Reconsider travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) due to crime, civil unrest, and Ebola. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
Do Not Travel To:
- North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri provinces due to Ebola
- North Kivu and Ituri provinces due to terrorism.
- The eastern DRC region and the three Kasai provinces (Kasai, Kasai-Oriental, Kasai-Central) due to crime, civil unrest, armed conflict and kidnapping.
Country Summary: Violent crime, such as armed robbery, armed home invasion, and assault, is common and local police lack resources to respond effectively to serious crime. Assailants may pose as police or security agents.
Demonstrations are common in many cities and some have turned violent. Police have at times responded with heavy-handed tactics that resulted in civilian casualties and arrests.
There is an outbreak of the Ebola virus in eastern DRC, which may affect other areas in the country. The CDC issued a Level 2 Travel Notice for Ebola in the DRC.
The U.S. government has extremely limited ability to provide emergency consular services to U.S. citizens outside of Kinshasa due to poor infrastructure and security conditions.
Read the Safety and Security section on the Country Information Page.
If you decide to travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo:
- Avoid demonstrations.
- Use caution when walking or driving.
- Always have a copy of your U.S. passport and DRC visa. Keep originals in a secure location. Carry your U.S. passport and DRC visa when crossing provincial borders or flying domestically.
- Read the CDC Travel Notice on Ebola in the DRC.
- Visit the CDC Travelers’ Health Page for the DRC.
- Consult a doctor for preventive medical advice. Many diseases present in the DRC have symptoms similar to Ebola. If suspected to have Ebola, you could face travel delays, quarantine, and extremely expensive medical costs.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
- Read OSAC's Crime and Safety Report for the DRC.
- Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri Provinces: Level 4—Do Not Travel
Eastern DRC is experiencing an Ebola virus outbreak, with confirmed and probable cases reported in Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu provinces. The CDC issued a Level 2 Travel Notice for Ebola in the DRC.
The U.S. government is unable to provide emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in North and South Kivu and Ituri provinces as U.S. government travel to these areas is restricted.
Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
North Kivu and Ituri Provinces: Level 4—Do Not Travel
Terrorist and armed groups operating in North Kivu and Ituri provinces, have attacked military and civilian targets, and represent an ongoing threat to humanitarian aid workers and other NGO personnel operating in the area.
The U.S. government is unable to provide emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in North Kivu and Ituri provinces as U.S. government travel to these areas is restricted.
Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
Eastern DRC Region and the Three Kasai Provinces: Level 4: Do Not Travel
Violent crime, such as murder, rape, kidnapping, and pillaging, continue throughout North Kivu, South Kivu, Ituri, Tanganyika, Haut Lomami, Bas-Uele, and Haut-Uele and three Kasai provinces of Kasai Oriental, Kasai Central, and Kasai. Road travelers are frequently targeted for ambush, armed robbery, and kidnapping.
Demonstrations and large gatherings can occur throughout these regions, especially in urban areas, and escalate to violence. Extrajudicial mobs can form rapidly and turn violent, posing a threat to humanitarian aid workers and other personnel operating in the area.
Armed groups, individuals, and military forces routinely clash with each other. Civilians are frequently targeted in attacks.
The U.S. government is unable to provide emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in eastern DRC and these provinces, as U.S. government travel to these regions is restricted.
Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
Last Update: Reissued with updates to the Risk Indicators
