UK help and services in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Services if you're visiting, studying, working or living in Democratic Republic of Congo. Includes information about trading with and doing business in the UK and Democratic Republic of Congo.

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Emergency help for British nationals

Get help if you're the victim of crime, you've been arrested, or are affected by a crisis abroad.

  1. British Embassy Kinshasa

    The British Embassy in Democratic Republic of the Congo maintains and develops relations between the UK and DRC.

  2. Compensation for victims of terrorist attacks abroad

    Compensation for terrorist attacks abroad - eligibility, acts of terrorism covered, application form, helpline

  3. Compensation if you're a victim of crime abroad

    If you're a UK resident and have been injured because of a violent crime abroad, you can usually apply for compensation

  4. Democratic Republic of Congo – Prisoner Pack

    Explanation of the legal and prison system to British Nationals

  5. Democratic Republic of Congo: in prison abroad

    Information on the legal and prison systems for British prisoners, their family and friends in the DRC.

  6. Get help if you're a victim of crime abroad

    Contact the nearest British embassy, high commission, consulate or the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in London to get help if you're the victim of crime abroad

  7. Help if you’re arrested abroad

    Find out what the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office can do to help if you or someone you know is arrested abroad.

  8. Rape and sexual assault abroad: returning to the UK

    Information for British nationals affected by rape or sexual assault abroad, including how to access medical treatment and legal advice in the UK.

  9. What to do if you’re affected by a crisis overseas

    Advice for British nationals affected by crises abroad, including terrorist attacks, natural disasters and major political unrest, and information on what help the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) can provide.

Passports and emergency travel documents

Includes how to cancel a lost passport, renew a passport and apply for an emergency travel document.

  1. Apply for or renew a British passport if you're visiting the UK

    You can apply for or renew a British passport while you're visiting the UK - as long as you expect to be in the UK for long enough

  2. Cancel a lost or stolen passport

    What you need to do if your passport has been lost or stolen and you need to travel urgently - emergency travel document and replacement passport.

  3. Get an emergency travel document

    Apply for an emergency travel document if you're outside the UK and have not got a valid British passport - apply online, how to apply, fee, timings

  4. Overseas British passport applications

    Renew, replace or apply for an adult or child British passport if you’re living abroad or working overseas - forms, prices, how long it takes

Travelling to the Democratic Republic of Congo

Includes travel advice and how to get married abroad.

  1. Democratic Republic of the Congo travel advice

    Latest travel advice for Democratic Republic of the Congo, including how to stay safe during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and information on returning to the UK

  2. Getting married abroad

    Requirements, paperwork and processes for weddings and civil partnerships overseas - registration, restrictions, fees

  3. Reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad

    How to minimise your risk and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack.

Coming to the UK

Get a visa to study, work or visit the UK.

  1. Check if you need a UK visa

    You may need a visa to come to the UK to visit, study or work.

  2. Contact UK Visas and Immigration about your application

    How to contact UK visas and immigration (UKVI) from inside and outside the UK.

  3. Democratic Republic of Congo: tuberculosis test clinics for a UK visa

    Where to get tested for tuberculosis (TB) in the Democratic Republic of Congo for your visa application.

  4. Get your visa, immigration or citizenship documents back

    Get your documents returned if you've made a UK visa, immigration or citizenship application but need them back urgently

Living in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Includes how to access healthcare, get a document legalised, lists of lawyers and how to vote abroad.

  1. Democratic Republic of Congo: lawyers

    Lists of English-speaking lawyers and notaries for British nationals in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

  2. Democratic Republic of Congo: translators

    A list of English-speaking translators/ interpreters who may be able to British nationals in DRC.

  3. Democratic Republic of the Congo travel advice

    Latest travel advice for Democratic Republic of the Congo, including how to stay safe during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and information on returning to the UK

  4. Democratic Republic of the Congo: doctors

    List of English speaking medical facilities for British nationals in Democratic Republic of the Congo.

  5. Get your document legalised

    Use the online service to get a UK document legalised.

  6. Living in DRC

    Information for British nationals living in DRC including advice on health, education, benefits and residence requirements.

  7. Support for British nationals abroad: A guide

    This guide highlights some of the main ways you can help yourself stay safe abroad and what help the FCDO can provide.

  8. UK benefits if you’re going or living abroad

    Find out what benefits you might be able to receive while you’re abroad and how to export them from the UK or claim them while abroad

  9. Voting if you move or live abroad

    How to vote if you move or live abroad, including eligibility and registration

Tax, benefits, pensions and working abroad

Includes how to pay tax, claim State Pension and get tax credits abroad.

  1. Claiming benefits if you live, move or travel abroad

    Benefits you can claim if you go abroad and countries with social security arrangements with the UK

  2. Moving or retiring abroad

    What you need to know if you move or retire abroad - tax, pensions, voting and contacting your local council

  3. National Insurance if you go abroad

    Contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to find out if you need to pay National Insurance when you work abroad

  4. State Pension if you retire abroad

    How to claim State Pension if you're overseas - payment, tax, change of circumstances - contact the International Pension Centre

  5. Tax credits if you leave or move to the UK

    Tax credits if you live abroad, go travelling, are a cross-border worker or subject to immigration control

  6. Tax on foreign income

    Find out whether you need to pay UK tax on foreign income - residence and ‘non-dom’ status, tax returns, claiming relief if you’re taxed twice (including certificates of residence)

  7. Tax on your UK income if you live abroad

    Find out whether you need to pay tax on your UK income while you're living abroad - non-resident landlord scheme, tax returns, claiming relief if you’re taxed twice, personal allowance of tax-free income, form R43

Birth, death and marriage abroad

Includes how to get married, list of funeral directors and how to register a birth abroad.

  1. Democratic Republic of Congo bereavement: death abroad

    Information to help the friends and family of British nationals who have died in Democratic Republic of Congo.

  2. Democratic Republic of Congo: funeral directors

    List of English-speaking funeral directors for British nationals abroad in the DRC.

  3. Getting married abroad

    Requirements, paperwork and processes for weddings and civil partnerships overseas - registration, restrictions, fees

  4. Register a birth abroad

    Parents must register the birth in the country where the child was born - find out if you can also register the birth in the UK

  5. Surrogacy overseas

    Information for British nationals who are considering entering into surrogacy arrangements in foreign countries.

  6. What to do after someone dies

    The steps you must take when someone dies - register a death, report a death with Tell Us Once, coroners, funerals and death abroad

  7. What to do when someone dies: step by step

    Check what to do after a death - how to register the death, notify government departments and manage financial issues.

News and events

Find out about the UK government's diplomatic, security and development work in Democratic Republic of Congo.

  1. Democratic Republic of the Congo and the UK

    Updates, news and events from the UK government in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Trade and invest

Includes investing and setting up a business in the UK and doing business in Democratic Republic of Congo.

  1. Set up a business

    What you need to do to start a business: choose a legal structure, see if you need licences and insurance, learn about reliefs and benefits

British embassy or high commission

Includes contact details, opening hours and consular fees and local services.

  1. British Embassy Kinshasa

    The British Embassy in Democratic Republic of the Congo maintains and develops relations between the UK and DRC.

  2. Democratic Republic of Congo: consular fees

    List of fees for consular services in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

  3. Notarial and documentary services in the Democratic Republic of Congo

    Documents, certificates, letters and notes available at the British Embassy in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.