D. R. Congo
Last update 22 March 2023Diplomatic missions
Risk index
Level 3: Increased level of risk (recommendation not to travel in certain areas of the country unless necessary)
3
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Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Republic of Bulgaria does not have a functioning embassy in the capital Kinshasa. Bulgarian citizens residing in the DRC for a short or long period of time may apply for consular issues at the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Abuja, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Address: 10 Euphrates Crescent, Maitama, Abuja
Working hours: Mon - Fri, 09.00 - 17.30
Consular Office hours for visitors: Mon - Fri, 09:00 - 12:00 h.
Booking in advance is highly recommendable via:
Tel.: +234 903 860 0017; +234 8033078578
E-mail: [email protected]
Е-Mail: [email protected]
Emergencies only
Tel.: + 234 903 000 0275
Website: www.mfa.bg/embassies/nigeria
The Embassy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Prague is accredited for Bulgaria.
Embassy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Prague
Address: Soukenická 34, 110 00 Praha 1, Czech Republic
Tel .: +420 222 314 656; +420 286 850 898
Tel./fax: +420 286 850 898
Working hours: 09.00 - 12.00; 13.00 - 16.30
Email: [email protected]
General information
General information
Local currency
Congolese Franc (CDF)
Crime and security
There is a very high level of crime, robbery and theft, including in big cities and tourist centers. There are mined areas in the country that are dangerous to visit without a local guide. Avoid traveling at night.
Bulgarian citizens should avoid traveling outside Kinshasa and the city of Lubumbashi, except in cases of extreme urgency. It is strongly recommended to avoid traveling in the eastern part of the country, near the borders with Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi. The threat of terrorist acts is limited, mainly to the eastern territories of the country, but the presence of a global risk of criminal terrorism in public places and places where foreigners and tourists gather should be taken into account.
The risk of street crime and armed robbery is high at all times, including near hotels and supermarkets in the city center. The display of valuables and cash should be avoided. Bulgarian citizens are advised to leave valuables and ID documents in a safe place and to carry photocopies of personal documents with them.
There is a danger of car theft and confiscation of the car. The car doors must be locked and the windows closed while driving. The security services block the roads, especially in the dark. If they want to check the documents at a checkpoint, Bulgarian citizens should stay in the car and show them through a closed window.
Some credit cards are accepted in the capital, Kinshasa. The local currency is the Congolese franc, but the US dollar is widely used, but it must be in good condition and issued after 2009, otherwise it will not be accepted by banks.
Legislation
It is forbidden to photograph airports, military sites, squares, etc. There is a risk of arrest and detention. Journalists are not allowed to conduct interviews or make a film without special permission from local authorities.
Customs requirements
In the DRC you can import currency up to 5 million Congolese francs and an unlimited amount of foreign currency that is subject to declaration. Export of foreign currency is allowed, within the declared quantity upon entry. It is forbidden to export local currency.
Goods for personal use can be imported, incl. 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 250 g of tobacco and 1 litter of alcohol.
Traffic on the roads
Poor road infrastructure. At border crossings, when entering the DRC by car, you need to present insurance or buy one. To drive a car, you need to have an international driving license. Public intercity transport is unreliable.
Healthcare
Low level of healthcare. A number of infectious diseases characteristic of tropical conditions are widespread. The fight against Ebola is being fought with varying results, with a severe situation in 2019 in the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri (in the north-eastern part of the country) - the largest reported outbreak in the DRC and the second largest in the world. Since then, the cases have been registered in isolated places. However, Bulgarian citizens intending to visit the affected areas should be aware that they may have difficulty obtaining health insurance. The risk of contracting the Ebola virus can be limited by: avoiding contact with symptomatic patients and wildlife (living or dead); the processing and consumption of meat from wild animals killed for food is avoided; wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before use; wash your hands regularly and thoroughly with soap or alcohol-containing gel;
Climate
Rainy period from May to July. Almost constant rains.
Travel papers and visas
The country is entered with an international passport valid for at least 6 (six) months from the date of entry into the Congo. Bulgarian citizens traveling to the Congo (holders of ordinary, official and diplomatic passports) need a visa for a stay of up to 90 days, which they can obtain at the DR Congo Embassy in Prague.
The authorities of the DRC require a document for vaccination against yellow fever from people arriving from all countries. Vaccines against typhus, cholera and dysentery and prophylactic drugs against malaria are also recommended.
Immigration stamps from Rwanda or Uganda in the passports of Bulgarian citizens will not prevent entry into the DRC, but may cause difficulties in entering the DRC - customs delays or additional interviews with a security official.
When leaving the DRC with an international flight, an exit fee of $ 50 is payable and $ 10 dollars - for domestic flights (sometimes these fees are included in the airticket price).
Competitive service
Certification and Legalisation
In order to be valid in Bulgaria, all documents issued by the authorities in the DRC must be stamped by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the DRC.
They should then be certified either by the Bulgarian Embassy in Abuja (in which case prior certification by the Embassy of the DRC in Abuja is required) or by the Embassy of the DRC in Prague (in this case the consular office certification are to be certified at the Bulgarian Embassy in Prague).
Thereafter, the documents must be translated into Bulgarian by an authorized Translation Agency in Bulgaria, and the translation certified by the Department of Certification and Legalization of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria.
Emergency Travel Document
In some cases - damage, loss or stolen passport, Bulgarian citizens can apply for a European Emergency Travel Document (ETD) before an embassy of an EU Member State in Kinshasa.