Democratic Republic of the Congo entry requirements for British passport holders (2026): visa and passport validity
Passport validity (FCDO rule): At least 6 months after the day you arrive
Visa (FCDO): You need a visa to visit DRC. Official visa text
Official source: GOV.UK – Democratic Republic of the Congo travel advice, Entry requirements (FCDO) · page last updated 8 October 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026
Whether you need a visa and how long your British passport must be valid to enter Democratic Republic of the Congo, as published by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), quoted word for word, with a checker for your dates.
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Do I need a visa for Democratic Republic of the Congo with a British passport?
In short: You need a visa to visit DRC.
Our one-line summary of the first FCDO sentence below, which matches a wording we recognise. It applies to British citizen passport holders; read the full official text, which may add conditions.
You must have a visa to visit DRC.
Applying for a visa
Apply for a visa through the DRC Embassy in the UK.
Allow at least 2 to 3 weeks for application processing.
Some types of visa applications are referred to Kinshasa for a decision. In these cases, if you submit a letter of invitation from the person or organisation you’re visiting, stamped by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kinshasa, you may speed up the process.
Consider getting a long-term visa if you are planning to stay in DRC for a considerable period. When you apply for or renew a long-term visa, DRC authorities need a ‘consular certificate’ as part of the application. The British Embassy in DRC can issue a consular certificate for you.
More from the FCDO visa section (extensions, border checks and other cases)
Checks at border control
If you have a Rwandan or Ugandan immigration stamp in your passport you may have some difficulties on arrival, but it should not prevent you from entering DRC.
If you’re crossing regularly between Rwanda and DRC you may have immigration difficulties if you have not regularised your residency status.
Official source: GOV.UK – Democratic Republic of the Congo travel advice, Entry requirements (FCDO), section “Visa requirements” · page last updated 8 October 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026
Passport validity: official text “Passport validity requirements”
Your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive in DRC.
Official source: GOV.UK – Democratic Republic of the Congo travel advice, Entry requirements (FCDO) · page last updated 8 October 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026
Check your passport for Democratic Republic of the Congo
Schengen rules count your whole trip in the Schengen area: if you visit several Schengen countries, enter the day you first enter the area and the day you leave the last Schengen country.
The check runs in your browser: your dates are not sent anywhere. It applies the FCDO sentence literally (for example “6 months” is counted as the same day of the month 6 months later).
For British passport holders only. These are the rules published by the UK government (FCDO) for British citizens. If you hold another passport, check your own government's advice. The airline and the border officials of the destination decide whether you can travel or enter: this site is information, not legal advice.
Recent FCDO updates to the entry requirements
- 23 June 2026: “Additional information on Ebola (‘Entry requirements’ and ‘Health’ pages).”
- 22 May 2026: “New information about Ebola ('Entry requirements' page).”
- 10 December 2025: “New information about dual nationals returning to the UK (‘Entry requirements’ page).”
- 22 August 2023: “Information about the removal of all COVID-19 related controls related to entry into the country, and travel outside of Kinshasa and the provincial capitals ('Safety and security' and 'Entry requirements' pages).”
- 24 August 2022: “Addition of information and advice on an Ebola outbreak declared in Beni, North Kivu province and clarification on COVID-19 entry requirements ('Summary', 'Entry requirements' and 'Health' pages)”
Read the full FCDO travel advice for Democratic Republic of the Congo (safety, visas, health) before you travel.
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Same FCDO rule (6 months after arrival)
and 79 more destinations with the same rule: see all
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