Republic of the Congo Prepares e-Visa and ETA Systems for 2027 Rollout
Updated: 10 minutes ago
BRAZZAVILLE, October 15, 2026 — The Republic of the Congo is creating two digital entry systems — an electronic visa (e-Visa) and an electronic travel authorization (ETA) — which may transform the entry process for travelers to the Central African nation. One of these systems is linked to a visa waiver for African nationals, set to be implemented on January 1, 2027.
The Ministry of the Interior and Decentralization lists both services as “Coming soon” under its e-services section, without specifying a launch date. However, a testing environment at testlink.midcongo.com reveals detailed information about both systems, including visa categories, eligibility checkers, and application procedures.
e-Visa: Eight Categories Under Development
The e-Visa platform, years in the making, would allow foreign nationals who require a visa to complete the entire application process online. Congolese authorities first presented a proposed electronic tourist visa system in November 2019, developed in partnership with the World Bank.
The test portal currently lists eight visa categories, each with a maximum permitted stay:
Visa Category | Maximum Stay |
Tourist visa | 90 days |
Business visa | 90 days |
Transit visa | 7 days |
Work visa | 365 days |
Student visa | 365 days |
Family visit visa | 90 days |
Medical treatment visa | 90 days |
Official mission visa | 90 days |
Only one fee has been published so far: a 30-day, single-entry tourist visa priced at 17,000 Central African CFA francs (approximately $30). For the remaining seven categories, the platform states that fees are “pending publication.”
The portal includes an eligibility checker that, when the United States is selected as the applicant‘s nationality, confirms that US citizens are “eligible for an electronic visa” and that a visa is required for entry.
Required Documents
The platform lists four standard supporting documents for all categories:
Passport: Biographical information page, valid for at least six months beyond the intended entry date
Passport-style photograph: Recent, light-coloured background, face clearly visible
Round-trip ticket or itinerary: Proof of confirmed travel reservation
Proof of accommodation: Hotel reservation or accommodation certificate
Additional documents vary by category. Business applicants require an invitation letter from a Congolese company and an optional business registration document. Transit applicants need a visa for their final destination country. Work applicants must provide an employment contract and work authorisation. Students need proof of enrolment and financial support. Family visit applicants require an accommodation certificate from their host. Medical treatment applicants need a medical appointment or referral letter. Official mission applicants require a note verbale from the relevant institution.
Documents must be submitted electronically in PDF, JPG, or PNG format, with a maximum file size of 5 MB per document. The application process consists of eight steps, from visa selection through payment and submission.
ETA: For Visa-Exempt Travellers from 2027
The second system under development — the electronic travel authorization — is designed as a pre-travel authorisation linked to the applicant’s passport and intended for foreign nationals who are exempt from visa requirements.
According to the ETA page on the test platform, the system will include these features:
Feature | Detail |
Validity | 24 months |
Maximum stay | 90 days per entry |
Processing time | Within three days |
Linking | Associated with the passport used for application |
Security | Unique identification number and QR code for online verification |
Pre-travel screening | Applications reviewed by an officer before travel |
An approved ETA would not guarantee entry, as the final decision would remain with border authorities.
The fee for the ETA has not yet been disclosed. The platform indicates that a fee schedule will be published later, along with the list of required supporting documents and eligible nationalities.
The six-step application process covers nationality and purpose selection, personal information, passport details, travel plans and entry point, security declarations, and submission.
The Visa Waiver for African Nationals
The ETA system appears directly linked to a major immigration policy change announced earlier this year. On May 25, 2026, President Denis Sassou N’Guesso announced that visa requirements would be eliminated for citizens of all African countries starting January 1, 2027.
“As of January 1, 2027, entry into the Republic of the Congo will no longer be subject to visas for all African peoples,” Sassou N’Guesso said during Africa Day celebrations.
That initiative advanced further during a Cabinet meeting on October 14, 2026, when the government approved a draft law amending the country‘s legislation governing the entry, stay, and departure of foreign nationals. The bill, which must now be submitted to Parliament, aims to formally establish the visa exemption in Congolese law while introducing provisions to address irregular immigration and cross-border crime risks.
If put into effect, African citizens eligible for visa-free entry starting in January 2027 would probably be included in the new ETA system.
Entry Points Listed
Both the e-Visa and ETA pages identify potential entry points into the Republic of the Congo:
Maya-Maya International Airport (Brazzaville)
Antonio Agostinho-Neto International Airport (Pointe-Noire)
Denis Sassou N’Guesso International Airport (Ollombo)
Ouesso Airport
Port of Pointe-Noire
Brazzaville Beach ferry terminal
This list provides an initial indication of which ports of entry could be supported by the future systems, though official confirmation for all visa or travel authorisation categories is pending.
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Quick Reference Summary
Item | Detail |
e-Visa Categories | 8 (tourist, business, transit, work, student, family, medical, official) |
e-Visa Tourist Fee | 17,000 XAF (~$30) for 30-day single entry |
ETA Validity | 24 months |
ETA Maximum Stay | 90 days per entry |
ETA Processing | Within 3 days |
Visa Waiver for Africans | Effective January 1, 2027 (pending parliamentary approval) |
Official e-Services Page | |
Launch Date | Not yet announced |
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