Congo, Democratic Republic of the
Country Specific Information
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January 23, 2012

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: The Democratic Republic of the Congo (Congo-Kinshasa) (DRC), located in central Africa, is the second largest country on the continent. The capital is Kinshasa. French is the official language. The country endured more than a decade of civil war that ended in 2003, but still faces continuing political and economic instability. Read the Department of State’s  Background Notes on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for additional information.

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SMART TRAVELER ENROLLMENT PROGRAM (STEP) / EMBASSY LOCATION: If you are going to live in or visit the DRC, please take the time to tell our Embassy 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. 

U.S. Embassy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
310 Avenue de Aviateurs
Kinshasa
Telephone: 243-081-225-0151 (do not dial the zero when calling from abroad)

Consular Section
Avenue Dumi, opposite the Ste. Anne Residence
Kinshasa

Emergency after-hours telephone: 243-81-556-0151
Facsimile: 243-81-556-0173

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ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A passport, visa, and proof of  yellow fever vaccination are required for entry. It is your responsibility to obtain a visa from a DRC embassy and arrange onward travel before arriving. U.S. citizens entering the country without visas have been detained and deported. Likewise, travelers arriving in the DRC without proper proof of yellow fever vaccination have been temporarily detained, fined, or had their passports confiscated. For inquiries and further information on entry/exit formalities, please visit the Congolese Immigration website (in French). 

All journalists working in the DRC must obtain permission from the Congolese Ministry of Information in Kinshasa. The U.S. Embassy recommends that journalists enter the DRC via Kinshasa. Visitors who wish to travel to any mining areas must first obtain government approval from the appropriate government agencies or ministries, a cumbersome and often time-consuming process.

On occasion, travelers to the DRC experience difficulties at the airport and other ports of entry, such as temporary detention, passport confiscation, and demands by immigration and security personnel for unofficial “fees.” If confronted with harassment, please ask to contact the U.S. Embassy’s Consular Section at 081-556-0151. All resident foreigners, including U.S. citizens, are required to register at the office of the Direction General of Migration (DGM) in the commune of their place of residence. 

For departure from the DRC, airlines require a valid visa for all destination countries before they will issue a ticket or allow a passenger to board. All departing travelers, including U.S. officials, must pay a $50 airport exit fee, in cash. Airlines also require that passengers have the correct entry stamp in the passport they wish to use to exit the country. Dual nationals arriving in the DRC should carefully consider which passport they use to enter the DRC. Passengers who are unable to leave the country on the passport they used to enter the DRC may not be able to continue on their travel itinerary. 

You may obtain additional information about visas from the Embassy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 1726 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20036, tel.: (202)234-7690, fax: (202) 234-2609or the  DRC's Permanent Mission to the UN, 866 United Nations Plaza, Room 511, New York, NY 10017, tel.: (212)319-8061, fax: (212)319-8232. Overseas, inquiries should be made at the nearest Congolese embassy or consulate.

The United States Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of the DRC. 

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

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THREATS TO SAFETY AND SECURITY: Although the DRC is now more stable than it has been in the past decade, the security situation remains fluid and problematic. The Department of State’s Security Environmental Threat List Report has designated the DRC as a Critical Crime and High Political Violence Post. Visitors are encouraged to review the current Department of State Travel Warning for the DRC for additional details. Poor economic conditions, high unemployment, and the government’s inability to pay its civil servants, military, and police on time often contribute to criminal activity in Kinshasa and throughout the country. Visitors are urged to remain vigilant at all times.

The country held presidential and national assembly elections on November 28, 2011, and the Congolese Supreme Court certified the provisional results of the presidential election on December 16, declaring the incumbent President Joseph Kabila the winner. Provisional results from the legislative races were scheduled to be released on January 13, 2012, but have been delayed. The revised date of the announcement is uncertain. There have been sporadic, small-scale election-related protests and some violence throughout the country, which could continue through mid-March, when the Congolese Supreme Court is expected to ratify the provisional results of the legislative elections.

Both inside and outside Kinshasa, security forces are known to set up occasional roadblocks, especially after dark. Vehicles are often searched for weapons and valuables, and travelers are checked for identity papers. Security forces regularly seek bribes. If confronted with such a situation, it is best to remain courteous and calm. If detained, report the incident to the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa as soon as possible.

The United Nations’ largest peacekeeping operation in the world operates in the DRC. Known by its French acronym of MONUSCO, it has nearly 20,000 peacekeepers deployed in the country, primarily in the east. Violence, nevertheless, persists in the eastern DRC due to the presence of several militias and armed groups, with sporadic outbreaks occurring in North Kivu, South Kivu, and northern Katangaprovinces, as well as in the Ituri District of Orientale province, and less frequently in Bas-Congo and Equateur provinces. A military offensive against the Lord’s Resistance Army in Haut Uele District commenced in mid-December 2008, and the group remains in the area including the border with the Central African Republic and South Sudan. The DRC military has conducted a series of operations against the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda since January 2009; these have subsided but are ongoing in both Kivu provinces. 

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CRIME: In the DRC, deteriorating economic conditions continue to foster crime, especially in urban areas. Most reported criminal incidents in Kinshasa involve crimes of opportunity, which include pick-pocketing and petty theft. The majority of the crimes are committed by “sheggehs,” who are generally homeless street children. Travel in certain areas of Kinshasa, Kisangani, Lubumbashi and most other major cities is generally safe during daylight hours, but travelers are urged to be vigilant against criminal activity that targets non-Congolese, particularly in traffic jams and areas surrounding hotels, supermarkets, and restaurants. Outlying, remote areas are less secure because of high levels of criminal activity and the lack of adequate training, supervision, and salary for security forces. Individuals purporting to be security officials have detained and robbed U.S. citizens and other foreigners in Kinshasa. This type of crime occurs more frequently during the holiday season, including the Christmas and New Year's holidays and prior to the beginning of the school year.

Vehicle thefts, burglaries, and armed robberies occur throughout the country with reports of some carjackings in the North Kivu area resulting in deaths. The Embassy recommends that motorists drive with doors locked and windows closed at all times. If confronted by members of the military or security forces, you should not permit soldiers or police officers to enter your vehicle, and you should avoid getting into the vehicle of anyone purporting to be a security official. If confronted, remain courteous and calm and, if threatened, do not resist. Please report any incident to the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa.

Laws and regulations are not administered consistently in the DRC. Legal recourse in cases of theft and robbery is limited. Valuable items should be kept at home or in a secure location.

If you use public transportation or visit busy areas, be on guard against robbery and pick-pocketing, which is a problem in all major cities in the DRC. The “sheggehs,” particularly in Kinshasa, can be aggressive and persistent and many of them are involved in some type of criminal activity.

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 these items to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines. 

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VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you are the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate (see the Department of State’s list of embassies and consulates ). This includes the loss or theft of a U.S. passport. The embassy’s consular staff may be able to help you find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends, and explain how funds may be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime are solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.

There is no local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in 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 in a foreign country, U.S. citizens are subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States.

While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.

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SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES:

Photography: Travelers should note that photography is strictly forbidden in many public places in Kinshasa and around any public or government building in the DRC. Persons caught photographing such sites will likely have their photographic equipment confiscated and will risk detention and possible arrest.

Travel to and from Congo-Brazzaville (Republic of Congo): Passenger and VIPferry service, known locally as “Carnot Rapide,” is available to and from Kinshasa and Brazzaville. The ferries operate daily and make multiple stops throughout the day, with the last boat departing at 3PM. Prices for the ferries are: US $15 for the passenger and US $25 for the VIP ferry (Carnot Rapide). If ferry service is functioning, U.S. citizens are required to have a special exit permit from the DRC's Immigration Service and a visa from the Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville) to cross the Congo River from Kinshasa to Brazzaville.

Phone Service: In the DRC, cellular phones are the norm, as other telephone service is unreliable. Depending on the type of phone, it may be possible to purchase a SIM card locally to use a U.S.-compatible cell phone in the DRC.

Currency: U.S. currency is widely accepted in urban areas, but most vendors and banking institutions will accept only bills printed in 2006 and forward, with the large, off-center portraits that provide stronger protection against counterfeiting. In addition, bills must be in near perfect condition; even those with minor stains or small tears will be rejected. One-dollar bills are rarely accepted. You should examine U.S. bills before accepting them to ensure that they are legitimate: counterfeit currency is widely circulated. Currency exchange should be conducted only at reputable banks and not on the street. 

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MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Medical facilities are severely limited, and medical materials are in short supply. It is wise to carry properly labeled prescription drugs and other medications; an adequate supply of prescription or over-the-counter drugs in local stores or pharmacies is generally not available. Payment for any medical services is expected in cash, in advance of treatment.

Malaria is common throughout the DRC; outbreaks of polio, cholera, typhoid, yellow fever, the Ebola virus, measles, and hemorrhagic fever also occur. Tuberculosis is an increasingly serious health concern in the DRC. Travelers are encouraged to obtain tuberculosis testing pre-travel and repeat 8-12 weeks after return. Travelers should take appropriate precautions to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. 

Many insect-borne illnesses are present. Follow insect precautions at all times, including using insect repellant and mosquito nets when possible. A yellow fever vaccine is required for entry into the country. Travelers are encouraged to avoid contact with non-chlorinated fresh water to prevent schistosomiasis. 

There is a high risk of traveler’s diarrhea and cholera throughout the country. This can be mitigated by using good judgment when choosing what food to eat and water to drink. When in restaurants, it is best to ask for bottled water and avoid ice.

Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC’s web site. For  information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the World HealthOrganization’s (WHO) web site. Further health information for travelers is available from the WHO.

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MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges you to consult with your medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether your policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. Please see our information on medical insurance overseas.

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

Roads throughout the DRC are generally in poor condition, and often impassable in the rainy season. When driving in cities, keep windows up and doors locked. At roadblocks or checkpoints, documents should be shown through closed windows. In the event of an automobile accident involving bodily injury to a third party or pedestrian, do not stop to offer assistance under any circumstances. Attempts to provide assistance may further aggravate the incident, resulting in a hostile mob reaction such asstoning or beating. Proceed directly to the nearest police station or gendarmerie to report the incident. 

Official motorcades pose serious risks to drivers and pedestrians in Kinshasa. If you hear sirens or see security forces announcing the approach of a motorcade, pull off the road as far as possible and extinguish your headlights. Do not attempt to move until the entire motorcade has passed; security forces will indicate when this has occurred. Failure to comply may result in arrest or vehicle damage with possible personal injury. 

Use of cell phones while driving is prohibited in the DRC. As with other traffic regulations, enforcement of this law is inconsistent. Distracted drivers pose a threat in large cities, especially Kinshasa.

Any form of public transportation is unregulated, generally unsafe, and unreliable. Taxis, mini-buses, and trains are in poor mechanical condition and are often filled beyond capacity.

Drivers should stop their cars and pedestrians should stand still when passing a government installation during the raising and lowering of the Congolese flag. This ceremony occurs at roughly 7:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information.

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AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Civil Aviation Authority as not being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of the DRC's air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page. 

Civil aviation in the DRC experiences frequent air incidents and accidents; more than a dozen crashes and in-flight accidents resulted in more than 300 fatalities between 2000 and 2008. Incidents included hard landings, engine failures, collapsed landing gear, and planes veering off runways. In-country air travel schedules are unreliable and planes are frequently overloaded with passengersand/or cargo. 

There have been several recent incidents causing deaths and injuries, including one on August 25, 2010 that killed all but one passenger. In April 2011, a flight crashed while landing in Kinshasa killing 32 passengers and crew. In July 2011, a flight crashed in Kisangani killing more than 70 passengers. The U.S. Embassy prohibits official travel by U.S. government employees and certain contractors on most airlines flying domestic routes in the DRC due to safety and maintenance concerns. International flights on foreign-owned-and-operated carriers are not affected by this prohibition. 

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CHILDREN’S ISSUES: The Congolese government has recently changed adoption procedures and now requires the Director General of Immigration to sign all exit visas for orphans. As a result, adoptive families may have to wait an additional two weeks or more before obtaining permission to leave with the child. For additional information, 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 Democratic Republic of the Congo dated July 15, 2011 with updates to the Country Description, Exit and Entry requirements, Safety and Security, Crime, Special Circumnstances, Travel to and From the Republic of the Congo, and Medical Facilities and Health.

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