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Visa requirements · updated Jul 2026

Do DR Congo citizens need a visa for France?

Visa required

DR Congo citizens need a visa to enter France. Apply in advance at an embassy or visa centre.

VISAXSJul 2026
Visa required
DR Congo → France
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DR Congo vs France: passport comparison

DR Congo

17

visa-free countries

Global rank: #187 · mobility 67.5

France

126

visa-free countries

Global rank: #4 · mobility 171.5
11

countries both DR Congo and France can enter visa-free together

DR Congo + France: passport compatibility

27%

of the world — where both passports have the same visa access

Where DR Congo and France travel together — by entry type:

11 both visa-free
14 both visa on arrival
14 both e-visa / eTA
14 both need a visa
144 access differs

Where DR Congo and France can travel visa-free together

Travelling as a pair with two different passports? Here is the full list of countries where BOTH of you can enter without a prior visa — plus where your access differs.

Both visa-free (11)

Sort by max stay or the destination's passport strength (tap a header), and filter by region.

Country Max stay Passport rank
Barbados 90 days #48
Dominica 21 days #70
Gambia 90 days #132
Haiti 90 days #175
Mauritius 90 days #66
Micronesia 30 days #89
Philippines 30 days #128
Rwanda 30 days #143
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 90 days #56
Seychelles 90 days #58
Singapore 30 days #12

Only DR Congo is visa-free (6)

Where to apply: France has no mission in DR Congo

Guides tell you a visa is required but never warn that there is nowhere to file it — the mission simply does not exist in your country. We picked the nearest countries that do accept applications and measured the distance.

1
Congo 783 km
Applications accepted in: Brazzaville, Pointe Noire
2
Angola 904 km
Applications accepted in: Luanda
3
Burundi 908 km
Applications accepted in: Bujumbura

Distances are measured between country centroids — a rough guide, not a route. Before you travel, confirm with the chosen consulate that it accepts applicants resident elsewhere: many operate a consular district, and out-of-district applications are not always accepted, often with a longer queue.

Your odds of getting the visa: DR Congo → France

Visa guides tell you whether a visa is required. This block answers the second question — will you get it. Figures come from the European Commission's official 2025 statistics, broken down per country pair.

10,0%
of France visa applications refused in DR Congo
-4,5 pp below the Schengen average (14.5%) — refused less often than average
80applications filed
68visas issued
8refusals
#16strictest of 118 countries
Where France visa applications are filed: Kinshasa

The Commission counts applications by where they were filed — at consulates located in DR Congo — rather than by the applicant's nationality. For most countries these nearly coincide, but applications filed there by other nationals are included too. 2025 data. Source: European Commission, DG HOME

How the entry rule changed: DR Congo → France

We keep our own archive of visa-rule snapshots and diff them against each other. Here is what changed over the observed period.

The DR Congo → France rule itself held steady over the observed period. The context around it did move:

4rule changes for the DR Congo passport, 2 of them easing
July 2024 — June 2026our archive observation window

Comparison is built from our own dataset snapshots; the date marks when we recorded the change, not the official decision date. See all changes →

France: good to know

Paris

Capital

Euro (EUR)

Currency

Central European Time (UTC+1)

Time zone

+33

Calling code

C, E

Power plug

230V / 50Hz

Voltage

Right-hand

Driving side

Where else DR Congo goes visa-free

Check another route

Documents you'll usually need for France

The usual basics for the trip. Always confirm exact requirements with the embassy or consulate.

Valid passport

Valid at least 6 more months

Return / onward ticket

Proof you will leave the country

Proof of funds

Enough money for your stay

Accommodation

Hotel booking or an invitation

Travel insurance

Recommended, sometimes required

Visa

Obtained at the embassy in advance

Frequently asked

Do DR Congo citizens need a visa for France?
DR Congo citizens need a visa to enter France. Apply in advance at an embassy or visa centre.
Which passport is stronger — DR Congo or France?
The France passport is stronger: 126 visa-free countries versus 17. Global rank: DR Congo #187, France #4.
Where can DR Congo and France citizens travel together visa-free?
Both passports get visa-free access to 11 of the same countries.
What documents do I need for France?
Usually: a valid passport (6+ months), a return ticket, proof of funds and accommodation. Plus a visa obtained from the embassy in advance. Always confirm exact requirements with the embassy.
Can visa requirements change between DR Congo and France?
Yes, visa rules change periodically. This data is current as of Jul 2026 — always confirm with the embassy before you travel.

DR Congo passport ranking

Where else the DR Congo passport can take you and how it ranks worldwide.

View the passport