Ferry service between Kinshasa and Brazzaville is operating, but may be interrupted with little or no warning. An entry visa, issued by a Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) embassy, is required to cross the Congo River from Kinshasa to Brazzaville. See section 8 for Multiple-Entry requirements in Kinshasa.

Presidential and other official motorcades pose hazards to motorists and pedestrians. Travellers should pull to the far side of the road when sirens or security forces announce their presence. Travellers should not take photographs of motorcades or use communication devices that were not acquired/registered locally, including cellular phones or hand-held radios. Proceed only when security forces permit.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended.

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5. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE

The rainy season extends from April to October in the north and November to March in the south. Some roads may be impassable during these periods. Travellers should remain informed of regional weather forecasts and plan accordingly.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is located in an active seismic area. Volcanic eruptions are common. Nyiragongo Volcano, situated on the edge of Goma, has erupted in the past and reconstruction work is still ongoing. Canadians should monitor local news reports and volcanic activity levels and know the address and telephone number of the Embassy of Canada in Kinshasa in the event of an emergency.

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6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS

You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail or death sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons.

Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 7 below. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.

The Department publishes A Guide for Canadians Imprisoned Abroad, specifically targeted at incarcerated Canadians. Its prime objective is to inform Canadian detainees, their families, and friends about available assistance and advice.

Traffic and pedestrians are required to stop for the raising and the lowering of the national flag at approximately 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. every day. Policemen and/or military personnel often detain and fine people who neglect to do so.

For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Kinshasa at the numbers listed above and follow the instructions. You can also call the Department in Ottawa at 613-996-8885 or by ATS at 613-944-1310.

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8. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the Congolese authorities and, to the best of our knowledge, was valid on March 3, 2006.  However, entry and exit requirements are subject to change.

It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.

Foreign Affairs Canada’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Congo, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements.

A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure from the country. Canadians must also be in possession of a visa. Visas are not available at ports of entry and must be obtained from the Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Congo before leaving Canada.

Travellers have been temporarily detained or asked by immigration and security officers for “special fees” at the airport and other ports of entry to the DRC when carrying satellite phones, GPS receivers, or military clothing.

Tourist Visa: Required
Business Visa: Required
Student Visa: Required (A tourist visa is issued to students.)
Transit Visa: Required

A Multiple-Entry Visa is required for foreigners entering DRC more than once (this is often the case when using the ferry service from Brazzaville to Kinshasa). This Multiple-Entry Visa is available at the Embassy of the DRC in Canada. A minimal cost of 275 $ US is to be expected. Once in the country, the Multiple-Entry Visa can be obtained at the following address:

Direction Générale de Migration, 65, Boulevard du 30 juin (next to the Regideso building), Commune de Gombe, Kinshasa.

Travellers with visas for Uganda, Rwanda, or Burundi could be refused entry upon arrival in the DRC.

Travellers are required to carry evidence of a yellow fever vaccination.

Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.

Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.

Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.

Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.

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9. MONEY

The currency is the Congolese franc (XAF). Payments can be made in foreign currency, particularly U.S. dollars. Merchants and foreign exchange dealers do, however, require that foreign currency be in good condition (not torn) and recently issued (American bills with large heads). Credit cards and traveller's cheques are not generally accepted. However, credit cards, including Visa, American Express, Diner's Club, and MasterCard/EUROcard, are accepted at the Memling Hotel and the Grand Hotel in Kinshasa. Keep a record of all hotel transactions. Hotel bills should be scrutinized for discrepancies. It is not possible to obtain a cash advance with credit cards. Traveller's cheques are rarely accepted. ATMs are not available. All foreigners, resident and non-resident, must declare upon entry all amounts exceeding the equivalent of US$10,000. Similarly, foreigners leaving the country must declare all amounts exceeding the equivalent of US$10,000 in foreign currency. Check with your bank for information on ATM services in other countries. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ATMs around the world. Your bank can advise if you need a new personal identification number (PIN) for overseas access to your account. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ATMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.

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10. GENERAL INFORMATION

The Democratic Republic of Congo (capital: Kinshasa) is located in central Africa, bordered by the Central African Republic, Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Zambia, Angola, the Republic of Congo, and the Angolan enclave, Cabinda. Communications by land phones or cellular phones are poor. Tourists facilities are very limited in Kinshasa and almost non-existent outside the capital. The official language is French, but Lingala, Swahili, Tshiluba, and Kikongo are widely spoken.



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11. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program Web site.

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.

Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.

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12. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

Medical facilities are basic in Kinshasa and inadequate elsewhere in the country. Any serious illness, injury, or surgery requires air evacuation from the country.

Water used for drinking, brushing teeth, or making ice should be boiled first. Milk is not pasteurized and should be boiled. Eat only well-done meat and fish, preferably served still hot. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit should be peeled. To avoid problems, travellers are advised to drink only bottled water during their stay.

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13. RETURNING TO CANADA

Please consult the Current Issue on returning to Canada.

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14. INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS

Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child from another country, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.

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15. TRAVEL TIPS

Please consult our Traveller's Checklist.

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16. HEALTH AND TRAVEL INSURANCE

Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.

Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

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17. FOR MORE INFORMATION

N/A

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18. ANNEX

N/A

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