Congo, Democratic Republic of (Zaire) Visa & Health

All foreigners entering the DRC require a visa obtained in advance, as well as a yellow fever vaccination certificate. If no diplomatic representation in country of origin, visas will only be granted on arrival to passengers holding a pre-notification letter issued by the Direction Generale de Migration officials. Documents and tickets for return or onward travel are required. Tourist visas are valid for three months.

Americans: US nationals require a valid passport and a visa to enter the DRC.

UK nationals: British nationals require a valid passport and a visa to enter the DRC.

Canadians: Canadians require a valid passport and a visa to enter the DRC.

Australians: Australian nationals require a valid passport and a visa to enter the DRC.

South Africans: South Africans require a valid passport and a visa to enter the DRC.

Irish nationals: Irish nationals require a valid passport and a visa to enter the DRC.

New Zealanders: New Zealand nationals require a valid passport and a visa to enter the DRC.


Health
Yellow fever vaccination is a requirement for entry for everyone over one year, and vaccinations against cholera, meningitis, typhoid and polio are highly recommended. Large numbers of cases of acute watery diarrhoeal syndrome have been reported in North Kivu province (easter DRC) since September 2008. In many instances these have been fatal. In areas of poor sanitation it is not advisable to drink water unless it has been treated by boiling and filtration or with a chemcial purifier. There is a significant malaria risk throughout the country, and advice should be sought in advance about preventive measures. HIV/AIDS is prevalent. Rabies is endemic to the DRC, and monkeypox occurs, which is a virus usually transmitted to humans from infected ground squirrels and rodents. Regular outbreaks of pneumonic plague also occur, particularly in the district of Ituri, and is fatal if left untreated. An outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus occurred in September 2007. The Center Prive d'Urgence (CPU) clinic in Kinshasa is able to cope with basic health problems and to stabilize a patient after most serious accidents. However, medical evacuation to South Africa (or elsewhere) would be advised as soon as possible. Outside Kinshasa, western standard medical facilities are practically non-existent. Visitors are advised to take their own basic medical supplies with them, as medicines are in short supply. Medical insurance with provision for emergency air evacuation is essential for visitors. All water should be regarded as contaminated, and milk is unpasteurized, therefore consume only imported bottled water and avoid dairy products.

Safety
Travelers are advised against all but essential travel to the DRC because of continuing tension and insecurity. The east and north east of the country are insecure and travelers should be cautious if travel to the region is necessary, particularly near the borders with Uganda and Rwanda. All travel to Bas-Congo should be avoided. There are frequent armed clashes in the district of Ituri near the Ugandan border, as well as Kivu province and northern Katanga. There is a high level of street crime and armed robbery, particularly in Kinshasa, where armed gangs or criminals posing as plain-clothes policemen regularly attack foreigners. Security officials have also been known to arrest foreigners and demand payment for their release. Do not display valuables on your person, walk the streets alone or carry large amounts of money, and keep car doors and windows locked. Demonstrations and political gatherings should be avoided. Boats and ferries are poorly maintained and have low safety standards; on 16 January 2005 an overcrowded ferry on the Kasai River sank, killing 35 people. The DRC also has one of the world's worst air safety records. Due to violent attacks, the border between Angola and the DRC is now closed.

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