Democratic Republic of The Congo
Work Visa Process
The Work Visa process is specific to each company and foreign national, depending on role requirements and employer compliance.
The process to legally live and work in the DRC involves three key stages:
- Entry Visa
- Work Card (Carte du Travail)
- Work Visa (Visa d’Établissement de Travail or VET)
Types of Permits
ENTRY VISA
An Entry Visa allows a foreign national to enter the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for purposes such as business meetings or tourism. For individuals who intend to take up employment in the DRC, obtaining the appropriate Entry Visa is also the first step in the process of applying for a Work Card after arrival in the country.
The Entry Visa must generally be applied for in person at the applicant’s nearest DRC embassy or consulate and may be issued with a validity period of three or nine months, depending on the application and intended stay. Where the applicant intends to apply for a Work Card after entering the DRC, it is recommended that a nine-month Entry Visa be obtained to allow sufficient time for the in-country work authorisation process.
WORK CARD
A Work Card (Carte de Travail) is the formal authorisation required for a foreign national to undertake employment in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The Work Card is linked to the applicant’s employment in the DRC and is obtained through an application supported by the employing company.
The application process requires supporting documentation relating to both the foreign national and the DRC employing entity. This may include the applicant’s passport and valid visa, employment contract, curriculum vitae, qualifications and proof of professional experience, together with corporate and employment-related documentation from the employer. The application is considered by the relevant employment authorities and the Commission Nationale de l’Emploi des Étrangers (CNEE).
Once approved, the Work Card provides the foreign national with the required authorisation to work in the DRC and forms an important part of the broader immigration and employment compliance process. Where the foreign national intends to reside and work in the DRC on a longer-term basis, the Work Card is also required as part of the process of obtaining the appropriate Work Establishment Visa.
It is important to note that this application can only be submitted in the DRC and will require that the applicant remain in the DRC during the adjudication.
WORK VISA (VISA D’ÉTABLISSEMENT DE TRAVAIL OR VET)
A Work Visa, formally known as a Visa d’Établissement de Travail (“VET”), allows a foreign national to reside in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for the purpose of employment. It forms part of the longer-term immigration process for foreign nationals who have secured employment with a company operating in the DRC.
The VET application is made in-country and generally follows the successful issuance of the applicant’s Work Card (Carte de Travail). The application requires supporting documentation relating to the applicant’s immigration status and employment, together with documentation from the DRC employing entity. Once issued, the VET provides the foreign national with the appropriate immigration status to reside in the DRC for employment purposes.
The VET should be maintained together with the foreign national’s Work Card, as the two documents serve different but complementary purposes: the Work Card provides the authorisation to undertake employment, while the VET provides the immigration authorisation to reside in the DRC for that employment. Both documents must therefore remain valid for the duration of the foreign national’s assignment in the DRC.
Key Considerations
Both the Work Card and Work Visa applications must be submitted while the applicant is physically present in the DRC. Applicants should therefore plan their travel arrangements carefully, as the in-country application process may take up to three months to complete.
During this period, the applicant may be required to remain in the DRC and may not be able to travel internationally until the required immigration process has been finalised. Applicants are therefore encouraged to take this potential travel restriction into consideration when planning business or personal travel following their arrival in the DRC.
Start Your Democratic Republic of the Congo Work Visa Application Today
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