Visa for France from the Democratic Republic of the Congo: price, documents and processing time 2026

Yes. Holders of a Democratic Republic of the Congo passport have no Schengen exemption and must apply for a short-stay (Type C) visa before any tourist trip to France. The visa covers stays of no more than 90 days within any 180-day period. France must be your main destination or your first point of entry into the Schengen area.

• Government fee90 EUR
• Application centre feeCapped at €45
• Agency or online serviceOptional, added on top
• ExtrasVariable

Prepare a passport valid for at least three months beyond your intended departure and with at least two blank pages, the signed form, two recent photos, travel insurance covering a minimum of €30,000 in medical and repatriation costs, an accommodation certificate or hotel booking, a return ticket and proof of funds. The visa fee is €90 for an adult. Confirm the exact amount and payment methods on France-Visas before applying.

Start by creating and completing your file on the official France-Visas portal, then book an appointment with the authorised partner (usually TLScontact or VFS Global) responsible for the DRC, for example in Kinshasa. You then attend in person to submit your file and give biometric data (fingerprints and photo).

• Your application goes to the state that is your main destination. If France is where you spend the longest, it handles the file, whatever the entry point.
• With no main destination, the competent state is the one you enter first.
• If France has no consulate in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, another Schengen state may act on its behalf under a representation arrangement, or the file goes to the post accredited for your country.

Then the application goes to the post accredited for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, often in a neighbouring capital, or to a state acting on its behalf. Confirm which post is competent with the official source before travelling to a third country to apply, a rejected file at the wrong counter costs the trip and the fee.

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.

Processing usually takes 15 to 45 days; file your application at least three weeks before departure and up to six months ahead. As the DRC is a yellow-fever endemic country, carry an up-to-date international vaccination card. A complete and consistent file, backed by strong ties to the DRC (employment, family, property), supports a favourable decision.

Do not address your application to another Schengen country when France is your main destination, as a refusal is likely. Avoid insurance below €30,000, weak proof of return or unexplained funds. Do not book your appointment too late, as slots in Kinshasa are often saturated. Always check the current requirements on the official portal before finalising your file.