Democratic Republic of the Congo e-Visa for citizens of France: online application, fees and processing time 2026
Yes, an e-Visa is required: citizens of France apply online before departure, for stays up to 7 days.
Data updated on
Indicative information: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before booking. Our methodology · Official portal
Official fee
300 USD
Allowed stay
7 days
Our guide to the Democratic Republic of the Congo visa from France
Yes, travellers holding a French passport need an e-Visa to travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is requested online before departure; the official fee recorded is 300 USD and the permitted stay is 7 days.
From France, a trip to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is prepared in two stages: the online e-Visa application, then planning a stay that cannot exceed 7 days. This guide reviews the procedure, the documents usually requested and the mistakes that cost French travellers time or money.
Do you need a visa for the Democratic Republic of the Congo?
Yes. French citizens must obtain an e-Visa before entering the Democratic Republic of the Congo: the authorisation is requested online and must be granted before departure. It allows a stay of up to 7 days, a period distinct from the document’s validity and from the processing time. Carry the confirmation for boarding and the entry check.
How much does an e-visa for the Democratic Republic of the Congo cost from France?
300 USD
Official government fee only. Providers and visa centres add their own service charge on top.
What does a visa for the Democratic Republic of the Congo really cost?
- Government fee300 USD
- Agency or online serviceOptional, added on top
What documents are required for an e-visa for the Democratic Republic of the Congo?
The exact list for the Democratic Republic of the Congo is not published in a source we can verify. Every short-stay tourist application is nonetheless built on the same core:
- Valid passport
- Completed application form
- Compliant passport photo
- Proof of accommodation
- Return or onward ticket
- Proof of sufficient funds
Treat this as the common core, not the official list, confirm it with the consular authorities of the Democratic Republic of the Congo before you apply.
Documents and fees
The official fee recorded for this e-Visa is 300 USD. Prepare legible files: the photo page of your French passport and a recent passport-style photo are usually requested, and the portal may require other supporting documents. For any question about additional charges or accepted documents, refer to the official portal or the embassy.
How to apply for an e-visa for the Democratic Republic of the Congo from France
- 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 to apply
The procedure takes place on the official portal of the Congolese authorities, whose address can be confirmed by the embassy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo responsible for France. Complete the online form, attach the scanned documents and make the payment on that portal only. A website showing higher fees or promising guaranteed approval is not an official service.
Where do you apply for a visa for the Democratic Republic of the Congo from France?
An e-visa for the Democratic Republic of the Congo 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 France on another passport?
The regime follows your nationality, not where you live. If you reside in France 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 Democratic Republic of the Congo 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 times and tips
Our official sources do not give a processing time: submit your application as soon as your dates are set and track it on the portal. With a stay limited to 7 days, book a return ticket consistent with that period. Also check your passport’s validity against the rules published by the DRC and keep the e-Visa on paper and on your phone.
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
Paying for the e-Visa on a commercial website that copies the look of the official portal is a frequent mistake. Other applications fail because of a non-compliant photo, an illegible passport page or an error in the document number. Finally, a stay planned beyond the 7 days allowed does not match this e-Visa: adjust your dates.
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Other visa types for Democratic Republic of the Congo
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
Guide generated automatically on October 17, 2026, from the verified catalogue.
Short-stay (tourism)
eVisa / authorization
Entry regime
eVisa / authorization
Duration
7 days
Price
300 USD
Official websiteTo confirm
Business visa
Consular visa
Duration
90 days
Price
€85–310
Processing time
15 business days
Official websiteVerified
Work visa
Work visa
Duration
1 year (renewable)
Price
653 USD
Processing time
30 business days
Official websiteVerified
Tips to Extend Your Stay in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Anticipate your extension request before the initial visa expires.
- Prepare all necessary supporting documents (accommodation, financial means, reason for stay).
- Contact the local immigration services upon your arrival to learn about the exact procedures.
- Always keep a copy of your passport, visa, and important documents with you.
A traveler arriving with a 30-day tourist visa may, before the end of this period, go to the immigration office in Kinshasa with a request letter, their passport, proof of accommodation, and payment of fees to obtain an extension of an additional 30 days.
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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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