Last Updated:
October 30, 2007 11:33
EDT
Still Valid:
November 15, 2007 23:21
EST
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1. RECENT UPDATES
The level of Travel Warning in this report has not changed.
A link to our Current Issues page has been added to Section 1.See our Current Issues page for more information on flooding in The Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Congo (Kinshasa) (IDW10)
OFFICIAL WARNING: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against non-essential travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Canadians in the DRC should regularly review their personal circumstances to determine if their continued presence is warranted. The security situation is dangerous and unpredictable. There is a potential for civil unrest.
In the most western province of Bas-Congo, violence stemming from the results of the 2006 election still occurs. Violent clashes between security forces and opposition protesters in regions such as Matadi, Boma and Moanda have resulted in deaths and injuries. The situation in this province remains tense.
The situation in Kinshasa remains tense following armed clashes that occurred in March 2007. Travellers going to Kinshasa should make sure someone will be meeting them upon arrival.
The general political and security situation remains unpredictable and unstable. Curfews could be imposed without warning. Travellers should avoid large gatherings and public places where violence could occur.
Regional Warning(IDW11)
OFFICIAL WARNING: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against all travel to eastern and north-eastern areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), including points of entry from Uganda or Rwanda, except for the cities of Goma and Bukavu where the situation is somewhat safer, but non-essential travel to these cities should still be avoided. The DRC borders with Rwanda and Uganda can close on short notice due to continuing insecurity and lawlessness in these areas.
You are also advised against all travel to the Kivus, where armed militias remain active. Attacks on civilians in the area are frequently reported. Fighting involving militias has caused tens of thousands of people to flee their towns or villages. The UN Mission to the DRC (MONUC) and the Armed Forces of the DRC have stepped up aggressive military operations in the area. Humanitarian workers and UN personnel are also subject to attacks and in the past, violent demonstrations have been raised against them. Several local NGOs have suspended or reduced operations.
You are advised against all travel to the Ituri district of Orientale Province, in the north-east of the country, where the situation is still extremely insecure, in spite of progress made in disarming militia groups. Outside of the main town, Bunia, government administrative or security structures are weak.
OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency in a foreign country, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad.
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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY
It is the responsibility of individual travellers to make informed travel choices. The Government of Canada takes very seriously the safety and security of Canadians abroad and provides credible and timely advice in its Country Travel Reports. Situations vary from country to country, and there may be constraints on government resources, which can limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide assistance, particularly in countries where the potential for violent conflict or political instability are high. In the event of a crisis situation that requires evacuation, the Government of Canada’s policy is to provide safe transportation to the closest safe location. Canada will assist Canadians in leaving a country as a last resort, when all means of commercial or personal transportation have been exhausted. This service is provided on a cost-recovery basis. Onward travel is at the individual’s personal expense.
The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions.
U.N. observer forces have been deployed throughout the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). However, unofficial armed groups and active duty troops in parts of the DRC are known to pillage, carjack, and steal vehicles, commit extrajudicial killings, rape and kidnap, provoke ethnic tensions, and carry out military operations. The large number of rebel and government soldiers to be decommissioned due to the peace process is another security concern. Travellers may be detained and questioned by ill-disciplined security forces at numerous military roadblocks throughout the country. Visitors to Kinshasa should restrict their travel, particularly at night, to areas with which they are familiar and stay on main roads.
There is a high level of violent and petty crime, especially in urban areas and after dark. Avoid walking alone and displaying valuables. Pickpocketing and robbery is frequent, particularly in high density public areas and public transportation. Particular care should be taken when travelling outside cities and towns. While driving, vehicle doors should be kept locked and windows closed. Stopping at the scene of an accident or at intersections where people are gathered is not advisable.
Roadblocks are often set up by people posing as police or military personnel, in order to rob people travelling at night. Travellers should beware of certain civilians wearing police or military uniforms, or posing as such. They should also avoid travelling alone or after dark.
The DRC government has increased the enforcement of immigration policies, particularly in Katanga province. Foreigners could be asked to produce their passport and a valid visa at any time. Those who fail to comply could face expulsion. Travellers should carry a registered copy of their passport and valid visa at all times, which can be obtained free of charge at the Embassy of Canada in Kinshasa. The original passport should be stored in a secure place. Travellers should also verify with local authorities if there is a need to obtain prior authorization for in-country travel. When possible, documents should be shown only through closed windows to reduce the possibility of their being temporarily confiscated in order to induce a payment.
Tourist facilities are very limited in Kinshasa and almost non-existent outside the capital. Communications by land phones or cellular phones are poor.
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4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS
The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the Congolese authorities and was valid on August 28, 2007. 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 and International Trade 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 the 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.
A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (CCC) is not a travel document. Airlines are known to refuse boarding to dual national Canadian passengers returning to Canada, travelling on a passport that requires a visa to enter Canada, regardless of whether the passenger presents a valid CCC as proof of Canadian citizenship. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document for the purpose of international travel. It proves your admissibility to enter Canada.
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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5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS
You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address:
Congo (Kinshasa) - KINSHASA, Embassy of Canada
Address: 17, avenue Pumbu, Commune de Gombe, Kinshasa, Congo (Kinshasa)
Postal Address: P.O. Box 8341, Kinshasa, 1
Tel.: (+243) 898-950-310/311/312
Fax: (+243) 999-975-403 or (+243) 813-016-515
E-Mail: kinshasa@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.congo.gc.ca
Office hours are Monday - Thursday: 07:30-12:30, 13:30-16:00/ Friday: 07:30-13:00.
For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Kinshasa and follow the instructions. You can also call the Department in Ottawa at 613-996-8885.
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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 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.
The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare.
Traffic and pedestrians are required to stop for the raising and the lowering of the national flag at approximately 7:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. every day. Policemen and/or military personnel often detain and fine people who neglect to do so.
Taking photographs in public places, including Kinshasa Airport, is prohibited and could lead to arrest and detention.
Persons convicted of possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs can expect prison terms and heavy fines.
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7. LOCAL TRAVEL AND CURRENCY
There is no reliable public transport system in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Over-crowded and non-roadworthy vans serve as buses in Kinshasa. There is no organized public transit or taxi service in Kinshasa or in several other parts of the country. Few independent taxis are available and most of them do not meet safety standards. Car renting and car hire with a chauffeur is possible through international companies in Kinshasa.
Rail service is unsafe. The link from Kamina (Katanga) to both destinations of Kindu (Maniema) and Kalemie (northern Katanga) is currently interrupted. The link between Ilebo and the Katanga via Kananga (western Kasaï) is restored. Two weekly trains connect Kinshasa and Matadi.
Air travel is subject to disruptions. Private airline companies provide travelers with regular links between the capital and the main cities: Matadi, Lubumbashi, Mbuji, Mayi, Kananga, Tshikapa, Mbandaka, Kikwit. However, the flights between Kinshasa and the cities of Kisangani, Goma, Bukavu and Kindu are more random. The planes used by some companies may be poorly maintained or may not meet International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) or other international safety standards.
Roads are not well maintained and poorly lit. Some roads may become impassable during the rainy season. Roadblocks are common. Documents should be shown through closed windows and doors should be locked. Road infrastructure is particularly damaged in the provinces surrounding Kinshasa, especially on the roads leading to Kikwit and Matadi. Travellers should use four-wheel-drive vehicles. Traveling in the mining areas requires the government’s approval.
Ferry service between Kinshasa and Brazzaville is operating, but may be interrupted with little or no warning. Boats can be unsafe due to poor maintenance and overcrowding. An entry visa, issued by a Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) embassy, is required to cross the Congo River from Kinshasa to Brazzaville. See section 4 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.
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), due to the high circulation of counterfeit currency.
Credit cards and traveller's cheques are not generally accepted. However, major credit cards 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. Automated Banking Machines (ABM) 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.
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8. 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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9. 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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10. 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. Upfront payment is generally required. Medical supplies are limited.
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.
It is not recommended to swim in lakes or rivers due to the presence of water-borne diseases. Travellers should also take precautionary measures to avoid insect bites, which may lead to diseases.
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11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Returning to Canada
Traveller's Checklist
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. See Canada's Health Portal.
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.
Adoption: 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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12. ANNEX
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