Republic of the Congo entry requirements for India passport holders

Updated weekly · Last reviewed June 28, 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

Indian 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 or e-visa option as of 2026. Plan ahead and apply at the Congolese embassy in New Delhi or the nearest consulate.

Apply for Republic of the Congo eVisaOfficial portal: Congo Republic eVisa Portal

Entry requirements

RequirementDetailsStatus
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 business days; expect to submit a passport photo, flight itinerary, and hotel booking. Overstay fines are 10,000–50,000 XAF per day, paid at the airport.Apply for visaRequired
Valid passport
Must be valid for the entire stay
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended departure date from the Republic of the Congo. Airlines check this at check-in — if your passport expires sooner, you will be denied boarding. Carry two blank visa pages for the entry stamp.Required
Return or onward ticket
Required for entry
Immigration officers at Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire airports always ask for a confirmed onward ticket. A printed copy of your flight itinerary or e-ticket works. Without one, you risk being refused entry and sent back on the next flight.Required
Proof of accommodation
Hotel booking or invitation letter
Have a printed hotel reservation or a letter of invitation from your host in the Republic of the Congo. Immigration may ask for it at the border. If staying with friends, the host must provide a notarized attestation d'accueil.Recommended
Proof of funds
Cash or bank statement
Carry at least 200,000 XAF (about $330 USD) in cash or a recent bank statement showing sufficient funds. Immigration rarely checks this, but it helps if they ask. ATMs are scarce outside Brazzaville — bring euros or dollars to exchange.Recommended
Yellow fever vaccination
Mandatory for all travelers
You must show a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate (YFV) upon arrival. Without it, you will be vaccinated at the airport at your own expense (around 10,000 XAF) or denied entry. Get the shot at least 10 days before travel.Required
Yellow fever vaccine is mandatory
You must show your yellow fever vaccination card (yellow card) at immigration. Without it, you may be denied entry or forced to get vaccinated at the airport — which can be expensive and inconvenient.
No e-visa or online application
Congo does not offer an e-visa for Indian passport holders. You must apply in person or by mail at the embassy. Plan ahead — there's no last-minute digital option.

What happens at the border

1
Apply for a visa at the Congolese embassy
Contact the Embassy of the Republic of the Congo in New Delhi (or the nearest consulate) to submit your application. You'll need to provide your passport, photos, application form, flight itinerary, and accommodation proof. Processing takes 5–10 working days. There is no online application system.
2
Prepare your documents for travel
Before you fly, print or save digital copies of your visa approval, passport info page, flight tickets, hotel booking, and travel insurance. Keep them in a separate folder or on your phone for quick access.
3
Arrive at Maya-Maya Airport (Brazzaville) or Pointe-Noire Airport
At immigration, present your passport with the visa sticker, your return ticket, and accommodation proof. The officer may ask a few questions about your stay. The process is straightforward if your documents are in order.
Download Republic of the Congo Entry Checklist
PDF · India Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated June 28, 2026
Download PDF

Staying longer & fees

Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:

Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay30 days, extendable 30 days
Validity3 months from issue
Cost~$100 USD (approx. 8,000 XAF)

Apply at embassy; extension possible at immigration office.

Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay30 days per entry, extendable
Validity6 months from issue
Cost~$150 USD (approx. 12,000 XAF)

For frequent travellers; extension possible.

Business visa
Max stay90 days, extendable
Validity3 months from issue
Cost~$200 USD (approx. 16,000 XAF)

Requires invitation letter from Congolese company.

work visa
Work Permit (Carte de Séjour Travailleur)
1 year, renewable
~$300 USD (approx. 24,000 XAF) plus employer fees
For those with a job offer from a Congolese company. Requires employer sponsorship and labour ministry approval.
student visa
Student Visa (Carte de Séjour Étudiant)
1 year, renewable
~$200 USD (approx. 16,000 XAF)
For enrolled students at recognized institutions. Requires proof of enrollment and sufficient funds.
investor visa
Investor Visa
2 years, renewable
~$500 USD (approx. 40,000 XAF) plus investment proof
For individuals investing a minimum amount (e.g., $50,000 USD) in a local business. Requires business plan and registration.
Other fees
ServiceCost
Tourist visa (single entry)Fee varies by embassy; check with Republic of Congo embassy in India.~$100 USD (approx. 8,000 XAF)
Tourist visa (multiple entry)Allows multiple entries; validity and conditions vary.~$150 USD (approx. 12,000 XAF)
Overstay fine per dayMaximum cap may apply; pay at immigration office before departure.~$10 USD per day (approx. 800 XAF)

Common reasons for entry denial

Insufficient funds proof30%
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

Transit visa required

Indian passport holders generally need a transit visa to change planes in Republic of the Congo, even if staying airside. Check with the airline or embassy for specific requirements.

Exceptions & conditions
  • Holders of a valid visa for the destination country may be exempt; confirm with embassy.
Transit hubsMaya-Maya Airport (Brazzaville) · Pointe-Noire Airport

Health & vaccines for Republic of the Congo

Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired for all travellers arriving from endemic countries; India is considered endemic, so proof of vaccination is mandatory.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidEssentialRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio)RecommendedRabiesConsiderMeningococcal meningitisConsider
Health risks
MalariaHigh risk

Widespread throughout the country; prophylaxis recommended for all travellers.

Dengue feverModerate risk

Occurs in urban and rural areas; use mosquito repellent.

CholeraLow risk

Rare but possible; practice food and water safety.

Malaria risk: high

Malaria is present year-round in all regions. Prophylaxis (e.g., atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline) is strongly recommended. Use insect repellent and sleep under mosquito 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 Trois Martyrs, Brazzaville
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00

Main office for visa extensions and permits; bring passport, visa, and photos.

Pointe-Noire
Direction Départementale de la Migration
Boulevard de la Liberté, Pointe-Noire
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00

Handles extensions for visitors in the coastal region.

Practical information for IN 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 = 565.17 XAF
updated Jun 4
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
Police117
Medical118
US EmbassyFind contact

Frequently asked questions

No. There is no visa on arrival for Indian nationals. You must obtain a visa from a Congolese embassy or consulate before you travel.
Processing usually takes 5–10 working days. Apply at least 2–3 weeks before your trip to be safe. The embassy in New Delhi handles most applications.
Visa fees vary by embassy and visa type. Expect to pay around ₹3,000–₹5,000 for a single-entry tourist visa. Check with the embassy for the exact amount — fees change without notice.
Yes. The Republic of the Congo requires proof of yellow fever vaccination for all travellers over 1 year old. You'll need to show the yellow card (International Certificate of Vaccination) at immigration.
Extensions are not available for tourist visas. You must leave before your visa expires. Overstaying can result in fines or deportation.
If you're transiting and don't leave the airport, you generally don't need a visa. But if you plan to enter the country (even for a day), you need a visa. Check with your airline for specific transit rules.
Congo is generally safe for tourists, but petty crime like pickpocketing happens in cities. Avoid political demonstrations and remote areas. Register with the Indian embassy in Brazzaville upon arrival.

Official sources

Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on June 28, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.