Republic of the Congo, you are required to submit the following documents:
- A travel document that is valid for a minimum of 6 months after the end of your planned stay in the Republic of Congo.
- A completed and signed the Republic of the Congo visa application form.
- A travel itinerary document. This document must include all the places you plan to travel to while in the country.
- An accommodation proof document. Present to the embassy/consulate evidence where you will be staying while in Republic of Congo I.e. a hotel reservation
- A criminal record document issued by the police authorities in your home country.
- A document that must prove that you have finished the requested fee payment, such as a receipt of the payment.
- A passport-sized photo in colors. The photos should be identical and comply with photographs requirements for the Republic of Congo visa application.
- A business letter (applicable for those who want to apply for a business visa).
Note: The Republic of the Congo embassy may request other additional documents depending on the type of visa you are applying for. Remember that any missing document or false information can lead to your visa being denied.
Processing Time for a Republic of the Congo Visa
The processing time for a Republic of the Congo visa is between seven to ten working days. However, the embassy or consulate can extend the processing time if your visa application does not fulfill the eligibility requirements.
Duration of a Republic of the Congo Visa
The duration of a Republic of the Congo visa depends on different reasons, such as:
- The type of visa you are planning on applying for and
- The country you come from.
So, for example:
- A tourist visa for multiple entries for non-USA citizens is issued for three months (90 days).
- A tourist visa for multiple entries for USA citizens is issued for six months (180 days).
- A business visa is issued for one month (30 days).
- A diplomatic visa is issued for twelve months (365 days).
Keep in mind: The Embassy of the Republic of the Congo will inform you of your visa duration once they issue it.
Republic of the Congo Visa Fees
The Republic of the Congo visa fee amount can change depending on several factors, for example:
- Your age.
- The type of visa you apply for.
- The country you are from.
Depending on the reasons mentioned above, you must contact the embassy/consulate of the Republic of the Congo regarding the requested fee amount you need to finish.
The country’s embassy will inform you how much you need to pay for the visa application fee.
Republic of the Congo Visa Types
Here is the Republic of the Congo visa types:
Tourist Visa
A tourist visa is issued to foreigners who want to visit the country for different reasons, including visits, medical controls, school trips, etc.
Business Visa
A business visa is issued to citizens visiting the country for business purposes, including the following:
- Business meetings.
- Business investment.
- Feasibility studies.
The business visa is issued for 30 days. Applicants who want to stay longer than 30 days must submit a request for the extension of their visa at the nearest Office of Immigration in the Republic of the Congo.
Official/Diplomatic Visa
The official/diplomatic visa is issued to holders of an official or diplomatic passport who intend to travel to the country for business purposes.
Applicants who want to apply for an official/diplomatic visa are free of charge.
Interesting Facts About the Republic of the Congo?
Here are a few interesting facts about the Republic of the Congo:
- One of the deepest lakes in the world is located in the Republic of the Congo. It is also the second largest lake in the world. The lake has a depth of 220m and has a discharge of 41,000 cubic meters per second.
- One of the rarest Monkeys species, Bonobo, is only found in the Republic of the Congo. The Bonobo monkeys are considered one of the closest relatives to human beings.
- The rainforest covers more than 70% of the country. The rainforest in the Republic of the Congo is very rich in flora and fauna.
- There are different types of culture in the country. By having different cultures, the country also has different types of traditional dishes that the locals make.
- The capital of the Republic of the Cango, Brazzaville, is an amazing place. It is covered with colorful markets, vibrant arts, and different cultural scenes.
- The Republic of the Congo is known for being an expert in sugar, plywood, lumber, cacao, and petroleum products.
- The Republic of the Congo is one of the 63 largest countries in the world. It has a land area of 345,000 square kilometers.
- The official language spoken in the Republic of the Congo is French.
- IIe Mbamou Island is an island owned by the government of the country.
- The Congo River is one of Africa’s most famous river adventures.