DR Congo Plans to Introduce Electronic Visas: Reform of Entry Procedures Underway

On October 14, 2026, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, and the Minister of the Digital Economy, Augustin Kibassa Maliba, met in Kinshasa to advance the introduction of an electronic visa system (e-visa). The talks focused on the development of an integrated digital platform that will be used to manage visa applications for travelers from around the world in the future. The project is part of a broader government strategy to modernize consular services and significantly simplify the application process for visitors.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the new system is intended to align with the priorities of President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, who aims to modernize consular procedures and streamline administrative processes for applicants. The goal is a digital solution that centrally consolidates visa applications and, according to officials, is intended to ensure a “competitive and transparent” process. However, no specific launch date for the system has been announced yet—discussions are still in the conceptual phase.

It is noteworthy that, with this step, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is following a regional trend: The Republic of the Congo, its northern neighbor, is also currently working on introducing its own e-visa as well as an electronic travel authorization (ETA) system. Both countries are thus responding to a growing demand for digitized, predictable entry procedures, which have now become standard in many parts of Africa and around the world.

For travelers planning a trip to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, this current development means one thing above all else for now: patience. As long as the digital system has not been officially launched and given a binding start date, the existing procedures for applying for a visa remain in effect. As soon as concrete details regarding implementation, validity periods, fees, or application requirements become available, we will inform our customers accordingly and handle the application process for them via the new platform.

Until the e-visa is fully implemented, we recommend that all interested travelers familiarize themselves with the currently valid entry requirements well in advance and submit their application well before their departure. Travelers can easily submit the required documents via our visa application form, while we continue to closely monitor developments regarding the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s planned digital system. A look at our overview of all visa types also helps provide an initial overview of possible categories and requirements for various destinations in Africa.

Overall, the initiative demonstrates that the Democratic Republic of the Congo aims to align its administrative processes with international standards to facilitate tourism and business travel. However, until the system is actually implemented, it remains to be seen what specific changes this will entail for applicants—we will keep you updated on all relevant developments as soon as official details are available.