The tourist eVisa permits a single entry and a stay of up to 7 days. Longer stays must be extended in-country at a DGM office shortly after arrival.

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🇨🇩Congo (Dem. Rep.)RU-CD

Russian Federation to Congo (Dem. Rep.) visa requirements

Q: Is there a visa on arrival for tourists?

Not a general one. You must first obtain the online Authorization Visa (VAP) from the DGM; the physical Airport-Port Visa is then affixed on arrival once you pay the USD 90 entry fee.

Q: How much does it cost in total?

Expect roughly USD 390 at minimum, the government visa fee (from USD 300) plus the USD 90 entry fee, rising to about USD 660 if you use agency and expedited services.

Q: Do I need a yellow fever vaccination?

Yes. A valid yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory and is checked at the border; entry can be denied without it.

Q: Where is the official application made?

On the DRC government eVisa portal operated by the Direction Générale de Migration (evisa.gouv.cd). Applying directly there is the recommended, lowest-cost route.

Russian ordinary passport holders need a visa for the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The current route for a short tourist visit is the eVisa (Authorization Visa / VAP) issued online by the DGM, which grants an Airport-Port Visa stamped on arrival. There is no visa-free or general visa-on-arrival access for ordinary Russian passports. A Russia (RU) ordinary passport holder traveling to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (CD) for tourism requires a visa. The DRC's Direction Générale de Migration (DGM) operates an electronic visa system (official portal evisa.gouv.cd), which is the primary channel for tourists. The applicant completes the online form, uploads a passport and supporting documents, and pays the visa fee; once approved, an authorization (VAP / Visa d'Entrée) is issued that allows the traveler to receive an Airport-Port Visa (APV) physically affixed at the point of entry. The tourist eVisa is single entry, permits a stay of 7 days (extendable in-country at DGM offices), and the underlying authorization is valid for up to 90 days from issue (the trip must commence within that window). A mandatory USD 90 entry fee (VAP) is paid in cash at the airport, seaport, or land border in addition to the online visa fee. A yellow fever vaccination certificate and a passport valid at least 6 months are required. Visa-free entry is reserved for diplomatic passport holders only; ordinary Russian passports are not exempt. Travelers should default to the eVisa and verify current fees and any DGM bulletins shortly before travel, as the system is still being rolled out and rates vary by processing speed and provider.

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.

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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30

Visa type

eVisa (DGM Authorization Visa / VAP, with Airport-Port Visa affixed on arrival)

Maximum stay

Up to 7 days (extendable in-country at DGM offices)

per entry

Entries

Single entry

from issue date

Visa fee

Government visa fee from USD 300, plus a mandatory USD 90 entry fee (VAP) paid at the border

consular fee only

Processing time

Approx. 72 hours to 3 business days for the government process; allow 5-13 business days via agency channels

standard track

Validity

Authorization valid up to 90 days from issue; entry must occur within that window

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Confirm eligibility and prerequisites

Verify your Russian ordinary passport is valid at least 6 months beyond entry and has blank pages. Obtain a yellow fever vaccination and keep the international certificate, which is checked on arrival.

· 6-month validity· Yellow fever required

/02

Apply on the official DGM eVisa portal

Go to the DRC government eVisa portal (evisa.gouv.cd), create an account, select the tourist category, and complete the online application with details exactly as they appear in your passport.

· Tourist category· evisa.gouv.cd

/03

Upload supporting documents

Upload a passport bio-page scan, a passport photo, proof of accommodation (hotel booking or invitation letter), and a return/onward ticket. Provide a local contact or host details if requested.

· Passport scan· Accommodation proof

/04

Pay the visa fee and choose processing speed

Pay the government visa fee online (from USD 300) and select standard or expedited processing. Save the payment receipt and application reference number.

· Pay online· Keep reference

/05

Receive the authorization (VAP)

Wait for DGM approval, typically within about 72 hours for the government process. Download and print the Authorization Visa / Visa d'Entrée (VAP) approval letter.

· ~72 hours· Print approval

/06

Receive the Airport-Port Visa on arrival

On arrival, present the VAP and pay the USD 90 entry fee in cash. An immigration officer affixes the physical Airport-Port Visa to your passport and records the 7-day stay.

· USD 90 cash· Visa affixed on entry

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

13 items

Personalized checklist

Russian Federation -> Congo (Dem. Rep.) · eVisa (DGM Authorization Visa / VAP, with Airport-Port Visa affixed on arrival)

0 / 13 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RequiredRussian passport valid 6+ months with blank pages

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

required

RequiredApproved DGM Authorization Visa / VAP (printed)

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

required

RequiredYellow fever vaccination certificate

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

required

RequiredUSD 90 entry fee in cash for arrival

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

required

RequiredConfirmed accommodation booking or invitation letter

Signed or stamped letter with host contact details and visit arrangements

required

RequiredReturn or onward flight ticket

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

required

RequiredPassport-style photo (digital and printed)

Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route

required

RecommendedProof of sufficient funds for the stay

Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances

recommended

RecommendedTravel/health insurance for the trip

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

recommended

RecommendedCopies of all documents (digital and paper)

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

recommended

RequiredOfficial application form or online application

Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed

Use the current form from the official or designated application channel.

RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary

Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it

Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.

RecommendedTravel medical insurance

Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates

Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.

Official sourcesVisa policy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Wikipedia)DRC eVisa Fee & Processing Time DRC Visa Essentials 2026 (VisaVerge)

Application link included: Visa policy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Wikipedia)

Open link

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

Government eVisa (tourist) feeFrom USD 300Paid online to DGM; varies by category

Entry fee (VAP / Airport-Port Visa)USD 90Mandatory, paid in cash at the border on arrival

Expedited processing (optional)USD 59-99Rush/super-rush surcharge via agency channels

Agency service fee (if using an agent)Approx. USD 100-170Only if applying through a third-party provider

Total estimateUSD 390 — USD 660incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Government eVisa (DGM standard)

Approx. 72 hours (3 business days)

Apply directly on the official evisa.gouv.cd portal; the cheapest and recommended route.

Agency standard processing

11-13 business days

Third-party providers handle the application for an added service fee.

Agency expedited (rush/super-rush)

5-11 business days

Faster agency turnaround for a surcharge; useful for tight timelines.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

No visa-free access for ordinary passports

Only Russian diplomatic passport holders are visa-exempt; ordinary passports must obtain a visa before or on arrival.

High

/02

eVisa is the current primary channel

The DGM electronic visa (launched 2022, expanded in 2025) is the standard route for tourists, replacing most embassy procedures.

High

/03

Two-step payment can surprise travelers

The online visa fee does not include the mandatory USD 90 entry fee, which must be paid in cash at the border.

Medium

/04

Yellow fever certificate enforced

Proof of yellow fever vaccination is checked on arrival and entry can be refused without it.

Medium

/05

Short 7-day stay window

The tourist eVisa allows only 7 days; longer stays require in-country extension at a DGM office.

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

Russia to Dem. Rep. Congo route verified

Confirmed that Russian ordinary passport holders require a visa and that the DGM eVisa (Authorization Visa / VAP with Airport-Port Visa on arrival) is the current tourist channel; verified single entry, 7-day stay, 90-day validity, USD 90 entry fee, and yellow fever requirement.

/09 — The questions