Central African Republic Visa Information

Passport/Visa

	Passport Required?	Visa Required?	Return Ticket Required?
British	Yes	Yes	Yes
Australian	Yes	Yes	Yes
Canadian	Yes	Yes	Yes
USA	Yes	Yes	Yes
Other EU	Yes	Yes	Yes

Passports
Passport valid for six months after entry required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Visas
Required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except the following:
(a) transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft provided holding valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport.

Note: Nationals not referred to in chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see General Info).

Types of Visa and Cost
Tourist/Business and Transit: €50 (for stays of up to 30 days); €152 (for stays of up to three months). Fees paid in other currencies depend on exchange rates.

Validity
Tourist and Business visas are valid for stays of maximum three months. For transit through the Central African Republic, enquire at the consulate (or consular sections at embassy).

Applications to:
Consulate (or consular section at embassy); see General Info.

Working Days Required
Normally two unless application is referred to the authorities in the Central African Republic.

Warning
We advise against all but essential travel to the Central African Republic (CAR). The north and west of the country, especially the areas bordering Cameroon and Chad, is particularly dangerous and should be avoided. It is no longer safe to travel by any of the road routes between CAR and Cameroon even with a military/police escort. Rebel forces are currently active in the northeast of the country, particularly in the Vakaga province and around the town of Birao; and the area remains volatile. The border with Sudan is closed.

Although elections were held successfully in May 2005, order has yet to be restored to much of the country outside Bangui, particularly in the north of the country. If you must travel outside Bangui, it is strongly recommended that you check first on the current situation in the areas through which you plan to travel.

The threat from terrorism is low but visitors should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organizations for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel

Health

	Special Precautions	Certificate Required?
Yellow Fever	Yes	1
Cholera	Yes	2
Typhoid and Polio	3	N/A
Malaria	4	N/A

Health Care


Other risks


Hepatitis A and E are present and hepatitis B is hyperendemic. Diarrhoeal illnesses are common. Cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis occur during the dry season. Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water; swimming pools which are well-chlorinated and maintained are safe. Onchocerciasis (river blindness) and African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) are also prevalent. Meningococcal meningitis is particularly prevalent during the dry season in December, especially in the north of the country. In March 2004, two districts (Nana Bongila with 39 cases/five deaths and Zere with four cases/two deaths) had attack rates above the epidemic threshold. Vaccination is strongly recommended. There is also a high incidence of HIV/AIDS; sensible precautions should be taken.
Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay.

Full health insurance is essential, and should include air evacuation to Europe in case of serious accident or illness. Medical facilities are severely limited outside the major centers and visitors should travel with their own supply of remedies for simple ailments such as stomach upsets: pharmaceutical supplies are usually very difficult to obtain.

Note
1
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers over one year of age.

2
Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is not a condition of entry to the Central African Republic. However, cholera is a serious risk in this country and precautions are essential. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness.

3
Immunization against typhoid is usually recommended.

4
Risk of malaria (and of other insect-borne diseases) exists all year throughout the country. The malignant falciparum form is prevalent. Resistance to chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine has been reported. The recommended prophylaxis is mefloquine.



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