DRC Work Visa

Working in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Working in DRC

To be able to work in the DRC and to be fully compliant as a foreign worker the employee need to apply for the following 5 visas within the first 12 months from the time that he starts with his employment:

Step 1 - DRC VETS
Valid for 12 months (Apply for within Month 1)

The VETS (Visa d Establissement de Travail Category Specific) is the first DRC visa extended to foreign nationals when they start the process of regularising their work situation in DRC. This visa gives the employee the opportunity to further apply for a Labour Card once the VCS is approved.

The employer must provide the employee with a Labour or Employment contract.
The employer must be a registered Company in the DRC
Employee / Applicant must have 4 passport size photos
Valid Passport
Yellow Fever Card
Valid Business Travel Visa stamped when the employee enters the DRC
Employee / Applicant must enter the DRC with a Valid Business travel visa from where the applicant will apply for his VCS

Step 2 - DRC VSR
Valid for 7 months (Apply for within Month 1)

The VSR (Visa Sortie & Retour) is a multiple enter and exit visa valid for 7 months. The employee must apply for this visa directly after he received his VCS. Once the VSR is granted the employee can travel in and out of the DRC as he wishes for a duration of 7 months. If the employee exits the DRC with his VCS and does not have a valid VSR then the VCS expires.

Step 3 - DRC Residence Permit
Valid for 12 months (Apply for within month 1-6)

The Employee must apply for a residence permit within the first 6 months from the time that he arrives in the DRC.

Step 4 - Labour Card
Valid for 24 months (Apply for within Month 1)

The Labour Card (Carte du Travail) must be applied for once the employees' VCS and VSR are granted, the Labour Card officially allow the employee to work legally in the DRC for a period of 12 months up to the time that his VCS expires or if he was granted a VET (2 year work visa).

Step 5 - DRC VET
DRC Work Visa, Valid for 24 months (Apply for within Month 2-11)

The VET (Visa d’Etablissement de Traveil), 2 year work visa, must be applied for if the employee will be working in the DRC for more than 24 months. The VET can only be applied for once the employee obtained his VCS, VSR, Residence Permit and Labour Card.

Various additional documentation must be provided when applying for the VET.