Republic of the Congo entry requirements for Sri Lanka passport holders

Checked daily · Updated May 25, 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

Sri Lankan passport holders need a visa to enter the Republic of the Congo. You must apply in advance at a Congolese embassy or consulate — there is no visa on arrival or e-visa option as of 2026. Plan ahead, as processing can take several weeks.

Entry requirements

RequirementDetailsStatus
Visa application
Visa required
Sri Lankan passport holders 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-sized photo, flight itinerary, and hotel booking.Apply for visaRequired
Valid passport
Must be valid for 6 months beyond departure
Your passport must have at least 6 months of validity remaining from your departure date from the Republic of the Congo. Airlines check this before boarding — if your passport expires sooner, you will be denied boarding.Required
Return or onward ticket
Required for entry
Immigration officers at Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire airports always ask for a confirmed return or onward ticket. Have a printed copy or a screenshot ready on your phone. Without one, you risk being refused entry and sent back on the next flight.Required
Proof of accommodation
Recommended
Carry a hotel booking confirmation or a letter of invitation from your host in the Republic of the Congo. Immigration may ask where you are staying — having a printed address and phone number speeds things up.Recommended
Proof of funds
Recommended
Have bank statements or a credit card showing you can cover your stay. There is no fixed minimum amount, but showing at least $500 USD equivalent helps avoid questions.Recommended
No visa on arrival — apply well in advance
Sri Lankan passport holders cannot get a visa on arrival in Congo. You must apply at a Congolese embassy before you travel. Processing can take 2–4 weeks, so start the process at least a month ahead.
Yellow fever certificate is mandatory
You will be asked for your yellow fever vaccination certificate at immigration. Without it, you may be denied entry or forced to get vaccinated on the spot (and possibly fined). Get the shot at least 10 days before you fly.

What happens at the border

1
Contact the nearest Congolese embassy
Find the Congolese embassy or consulate in your region. For Sri Lankans, this is typically the embassy in New Delhi, India, or another nearby country. Call or email to confirm the exact application process, fees, and processing time.
2
Prepare your documents
Gather your passport (valid 6+ months), completed visa application form, passport-sized photos, return flight booking, hotel confirmation, and any additional documents the embassy requests (e.g., invitation letter, yellow fever vaccination certificate).
3
Submit your application
Submit the application in person or by mail to the embassy. Pay the visa fee (varies by embassy, typically $50–$150 USD). Processing can take 2–4 weeks, so apply well in advance.
4
Collect your visa
Once approved, collect your passport with the visa sticker. Double-check the validity dates and your name spelling before leaving the embassy.
5
Arrive at Maya-Maya Airport (Brazzaville)
At immigration, present your passport with visa, return ticket, and accommodation proof. Be prepared for fingerprinting and a photo. The process usually takes 15–30 minutes.
Download Republic of the Congo Entry Checklist
PDF · Sri Lanka Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 25, 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 date
Cost~$100 USD

Apply at embassy before travel.

Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay30 days per entry, extendable
Validity6 months from issue date
Cost~$150 USD

Ideal for frequent travellers.

Long-stay visa
Max stay90 days, extendable
Validity1 year
Cost~$200 USD

Requires sponsor or proof of purpose.

work visa
Work Permit Visa
1 year, renewable
~$300 USD (employer-sponsored)
For foreign workers with a job offer in Congo. Requires employer sponsorship and approval from Ministry of Labour.
student visa
Student Visa
1 year, renewable
~$150 USD
For enrolled students at recognized institutions. Requires proof of enrollment and sufficient funds.
Other fees
ServiceCost
Tourist visa (single entry)Fee varies by nationality; check with embassy.~$100 USD (equivalent in local currency)
Tourist visa (multiple entry)Allows multiple entries within validity period.~$150 USD (equivalent in local currency)
Overstay fine per dayMaximum cap may apply; avoid overstaying.~$10 USD per day

Common reasons for entry denial

Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete documentation20%

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

Sri Lanka passport holders need a transit visa to change planes in Congo, even if staying airside.

Transit hubsBrazzaville Maya-Maya Airport · Pointe-Noire Agostinho-Neto Airport

Health & vaccines for Republic of the Congo

Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired for all travellers arriving from endemic countries; proof of vaccination may be requested.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidEssentialMalaria prophylaxisEssentialRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio)Recommended
Health risks
MalariaHigh risk

Widespread throughout the country; prophylaxis strongly recommended.

Dengue feverModerate risk

Mosquito-borne; present in urban and rural areas.

CholeraLow risk

Occasional outbreaks; practice food and water safety.

Malaria risk: high

All regions, including cities. Use mosquito repellent and consider prophylaxis like atovaquone-proguanil or doxycycline.

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.

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

Handles extensions for visitors in the coastal region.

Practical information for LK 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 = 563.41 XAF
updated May 29
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 Sri Lankan passport holders. You must obtain a visa from a Congolese embassy or consulate before traveling.
Processing typically takes 2–4 weeks, but can vary by embassy. Apply at least a month before your planned departure to be safe.
Fees vary by embassy and visa type. Expect to pay between $50 and $150 USD. Check with the specific embassy for the exact amount.
Yes, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for entry. You'll need to show it at immigration. Get the vaccine at least 10 days before travel.
Extensions are possible but not guaranteed. You must apply at the immigration office in Brazzaville before your visa expires. The process can be slow and bureaucratic.
You will be denied entry and sent back on the next flight. There are no exceptions. Always secure your visa in advance.
There is no Congolese embassy in Sri Lanka. The nearest option is usually the Embassy of the Republic of Congo in New Delhi, India. You can also check if a consulate in a nearby country handles your region.

Official sources

Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 25, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.