DR CongoRepublic of the Congo: Visa required

DR CongoRepublic of the Congo

Do DR Congo passport holders need a visa for Republic of the Congo?

Visa required

Yes. DR Congo passport holders need to obtain a visa in advance before travelling to Republic of the Congo.

A visa must be obtained in advance, typically from an embassy or consulate, before travel.

Source: diplobrazza.net (checked July 20, 2026).

RequirementVisa required

Maximum stayLength of stay varies

ScopeTourism, ordinary passport

Action before travelYes, arrange in advance

Data as of2026-10-19

Distance8 km, straight line (~31m nonstop)

Visa-free access to Republic of the Congo8 of 242 nationalities tracked

Travelling the other way? Republic of the Congo passport holders visiting DR Congo: Visa-free.

Visa-free alternatives near Republic of the Congo

DR Congo passport holders can visit these nearby destinations without a visa in advance:

Other visa-free destinations for DR Congo passport holders

See all DR Congo destinations →

Frequently asked questions

Do DR Congo passport holders need a visa for Republic of the Congo?

Yes. DR Congo passport holders need to obtain a visa in advance before travelling to Republic of the Congo.

How far is Republic of the Congo from DR Congo?

About 8 km in a straight line, roughly ~31m nonstop by air.

What currency is used in Republic of the Congo?

Central African CFA franc (XAF).

What is the emergency number in Republic of the Congo?

117 / 118.

What time zone is Republic of the Congo in?

Brazzaville (UTC+1).

What is the nearest airport to Brazzaville?

Maya-Maya International Airport (BZV), about 3 km away.

How many countries can enter Republic of the Congo without a visa?

8 of the 242 nationalities this site tracks can enter Republic of the Congo visa-free, with a visa on arrival, or with an eTA.

What nearby countries can DR Congo passport holders visit without a visa instead of Republic of the Congo?

Burundi, Rwanda, Benin, Zambia, Togo, Uganda.

Visa rules change frequently and can depend on your specific circumstances. This site is compiled from public government sources and is provided for general information only. Always confirm requirements with the official immigration authority or a consulate of your destination before you travel.

About DR Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), also known as the DR Congo, Congo-Kinshasa, or simply the Congo, and formerly named Zaire, is a country in Central Africa. By land area, it is the second-largest country in Africa and the eleventh-largest in the world. With a population of about 124 million people, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the fourth-most populous country in Africa and the most populous Francophone country in the world. French is the official and most widely spoken language. There are over 200 indigenous languages, of which Lingala is the most widely spoken. The capital, largest city, and economic center is Kinshasa. The DRC is bordered by the Republic of the Congo, the Cabinda exclave of Angola, and the South Atlantic Ocean to the west; the Central African Republic and South Sudan to the north; Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania to the east; and Zambia and Angola to the south. Centered on the Congo Basin, most of the DRC's terrain is covered by dense rainforests and is crossed by many rivers. The east and southeast are mountainous.

CapitalKinshasa

RegionMiddle Africa

Population112.8M

Area2,344,858 km²

CurrencyCongolese franc (1 USD ≈ 2313.90 CDF)

LanguagesFrench, Kikongo, Lingala, Tshiluba, Swahili

Calling code+243

Drives on theright

TimezoneKinshasa (UTC+1)

Nearest airportMaya-Maya International Airport (BZV), 11 km

Emergency number113 / 114 / 118

UNESCO sites5

Income levelLow income

GDP per capita$807 (2025)

Tourist arrivals351K (2016)

Climate in Kinshasa

Warmest March, coolest June, driest July, sunniest July. Best time to visit: May, June, July, August, September, October, December.

Monthly climate normals for Kinshasa, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	29.7°C	23.4°C	199mm	276h
February	30.1°C	23.5°C	239mm	241h
March	30.7°C	23.8°C	255mm	278h
April	30.3°C	23.8°C	337mm	255h
May	29.8°C	23.5°C	116mm	302h
June	29.5°C	21.5°C	8mm	314h
July	30.2°C	20.7°C	1mm	336h
August	30.3°C	21.9°C	36mm	267h
September	31.1°C	22.8°C	40mm	283h
October	30°C	22.9°C	181mm	269h
November	28.9°C	22.9°C	257mm	259h
December	28.5°C	22.8°C	184mm	236h

Avg. high/low, °C (left axis) Rainfall, mm (bar maxes out at 250mm/month)

Daily normals for 2020. Hover a month for exact figures.

Travel guide

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is the largest and most populous country in Central Africa, as well as the world's largest Francophone country.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Garamba National Park
Kahuzi-Biéga National Park
Okapi Wildlife Reserve
Salonga National Park
Virunga National Park

Upcoming public holidays

December 25, 2026Christmas Day

January 1, 2027New Year's Day

January 4, 2027Martyrs Day

Full source list on About.

About Republic of the Congo

The Republic of the Congo, also known as the Congo Republic, Congo-Brazzaville, or simply the Congo, is a country located on the western coast of Central Africa to the west of the Congo River. It is bordered to the west by Gabon, to the northwest by Cameroon, to the northeast by the Central African Republic, to the southeast by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to the south by the Angolan exclave of Cabinda, and to the southwest by the Atlantic Ocean.

CapitalBrazzaville

RegionMiddle Africa

Population6.5M

Area342,000 km²

CurrencyCentral African CFA franc (1 USD ≈ 584.37 XAF)

LanguagesFrench, Kikongo, Lingala

Calling code+242

Drives on theright

TimezoneBrazzaville (UTC+1)

Nearest airportMaya-Maya International Airport (BZV), 3 km

Emergency number117 / 118

UNESCO sites2

Income levelLower middle income

GDP per capita$2,515 (2025)

Tourist arrivals158K (2018)

Climate in Brazzaville

Warmest March, coolest July, driest July, sunniest July. Best time to visit: May, June, July, August, September, October, December.

Monthly climate normals for Brazzaville, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	29.9°C	23.2°C	227mm	284h
February	30.1°C	23.3°C	241mm	248h
March	30.7°C	23.6°C	251mm	282h
April	30.3°C	23.7°C	350mm	260h
May	29.8°C	23.3°C	123mm	300h
June	29.2°C	21.2°C	13mm	313h
July	29.6°C	20.4°C	1mm	332h
August	29.8°C	21.6°C	30mm	257h
September	30.7°C	22.5°C	44mm	279h
October	30°C	22.7°C	172mm	269h
November	29°C	22.7°C	284mm	259h
December	28.6°C	22.7°C	204mm	241h

Avg. high/low, °C (left axis) Rainfall, mm (bar maxes out at 250mm/month)

Daily normals for 2020. Hover a month for exact figures.

Travel guide

The Republic of the Congo is a country in Central Africa. It is commonly referred to as Congo-Brazzaville to distinguish itself from its giant neighbour, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Congo-Kinshasa).

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Odzala National Park
Sangha Trinational

Upcoming public holidays

November 1, 2026Toussaint

November 28, 2026Jour de la République

December 25, 2026Noël

Full source list on About.