Republic of the Congo entry requirements for Sweden passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 15, 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
Swedish 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 Swedish citizens as of 2026. Plan ahead, as processing can take a couple of weeks.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application Apply before travel | You need a visa to enter the Republic of the Congo. Apply at the nearest Congolese embassy or consulate — there is no eVisa system. Processing takes 5–10 business days. You'll need a letter of invitation or hotel booking, yellow fever vaccination certificate, and two passport photos.Find embassy info | Required |
| 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. At least two blank pages are required for entry and exit stamps. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Required for entry | Immigration officers at Maya-Maya Airport in Brazzaville routinely ask for proof of a return or onward flight. Have a printed copy or show it on your phone. Airlines also check this before boarding. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Recommended to carry | Hotel booking confirmation or a letter of invitation from your host in the Republic of the Congo helps satisfy immigration. Officers occasionally ask for it, especially if you're arriving without a pre-arranged visa. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Recommended to carry | Carry cash (Euros or CFA francs) or a bank statement showing sufficient funds for your stay. Immigration may ask how you'll support yourself, especially for longer visits. | Recommended |
| Yellow fever vaccination Mandatory for entry | A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for all travellers over 1 year old arriving in the Republic of the Congo. You'll be asked to show it during immigration clearance — no certificate means you may be denied entry or forced to vaccinate on arrival. | Required |
Visa required — apply well in advance
There is no visa-on-arrival or e-visa for Swedish citizens. You must get a visa from the Congolese embassy before you travel. Processing can take up to 3 weeks, so start early.
Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory
You will be asked for your yellow fever vaccination certificate (yellow card) at immigration. Without it, you may be denied entry or forced to get vaccinated on the spot.
What happens at the border
1
Apply for the visa
Contact the Embassy of the Republic of the Congo in Stockholm (or the nearest consulate) to submit your application. You will need to provide your passport, application form, passport photos, flight itinerary, and hotel booking. Processing typically takes 1–3 weeks.
2
Wait for approval
Once submitted, the embassy will process your application. You may be asked for additional documents. Do not book non-refundable flights until you have the visa in hand.
3
Arrive at Maya-Maya Airport (Brazzaville)
After landing, proceed to immigration. Have your passport with the visa sticker, return ticket, and accommodation confirmation ready. The officer may ask a few questions about your trip. The process is usually straightforward if your documents are in order.
Download Republic of the Congo Entry Checklist
PDF · Sweden Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 15, 2026
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
Apply at embassy or obtain on arrival. Extension possible at immigration office.
Tourist visa multiple entry
Max stay30 days per entry, extendable
Validity6 months
Cost~$150 USD
Ideal for travellers making multiple trips within the validity period.
Long-stay visa (business/visit)
Max stay90 days, extendable
Validity1 year
Cost~$200 USD
Requires invitation letter and proof of sufficient funds.
work visa
Travail Visa (Work Permit)
1 year, renewable
~$300 USD
For those with a job offer in Congo. Requires employer sponsorship and approval from Ministry of Labour.
student visa
Étudiant Visa
1 year, renewable
~$150 USD
For enrolled students at a recognized institution in Congo. Requires proof of enrollment and sufficient funds.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa (single entry)Standard fee for a single-entry visa, payable at embassy or on arrival. | ~$100 USD (approx. 100 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)For multiple entries, valid for up to 6 months. | ~$150 USD (approx. 150 USD) |
| Overstay fine per dayPenalty for overstaying visa validity, capped at $500 USD. | ~$10 USD per day |
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
A transit visa is required for Sweden holders changing planes in Republic of the Congo, even if staying airside.
Exceptions & conditions
- Holders of a valid visa for the destination country may be exempt if transit is less than 24 hours.
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 or if travelling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidEssentialMalaria prophylaxisEssentialHepatitis BRecommendedRabiesConsider
Health risks
MalariaHigh risk
High risk throughout the country, especially in rural areas. Prophylaxis recommended.
Dengue feverModerate risk
Occasional outbreaks, especially during rainy season. Use mosquito repellent.
Typhoid feverModerate risk
Risk from contaminated food and water. Vaccination recommended.
Malaria risk: high
High risk nationwide, especially in rural areas. Prophylaxis (e.g., atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline) strongly recommended.
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 du Général de Gaulle, Brazzaville
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Main office for visa extensions and permits. Bring passport, visa, and proof of funds.
Pointe-Noire
Direction Départementale de la Migration
Boulevard de la Liberté, Pointe-Noire
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Regional office for visa-related issues in the economic capital.
Practical information for SE 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 = 561.56 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. Swedish passport holders must obtain a visa before travelling. There is no visa-on-arrival facility at any entry point.
Processing usually takes 1 to 3 weeks, depending on the embassy workload. Apply at least a month before your trip to be safe.
Fees vary by embassy and visa type. Expect to pay around 50–100 EUR for a single-entry tourist visa. Check with the Congolese embassy in Stockholm for the exact amount.
Yes. The Republic of the Congo requires proof of yellow fever vaccination for all travellers over 1 year old. You must carry the International Certificate of Vaccination (the yellow card) — immigration will ask for it.
Extensions are not available for tourist visas. You must leave before your visa expires. If you need to stay longer, contact the immigration office in Brazzaville before your visa runs out.
Overstaying can result in fines, detention, or deportation. The fine is typically around 10,000–50,000 XAF per day (roughly 15–75 EUR). Avoid it by keeping track of your visa expiry date.
The security situation can be unpredictable, especially in remote areas. Petty crime is common in Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire. Register with the Swedish embassy and check your government's travel advisory before booking.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 15, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.