Congo-Brazzaville Plans to Introduce an E-Visa and Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)

The Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville) is working on two new digital entry procedures for international travelers: an electronic visa (e-visa) and an electronic travel authorization (ETA). Both systems are currently being developed and are intended to significantly simplify and digitize the entry process for visitors to this Central African country in the future.

Initial details on both procedures are already available on a test environment that appears to be part of the official infrastructure of the Ministry of the Interior. The platform shares the same look, navigation, and structure as the regular government website and contains information on the requirements that apply depending on nationality and purpose of travel. An official launch date has not yet been confirmed, but the information suggests that development is already further along than previous public announcements would indicate.

Two Separate Procedures for Different Travelers

The available information indicates that a distinction will be made between two target groups: First, an e-visa for travelers who generally require a visa to enter the country and who will be able to complete the entire application process online in the future. Second, an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), which could be particularly relevant for nationals of African countries who are set to benefit from a visa waiver scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027. In this case, the ETA would not replace a visa requirement but would serve as a travel authorization that must be applied for in advance and obtained before departure.

The plan to introduce an electronic visa is not new: Congolese authorities have been pursuing plans to digitize the visa process since 2019. The recently discovered test platform shows that this long-standing project is now taking concrete shape and has entered a technical implementation phase.

For travelers, this could potentially make the process significantly easier: Instead of submitting an in-person application with physical documents, the entry permit could be applied for entirely online in the future. This would reduce wait times and make the entire process more transparent and predictable—a step that many African and non-African travel destinations have already taken in recent years.

Since neither an official launch date nor final procedural details have been confirmed, we recommend that anyone planning a trip to the Republic of the Congo closely monitor developments. As soon as the e-visa or ETA is officially introduced, we’ll be happy to assist travelers in applying for the appropriate entry permit correctly and on time. Until then, it’s worth taking a look at our overview of all visa types to familiarize yourself with current requirements early on.

Anyone already planning a trip who needs assistance preparing the necessary documents can contact us via our visa application form—with no obligation—as soon as the new digital procedures officially begin.