Strengthening Bilateral Relations and Serving Our Citizens
Our Embassy is committed to strengthening the bonds between the Republic of Congo and the United Kingdom. We actively support initiatives that enhance cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, and cultural exchange.
Visa for the Republic of Congo
01 Valid Passport Requirement
A valid passport is required for all British citizens and foreign nationals entering the
Republic of Congo.
02 Evidence Presentation
Visitors must present:
Evidence of the visit’s purpose.
Means of support for the stay's duration.
Accommodation arrangements at border controls.
03 Visa Issuance at Port of Entry
No Congolese visa will be issued at any port of entry in the Republic of Congo.
04 Visa Application Submission
All visa applications must be submitted to the Consulate Section of the Embassy of the
Republic of Congo in the United Kingdom before the departure date.
Processing Time for Visa Applications
01 Standard Processing Time
The processing time for all consular service requests is 5-7 business days from the day
a visa application or consular service request is received.
02 Expedited Service
Expedited service is available and takes 24 hours.
03 Visa Issuance at Port of Entry
Visa applicants are advised to submit their applications:
At least one month (30 days) before their departure date. No more than one and a half months (45 days) before their departure date.
Details about VISA PROCESSING TIME
Owing to recent changes in visa regulations and heightened security measures, our processing time is now 3 to 5 working days. Therefore, please finalise your travel plans only after your visa has been issued.
Applications are processed in the following categories:
1. Applications handed in at the Embassy Consulate section:
Visa Processing Time is 3 Working Days as follow:
| Application Submission Day | Passport Collection Day |
|---|---|
| Monday | Thursday |
| Tuesday | Friday |
| Wednesday | Monday (the following week) |
| Thursday | Tuesday (The following week) |
| Friday | Wednesday (the following week) |
2. Applications received by Post
Applications submitted by post follow the same procedures and timelines as those submitted in person. Applicants should expect to receive their passports back within at least two working days unless they opt for personal collection. For postal returns, a prepaid special delivery self-addressed envelope (Royal Mail Special Delivery) is necessary.
a. For applications submitted through visa agencies, our processing time will be between 5 to 7 working days.
Applicants who submit their visa applications through authorized visa agencies can expect to receive their passports within a week.
3. Services Express
Applicants seeking express visas should opt for either the half-day express service or the 24-hour express service.
£50 for a half-day and £25 for the following day
4. Exceptional Circumstances
In some Exceptional Circumstances, e.g., diplomats for diplomatic missions, humanitarian assistance, etc., processing times vary from application to application at the sole discretion of the Republic of Congo in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Applications for an official visa must be submitted directly to the Embassy and not through visa agencies.
"Please be aware that the visa's validity begins on the date of travel selected by the applicant, not from the issuance date"
5. VISA FEES
| Visa | Visa Entries | Validity | Fees | Processing Time | Payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tourism/Visit/ | one | 15 Days | £85 | 3/5 working days | Cash |
| Tourism/Visit/ Business | Multiple | 1 month | £130 | 3/5 working days | Cash |
| Tourism/Visit/ Business | Multiple | 2 month | £170 | 3/5 working days | Cash |
| Tourism/Visit/ Business | Multiple | 3 month | £200 | 3/5 working days | Cash |
| Tourism/Visit/ Business | Multiple | 6 month | £320 | 3/5 working days | Cash |
| Tourism/Visit/ Business | Multiple | 1 Year | £580 | 3/5 working days | Cash |
Visa Requirements
A fully completed visa application form:Submit one copy of the visa application form. Print, complete, and sign it. Leaving any sections blank will delay your visa approval process. Note that all listed documents are required. Failure to provide all the necessary documents may result in the rejection of your application.
Two passport-sized color photographs:Photos must be 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) in size, coloured, and have a white background, showing a full front view of the face. The photos must have been taken within the last 6 months to reflect your current appearance.
A valid passport:Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months before your departure date.
An invitation letter or hotel reservation (for the tourist visa):A typewritten, notarized invitation letter (the invitation letter should be notarized at the City Council or Prefecture/Mairie) stating the nature of the trip, including the name and address of the reference to be visited in the Republic of Congo. The invitation letter must be addressed to the Embassy of the Republic of Congo, Visa Section, and should be valid for at least 3 months (90 days).
Parents traveling with children or legal guardians traveling with dependents must provide proof of parenthood or legal custody, such as a court order or birth certificate. A photocopy of a valid passport should be submitted for those planning to travel with minors. All visa applicants (including former Congolese citizens) must provide an invitation letter from their host in the Republic of Congo, a hotel reservation, and a form of identity card of the host (passport, Congolese legal residence permit or visa, and national Congolese ID). The city of residence mentioned in the invitation letter should match the city of residence stated on the Congolese visa application.
For family reunification (regroupement familial), proof of family affiliation, such as birth certificates, adoption documents, and legal marriage certificates, should be included in the application package. For funeral purposes, a death certificate must be provided, and for wedding purposes, an invitation card to the ceremony must be included.
Provide a copy of the adult parent or legal guardian's passport and flight itinerary.
A parental authorization signed by a notary, allowing the other parent or a third person to travel with the child.
A copy of the UK residency permit or UK visa (for non-UK citizens) as proof of legal residence in the United Kingdom.
A typewritten, notarized business letter (notarized at the City Council or Prefecture/Mairie) on company letterhead stating the nature of the business, the name, and address of the reference to be contacted in the Republic of Congo. The invitation letter must be addressed to the Embassy of the Republic of Congo, Visa Section. No business visa will be granted without an official business letter.
Copy of airline tickets or itinerary:A copy of your airline ticket or reservation showing arrival and departure dates in the Republic of Congo.
A prepaid envelope:A prepaid envelope with a TRACKING NUMBER to allow for the return of your passport. The Embassy cannot accept prepaid envelopes without a tracking number.
Visa Requirements
A fully completed visa application form:Submit one copy of the visa application form. Print, complete, and sign it. Leaving any sections blank will delay your visa approval process. Note that all listed documents are required. Failure to provide all the necessary documents may result in the rejection of your application.
Two passport-sized color photographs:Photos must be 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) in size, coloured, and have a white background, showing a full front view of the face. The photos must have been taken within the last 6 months to reflect your current appearance.
A valid passport:Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months before your departure date.
An invitation letter or hotel reservation (for the tourist visa):A typewritten, notarized invitation letter (the invitation letter should be notarized at the City Council or Prefecture/Mairie)
stating the nature of the trip, including the name and address of the reference to be visited in the Republic of Congo.
The invitation letter must be addressed to the Embassy of the Republic of Congo, Visa Section, and should be valid for at least 3 months (90 days).
Parents traveling with children or legal guardians traveling with dependents must provide proof of parenthood or legal custody, such as a court order or birth certificate.
A photocopy of a valid passport should be submitted for those planning to travel with minors. All visa applicants (including former Congolese citizens) must provide an invitation letter from their host in the Republic of Congo, a hotel reservation, and a form of identity card of the host (passport, Congolese legal residence permit or visa, and national Congolese ID). The city of residence mentioned in the invitation letter should match the city of residence stated on the Congolese visa application.
For family reunification (regroupement familial), proof of family affiliation, such as birth certificates, adoption documents, and legal marriage certificates, should be included in the application package. For funeral purposes, a death certificate must be provided, and for wedding purposes, an invitation card to the ceremony must be included.
Provide a copy of the adult parent or legal guardian's passport and flight itinerary.
A parental authorization signed by a notary, allowing the other parent or a third person to travel with the child.
A copy of the UK residency permit or UK visa (for non-UK citizens) as proof of legal residence in the United Kingdom.
A typewritten, notarized business letter (notarized at the City Council or Prefecture/Mairie) on company letterhead stating the nature of the business, the name, and address of the reference to be contacted in the Republic of Congo. The invitation letter must be addressed to the Embassy of the Republic of Congo, Visa Section. No business visa will be granted without an official business letter.
Copy of airline tickets or itinerary:A copy of your airline ticket or reservation showing arrival and departure dates in the Republic of Congo.
A prepaid envelope:A prepaid envelope with a TRACKING NUMBER to allow for the return of your passport. The Embassy cannot accept prepaid envelopes without a tracking number.