Deep coverage14 verified routes across visit, study, work, investment, family and more.
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Select the passports you hold to see short-stay access and per-route eligibility for DR Congo.
5 routes
Visit
Short stays: tourism, transit, business trips, medical, pilgrimage.
Tourist Visa
DR Congo Consular Travel Visa (Visa de Voyage)
The traditional travel visa (visa de voyage) issued by DRC diplomatic and consular missions abroad for tourism and short visits, for applicants in countries where the DRC is represented. The published DGM tariff is tiered by duration and entries: roughly USD 83 (1 month, single entry) up to USD 400 (6 months, multiple entries), plus a USD 50 form fee and a USD 50 deposit. Applicants must show a valid passport, proof of funds, accommodation and usually a local invitation or sponsorship, plus a yellow-fever certificate. The visa permits visiting but not employment or settlement.
Government fee
$83
Max stay
90 days
Validity
30 days
Document checklist (7)
Visa application formCompleted DGM/consular visa application form (USD 50 form fee).
PassportValid at least 6 months, with blank pages.
Passport photographsRecent passport-style photos.
Invitation or sponsorshipLegalised invitation letter from a DRC resident or organisation, or hotel confirmation for tourists.
Proof of fundsEvidence of sufficient means for the stay.
Return or onward ticketOptionalEvidence of onward or return travel.
Tourist Visa
DR Congo Airport / Port Visa on Arrival
A short airport (visa aéroportuaire) or seaport (visa portuaire) visa issued on arrival, generally on the basis of a prior visa-volant authorisation arranged by a host in the DRC for travellers from countries without a DRC mission. The published DGM tariff is about USD 40 and the visa is valid 7 days; it can be extended once in-country at a DGM office. A yellow-fever vaccination certificate is required. Mauritius citizens may obtain a visa on arrival for 7 days. The visa is for short visits only and does not authorise employment or residence.
Government fee
$40
Processing time
1 day
Max stay
7 days
Validity
7 days
Document checklist (6)
PassportValid at least 6 months, with blank pages.
Visa volant authorisationPrior DGM flying-visa confirmation arranged by the host (where required by nationality).
Invitation or host detailsDetails of the inviting person or organisation in the DRC.
Proof of accommodationOptionalHotel booking or host address.
Return or onward ticketOptionalEvidence of onward or return travel.
Tourist Visa
DR Congo eVisa (Ordinary Flying Visa - Tourism)
The electronic visa launched by the Direction Générale de Migration (DGM) in early 2025 digitises the ordinary flying visa for tourism, business and family visits. The eVisa is single-entry, valid 90 days from issue and authorises a stay of up to 7 days; the online application fee is about USD 300 and an additional USD 90 entry (VAP) fee is collected at the border. Applicants must name a responsible person or organisation in the DRC (hotel, business partner, friend or relative) and hold a yellow-fever vaccination certificate. Extensions are handled in-country at DGM offices. The visa does not authorise employment or residence.
PassportValid at least 6 months beyond the intended entry, with a clear bio-page scan uploaded.
Passport photographRecent digital passport-style photo.
Yellow fever vaccination certificateInternational certificate of vaccination against yellow fever (mandatory for entry).
Responsible person / invitationDetails of a responsible person or organisation in the DRC overseeing the stay (hotel booking, host or business partner).
Proof of accommodationHotel reservation or host address for the duration of the stay.
Return or onward ticketOptionalEvidence of onward or return travel.
Online payment confirmationReceipt of the eVisa application fee paid on the DGM portal.
Transit Visa
DR Congo Transit Visa
A short transit visa for travellers crossing the DRC en route to a third country. The published DGM tariff is about USD 50 for a single journey and USD 100 for a round trip, plus form fees. Applicants must show an onward ticket and, where required, a visa for the onward destination, plus a yellow-fever certificate. The visa allows only the brief transit and does not authorise employment, tourism beyond transit, or residence.
Government fee
$50
Max stay
7 days
Validity
30 days
Document checklist (6)
Visa application formCompleted transit visa application form.
PassportValid at least 6 months.
Onward ticketConfirmed ticket to the onward destination.
Onward-country visaOptionalVisa for the destination country where required.
The same DGM electronic flying visa used for short business trips - meetings, negotiations, conferences and site visits. It is single-entry, valid 90 days from issue with a stay of up to 7 days, and like the tourist eVisa carries an online fee of about USD 300 plus a USD 90 border (VAP) fee. Business applicants must declare a responsible person or company in the DRC and typically attach a company invitation letter. Yellow-fever vaccination is mandatory. The visa permits business activity but not local salaried employment or residence; longer assignments require a visa d'établissement de travail.
Proof of accommodationHotel booking or host address.
Online payment confirmationReceipt of the eVisa fee paid on the DGM portal.
Not yet researched
Medical Treatment Visa
Pilgrimage Visa
1 route
Study & Training
Universities, language courses, internships and exchanges.
Student Visa
DR Congo Student Establishment Visa
The student establishment visa is for foreigners (and accompanying minors) enrolling at a recognised DRC higher-education or training institution. The published DGM tariff for the students/minors establishment category is about USD 100, plus form and deposit fees. Applicants present an admission or enrolment letter, proof of means and a yellow-fever certificate; the visa is tied to the course and renewable for its duration. It permits study and is not a work visa.
Study: Enrolment at the admitting DRC institution.
Government fee
$100
Validity
365 days
Document checklist (7)
Establishment visa applicationCompleted DGM student establishment visa application with form fee.
Letter of admissionAdmission or enrolment certificate from a recognised DRC institution.
Valid passportPassport valid at least 6 months.
Proof of meansEvidence of funds or a sponsor to cover study and living costs.
Fee and deposit receiptReceipt of the student establishment visa fee and deposit.
Not yet researched
Language Course Visa
Internship / Trainee Visa
Exchange Program Visa
2 routes
Work & Self-Employment
Digital nomad, freelance, skilled employment and company transfers.
Skilled Work Visa
DR Congo Mining & Oil-Sector Expatriate Work Route
Expatriate specialists in mining (Katanga/Lualaba copper-cobalt) and oil operate on the standard work route - a work card from the Commission Nationale de l'Emploi des Étrangers plus a DGM work-establishment visa (published fee about USD 653 plus deposit) - but under sector-specific foreign-labour quotas. The Mining Code and 2024-2025 reforms set 'congolisation' targets requiring progressive transfer of skilled posts to Congolese nationals and training obligations; the DRC raised quotas in several technical sectors in 2024-2025 where local skills are scarce. Operations in the conflict-affected east (North Kivu, South Kivu, Ituri) face additional security clearances and slower processing. Renewable and tied to the employer.
Work: Salaried work for the mining/oil employer under the work card and establishment visa.
Study: Lawful residence permits study.
Residency: Renewable employer-tied residence; congolisation pressures favour replacement by nationals over time.
Government fee
$653
Validity
730 days
Document checklist (8)
Valid passportPassport valid at least 6 months.
Employment contractContract with a DRC-registered mining or oil operator.
Work card approval (CNEE)Foreigner work-card approval respecting the sector quota.
Proof of specialist qualificationsTechnical diplomas, certifications and experience for the role.
Employer / operator documentationMining or hydrocarbon licence, company registration and post justification.
Security clearance (east)OptionalAdditional clearance where the worksite is in a conflict-affected eastern province.
Fee payment receiptReceipt of the work-establishment visa fee and deposit.
Skilled Work Visa
DR Congo Work Establishment Visa & Foreigner Work Card
A foreign national taking salaried employment in the DRC needs both a work card (carte de travail pour étranger) issued by the Commission Nationale de l'Emploi des Étrangers under the Ministry of Employment/ONEM, and a work establishment visa (visa d'établissement de travail) from the DGM. The work card is granted only after the labour authority confirms the post cannot readily be filled by a qualified Congolese national, and employers may not exceed roughly 15% foreign staff and must train Congolese counterparts. The published DGM work-establishment visa fee is about USD 653 plus a USD 100 deposit. The visa underpins long-term residence tied to the job and is renewable; refusals of the work card may be appealed to the Ministry of Labour within 15 days.
Work: Salaried work for the sponsoring employer once the work card and establishment visa are issued.
Study: Lawful residence permits study alongside work.
Fee payment receiptReceipt of the work-establishment visa fee and deposit.
Not yet researched
Digital Nomad Visa
Freelancer Visa
Self-Employment Visa
Startup / Entrepreneur Visa
Seasonal Work Visa
Intra-Company Transfer Visa
1 route
Invest & Capital
Golden visas, real estate, citizenship by investment, passive income.
Business Investor Visa
DR Congo Investor Establishment (ANAPI / Investment Code)
Foreign investors establishing a business in the DRC seek approval (agrément) of their project under the Investment Code (Law No. 004/2002) through ANAPI, the national investment-promotion agency, which decides within a maximum of 30 days of a complete filing. The minimum qualifying investment is USD 200,000 (USD 10,000 for SMEs), with a value-added rate of at least 35% and compliance with environmental and labour rules; approval brings customs and tax advantages. The agrément is not itself a visa: the investor and assigned staff still obtain establishment and work visas from the DGM. ANAPI is digitising its services and the Investment Code is under revision in 2026. DR Congo has no citizenship-by-investment programme - nationality is single and exclusive under the Constitution.
Work: Investor may manage and work in the approved enterprise via the accompanying establishment/work visa.
Study: Lawful residence permits study.
Residency: Leads to renewable establishment residence; no citizenship-by-investment (single nationality only).
Processing time
30 days
Min. investment
$200,000
Document checklist (7)
Investment project fileDetailed project / feasibility dossier submitted to ANAPI after payment of the deposit fee.
Company registrationRCCM registration and statutes of the DRC company.
Proof of investment capacityEvidence of the qualifying investment (USD 200,000, or USD 10,000 for an SME).
Business and financial planPlan showing at least 35% value added and projected jobs.
Environmental and labour complianceDocumentation of compliance with environmental and labour regulations.
List of goods to importOptionalList of equipment/goods to import under the Code's customs advantages.
Establishment / work visa applicationSeparate DGM establishment or work-establishment visa application for the investor and key staff.
Not yet researched
Golden Visa (Residence by Investment)
Residence by Real Estate
Citizenship by Investment
Non-Lucrative / Passive Income Visa
No verified routes yet
Retire & Lifestyle
Retirement visas and working holiday schemes.
Not yet researched
Retirement Visa
Working Holiday Visa
1 route
Family & Origin
Reunification, spouse routes and ancestry-based repatriation.
Spouse / Partner Visa
DR Congo Matrimonial Establishment Visa (Foreign Spouse)
The matrimonial establishment visa is for the foreign spouse of a Congolese citizen or of a foreigner holding establishment status in the DRC. The published DGM tariff for the matrimonial category is about USD 200, plus form and deposit fees. Applicants present a recognised marriage certificate, the spouse's identity/residence document, and a yellow-fever certificate; the visa grants resident status and is renewable. Because DRC nationality is single and exclusive, marriage does not confer automatic Congolese citizenship and any naturalisation would require renouncing the prior nationality.
Work: Resident spouse may generally work; salaried employment may still require a work card.
Study: Full access to study as a resident.
Residency: Renewable resident status; naturalisation possible only by renouncing prior nationality (single nationality rule).
Family: Covers the foreign spouse; dependent children covered under the minors establishment category.
Government fee
$200
Validity
730 days
Document checklist (7)
Establishment visa applicationCompleted DGM matrimonial establishment visa application with form fee.
Marriage certificateRecognised marriage certificate, legalised/translated where required.
Spouse's identity / residence documentCongolese ID/passport, or the spouse's DRC establishment visa.
Valid passportApplicant's passport valid at least 6 months.
Fee and deposit receiptReceipt of the matrimonial establishment visa fee and deposit.
Not yet researched
Family Reunification Visa
Dependent Relative Visa
Ancestry / Repatriation
4 routes
Special Categories
Talent, religious, humanitarian, media, official and permanent residence.
Religious Worker Visa
DR Congo Establishment Visa for Religious / Philanthropic Work
Missionaries, clergy and NGO/charity workers settle in the DRC under the philanthropic branch of the ordinary establishment visa, for which the published DGM tariff is about USD 200 (versus USD 700 for the commercial professional category), plus form and deposit fees. Applicants present a posting or appointment letter from the recognised church, mission or NGO operating in the DRC, proof of support, and a yellow-fever certificate. The visa grants resident status tied to the organisation and is renewable.
Work: Authorises the religious or charitable mission with the sponsoring organisation.
Study: Lawful residence permits study.
Residency: Renewable resident status tied to the organisation; single nationality only.
Government fee
$200
Validity
730 days
Document checklist (7)
Establishment visa applicationCompleted DGM establishment visa application (philanthropic category) with form fee.
Appointment / posting letterLetter from the church, mission or NGO assigning the applicant to the DRC.
Organisation registrationProof the religious or charitable organisation is recognised and operating in the DRC.
Valid passportPassport valid at least 6 months.
Proof of supportEvidence the organisation covers the applicant's upkeep.
Fee and deposit receiptReceipt of the establishment visa fee and deposit.
Official / Diplomatic Visa
DR Congo Diplomatic / Courtesy Visa
Diplomatic and courtesy visas are issued by DRC missions and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to holders of diplomatic and service passports travelling on official business, and to staff of international organisations. They are generally free of the ordinary visa fee. Holders of diplomatic/official passports of Angola, Iran, Russia, South Africa, Turkey and the UAE enjoy visa-free access for official duties. The category covers official travel only and confers no private employment or settlement rights.
Family: Accredited dependants of diplomats are covered under the mission's accreditation.
Government fee
$0
Document checklist (5)
Diplomatic or service passportValid diplomatic, service or official passport.
Note verbaleOfficial note verbale from the sending government or organisation.
Mission orderOrder or letter of assignment describing the official purpose.
DR Congo Ordinary Establishment Visa (Professionals)
The ordinary establishment visa (visa d'établissement ordinaire) confers resident status on foreigners settling in the DRC to carry out professional, commercial or economic activity (the carte de résident pathway). The published DGM tariff is about USD 700 for the professional category and USD 200 for philanthropic/religious activity, plus a USD 100 deposit. The holder may reside and conduct the authorised activity; the permit is renewable. There is no passive income or investment threshold attached to the ordinary category itself. DRC permits only single nationality, so there is no route to dual citizenship.
Work: Authorises the declared professional or economic activity.
Study: Lawful residence permits study.
Residency: Renewable resident status (carte de résident); no published statutory PR/naturalisation clock and single nationality only.
Government fee
$700
Validity
730 days
Document checklist (7)
Establishment visa applicationCompleted DGM establishment visa application with USD 50 form fee.
Valid passportPassport valid at least 6 months.
Proof of activityEvidence of the professional, commercial or philanthropic activity to be carried out (company registration, contract or organisation documents).
Proof of meansEvidence of sufficient resources to settle and operate.
Fee and deposit receiptReceipt of the establishment visa fee and USD 100 deposit.
Permanent Residence
DR Congo Special / Permanent Establishment Visa
The special and permanent establishment visas are the long-duration resident categories of the DGM. The published tariff is about USD 653 for a 5-year special establishment visa, USD 700 for a 10-year special visa, and USD 1,500 for the permanent establishment visa, each plus a USD 100 deposit. They grant settled resident status for foreigners with a durable basis to remain (long-term professionals, long-resident foreigners or those with significant ties). The permits are renewable and the permanent category provides indefinite residence. DR Congo allows only single nationality (Constitution Art. 10), so resident status never converts to dual citizenship.
Work: Settled residents may work and conduct economic activity.
Study: Full access to study as a resident.
Residency: Long-term/permanent resident status; single nationality bars dual citizenship and no published naturalisation clock from this status.
Family: Spouse and dependent children covered via matrimonial establishment visas alongside the principal.
Government fee
$653
Validity
1,825 days
Document checklist (7)
Establishment visa applicationCompleted DGM establishment visa application with USD 50 form fee.
Valid passportPassport valid at least 6 months.
Evidence of durable tiesProof of long-term activity, prior residence or family/economic ties justifying the special/permanent category.
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