Republic of the Congo entry requirements for New Zealand passport holders
Updated weekly · Last reviewed August 7, 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
New Zealand passport holders must obtain a visa before traveling to the Republic of the Congo. There is no visa-on-arrival or eVisa option, so you'll need to apply through a Congolese embassy or consulate in advance. Start the process at least a month before your trip to account for paperwork and processing time.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Visa (entry permit)You cannot get a visa on arrival; you must secure it before you fly. Apply at an embassy or consulate | New Zealand passport holders must obtain a visa before travelling to the Republic of the Congo. There is no eVisa option for this nationality. Apply at the nearest Republic of the Congo embassy or consulate well in advance of your departure. | Required |
| Passport validityIf your passport expires sooner, you may be denied boarding or entry. At least 6 months beyond your stay | Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your intended date of entry into the Republic of the Congo. Ensure it does not expire before that date. | Required |
| Blank passport pagesThe immigration officer needs a clean page to stamp your passport. At least 1 blank page | Your passport must contain at least 1 blank page for the entry stamp. It is wise to have more than the minimum in case of additional stamps. | Required |
| Return or onward ticketImmigration may ask to see your outbound travel plans. Proof of departure | You must be able to show a confirmed return or onward ticket proving you will leave the Republic of the Congo before your visa or authorised stay expires. | Required |
| Proof of fundsCarry bank statements or a credit card to demonstrate you can support yourself. Sufficient for your stay | Be prepared to show evidence of sufficient funds to cover your expenses while in the Republic of the Congo. This may be requested at immigration. | Recommended |
| Yellow fever vaccination certificateWithout this certificate, you may be refused entry or forced to vaccinate on arrival. Required for entry | A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for entry into the Republic of the Congo. Ensure you have the official International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis. | Required |
| Arrival declarationYou do not need to complete any separate arrival form. Not required | No arrival declaration or health form is required for entry into the Republic of the Congo for New Zealand passport holders. | Not required |
No visa on arrival or eVisa — plan ahead
New Zealand passport holders cannot get a visa on arrival or use an eVisa for the Republic of the Congo. You must apply through an embassy or consulate before you travel. Give yourself at least a month for the process.
Yellow fever certificate is mandatory
You'll need to show a yellow fever vaccination certificate at immigration. Without it, you could be denied entry or forced to get vaccinated on the spot (if available). Get vaccinated well before your trip and carry the certificate with your passport.
What happens at the border
1
Contact the nearest Congolese embassy or consulate
Find the Republic of the Congo embassy or consulate that covers your region. In New Zealand, there is no resident embassy, so you'll likely need to apply through the Congolese embassy in Australia (Canberra) or another designated office. Contact them to confirm their specific requirements, application forms, and fees.
2
Prepare your application package
Gather all required documents: your passport (valid 6+ months), completed application form, photos, flight itinerary, accommodation proof, and yellow fever certificate. Make copies of everything for your records.
3
Submit your application and pay the fee
Send or deliver your application package to the embassy or consulate. Pay the visa fee as instructed. Some embassies require you to apply in person; others accept mail-in applications. Confirm the method with the embassy.
4
Wait for processing
Processing times vary — typically 5 to 10 business days, but can take longer. Check with the embassy for current timelines. Don't book non-refundable flights until you have your visa in hand.
5
Collect your visa and verify details
Once approved, collect your passport with the visa sticker. Check that your name, passport number, and validity dates are correct. Any errors must be corrected before you travel.
6
Arrive in the Republic of the Congo
At Maya-Maya Airport in Brazzaville or Pointe-Noire Airport, go through immigration. Have your passport with visa, yellow fever certificate, and proof of accommodation ready. Immigration officers may ask about your purpose of visit and where you're staying.
Download Republic of the Congo Entry Checklist
PDF · New Zealand Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated August 7, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Business visa
Max stay90 days
Validity3 months from issue
Cost$150–$200
Requires invitation letter from a Congolese company and proof of business purpose.
Multiple-entry visa
Max stay90 days per entry
Validity6 months
Cost$250–$300
Available from Congolese embassies; useful for frequent travelers.
work visa
Work Permit (Carte de Séjour Travailleur)
1 year, renewable
~$300 USD (equivalent in XAF)
For those with a job offer in Congo. Requires employer sponsorship, contract, and medical exam. Allows long-term residence.
student visa
Student Visa (Visa Étudiant)
1 year, renewable
~$150 USD (equivalent in XAF)
For enrolled students at a recognized institution. Requires acceptance letter, proof of funds, and health insurance.
investor visa
Investor Visa (Carte de Séjour Investisseur)
2 years, renewable
~$500 USD (equivalent in XAF)
For those investing a minimum amount (e.g., $50,000 USD) in a local business. Requires business plan and proof of investment.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Visa on arrival (single entry)Payable in cash (USD, EUR, or XAF) at Brazzaville or Pointe-Noire airport. | $100 (approx. XAF 60,000) |
| Visa application fee (embassy/consulate)Varies by embassy; processing takes 5–10 business days. | $70–$120 |
| Visa extension (per month)Apply at the Direction Générale de la Migration in Brazzaville. | $50–$80 |
| Exit fee (airport tax)Most international flights include departure tax; confirm with airline. | Included in airline ticket |
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
Transit visa required
New Zealand citizens transiting through the Republic of the Congo require a transit visa unless they remain airside and depart within 24 hours.
Exceptions & conditions
- Holders of diplomatic or official passports
- Passengers with confirmed onward tickets and no need to clear immigration
Transit hubsMaya-Maya Airport (Brazzaville) · Pointe-Noire International 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)RecommendedRabiesConsider
Health risks
MalariaHigh risk
Present throughout the country; prophylaxis strongly recommended.
Dengue feverModerate risk
Mosquito-borne; use repellent and nets.
Typhoid feverModerate risk
Risk from contaminated food/water; vaccination advised.
Malaria risk: high
High risk nationwide, especially in rural areas. Use mosquito repellent, bed nets, and consider prophylactic medication.
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 08:00–16:00
Main immigration office; bring all original documents and copies.
Pointe-Noire
Direction Départementale de la Migration
Boulevard de la Liberté, Pointe-Noire
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
For visa extensions and permits in the economic capital.
Practical information for NZ 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 = 574.19 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
No. New Zealand passport holders are not eligible for a visa on arrival. You must obtain a visa from a Congolese embassy or consulate before you travel.
No. The Republic of the Congo does not offer an eVisa for New Zealand passport holders. You need to apply through an embassy or consulate.
Processing typically takes 5 to 10 business days, but it can take longer depending on the embassy's workload and your application's completeness. Start at least a month before your planned departure to be safe.
Fees vary by embassy and visa type (single-entry, multiple-entry, etc.). Contact the Congolese embassy you're applying through for the exact fee. Expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $150 USD, but confirm directly.
Yes. The Republic of the Congo requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for entry. You'll need to show it at immigration, and the embassy will likely ask for it as part of your visa application.
No, the visa is not extendable. You must leave the country before your visa expires. If you need to stay longer, you'd have to leave and re-enter with a new visa, but that's not guaranteed.
There is no Congolese embassy in New Zealand. The nearest is typically the Embassy of the Republic of the Congo in Canberra, Australia. You can also check if there's a consulate in your region that handles visa applications. Contact them directly for instructions.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on August 7, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.