Destination Guides
Congo, Republic of

 
assport/Visa
 
Passport/Visa

Yes Yes Yes
Yes Yes Yes
Yes Yes Yes
Yes Yes Yes
Yes Yes Yes
Yes Yes Yes

 
Passports

Passport valid for at least six months required by all.

 
Visas

Required by all.

 
Note

Nationals of Congo possessing dual nationality do require visas if travelling on their other passport.

 
Types of visa and cost

Tourist and Business: £40 for 15 days; £60 for one month; £100 for three months. All visas are multiple entry.

 
Validity

Dependent on length of visa.

 
Application to

Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see Passport/Visa Information.

 
Application requirements

(a) Valid passport. (b) One completed application form. (c) One passport-size photo in colour. (d) Return or onward ticket. (e) Fee, payable in cash or by postal order. (f) Yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers aged over one year. (g) Stamped, self-addressed envelope (or cost of return postage) for postal applications. Tourist: (a)-(g) and, (h) Authorised lodging certificate, provided a resident or national of the Republic of Congo or a hotel reservation. (i) Proof of sufficient funds (credit card, pay slips, proof of employment). Business: (a)-(g) and, (h) Letter from employer verifying the applicant's identity, purpose of travel and length of stay, giving the name and address of a contact in the Republic of Congo and taking responsibility for the applicant.

 
Note

(a) Applications made by post must be accompanied by a postal order (cheques not accepted) for £5 to cover postal charges (UK and Republic of Ireland only). (b) A stamped, self addresssed envelope. (c) Vaccination certificates for cholera and tetanus may also be required. (d) All journalists, photographers and researchers must obtain written permission to carry out filming or research before entering the country.

 
Working days required

Visas issued immediately for applications made in person or 24 hours after date of receipt for postal applications.

 
Passport/Visa Information


Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) in the UK
Arena, 24 Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 9HF
Tel: (020) 7922 0695.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 1030-1530.

Embassy of the Republic of Congo and Tourist Office in France

37 bis rue Paul Valéry, 75116 Paris, France
Tel: (1) 4500 6057.

Embassy of the Republic of Congo in the USA

4891 Colorado Avenue NW, Washington DC 20011, USA
Tel: (202) 726 0825 or 5500.

 
 
 
ontact Addresses
 
Location

West coast of Central Africa.

 
Time

GMT + 1.

 
Direction Generale du Tourisme et des Loisirs

BP 456, Brazzaville, Congo
Tel: 830 953.

 
Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) in the UK

Arena, 24 Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 9HF
Tel: (020) 7922 0695.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 1030-1530.

 
Embassy of the Republic of Congo and Tourist Office in France

37 bis rue Paul Valéry, 75116 Paris, France
Tel: (1) 4500 6057.

 
Embassy of the Republic of Congo in the USA

4891 Colorado Avenue NW, Washington DC 20011, USA
Tel: (202) 726 0825 or 5500.

 
 
 
ealth
 
Health

Health Precaution Special Precaution Certificate
Yellow Fever
Cholera
Typhoid and Polio
Malaria
Yes 1
Yes 2
3 N/A
4 N/A

 
1

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for all travellers over one year of age.

 
2

Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is no longer a condition of entry to Congo. However, cholera is a serious risk in this country and precautions are essential. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness; see the Health appendix.

 
3

Immunisations or boosters for typhoid and poliomyelitis are advised.

 
4

Malaria risk exists all year throughout the country, predominantly in the malignant falciparum form. Resistance to chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine has been reported. A weekly dose of 250mg of mefloquine is the recommended prophylaxis.

 
Food & Drink

All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

 
Other risks

Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water; swimming pools which are well chlorinated and maintained are safe. River blindness (onchocerciasis) and sleeping sickness (trypanosomiasis) are also prevalent. Hepatitis A is widespread and hepatitis B is hyperendemic. Meningococcal A and C have been reported and immunisation is recommended. As of May 2005, there has been an outbreak of the deadly virus, ebola haemorrhagic fever, in the northeastern town of Etoumbi and in Mbomo. The former town was placed in quarantine and the virus was contained. It is thought that the virus was spread by consuming infected monkey meat. Nationals and all visitors are warned not to eat bush meat whilst the containment continues. Visitors may wish to be extra prudent and bypass the Cuvette West region.
Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix.

 
Health care

Medical and dental facilities are generally very limited outside Brazzaville. Health insurance is essential. Medicines are in short supply and it is advised that, if needs dictate, visitors bring their own medicine, with official labels, into the country.

 
 
 
ublic Holidays
 
Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2006-June 2007 period.

Jan 1 2006 New Year’s Day. Mar 8 Congolese Women’s Day. May 1 Labour Day. Jun 10 Commemoration of the National Sovereign Conference. Aug 15 National Day. Dec 25 Christmas.
Jan 1 2007 New Year’s Day. Mar 8 Congolese Women’s Day. May 1 Labour Day. Jun 10 Commemoration of the National Sovereign Conference.