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🇫🇷FRANCE
🏳CDFR-CD

Do France passport holders need a visa to visit CD?

French passport holders need a visa for the Democratic Republic of Congo. The standard route for a short tourist stay is the online eVisa/VAP via the official portal evisa.gouv.cd, or a tourist visa from the DRC Embassy in Paris. France is not on the DRC visa-exemption list. A French ordinary passport holder is not exempt from visas for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC, Kinshasa). Both the French government (France-Visas and France Diplomatie) and the DRC's own visa policy confirm that French nationals are subject to a visa requirement and France does not appear on any DRC exemption list (which covers only a few neighbouring African states). For a short tourist visit the two practical channels are: (1) the official online portal evisa.gouv.cd, which issues an electronic Visa Autorisation Préalable / eVisa, typically processed within around 72 hours and usable at air, land and sea entry points; and (2) a traditional tourist visa obtained from the DRC Embassy in Paris (single-entry one-month visa around USD 100). A mandatory VAP/border fee (commonly cited at USD 90) is collected on the electronic-visa channel, and total online costs reported by applicants range widely depending on visa length and service. A valid passport with at least 6 months validity and an International Certificate of Vaccination showing yellow fever vaccination are required; proof of onward/return travel is expected. Fees are quoted in US dollars. Because figures and channel details vary between sources and the system has been changing (a generalised eVisa rollout was advanced in 2025), travelers should confirm the current fee and process directly on evisa.gouv.cd or with the DRC Embassy in Paris before booking.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMFLEXIBLE 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.
France (PR)Living in France as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
eVisa / VAP (online) or embassy tourist visa
Maximum stay
Up to 30 days (1-month single entry); longer tourist visas available
per entry
Entries
Single entry (multiple-entry options available)
from issue date
Visa fee
From ~USD 100 (1-month single entry) + ~USD 90 VAP/border fee
consular fee only
Processing time
~72 hours (online VAP); allow 5-10+ business days for embassy
standard track
Validity
Must be used within ~3 months of issue; stay 30 days
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm you need a visa
Verify on France-Visas that France is not visa-exempt for the DRC. France is not on the DRC exemption list, so a visa is mandatory for tourism.
· France-Visas· Mandatory
/02
Choose your channel
Decide between the official online eVisa/VAP portal (evisa.gouv.cd) for a fast electronic authorisation, or a tourist visa from the DRC Embassy in Paris.
· Online or embassy
/03
Prepare documents
Passport valid 6+ months, passport photo on white background, return/onward ticket, accommodation details, and a yellow fever vaccination certificate.
· Yellow fever required
/04
Apply and pay online
Create an account on evisa.gouv.cd, complete the application, upload documents and pay the visa fee in USD. The VAP/border fee is settled on arrival or as instructed.
· USD fees· evisa.gouv.cd
/05
Receive approval
The electronic VAP is typically issued within about 72 hours. Print the approval letter to present at boarding and on arrival.
· ~72 hours
/06
Enter the DRC
Present passport, the eVisa/VAP approval and your yellow fever card at the border. Pay any outstanding ~USD 90 VAP/border fee if required.
· At port of entry
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

9 items
Personalized checklist
0 / 9 complete
Passport valid at least 6 months beyond date of entry
required
Completed DRC eVisa/VAP application (evisa.gouv.cd) or embassy form
required
Recent passport-size photo on white background
required
International Certificate of Vaccination showing yellow fever vaccination
required
Confirmed return or onward travel ticket
required
Proof of accommodation or invitation/host details
required
Visa fee paid in USD (plus ~USD 90 VAP/border fee)
required
Proof of sufficient funds for the stay
recommended
Travel/health insurance covering the DRC
recommended
Track your progress · save & email a copy
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Tourist visa, 1-month single entryUSD 100Embassy of DRC published fee; online portal pricing may differ
VAP / border feeUSD 90Commonly collected on the electronic-visa/airport channel at entry
Tourist visa, 1-month multiple entryUSD 120Embassy fee if multiple entries needed
Tourist visa, 6-month single entryUSD 400For longer stays; embassy fee
Total estimateUSD 190USD 490incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

DRC Embassy in Paris
~5-10+ business days
Traditional tourist visa application; allow extra time for postal money-order payment and mailing.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
France not on DRC exemption list
The DRC waives visas only for a handful of neighbouring states (e.g. Burundi, Congo-Brazzaville, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe). France is not included.
High
/02
French government confirms visa obligation
France-Visas and France Diplomatie both state French nationals are subject to a visa requirement for the DRC.
High
/03
Health entry control
Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory and checked on arrival, adding a documentary condition to entry.
Medium
/04
Evolving online system
The DRC has been rolling out and adjusting its electronic VAP/eVisa platform, so fees and steps change and must be re-checked.
Medium
/05
Security and entry scrutiny
Border controls are strict; incomplete documentation or unpaid VAP fees can lead to entry refusal.
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
France to Dem. Rep. Congo route verified
Confirmed via France-Visas, France Diplomatie, DRC visa policy and the DRC Embassy fee schedule that French ordinary passport holders need a visa; primary channel is the online eVisa/VAP at evisa.gouv.cd plus a ~USD 90 border fee, with yellow fever vaccination mandatory.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Can French citizens enter the DRC without a visa?
No. France is not on the DRC visa-exemption list, and the French government confirms French nationals require a visa for tourism.
What is the difference between the eVisa and the VAP?+
How long can I stay as a tourist?+
Is a yellow fever vaccination required?+
How fast is the online visa issued?+
Can I apply at the embassy instead?+
/11 — 护照工具

法国 (France) 护照工具

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