DR Congo: main airports
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has three main airports: Kinshasa Airport, the capital, Lubumbashi Airport, in the mining region of the south, and Goma Airport, in the east of the country, subject to recurring instability.
DR Congo: recommended activities
DR Congo: visa and entry requirements
A visa is mandatory for all nationalities, with no exceptions: there is no visa-free entry. An eVisa is available (50 USD, processing up to 10 business days, valid 30 days), to which a 90 USD fee is added, payable on arrival at the airport/port/land border. Alternatively, US citizens can apply through an embassy for a reciprocal visa valid 2 years (about 185 USD); EU, UK, Canadian and Australian citizens must apply in advance at a DR Congo embassy, with processing times of 2-3 weeks or more. The passport must have at least 6 months of remaining validity.
DR Congo: safety
The security situation is serious: the United States classifies the entire country at Level 4 ('do not travel'), due to the ongoing conflict in the east between M23 armed groups and government forces (Goma and Bukavu have fallen, Goma airport is not operational) and an Ebola outbreak in Ituri province declared a public health emergency of international concern by the WHO in May 2026. Kinshasa and Lubumbashi, geographically far from the eastern front, are relatively more stable, but Kinshasa experienced unrest in 2025 and protests are also expected in 2026: anyone needing to travel there for professional or humanitarian reasons should nonetheless arrange the trip through their own organization and check the most recent updates before departing, rather than relying on generic tourist information.
DR Congo: health situation
A yellow fever certificate is mandatory for entry into the country for all travelers aged 9 months and up. Given the ongoing Ebola emergency in Ituri province, expect enhanced health screenings, especially for those transiting through that region. Healthcare facilities are very limited even in Kinshasa: insurance with medical evacuation is essential.
DR Congo: currency, payments and connectivity
The currency is the Congolese franc (CDF), but the US dollar is widely used and accepted in cities: bring banknotes in good condition (post-2010), as old or damaged ones are often refused. Cash is essential in most situations; credit cards are accepted only at the best hotels and restaurants. Travel should be arranged through trusted contacts rather than relying on generic means, given the country's situation.
