DRC Visa Essentials 2026: Tourist, Business, and How to Apply

(DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO) The Democratic Republic of the Congo is pushing most travelers to get an online e‑Visa before they fly, and e‑Visa holders must still pay a $90 USD VAP border fee on arrival to activate entry. Missing the yellow fever vaccination certificate remains one of the fastest ways to be refused at the border.

For tourists heading to Virunga, business visitors meeting partners in Kinshasa, and families visiting relatives, the 2026 process is simpler than the old embassy‑only route, but it is less forgiving of errors. The government’s portals issue a travel authorization, while border officers issue the entry stamp after the VAP payment.

Start with the right visa category

Most nationalities need a visa — including United States 🇺🇸 and Canada 🇨🇦 passport holders and most European travelers. Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months after arrival and have blank pages.

Common options in 2026 include:

• Tourist visa (e‑Visa): issued online, shows an initial 7‑day stay at entry; extensions handled inside the country.
• Business/establishment visa: for professional activity, study, or longer stays; typically requires a host invitation.
• Transit (airport) visa: up to 7 days for onward travel.
• “Flying visa” (limited visa on arrival pathway): mainly for travelers whose country lacks DRC diplomatic representation; arranged in advance for Kinshasa.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the biggest practical change for many travelers is not the online filing itself, but the need to budget and plan for the VAP payment at the border and for stricter document screening.

Where to apply: use official portals first

The DRC’s official online systems are the congo-evisa.com application portal and the government site at evisa.gouv.cd. Use the official portals:

• https://congo-evisa.com
• https://evisa.gouv.cd

These sites guide you through the electronic application and fee calculation by nationality and visa type.

If you use a private facilitator, confirm that your submission goes through an official portal. Paying a third party does not replace government approval and often adds extra service charges.

For additional cross-checks before departure, many travelers also review the United States 🇺🇸 State Department’s DRC travel information page:

• State Department travel information page for the DRC

Document checklist that border officers actually ask for

A clean application starts with clean scans and consistent details. Prepare these items before you open the online form:

• Passport biodata page scan (same name format as on tickets).
• Recent digital photo, full face, neutral expression, plain light background.
• Application letter addressed to DRC authorities, stating purpose, dates, and a simple itinerary.
• Proof of onward travel and lodging (flight booking, hotel reservation).
• Proof of funds, commonly a recent bank statement.
• Invitation letter, when required by visa category.
• For minors: birth certificate and parental consent paperwork.
• Yellow fever vaccination certificate (International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis). Get vaccinated at least 10 days before travel so the certificate is valid.

Keep printed copies and phone copies. Power cuts and weak data signals are common at some entry points.

Important: Missing the yellow fever certificate is one of the fastest ways to be refused at the border.

A five‑stage timeline, with realistic timeframes

Plan the journey as five stages so you can fix problems before travel day.

1. Preparation (week 1): collect documents, confirm passport validity, and schedule your yellow fever vaccination early.
2. Online submission (same day): create an account, fill biographic data, and upload files on the portal.
3. Processing (5–13 working days): standard is 11–13 working days; Rush is 8–11 working days for an added $59; Super Rush is 5–8 working days for an added $99.
4. Pre‑approval received (immediately after decision): print the PDF approval and store backups.
5. Arrival formalities (arrival day): present the approval and pay the $90 USD VAP border fee to obtain the entry stamp.

Online payments are generally non‑refundable after submission, so check spellings and details before you click “pay.”

What happens at the airport or border crossing

The e‑Visa is permission to travel — not the final entry stamp. On arrival:

• Immigration officers check identity and confirm your visa approval.
• Health paperwork is verified, especially the yellow fever certificate.
• Travelers then pay the $90 USD VAP border fee (cash or card at major airports, seaports, and land borders).
• After payment, an officer places the VAP stamp and notes the entry conditions — commonly a 7‑day stay for tourist e‑Visa arrivals.

If you need longer than the initial stay, treat entry day as “day zero.” Extensions occur inside the DRC at immigration offices; reported extension fees are $50+.

Pricing: separate the online visa fee from the border fee

Many applicants assume the online fee covers everything. It does not. Budget for two items:

• Online e‑Visa fee: varies by nationality and visa length. Embassy fee schedules cited for 2025–2026 include $100 for a one‑month single entry and up to $450 for a six‑month multiple entry.
• Border payment: mandatory $90 USD VAP border fee for e‑Visa holders on arrival.

For a typical tourist from United States 🇺🇸, the combined cost often lands in the $200–300 range online, plus the $90 at entry — before any agent fees or extensions.

Table: Example fees (indicative)

Common refusal triggers, and how to avoid them

DRC officers focus on consistency and security screening. Reduce risk by addressing the basics:

• Match passport name, application name, and ticket name exactly.
• Upload clear, uncropped files — cut‑off scans frequently cause rejections.
• Provide a direct, truthful itinerary; do not invent hosts.
• Carry the original yellow fever vaccination proof; photos help but do not replace the original.

The guide’s 2025 figures cite an over 20% rejection rate tied to documentation gaps and a 2025 increase in enforcement actions for non‑compliance.

Virunga visitors and special cases

Tourists heading to Virunga National Park may have a park‑linked option:

• 2‑week single‑entry tourist visa priced at USD 105 under an ICCN–DGM arrangement.

For most other leisure travel, the standard tourist e‑Visa route remains the baseline.

Business travelers should expect extra scrutiny of invitation letters and company details. Those seeking longer residence via an establishment visa should plan for local sponsorship and in‑country formalities after entry.

Practical travel planning for immigration compliance

Carry small, organized paperwork. Put your printed approval, passport copies, and yellow fever vaccination certificate in the same folder to hand officers.

Arrive with a payment method that works locally, because the $90 USD VAP border fee is not optional for e‑Visa entry.

Extensions, overstays, and exit checks

If you need more than the stay written at entry:

• Go to the DGM immigration office early to avoid last‑minute fees and long lines.
• Bring your passport, printed e‑Visa approval, and receipts for the $90 USD VAP border fee.
• Officers usually ask for an address in the DRC and proof you can support yourself.
• Reported extension charges in 2025–2026 are $50+, and travel insurance is often requested for longer stays.

Overstays carry serious risks: detention, $500+ fines, and deportation. The guide notes 5,000+ enforcement cases in 2025. Keep copies of every stamp and confirm your exit stamp before leaving.

Warning: Overstaying can lead to detention, heavy fines, and deportation. Confirm exit stamps and keep records.

Health checks are not paperwork‑only

Border staff treat the yellow fever vaccination as non‑negotiable. The guide reports a 15% rise in penalties or entry denials in 2025 tied to missing proof.

Malaria prevention also matters: the DRC reports 25M cases yearly.

Finally, build in buffer time. Election‑related scrutiny in 2025 caused backlogs, and security checks still delay some applications. Starting 3–6 months ahead protects expensive bookings — including gorilla permits that can run $750 per day.