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Congo Visa for United States Citizens 2026

Visa Required

US citizens need a visa for the Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville), obtainable either as an e-visa through the government portal or as a sticker visa via the Congolese embassy, typically costing USD 90-150.

Guide last updated October 1, 2026. Always verify with official sources before travel.

What you need

  • Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned stay, with at least 2 blank visa pages.
  • Completed visa application form, either online (for the e-visa) or paper form (for embassy applications).
  • Invitation letter from a host, employer, or hotel confirmation detailing your itinerary.
  • Proof of sufficient funds (bank statement) and a return/onward ticket.
  • Two recent passport-size photos (35mm x 45mm, white background) for embassy applications; a digital photo upload for the e-visa.
  • Biometrics are not collected at application but may be taken on arrival at Maya-Maya Airport in Brazzaville.
  • Proof of yellow fever vaccination is mandatory; travel health insurance is strongly recommended.

Visa types

  • Tourist e-visa: single-entry, valid for use within 90 days of issue, permits a stay of up to 30 days, fee around USD 90-100.
  • Tourist sticker visa (embassy): similar terms, fee around USD 100-150 depending on processing speed.
  • Business visa: single or multiple entry, up to 90 days, fee around USD 150-200, requires a company invitation letter.

How to apply

  • For the e-visa, apply through the Congolese government's official e-visa portal, uploading your passport scan, photo, and invitation/hotel details, and pay online by card.
  • Alternatively, apply in person or by mail through the Embassy of the Republic of the Congo (Washington, DC handles some consular services for the US), submitting the paper form, photos, passport, and invitation letter.
  • Fees are paid online (e-visa) or via money order/in-person payment (embassy).
  • Standard processing: 5-7 business days for the e-visa; 1-2 weeks for embassy sticker visas, with expedited options sometimes available for an added fee.
  • No interview is typically required, though the embassy may call to verify your invitation letter.

Fees & processing time

  • e-Visa fee: approximately USD 90-100.
  • Embassy sticker visa fee: approximately USD 100-150 depending on visa category.
  • No mandatory VFS/BLS service fee - applications go directly through the e-visa portal or embassy.
  • Total cost estimate: USD 100-200 including any courier fees for mailed embassy applications.
  • Standard processing: 5-7 business days (e-visa) or 1-2 weeks (embassy); express options may cut this to 2-3 days for an extra fee where available.

Tips for United States travelers

  • Apply at least 3-4 weeks before travel, especially if using the embassy route, to allow for mailing and processing delays.
  • Common rejection reasons include a missing or vague invitation letter, insufficient yellow fever documentation, and photos that don't meet spec.
  • Confirm whether the e-visa or embassy sticker visa is more reliable at the time of your trip, since availability of the online portal has varied.
  • Check the current US State Department travel advisory for the Republic of the Congo before finalizing plans.
  • Extensions inside the country are handled by the national immigration directorate in Brazzaville and require a documented reason.

Official links & resources

Always confirm requirements with government or embassy sources before applying.

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This guide is for information only. Visa policies change without notice. Travel Visa Stack is not an immigration authority. Always verify with official government or embassy sources before making travel plans.