Congo, Republic of the
Country Specific Information
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August 04, 2011

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: The Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville) is a developing nation in central Africa. The official language is French, but Lingala, Kikongo, and Kituba are also widely spoken. The largest cities are the capital, Brazzaville, located on the Congo River, and Pointe Noire, on the Atlantic coast. Parts of the capital and large areas in the south of the country were damaged during civil conflict in 1997 and 1998-1999. The last rebel group signed a cease-fire accord with the government in March 2003. Facilities for tourism are very limited. Read the Department of State’s Background Notes on the Republic of the Congo for additional information.

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SMART TRAVELER ENROLLMENT PROGRAM (STEP) / EMBASSY LOCATION: If you are going to live in or travel to the Republic of the Congo, please take the time to tell Embassy Brazzaville about your trip by enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). If you enroll, we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements. It will also help your friends and family get in touch with you in an emergency. You should remember to keep all of your information in STEP up to date. It is important during enrollment or updating of information to include your current phone number and current email address where you can be reached in case of an emergency. 

Local embassy information is available below and at the Department of State’s list of embassies and consulates.

U.S. Embassy Brazzaville
Boulevard Denis Sassou Nguesso (in front of Blanche Gomez Maternity Hospital)
Brazzaville
Republic of the Congo
Telephone: 242 06 612-2000
Emergency after-hours telephone: 242 04 444-0013
e-Mail: BrazzavilleACS@state.gov

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ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A passport, visa, and evidence of yellow fever vaccination are required for entry. Visitors to the Republic of the Congo should also have a letter of invitation and/or written proof of a hotel reservation for presentation to immigration officials upon arrival. In some cases, invitation letters must be endorsed by local immigration authorities prior to the bearer’s arrival in the country. Possession of a valid visa is not sufficient for admission to Congo; immigration requirements are unclear and arbitrarily enforced. Additionally, local law prohibits exiting the country with the local currency, known as the Central African Franc or CFA. Travelers are advised to limit the amount of CFA they travel with to avoid any unnecessary forfeitures upon departure. See Currency under Special Circumstances below for more information.

Until January 2010, every Congolese Embassy or Consulate issued its own unique visas for entry to the Republic of Congo. Visas should be identical regardless of where they are issued. However, some Embassies and Consulates, including the Congolese Consulate in New York, have not started issuing the new universal visas. The new Congolese visas are a passport-page-size sticker with the outline of the Republic of the Congo map in the background. If you attempt to enter Congo with one of the old visas, you may be denied entry.

Additional information on entry requirements may be obtained from the Embassy of the Republic of the Congo, 4891 Colorado Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20011, telephone (202) 726-5500, or from the Permanent Mission of the Republic of the Congo to the United Nations, 14 E. 65th St., New York, NY 10021, telephone (212) 744-7840. Overseas, inquiries should be made at the nearest Congolese embassy or consulate. 

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of the Republic of the Congo.

Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information page.

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THREATS TO SAFETY AND SECURITY: Although the Republic of the Congo is still recovering from its civil war, there have been no serious episodes of unrest or violence since the March 2003 peace accord. Continued security awareness, however, remains a key consideration for all visitors.

You should avoid travel in the Pool region south of Brazzaville. The Embassy continues to receive reports of roadblocks and armed robberies from travelers to this region. The passenger train connecting Brazzaville and Point Noire passes through this region and train travelers have also been robbed. For this reason, the Embassy advises against travel by road or rail between Brazzaville and Pointe Noire. 

You should also pay close attention to events in the Democratic Republic of Congo as unrest in Kinshasa can also affect Brazzaville. In 2007, stray small arms fire originating in Kinshasa landed in Brazzaville. For the most up to date security and safety information on the Democratic Republic of Congo, please refer to the Department of State's Travel Warning and Country Specific Information Sheet for the Democratic Republic of Congo.

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CRIME: In the Republic of the Congo, petty street crime targeting foreigners is rare. Incidents of armed robberies, vehicle break-ins, mugging, and pick-pocketing have been reported near the ports, outside popular restaurants, as well as in the Congolese neighborhoods surrounding the city center in both Pointe Noire and Brazzaville.

Criminal elements are known to target middle-class and affluent residences without 24-hour guards for burglary. 

You should note that in the case of theft and robbery, legal recourse is limited; plan to leave valuable items at home.

In many countries around the world, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available. Transactions involving such products may be illegal under local law. In addition, bringing them back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines. The Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Division in the U.S. Department of Justice has more information on this serious problem. 

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VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. We can:

  • Replace a stolen passport.
  • Help you find appropriate medical care for violent crimes such as assault or rape.
  • Put you in contact with the appropriate police authorities, and contact family members or friends.

The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in the Republic of the Congo is 242 06 665-4804. Please note that police resources are limited and response to emergency calls is often slow (45 minutes or longer). In general, response or recourse for victims of crime is extremely limited, if not non-existent in the Republic of the Congo.

Please see our information on victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.

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CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While you are traveling in the Republic of the Congo, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own. In the Republic of the Congo, you may be taken in for questioning if you are stopped by the police and are unable to produce an acceptable form of identification. The police routinely confiscate IDs in an effort to gain bribes from foreigners. For this reason, it is best to keep a copy of your passport on you at all times, and keep your passport in a safe place where you can access it quickly if needed. If you travel within the Republic of the Congo, you should carry your passport, as you may be asked to register with immigration upon arrival in a new location. It is illegal to take pictures of government buildings, military installations, and other key parts of infrastructure such as ports, train stations, and airports. In general, it is best to keep your camera out of sight and ask permission prior to taking photos. If permission is refused, don’t take the photo. 

There are also some things that might be legal in the Republic of the Congo, but still illegal in the United States. You can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in the Republic of the Congo, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

Based on the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, bilateral agreements with certain countries, and customary international law, if you are arrested in the Republic of the Congo, you have the option to request that the police, prison officials, or other authorities alert the U.S. embassy of your arrest, and to have communications from you forwarded to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. 

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SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES:

Currency:  The Republic of the Congo is primarily a cash economy and uses the Central African Franc (CFA), a common currency with Gabon, Chad, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, and Equatorial Guinea. U.S. dollars may be exchanged for local currency, but traveler’s checks are generally not accepted and cannot be cashed at local banks. Some hotels in Brazzaville and in Pointe Noire now accept major credit cards but cash remains the preferred method of payment. Most businesses accept cash only. Personal checks drawn on foreign accounts are not accepted. Western Union has offices in Brazzaville and Pointe Noire. There is one ATM in Brazzaville that accepts foreign debit cards at the Credit du Congo Bank, and ATMs at several of Credit du Congo’s branches in Pointe Noire also accept foreign debit cards. CFAs are not available outside the CFA zone and there are tight restrictions on travelling with currency. If you are caught attempting to leave the country in possession of CFAs, airport authorities may confiscate all of your local currency. For this reason, the U.S. embassy recommends that you not travel via air with CFAs, even if you are travelling directly to another country in the CFA zone.

Customs:  Airport police and customs officials routinely inspect incoming and outgoing luggage, even for in-country travel. For a complete list of prohibited items, please contact the nearest Congolese embassy or consulate. Visitors who seek to export arts and crafts at the airports are frequently subject to an export tax/solicitations for bribes from customs agents. There have been several instances of travelers being questioned about how much currency they are transporting, and expats have also been asked to show the contents of their wallets.

Detention:Local security forces, especially traffic police, routinely detain foreigners to solicit bribes. Detention of U.S. citizens, particularly in remote areas, may not always be promptly reported to the U.S. embassy by Congolese authorities. U.S. citizens are encouraged to carry a copy of their passport and valid visa for the Congo with them at all times so that, if questioned by local officials, proof of identity and U.S. citizenship is readily available. If detained or arrested, U.S. citizens should always ask to be allowed to contact the U.S. embassy. 

Ferry Service to Kinshasa:Ferry service between Brazzaville and Kinshasa normally operates from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Sunday, but may close completely with minimal notice. A special exit permit from the Republic of the Congo’s Immigration Service and a visa for the Democratic Republic of the Congo are required to cross the Congo River from Brazzaville to Kinshasa.

Accessibility:  While in the Republic of the Congo, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from what they find in the United States. Although local law prohibits discrimination against people with handicaps, this law is not enforced. Furthermore, there are no laws requiring access to transportation, communication, or public buildings for persons with disabilities. There are few sidewalks and no curb-cuts, and most buildings do not have functioning elevators. People living in the Republic of the Congo with disabilities must rely on their families for support.

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MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Medical facilities are extremely limited. Some medicines are in short supply, particularly in rural areas. Many medicines are not available; you should carry properly labeled prescription drugs and other medications with you that will suffice for your entire visit. The Consular Section maintains a list of clinics in Brazzaville and Pointe Noire. This list is provided as a service for U.S. citizens residing in or visiting the Republic of the Congo, and in no way constitutes an endorsement or recommendation of any particular facility. The list is available on the Embassy Brazzaville web site and in the Embassy’s Consular Section. 

An outbreak of acute poliomyelitis (polio) virus began in October 2010, with cases in Pointe Noire, Brazzaville, and other parts of the Republic of the Congo. In response to the outbreak, the Government of Congo, in cooperation with the World Health Organization, launched a nationwide emergency vaccination program. As of January 2011, the vaccination campaign appears to have halted the spread of the virus. However, it’s still extremely important to make sure your polio vaccination is up-to-date prior to travel to the Republic of the Congo. An outbreak of Chikungunya was declared in June 2011; you should carry mosquito repellents and sleep under mosquito nets if possible. Cases of measles have risen in the last year, with over 16,000 cases reported in January and February from the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease. Plasmodium falciparum malaria, the type that predominates in the Congo, is resistant to the anti-malarial drug chloroquine. Because travelers to the Republic of the Congo are at high risk for contracting malaria, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that travelers take one of the following anti-malarial drugs: mefloquine doxycycline, or atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone™). Travelers who become ill with a fever or flu-like illness while traveling in a malaria-risk area, and up to one year after returning home, should seek prompt medical attention and tell the physician their travel history and what anti-malarials they have been taking. The CDC provides additional information on malaria protective measures.  

Schistosomiasis, transmitted by waterborne larvae that penetrate intact skin, presents significant risk. Travelers should avoid freshwater exposure. 

Tuberculosis is an increasingly serious health concern in the Republic of the Congo. For further information, please consult the CDC's information on TB. 

Rabies vaccinations are recommended for prolonged stays, especially for young children.

Traveler’s diarrhea is extremely common throughout the country including deluxe accommodations in major cities. Food and beverage precautions are essential in order to reduce the chance of illness.

You can find more information on vaccinations and other health precautions on the CDC website. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the World Health Organization (WHO) website. The WHO website also contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information. 

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MEDICAL INSURANCE: You can’t assume your insurance will go with you when you travel. It’s very important to find out BEFORE you leave. You need to ask your insurance company two questions:

  • Does my policy apply when I’m out of the United States?
  • Will it cover emergencies like a trip to a foreign hospital or an evacuation?

In many places, doctors and hospitals still expect payment in cash at the time of service. Your regular U.S. health insurance may not cover doctors’ and hospital visits in other countries. If your policy doesn’t go with you when you travel, it’s a very good idea to take out a specific policy for your trip. For more information, please see our medical insurance overseas page. 

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TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in the Republic of the Congo, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning the Republic of the Congo is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Road conditions are generally poor and deteriorate significantly during the rainy season from November to May. The National Highway 2 links Brazzaville to Pointe Noire and is largely unpaved and often impassable in the rainy season. Fuel, both unleaded and diesel, is frequently unavailable in the major cities and especially in the more isolated regions of the country. Maintenance of the few paved roads is limited. Overland travel off the main roads requires a four-wheel drive vehicle. Poorly marked checkpoints, sometimes manned by undisciplined soldiers, exist in many areas of the countryside. 

The U.S. Embassy in Brazzaville does not recommend or endorse the use of taxi cabs or other forms of public transportation in the Republic of the Congo. Most of these vehicles are not equipped with seatbelts or other standard safety features required in the United States. Please keep this risk in mind if you choose to use this form of transportation. 

Traffic safety in general is hazardous due to high speeds, aggressive driving, poorly maintained vehicles, and general indifference toward the safety of pedestrians and cyclists.

Emergency services are limited within Brazzaville and Pointe Noire and virtually non-existent elsewhere in the Republic of the Congo. Please refer to the medical section above. 

There are currently no distracted driving laws in effect in the Republic of the Congo, but police may pull over drivers who talk or text while driving for not following safe driving procedures.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information.

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AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in the Republic of the Congo, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of the Republic of the Congo’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.

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CHILDREN’S ISSUES: Please see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.

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This replaces the Country Specific Information for the Republic of the Congo dated January 7, 2011, with changes to the sections on COUNTRY DESCRITPTION, ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS, CUSTOMS, and MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION.

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