United Arab Emirates e-Visa for citizens of the Democratic Republic of the Congo: online application, fees and processing time 2026
Yes, an e-Visa is required: citizens of the Democratic Republic of the Congo apply online before departure.
Data updated on
Indicative information: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before booking. Our methodology · Official portal
Our guide to the United Arab Emirates visa from the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Travelers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo need a visa for the United Arab Emirates. It is usually obtained online as an e-Visa before departure.
Nationals of the DRC do not enjoy visa-free entry to the United Arab Emirates. For a tourist stay, the standard route is the e-Visa applied for online before travel, usually via the ICP, an Emirati airline or an approved hotel. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months.
Do you need a visa?
Yes. A citizen of the Democratic Republic of the Congo must obtain a visa to enter the United Arab Emirates for tourism. The electronic e-Visa, applied for before departure, is the usual channel; there is no visa-free entry for holders of an ordinary Congolese (DRC) passport.
How much does an e-visa for the United Arab Emirates cost from the Democratic Republic of the Congo?
The official fee for an e-visa for the United Arab Emirates is not published in a source we can verify. Check the amount on the official portal before paying anything, third-party sites often add service fees on top.
What does a visa for the United Arab Emirates really cost?
- Government feeNot published in a source we can verify
- Agency or online serviceOptional, added on top
What documents are required for an e-visa for the United Arab Emirates?
Documents required for an e-visa for the United Arab Emirates:
- Passport valid 6 months beyond stay
- Online application (no paper form)
- Digital photo (recent)
- Visa fee payment
- Return or onward ticket
- Travel medical insurance
- Proof of accommodation
Documents and fees
Have a passport valid for at least 6 months, a compliant ID photo, a copy of the passport page, sometimes proof of flight and accommodation, and an international payment card ready. The fee and validity depend on the e-Visa type (30 or 60 days, single or multiple entry): check the amount shown on the official portal at the time of application.
How to apply for an e-visa for the United Arab Emirates from the Democratic Republic of the Congo
- 1Fill in the form on the destination’s official portal.
- 2Upload the required documents (passport, photo, supporting papers).
- 3Pay the fee online by card.
- 4Receive the authorisation by email, usually without a consular visit.
- 5Show the authorisation, printed or on your phone, at boarding.
How and where to apply
Apply online from the DRC on the official ICP portal (icp.gov.ae), or through an approved sponsor: an airline such as Emirates or Etihad when booking your flight, a UAE hotel, or a travel provider. You complete the form, upload documents and pay online; the visa is received electronically.
Where do you apply for a visa for the United Arab Emirates from the Democratic Republic of the Congo?
An e-visa for the United Arab Emirates is filed entirely online: there is no counter to visit and no file to hand in. The only address that matters is the official portal.
- The application, the supporting documents and the payment all go through the official portal, from any country.
- Lookalike sites copy the portal’s name and layout, then resell the same application with a margin. Check the domain before you type in a passport number.
- The authorisation arrives by email. Keep a printed copy, some airlines ask for it at boarding.
You live in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on another passport?
The regime follows your nationality, not where you live. If you reside in the Democratic Republic of the Congo but travel on another country's passport, the rule on this page is not yours. Filing usually still happens from your country of residence, at the post competent for it, but the requirement itself comes from your passport.
Pick your nationality to see the rule
How long does an e-visa for the United Arab Emirates take?
No verified processing time is published for this route. Apply as early as your travel dates allow, and never book non-refundable travel before the e-visa is granted.
Processing and tips
The UAE e-Visa is often issued within a few working days, but the real turnaround depends on your file; do not book a non-refundable flight before the visa is in hand. Make sure the details entered match the passport exactly, and choose a validity that covers the whole stay. Keep the e-Visa confirmation for boarding.
Before you fly, and at the border
Passport validity, border checks, minors, overstays: the rules common to every trip are gathered on our travel tips page. Formalities before you leave
Common mistakes
Blocks often come from a passport valid for less than 6 months, a non-compliant photo or passport copy, or choosing a visa length too short for the intended stay. Always use the official ICP portal or a recognized sponsor, and avoid intermediary sites charging opaque fees.
Plan your trip
Nomad Insurance travel cover (SafetyWing)
Medical cover and repatriation, can be taken out mid-trip.
Flights (Trip.com)
Compare flights and airlines for your trip.
eSIM data (Saily)
Stay connected on landing, with no roaming charges. Requires an eSIM-compatible phone.
Tours and activities (GetYourGuide)
Book excursions ahead, with free cancellation on most activities.
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Other visa types for United Arab Emirates
A tourist stay is not the only purpose. These are the other permits the destination issues and that your nationality is eligible for, each with its own fee and processing time.
Official sources
- Autorité fédérale de l'identité et de la citoyenneté (ICP): Émirats arabes unis
- Portail officiel du gouvernement des Émirats arabes unis
- GDRFA Dubaï: Direction générale des résidences et des affaires des étrangers
Guide generated automatically on July 26, 2026, from the verified catalogue.
Short-stay (tourism)
eVisa / authorization
Entry regime
eVisa / authorization
Official websiteTo confirm
Job Seeker / Exploration visa
Work visa
Duration
60-120 days
Price
200–400 AED
Processing time
5 business days
Official websiteVerified
Student visa
Student visa
Duration
1 year (renewable)
Price
800 AED
Processing time
7 business days
Official websiteVerified
Family Residence visa (dependant)
Family reunification
Duration
2-3 years
Price
300–1,200 AED
Processing time
15 business days
Official websiteVerified
Golden Visa (10-year residency)
Investor visa
Duration
10 years
Price
1,200–2,300 AED
Processing time
30 days
Official websiteVerified
Green Visa (5-year residency)
Work visa
Duration
5 years
Price
700–1,300 AED
Processing time
30 days
Official websiteVerified
Virtual Working Programme (digital nomad)
Work visa
Duration
1 year
Price
300–800 AED
Processing time
14 business days
Official websiteVerified
Retirement visa (5-year, age 55+)
Retirement visa
Duration
5 years (renewable)
Price
700–1,600 AED
Processing time
30 days
Official websiteVerified
Transit visa
Transit visa
Duration
96 hours
Price
200 AED
Processing time
3 business days
Official websiteVerified
Employment Residence visa (employer-sponsored)
Work visa
Duration
2-3 years (renewable)
Price
400–1,000 AED
Processing time
15 business days
Official websiteVerified
Medical treatment visa
Consular visa
Duration
90 days
Price
200–900 AED
Processing time
5 business days
Official websiteVerified
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Indicative information, drawn from official sources and Wikipedia, and updated automatically. Rules change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before booking. Our methodology · Official portal
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