Democratic Republic of the Congo
Summary
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all travel to:
- the provinces of Kasaï Oriental, Haut-Uele, Haut Lomami, Ituri, North Kivu (except the city of Goma), South Kivu (except the city of Bukavu - see below), Maniema and Tanganyika in eastern DRC
- within 50km of the border with the Central African Republic and South Sudan
The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:
- the city of Goma in North Kivu province
- the city of Bukavu in South Kivu province
- the districts of N’djili and Kimbanseke in Kinshasa, both of which are south of the main access road to N’djili airport (located in Nsele district)
- the provinces of Kasiaï and Kasiaï Central
If you are a foreign national resident in the city of Kinshasa, you must renew your residency card at the provincial commission by 15 July. The local government has said that people who do not meet the deadline will have to pay an additional fine.
COVID-19 entry restrictions for Democratic Republic of the Congo
Before you travel, check the ‘Entry requirements’ section for Democratic Republic of the Congo’s current entry restrictions and requirements. These may change with little warning. Monitor this advice for the latest updates and stay in contact with your travel provider.
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On 22 August 2022 DRC declared a new Ebola outbreak in Beni, North Kivu province in eastern DRC. Further information and updates on Ebola can be found on the WHO website and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) website. UKHSA has guidance for humanitarian or healthcare workers travelling to an Ebola affected area. See Health.
Further protests may take place in and around Goma, North Kivu province from 5 August 2022. These could be directed at UN personnel and others within the international community. We advise all UK nationals in DRC to remain vigilant at this time and to avoid demonstrations, protests or disturbances.
On 25 July 2022, demonstrations began in and around Goma, North Kivu province, spreading to other areas in eastern DRC, including Butembo, Sake, Beni, and Uvira, including reports of violence against United Nations facilities and personnel. There is an increased presence of security forces in and around Goma and in affected areas across eastern DRC. You should exercise caution in travel in the city of Goma and avoid crowds and demonstrations. FCDO staff may leave the area temporarily at short notice. See Protests and demonstrations
On 22 May 2021, Mount Nyiragongo volcano, close to the city of Goma, and near the border with Rwanda erupted. Further volcanic activity is possible in future. See Natural disasters and Safety and security
On 12 May 2022 reports were received indicating the risk of a terrorist attack on an unspecified ferry departing from Goma. The UK advises against all but essential travel to Goma.
The Embassy is not currently open to external visitors. It continues to carry out essential work including providing 24/7 consular assistance and support to British people in DRC.
Public gatherings and demonstrations can occur with little or no notice and can quickly turn violent. See Political situation
The security situation in eastern DRC remains unstable. There are continued reports of attacks and kidnappings. NGO staff have been known to be targeted. A “state of siege” is in place in the provinces of Ituri and North Kivu. Military administrations have replaced the civilian administrations during this period. Military forces from DRC and Uganda began conducting air and artillery raids against the Allied Defence Force (ADF) in eastern DRC on 30 November. Ugandan troops are also present as part of joint operations. See Safety and security
Consular support is severely limited in parts of DRC. The lack of infrastructure throughout the country and insecurity in eastern DRC often prevent the British Embassy in Kinshasa from being able to extend normal levels of consular assistance to British nationals anywhere in the DRC other than Kinshasa. You should not assume that the FCDO will be able to provide assistance to leave the country in the event of serious unrest or crisis.
Street crime and robbery is common. You should avoid using any taxis in DRC. If you must take a taxi, use a privately booked one. Don’t hail taxis in the street. Beware of gangs promising you cut price gold and diamonds. See Crime
Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in the DRC. Attacks could be indiscriminate. You should be vigilant, especially in places visited by foreigners. See Terrorism
On 25 July 2022, demonstrations began in Goma, North Kivu province, including reports of violence against United Nations facilities and personnel. You should exercise caution in travel in the city of Goma and avoid crowds and demonstrations. FCDO staff may leave the area temporarily at short notice.
If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission.
Update history
2024-08-08 14:46
New information on health risks (‘Health’ page).
2024-05-31 12:28
Updated information on criminal kidnap (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-05-24 12:23
Information about Kinshasa armed attacks on 19 May (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-05-20 14:55
Information regarding gunfire in Kinshasa on 19 May and protests (see ‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-05-19 12:59
Information regarding gunfire in Kinshasa (see ‘Warning and insurance’ page).
2024-04-05 16:37
Information on the security situation in Goma and flooding in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (see ‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-03-01 20:16
Latest Update on travel to and from Goma airport and to the district of Kasa Vubu in Kinshasa City (‘Warnings and insurance’ and ‘Regional risks’ pages).
2024-02-20 17:15
Information on driving in North Kivu (‘Regional Risks’ page).
2024-02-20 10:52
Information on protests outside western embassies (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-02-17 10:43
Information that in the early hours of 17 February a drone reportedly targeted military aircraft at Goma airport. The airport continues to operate as normal. (see ‘Regional Risks’ page).
2024-02-12 17:07
Further updated information that ongoing protests in Kinshasa, including outside the British Embassy, are likely to continue throughout the week starting 12 February (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-02-11 15:05
Further updated information following protests outside the British Embassy in Kinshasa (Warnings and insurance and Safety and Security Pages) and likely protests on 12 February, with a risk that foreigners could be indiscriminately targeted.
2024-02-10 15:40
Updated information following protests outside the British Embassy in Kinshasa (Warnings and insurance and Safety and Security pages).
2024-02-09 16:39
Information following protests outside the British Embassy in February 2024 (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-02-08 16:25
Updated information on Goma – British nationals should be prepared to leave at short notice and to have adequate supplies of food, water, medicine etc in case of the need to lock down (‘Regional risks’ page).
2024-01-18 16:39
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2023-12-29 14:08
Heavy rainfall is increasing the water level of the Congo River and its tributaries, and is causing flooding in certain areas of the DRC. British nationals are advised to check for news of flooding before travelling (‘Natural disasters’ page).
2023-12-21 15:50
Elections on Wednesday 20 December and risk of protests (‘Summary’ page and under the ‘Protests and demonstrations’ heading on the ‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-12-19 16:36
Border closures and flight disruptions on Wednesday 20 December. (‘Summary’ page).
2023-12-07 16:16
FCDO advises against all travel to the area of Mai N’dombe province between, and including the towns of, Kwamouth, Bandundu and the southern border of the province.FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the N1 road between and including: Menkao to the west, Kenge to the east, the border of Mai N’dombe province to the north, and 10km to the south. (‘Summary’ page).
2023-11-21 14:08
Information about upcoming elections in December 2023 including potential for civil unrest and disruption (‘Summary’ page and ‘Protests and demonstrations’ page).
2023-11-01 13:32
Information about a recent increase in violence in eastern DRC (‘Summary’ page and ‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-09-01 19:40
Updated information about planned protests against the UN peacekeeping mission known as the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) that took place on 30 August (‘Summary’ page and under ‘Protests and demonstrations’ on the ‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-08-25 11:52
Information about planned protests against the UN peacekeeping mission known as the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) on 30 August (‘Summary’ page and under ‘Protests and demonstrations’ on the ‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-08-22 15:55
Information about the removal of all COVID-19 related controls related to entry into the country, and travel outside of Kinshasa and the provincial capitals (‘Safety and security’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages).
2023-08-01 14:12
Information about a potential increase in protests in the run up to elections in December 2023 (‘Protests and demonstrations’ on the ‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-07-13 18:14
Addition of information about potential increase in protests following the death of a politician (‘Summary’ and ‘Protests and demonstrations’).
2023-06-22 11:49
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages.
2023-05-26 13:15
Updated information about Kenge, wearing military style clothing, and road and air travel (‘Summary’, ‘Safety and Security’ and ‘Local laws and customs’ pages).
2023-05-24 18:21
Information on planned protests for 25 May (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and Security’ pages).
2023-05-24 09:25
Removal of information on planned protests for 20 May, as date now passed (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2023-05-19 12:57
Information on planned protests on 20 May, and reported fighting between local militia and Congolese Armed Forces in Kenge (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages)
2023-05-12 16:47
General update of information throughout and changes to assist readability.
2023-05-10 16:48
Addition of information on flooding and landslides in eastern DRC (‘Summary’ page).
2023-04-06 17:58
Information on “express” kidnappings in Kinshasa on 6 April 2023 (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and Security’ pages).
2023-02-06 16:22
Information on protests in Goma on 6 February 2023 (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and Security’ pages).
2023-02-06 10:43
Updated information – The FCDO continues to advise against all but essential travel to Goma in North Kivu province (‘Summary’ pages).
2023-01-23 11:02
Addition of information on Pope’s visit to DRC. The FCDO continues to advise against all travel to Goma in North Kivu province (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2022-11-23 14:17
Addition of information on protests planned for 24 November 2022 near the Goma office which may impact access to the Grande Barrière border crossing. The FCDO continues to advise against all travel to Goma in North Kivu province (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2022-11-16 10:58
Updated with information that for security reasons staff have been temporarily withdrawn from the Goma office. The FCDO continues to advise against all travel to Goma in North Kivu province (‘Summary’ page)
2022-11-15 18:48
Change of travel advice for Goma from advising against all but essential travel (Amber) to advising against all travel (Red) (See ‘Summary’)
2022-11-13 10:41
Addition of information about clashes between Congolese military and armed group M23 near Goma in North Kivu (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages)
2022-11-11 17:01
Addition of information about clashes between Congolese military and armed group M23 in the Ruthuru area of North Kivu, and changes to Covid departure rules (‘Summary’, ‘Safety and security’ and ‘Coronavirus’ pages)
2022-10-29 22:38
Addition of information about Clashes between Congolese military and armed group M23 in the Ruthuru area of North Kivu.(“summary” “safety and security”)
2022-09-29 15:36
Updated information on 15th Ebola outbreak (‘Summary’ and ‘Health’ pages).
2022-09-28 12:20
The FCDO now advises against all but essential travel to the territory of Kwamouth (located in Mai-Ndombe province) (‘Summary’ page).
2022-09-21 16:27
Updated information on protests in Eastern DRC and increased violence between ethnic groups in Mai-Ndombe province (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and Security’ pages).
2022-08-24 10:15
Addition of information and advice on an Ebola outbreak declared in Beni, North Kivu province and clarification on COVID-19 entry requirements (‘Summary’, ‘Entry requirements’ and ‘Health’ pages)
2022-08-04 16:17
Addition of information and advice about further protests in and around Goma (‘Summary’ page).
2022-07-29 20:09
Factual update on demonstrations in DRC (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2022-07-27 14:07
Factual update on demonstrations in DRC (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages)
2022-07-26 17:23
Factual update on demonstrations in Goma (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages)
2022-07-25 16:13
Changes to FCDO advice against travel: the FCDO no longer advises against all but essential travel to Equateur province. The FCDO now advises against all but essential travel to the provinces of Kasiaï and Kasiaï Central. Previous advice against travel remains in place
2022-07-11 17:11
Addition of information about a fine for Kinshasa resident’s who do not meet the 15 July deadline for renewal of residency cards (‘Summary’ page)
2022-07-08 16:02
New information on a 15 July deadline for foreign nationals in Kinshasa to report themselves for new residency cards (‘Summary’ page). Update to information on DRC’s 14th Ebola outbreak; the outbreak was declared over on 4 July 2022 (‘Summary’ and ‘Health’ pages).
2022-05-25 11:04
Addition of information on armed group activity near Goma in eastern DRC (‘Safety and security’ page)
2022-05-13 18:19
On 12 May 2022 reports were received indicating the risk of a terrorist attack on an unspecified ferry departing from Goma (‘Summary’ and ‘Terrorism’ pages)
2022-05-10 12:59
The FCDO now advises against all but essential travel to the province of Equateur due to the ongoing outbreak of Ebola (‘Summary’). Previous advice against all or all but essential travel to various parts of the country remains in place, as outlined in the ‘Summary’ section.
2022-04-25 16:14
Update to information on a confirmed case of Ebola in Mbandaka city, Equateur province in north-western DRC (‘Summary’ and ‘Health’ pages).