Which African countries can Congolese passport holders visit visa-free?

Congolese citizens enjoy visa-free access to several African countries including Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, and Senegal. Additionally, visa-on-arrival is available in Burundi, Comoro Islands, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and Zambia. Many of these are ECCAS (Economic Community of Central African States) or ECOWAS member states.

Do Congo (Rep.) passport holders need a visa for France and other Schengen countries?

Yes, Congolese passport holders require a visa to visit France and all Schengen Area countries (including Germany, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, and others). You must apply for a Schengen visa at the French embassy or consulate in Brazzaville or Pointe-Noire before travel. The application requires proof of accommodation, return tickets, financial means, travel insurance, and a valid passport with at least 6 months validity.

Can I travel to the United States with a Congo (Republic) passport?

Yes, but you must obtain a U.S. visa before travel. Congo (Rep.) is not part of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. Congolese citizens typically apply for a B-1/B-2 tourist/business visa at the U.S. Embassy in Brazzaville. The process involves completing the DS-160 form online, paying the visa fee, scheduling an interview, and providing supporting documents including proof of ties to Congo, financial stability, and travel purpose.

Is an e-visa available for Congo (Rep.) passport holders traveling to popular destinations?

Yes, Congolese passport holders can apply for e-visas to 39 countries including Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Albania, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Colombia. Each country has its own online application portal, processing times (typically 3-7 days), and fees. E-visas simplify the application process compared to traditional embassy visits.

What documents are required to renew a Congo (Republic) passport in 2025?

To renew a Congolese passport, you typically need: your expired or expiring passport, national identity card, birth certificate, proof of Congolese nationality, two recent passport-sized photos (biometric standard), proof of residence, and payment of renewal fees (approximately 75,000-100,000 CFA francs). Applications are submitted at the Direction Générale de la Documentation et de l'Immigration (DGDI) offices in Brazzaville or Pointe-Noire. Processing takes 2-4 weeks for standard service.

Can Congo (Rep.) citizens work in other African countries without a work permit?

Freedom of movement and right to work vary by country. Within ECCAS member states (Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, and DRC), Congolese citizens have easier mobility, though work permits are still generally required. Some countries like Rwanda and Kenya offer streamlined work permit processes for African nationals. However, most African countries require Congolese citizens to obtain specific work permits or employment visas before taking up employment, even if visa-free entry is allowed for tourism.

Is military service mandatory for Congo (Republic) citizens, and does it affect passport issuance?

Congo (Republic) does not currently enforce mandatory military service for all citizens, though military recruitment does occur on a voluntary basis. There is no systematic requirement to complete military service before obtaining a passport. However, male citizens of military age (18-35) may need to provide a certificate of military status or exemption when applying for certain government documents. This requirement is not strictly enforced for passport applications in practice.

Which countries have the strictest visa requirements for Congolese passport holders?

The most difficult visas for Congolese passport holders include the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Schengen countries, which require extensive documentation, financial proof, and have high rejection rates. China, Japan, and South Korea also have stringent requirements. Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia and Kuwait require sponsorship. Some countries like North Korea, Eritrea, and Turkmenistan rarely issue visas to Congolese citizens. These destinations require strong proof of return intent, financial stability, and legitimate travel purpose.

Has the Congo (Rep.) passport ranking improved or declined in recent years?

The Congo (Republic) passport ranking has fluctuated between 2006 and 2025. It started at rank 69 (27 visa-free destinations) in 2006, dropped to rank 100 in 2021, and currently stands at rank 93 with 48 visa-free destinations in 2025. The best ranking was 69th in 2006, while the worst was 100th in 2021. The passport saw improvement in 2024 (rank 89 with 52 destinations) but declined slightly in 2025. Overall, visa-free access has increased from 27 to 48 destinations over two decades.

Congo (Rep.) Passport Ranking – Visa Free Access to 48 Countries

The Republic of Congo passport currently ranks 93rd globally in 2025, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 48 destinations worldwide. This Central African travel document has shown fluctuating mobility over the past two decades, with rankings varying between 69th (2006) and 100th (2021) position. The Congo passport provides relatively limited international travel freedom compared to top-tier passports, with access primarily concentrated in African countries and select other destinations. Congolese citizens typically require advance visas for travel to most developed nations in Europe, North America, and Asia, reflecting moderate global mobility for business and leisure purposes.

Global Rank

#93

out of 199 countries

Visa Free Access

countries worldwide

Mobility Score

out of 100 points

Quick Statistics for Congo (Rep.) passport

Visa-Free

On Arrival

ETA Required

E-Visa

138

Visa Required

Source: Skyscanner & Official Government Websites.

Top Visa-Free Destinations for Congolese Citizens

Popular destinations where Congo (Rep.) passport holders can travel without a visa:

Country	Maximum Stay	Code
Senegal	Up to 90 days	SN
Benin	Up to 90 days	BJ
Philippines	Up to 30 days	PH
Singapore	Up to 30 days	SG
Malaysia	Up to 30 days	MY

Visa Requirements by Country

Complete breakdown of visa requirements for Congo (Rep.) passport holders

✅ Visa-Free

21 countries

🛬 Visa on Arrival

24 countries

🔐 ETA Required

3 countries

Sri Lanka
Seychelles
Morocco

💻 E-Visa

40 countries

❌ Visa Required

138 countries

Historical Ranking Trend

Congo (Rep.)'s passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Trend: Declined by 24 positions from 2006 to 2025

Official Congo (Rep.) Passport & Travel Resources

Access official government resources for passport services, travel advisories, and visa information:

🔗

U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs

🔗

UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

🔗

Global Affairs Canada

🔗

Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Compare Congo (Rep.) Passport with Other Passports

See how Congo (Rep.)'s passport compares with other AFRICA in the same ranking tier:

Country	Rank	Visa-Free Destinations	Mobility Score	Global Score
Congo (Rep.) (You are here)	#93	48	42/100	13/100
Togo	#83	59	42/100	17/100
Senegal	#84	58	45/100	58/100
Gabon	#84	58	42/100	21/100
Madagascar	#84	58	28/100	58/100
Burkina Faso	#84	58	42/100	21/100

*Mobility score calculated based on visa-free access and global travel freedom.

*Global score reflects overall passport strength considering various factors.

Frequently Asked Questions:

As of 2025, Congo (Republic) passport holders can visit 48 destinations without a prior visa. This includes 21 visa-free countries (such as Singapore, Philippines, Kenya, Ghana, Rwanda, and several ECCAS member states) and 24 visa-on-arrival destinations (including Madagascar, Cambodia, Maldives, and Ethiopia). The passport ranks 93rd globally on the Henley Passport Index, showing relatively limited visa-free access compared to stronger passports.

Explore More Passport Rankings

Discover Congo (Rep.)'s passport power and compare with other countries to find the world's most powerful travel documents.

View All Passport Rankings

Last Updated: November 9, 2025

Source: IATA Travel Centre, Skyscanner & Official Government Websites.

Congo (Rep.) Passport Ranking – Visa Free Access to 48 Countries

Country

Maximum Stay

Code

Up to 90 days

Up to 90 days

Up to 30 days

Up to 30 days

Up to 30 days

Historical Ranking Trend

Congo (Rep.)'s passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Trend: Declined by 24 positions from 2006 to 2025

Compare Congo (Rep.) Passport with Other Passports

See how Congo (Rep.)'s passport compares with other AFRICA in the same ranking tier:

Country	Rank	Visa-Free Destinations	Mobility Score	Global Score
Congo (Rep.) (You are here)	#93	48	42/100	13/100
Togo	#83	59	42/100	17/100
Senegal	#84	58	45/100	58/100
Gabon	#84	58	42/100	21/100
Madagascar	#84	58	28/100	58/100
Burkina Faso	#84	58	42/100	21/100

*Mobility score calculated based on visa-free access and global travel freedom.

*Global score reflects overall passport strength considering various factors.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Quick Statistics for Congo (Rep.) passport

Top Visa-Free Destinations for Congolese Citizens

Visa Requirements by Country

✅ Visa-Free

🛬 Visa on Arrival

🔐 ETA Required

💻 E-Visa

❌ Visa Required

Historical Ranking Trend

Congo (Rep.)'s passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Official Congo (Rep.) Passport & Travel Resources

Compare Congo (Rep.) Passport with Other Passports

Frequently Asked Questions:

How many countries can Congo (Rep.) passport holders visit without a visa in 2025?

Which African countries can Congolese passport holders visit visa-free?

Do Congo (Rep.) passport holders need a visa for France and other Schengen countries?

Can I travel to the United States with a Congo (Republic) passport?

Is an e-visa available for Congo (Rep.) passport holders traveling to popular destinations?

What documents are required to renew a Congo (Republic) passport in 2025?

Can Congo (Rep.) citizens work in other African countries without a work permit?

Is military service mandatory for Congo (Republic) citizens, and does it affect passport issuance?

Which countries have the strictest visa requirements for Congolese passport holders?

Has the Congo (Rep.) passport ranking improved or declined in recent years?

Explore More Passport Rankings

Quick Statistics for Congo (Rep.) passport

Top Visa-Free Destinations for Congolese Citizens

Visa Requirements by Country

✅ Visa-Free

🛬 Visa on Arrival

🔐 ETA Required

💻 E-Visa

❌ Visa Required

Historical Ranking Trend

Congo (Rep.)'s passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Official Congo (Rep.) Passport & Travel Resources

Compare Congo (Rep.) Passport with Other Passports

Frequently Asked Questions:

How many countries can Congo (Rep.) passport holders visit without a visa in 2025?

Which African countries can Congolese passport holders visit visa-free?

Do Congo (Rep.) passport holders need a visa for France and other Schengen countries?

Can I travel to the United States with a Congo (Republic) passport?

Is an e-visa available for Congo (Rep.) passport holders traveling to popular destinations?

What documents are required to renew a Congo (Republic) passport in 2025?

Can Congo (Rep.) citizens work in other African countries without a work permit?

Is military service mandatory for Congo (Republic) citizens, and does it affect passport issuance?

Which countries have the strictest visa requirements for Congolese passport holders?

Has the Congo (Rep.) passport ranking improved or declined in recent years?

Explore More Passport Rankings