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🇦🇺AUSTRALIA
🏳CFAU-CF

Do Australia passport holders need a visa to visit CF?

Australian passport holders need a visa to enter the Central African Republic (CAR) for tourism. An official electronic visa (eVisa) is available for tourist trips through the government portal at evisa-centrafrique.com; alternatively a paper visa can be obtained from a CAR diplomatic mission. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory. There is no visa-free, visa-on-arrival or ETA channel for Australian (ordinary) passport holders traveling to the Central African Republic. CAR is not in the Schengen area, so the Schengen 90/180 rule and ETIAS do not apply. An official online eVisa system (evisa-centrafrique.com) issues tourist visas, typically single-entry, allowing a short stay and valid for entry within a set window. Travelers who prefer (or whose itinerary requires) a paper visa can apply at the nearest CAR embassy or consulate; in Australia, the Consulate-General of France in Sydney may assist as France represents CAR interests. Australia's Smartraveller advises that entry conditions can change at short notice and recommends confirming directly with a CAR mission before booking. Critically, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for entry, the passport must be valid at least six months beyond the intended stay, and proof of onward travel is needed. Note: Smartraveller currently lists obtaining a visa via a diplomatic mission and does not endorse an online channel, so travelers should verify the eVisa is accepted for their entry point before relying on it. Australia's overall travel advice for CAR is "Do not travel" due to security and health risks, which is a separate consideration from visa eligibility.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMSINGLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
Australia (PR)Living in Australia as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
Tourist eVisa (single entry) — paper embassy visa also available
Maximum stay
Up to 30 days (some categories up to 90 days)
per entry
Entries
Single entry
from issue date
Visa fee
Approx. USD 40-82 plus service/card fees (varies by channel)
consular fee only
Processing time
About 4-7 business days
standard track
Validity
Enter within 30-90 days of issue (cannot be extended)
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm current requirements
Check Australia's Smartraveller CAR page and contact the nearest CAR diplomatic mission (or the Consulate-General of France in Sydney) to confirm the eVisa is accepted at your point of entry, as conditions change at short notice.
· Smartraveller· Official confirmation
/02
Get a yellow fever vaccination
Obtain a yellow fever vaccination at least 10 days before travel and keep the international certificate — it is mandatory for entry to CAR.
· Mandatory· 10 days prior
/03
Prepare documents
Ensure your passport is valid at least 6 months beyond your stay with blank pages, and gather a photo, proof of onward travel and accommodation details.
· 6-month validity· Onward ticket
/04
Apply online for the eVisa
Complete the application on the official portal evisa-centrafrique.com, upload the required documents and pay the fee by credit/debit card.
· evisa-centrafrique.com· Card payment
/05
Wait for approval
Allow roughly 4-7 business days for processing; the approved eVisa is delivered by email.
· 4-7 business days· Email delivery
/06
Travel with documents
Print the approved visa and carry it with your passport and yellow fever certificate for inspection on arrival.
· Print copy· Carry certificate
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

10 items
Personalized checklist
0 / 10 complete
Passport valid at least 6 months beyond intended stay
required
At least one blank passport page
required
Approved CAR eVisa (or paper visa) printout
required
Yellow fever vaccination certificate
required
Proof of onward/return travel
required
Recent passport-style photograph
required
Proof of accommodation / itinerary
recommended
Sufficient funds for the stay
recommended
Travel insurance covering medical evacuation
recommended
Check current Smartraveller advisory before departure
recommended
Track your progress · save & email a copy
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Tourist eVisa feeUSD 40-82Varies by visa category and channel
Service / card processing feeUSD 5-25Charged by the online portal
Embassy paper visa (alternative)USD 100-200If applying via a diplomatic mission instead of online
Total estimateUSD 45USD 200incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Embassy / consulate paper visa
1-4 weeks
Apply in person or by post at a CAR mission; recommended to apply 1-2 months ahead.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
No visa-waiver agreement
Australia is not on CAR's short visa-exempt list, so a visa is required for all visits.
High
/02
Not in the Schengen area
CAR is a Central African nation; Schengen 90/180 and ETIAS rules do not apply.
High
/03
Security-driven entry controls
CAR maintains strict entry screening due to ongoing instability, with no visa-free or visa-on-arrival channel.
Medium
/04
Mandatory health entry rule
A yellow fever certificate is required, adding a compulsory pre-travel step beyond the visa.
Medium
/05
Conflicting official guidance
Smartraveller points to embassy visas while an official eVisa portal exists, so confirmation is advised.
Low
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Immigration
Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.
/02
Customs
Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.
/03
Connectivity
Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-05-30 · major
Australia to Central African Rep. route verified
Confirmed visa required for Australian passport holders; official tourist eVisa portal (evisa-centrafrique.com) available, embassy paper visa as alternative; yellow fever certificate mandatory; CAR not in Schengen.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Can Australians get a visa on arrival in the Central African Republic?
No. A visa on arrival is only possible if pre-arranged with a CAR diplomatic mission before travel. Australians should obtain an eVisa or embassy visa in advance.
Is the eVisa accepted everywhere on arrival?+
Do I need a yellow fever vaccination?+
How long can I stay?+
How much does the visa cost?+
Is it safe to travel to the Central African Republic?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the Australia passport

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