The Republic of Congo is undoubtedly one of the richest countries in the world when it comes to natural resources. But of course, not only that. Congo has plenty of attractions that tourists could enjoy. A lot of delicious food that you can only have in Congo, and friendly locals that would welcome you warmly. The Republic of Congo is an underrated country that surely needs to be recognized by travelers.

However, it is not so easy to go there. Unfortunately, US citizens are required to obtain a Republic of Congo Tourist Visa. That’s why in this article, we put all the information that you might need upon applying for a tourist visa. Here, we provided you guide and some tips on how to get a tourist visa to the Republic of Congo.

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Facts about the Republic of Congo

Capital

The capital of the Republic of Congo is Brazzaville.

Language

The official language in the Republic of Congo is French.

Currency

CFA Franc / Central African CFA Franc

Religion

Christianity is the main religion in the Republic of Congo, it includes Roman Catholic, Protestant, and other Christian denominations.

Main requirements in Applying for Republic of Congo Tourist Visa

1. Passport (Must be valid for the next 6 months)

2. Two (2) fully completed and signed visa application forms.

3. Two (2) passport colored photographs. (2x2 with white background, must be taken within the last 6 months.)

4. An invitation letter or hotel reservation (It should be typewritten and notarized at the City council or Prefecture/Mairie; The invitation letter must be addressed to the Embassy of the Republic of Congo, Visa section and should be at least 3 months (90 Days) valid.)

5. Copy of airline tickets or itinerary

6. Self Address prepaid trackable return label and envelope. (USPS, UPS, FedEx)

A tracking number is very important.

Visa fee

Tourist visa: $200 USD

*All fees are non-refundable

Mode of payment: Only cash and money orders will be accepted as the only form of payment for visa fees.

Processing time:

The processing time may take up to 5-7 business days. The Consulate of the Republic of Congo in Washington, D.C does not offer any rush or expedited services.

Important things to remember

The Embassy of the Republic of Congo does NOT issue a visa on arrival. All visa applications should be submitted prior to the date of departure.
The Permanent Mission of the Republic of Congo to the United Nations in New York does NOT issue visas for the Republic of Congo. Only the Embassy of the Republic of Congo in Washington D.C issues visa.
For Non-US citizens, the tourist visa is delivered for a period of 3 months (90 days) multiple entries. For US citizens, a visa of 6 months (180 days) multiple entries shall be granted.

Embassy in the United States

Address: 1720 16th Street, NW Washington, DC 20009, USA

Contact number:
Tel: (202) 726-5500 / (202) 986-5740 / (202) 986-5418
Fax: (202) 726-1860
Email: consulate@ambacongo-us.org

Office hours:
09:00 AM - 04:00 PM (Mon-Thu)
09:00 AM - 03:00 PM (Fri)

Frequently Asked Questions in Applying for Republic of Congo Tourist Visa

1. When should I apply for a visa?

The Embassy of the Republic of Congo advised all visa applicants to submit their application and passport for visas at least two weeks prior to the intended date of departure.

2. Is it safe to travel to the Republic of Congo?

Violent crimes in the Republic of Congo are not so common. However, it still happens in some circumstances. So it is important to practice precautionary measures when going there. For your safety, the US government provided information and travel advisory for its citizens in case you decided to travel to Congo. Read them here.

3. Should I get travel insurance before my departure?

It is advisable to get travel insurance when you travel abroad, which includes the Republic of Congo.

4. How to get there?

Unfortunately, there are no direct flights from the US to the Republic of Congo. You need a connecting flight to go there. You can either travel from the US to Brazzaville, the country’s capital (its main airport is Maya-Maya Airport). Or from the US to Pointe Noire (its airport is Agostinho-Neto International Airport). To check flights, visit Skyscanner.

5. When is the best time to visit Congo?

The best time to visit Congo is between May to September as it is the driest season in the country. But of course, choosing the best time to go there still depends on you. The main seasons in Congo are wet and dry, and they only experience rain for at least a month. October is the month wherein they experience the most rainfall.

6. Will I have a hard time communicating with the locals?

Since French is the official language in the Congo, it might be difficult for non-French speakers to communicate with locals. It is recommended to have a translation app or have a travel book/guide with you when you go there.

7. Why should I visit the Congo?

Aside from the fact that Congolese are extremely friendly and welcoming, The Republic of Congo is also rich in natural resources and beautiful nature. It has a lot to offer for tourists. Its capital Brazzaville is one of the places you shouldn’t miss here. It highlights traditional craft markets and the mid-20th-century Basilique Sainte-Anne, with a green-tiled roof and spire. Of course, never miss the chance to visit its rainforest reserves that are habitats for gorillas.

Some of the attractions that tourists could enjoy here are Odzala-Kokoua National Park and Lake Tele. These attractions would really make your Congo trip memorable and exciting!

With all these reasons and you still, have doubts about visiting Congo, then you might want to consider going there. With all the beauty it has, friendly people, and delicious food, you can never go wrong here. So don’t think twice, apply for a visa, and book that flight to enjoy a memorable trip to Congo!

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