Republic of the Congo entry requirements for United Kingdom passport holders
Verified May 13, 2026·View sources
Visa required
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
British passport holders need a visa to enter the Republic of the Congo. You must arrange this before you travel — there is no visa-on-arrival option for UK citizens. Plan ahead, as processing can take several weeks.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application Visa required | You need a visa before traveling to the Republic of the Congo. Apply at the nearest Congolese embassy or consulate — there is no eVisa system. Processing takes 5–10 working days; expect to submit a passport photo, flight itinerary, and a letter of invitation or hotel booking.Check MFA website | Required |
| Valid passport Must be valid for the duration of stay | Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended departure date from the Republic of the Congo. Carry a photocopy of the bio page — immigration at Brazzaville Airport sometimes asks for it. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Required for entry | Immigration officers at Maya-Maya Airport routinely check for a confirmed onward or return ticket. Airlines also enforce this before boarding — have a printed copy or a digital booking confirmation ready. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Recommended | Hotel booking confirmations or a letter of invitation from a host in the Republic of the Congo help satisfy immigration. Officers occasionally ask where you are staying — have a printed reservation or host address ready. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Recommended | Carry cash (Euros or US dollars) or a bank statement showing at least $500 for a short stay. ATMs are scarce outside Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire, and credit card acceptance is limited. | Recommended |
Visa required — no exceptions
UK passport holders cannot get a visa on arrival. You must have a visa before you board your flight. Airlines check this, and you will be refused boarding without one.
Passport validity counts from entry date
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the day you arrive in the Republic of the Congo, not from your departure date. If your passport expires sooner, renew it before applying for the visa.
What happens at the border
1
Apply for your visa
Contact the Embassy of the Republic of the Congo in London or the nearest consulate. Submit your application, passport, photos, and any supporting documents. Processing can take 2–4 weeks, so apply at least a month before your trip.
2
Book your travel and accommodation
Once your visa is approved, book your flights and first night's accommodation. Keep all confirmations handy — you'll need them at immigration.
3
Arrive at Maya-Maya Airport (Brazzaville)
On arrival, proceed to immigration. Present your passport with the visa sticker, your return ticket, and accommodation proof. The officer may ask a few questions about your trip. It's usually straightforward if you have all documents ready.
4
Collect your luggage and exit
After immigration, collect your bags from the carousel and proceed through customs. There are no additional health checks for UK travellers, but have your yellow fever vaccination card ready if you have it.
Download Republic of the Congo Entry Checklist
PDF · United Kingdom Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 13, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay30 days, extendable once for 30 days
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost~$100 USD (approx. £80)
Apply at embassy or obtain on arrival. Extension possible at immigration office.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay30 days per entry, extendable
Validity6 months from issue date
Cost~$150 USD (approx. £120)
Ideal for frequent travellers. Must leave and re-enter to activate new stay.
Long-stay visa (visiteur)
Max stay1 year, renewable
Validity1 year
Cost~$200 USD (approx. £160)
Requires proof of sufficient funds and local sponsor. Apply at embassy.
work visa
Carte de Séjour (Travailleur)
1 year, renewable
~$250 USD (approx. £200) plus employer sponsorship
For those with a job offer in Congo. Requires employer to obtain work permit. Allows long-term residence.
student visa
Visa Étudiant
1 year, renewable
~$150 USD (approx. £120) plus proof of enrollment
For students enrolled at a recognized institution in Congo. Requires acceptance letter and proof of funds.
investor visa
Visa Investisseur
2 years, renewable
~$500 USD (approx. £400) plus proof of investment
For individuals investing a minimum of $50,000 USD in a local business. Includes residency rights.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa (single entry)Fee for standard single-entry visa, payable at embassy or on arrival. | ~$100 USD (approx. £80) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Allows multiple entries within validity period. | ~$150 USD (approx. £120) |
| Overstay fine per dayNo official cap reported; avoid overstay. | ~$10 USD per day (approx. £8) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete visa application20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Republic of the Congo
No transit visa needed
UK passport holders transiting through Republic of the Congo do not need a transit visa if staying airside and not passing through immigration.
Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Transit hubsMaya-Maya Airport (BZV) · Pointe-Noire Airport (PNR)
Health & vaccines for Republic of the Congo
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired for all travellers over 1 year of age arriving from endemic countries or transiting through endemic areas.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidEssentialPolioRecommendedRabiesConsiderMeningitisConsider
Health risks
MalariaHigh risk
Present throughout the country; prophylaxis strongly recommended.
Dengue FeverModerate risk
Occurs in urban and rural areas; mosquito avoidance advised.
CholeraLow risk
Rare in travellers; practice food and water safety.
Malaria risk: high
Malaria is present year-round nationwide. Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine recommended. Use insect repellent and bed nets.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Brazzaville
Direction Générale de la Migration
Avenue des 3 Martyrs, Brazzaville
Mon–Fri 08:00–15:00
Main immigration office for visa extensions and permits. Bring passport, visa, and two passport photos.
Pointe-Noire
Direction Départementale de la Migration
Boulevard de la Liberté, Pointe-Noire
Mon–Fri 08:00–15:00
Regional office for visa-related matters in the economic capital.
Practical information for GB travellers
Country basics
CapitalBrazzaville
LanguageFrench
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US driver's license for up to 3 months; an International Driving Permit is recommended.
Money
CurrencyCentral African CFA franc (XAF)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 558.8 XAF
Time zone
Local timeUTC+1
vs New York+6h
vs Los Angeles+9h
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,EType C (two round pins) and Type E (two round pins with a hole for the male grounding pin)
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Tap water is not safe to drink; use bottled or boiled water.
Emergency numbers
Frequently asked questions
If you are transiting and do not leave the airport, you generally do not need a visa. But check with your airline — some transits require a visa if you change airports or stay overnight.
Processing times vary by embassy. Typically 2–4 weeks. Apply at least a month before your trip to be safe. Expedited service is not always available.
No, the visa is not extendable. You must leave before it expires. If you need to stay longer, you would need to apply for a new visa from outside the country.
Visa fees vary by embassy and visa type. Check with the Congolese embassy in London for current fees. Expect to pay around £50–£100 for a single-entry tourist visa.
Yellow fever vaccination is recommended and may be required if you are arriving from a country with yellow fever. Carry your vaccination card. Other vaccines like hepatitis A, typhoid, and malaria prophylaxis are advised — consult your doctor.
You will be denied entry and sent back on the next available flight. There is no visa-on-arrival for UK passport holders. Do not attempt to travel without a valid visa.
Currently, there is no official e-visa system for the Republic of the Congo. You must apply through an embassy or consulate. Check the embassy website for the most up-to-date application process.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 13, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.