Trip to Bukavu

Borders

South Kivu Province comprises the Kavumu National Airport. It also benefits from the proximity with the airports of Goma (international) and Kamembe in Rwanda (national). The land and lake borders are shared internally with North Kivu Province (to the north), Tanganyika Province (to the south) and Maniema Province (to the west). To the east, it shares it borders with Rwanda through Lake Kivu and Ruzizi natural borders, and with Tanzania via Lake Tanganyika.

Bukavu has several private ports as well as the port of the Société Nationale de Chemins de Fer du Congo (SNCC) [Congo Railways National Society] on the shores of Lake Kivu. A shipping system on the lake links the towns of Goma and Bukavu while Rusizi Province (Rwanda) is linked to the town by two bridges over Ruzizi river (Ruzizi I and Ruzizi II borders). National roads connect the town to Tanganyika, Maniema, North Kivu provinces and Uvira Town in the south of the province.

For more information

https://tourisme.gouv.cd/

https://www.dgm.cd/postes.html

The Catholic University of Bukavu is headquartered in Kadutu District on Bugabo Avenue. The office of the Rector, the central library and a few research centers occupy the former “Sainte Thérèse” church, the first building erected for the Catholic mission in Kivu region. Three other campuses including Doctor Stanislas Haumont, Dr. Lurhuma and Mgr. Mulindwa operate in the same District. Only Kalambo Campus is erected in Kabare Territory, 20 km to the north, on the shores of Lake Kivu.

For more information

https://ucbukavu.ac.cd/our-campuses/#bugabo

Obtaining a visa

Obtaining a visa is necessary for any national of a foreign country wishing to travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Apart from countries that have concluded special agreements with the Democratic Republic of Congo or in the event of application of treaty rules to nationals of member states of regional organizations of which the Democratic Republic of Congo is a member, exceptions to obtaining a visa do not apply to everyone.

* Rwanda, Burundi, Congo Brazzaville and Zimbabwe citizens are exempted from visa.

* Citizens of the following countries can obtain a visa on arrival at a border post: Kenya, Mauritius and Tanzania. Valid for seven days, the flying visa requires the applicant to justify his request by providing a letter to the General Director of the General Office of Migration, a copy of his passport and a copy of the identity of their host.

* All other citizens from countries in which there is a Congolese diplomatic representation, are subject to the prior obtaining of a visa before coming to DRC. These diplomatic offices will ensure that all the necessary conditions are met.

* Foreign journalists must all enter the DRC from Kinshasa.

* The formalities vary depending on your country of residence. It is therefore advisable to contact the diplomatic offices (Embassies or Consulates) in order to access the information corresponding to your country of residence.

For more information

https://www.minaffet.gouv.cd/visa.php

In accordance with the legal and regulatory texts, the General Office of Migration is empowered to issue visas to expatriates wishing to visit or to settle in DRC. The visa can only be issued to applicants who meet the conditions determined by legal and regulatory texts.

Detailed information about visa classification and issuing conditions are available on the website of the General Office of Migration at https://www.dgm.cd/visas.html

Visas issued by the General Office of Migration and the issuing conditions are as follows:

1. Flying Visa

Authorization granted by the Migration Office to an expatriate coming from a country where the Democratic Republic of Congo has no diplomatic or consular representation. This authorization allows the interested party to arrive at the border and acquire an airport or port visa to access Congolese territory. It is also issued to guests of the Congolese Government.

Requirements to acquire a flying visa:

* Application letter sent by the applicant to the General Director of the General Office of Migration,

* Copy of the applicant’s passport,

* Copy of the identity of the host, if he is a Congolese or of the passport, if he is a foreigner.

2. Airport / Port Visa

Issued at the entry station to the beneficiary of the Flying Visa or by the express authorization of the General Director of Migration. It is valid for 7 days. After this period, the applicant must regularize his stay with the Chancellery Services at the General or Provincial Office of Migration.

3. Travel Visa

Issued by agencies committed to the Diplomatic Offices of the Democratic Republic of Congo abroad, it gives the beneficiary the possibility of crossing the border if he meets the following conditions:

– Holder of a valid passport,

– Having sufficient means of subsistence,

– Being supported by a legal or physical person regularly established in Democratic Republic of Congo.

N.B.: A travel visa holder is not allowed to undertake a remunerated activity in Democratic Republic of Congo. This visa is valid for a maximum period of 6 months. It can be extended by the General Office of Migration for a period of one, two or three months with a view to completing the six-month validity period.

4. Residence Visa

– Issued to foreigners wishing to settle in Democratic Republic of Congo,

– Grant not only the status of resident, but also the possibility to undertake professional or economic activities under the conditions set by the law.

Types of residence visas

– Ordinary Visa

– Work Visa

– Specific Work Visa

– Study Visa

– Residence visa for foreign spouses (matrimonial)

– Special Residence Visa

– Permanent Residence Visa

General requirements for all residence visas

– Be a legal resident in Democratic Republic of Congo

– Have stayed for at least six months in Democratic Republic of Congo

– Hold a valid passport (at least six months)

– Complete the form carefully

– Carefully fill out the registration form

– Present 4 recent and identical passport photos

– Present an international vaccination card

– Present a certificate of good conduct from his country and the municipality of residence (dated less than 3 months)

– Present a residence certificate issued by the municipality of residence (dated less than 3 months)

– Present the original and the copy of the consular certificate or registration

– Have sufficient means of subsistence

* Ordinary Visa (3 years)

Special conditions

For Lucrative Liberal Professions

– Approval or license of the corporation

– Proof of regularity with the tax authorities

– Proof of working capital of at least USD 5,000 in a local bank

– New Commercial Register (NRC)

– National Identification Number (Nat. Id.)

For liberal professions of a philanthropic nature (Missionaries)

– Application letter from the Legal Representative of the Community or congregation addressed to the General Director of the General Office of Migration

–Copy of the approval of the community or the nonprofit organization

– Missionary or service certificate

– Legalized support commitment of the Legal Representative

* Study Visa

– Proof of admission to an approved educational institution

– Notarized commitment of support or proof of a scholarship

– For researchers, document approved by the Ministry having scientific research in its attributions (still having at least 3 months of validity)

Passport and Visa

* Foreigners under the age of 15, on condition that their identity is indicated on the passport of parent or guardian they are accompanying;

* Foreigners who are members of the aircrew or maritime personnel making a stopover in Democratic Republic of Congo, on condition that they hold a valid crewmember license or certificate.

Transit visa

* Foreigners in transit using air or sea routes only, provided that they do not leave the airport or port limits during the stopover;

* Foreigners who transit through the Democratic Republic of Congo, using airline and who must wait the necessary time to take the first connection allowing them to continue their journey;

• c) Foreigner passengers of an airline who stop at Kinshasa airport and continue their journey by plane from Brazzaville airport, considering that they may also benefit from this exemption in Kinshasa – Brazzaville line;
• d) Members of the aircrew or maritime personnel stopping over in Democratic Republic of Congo, on condition that they hold a valid crewmember license or certificate.

Visa prices are set by inter-ministerial decree (Ministry of Finance, Budget and Interior, Devolution & Security) and are payable in US dollars, euros or the equivalent in the currency of countries where the Democratic Republic of Congo has an embassy.

–   Form	$ 50
–   Deposit Fees : ·      Residence Visa ·      Travel Visa ·      Visa Transposition	$ 100 $ 50 $ 50

 

N°	REVENUE GENERATING ACTS	$USD
1a	Special Establishment Visa 5 years	653
1b	Special Establishment Visa 10 years	700
2	Permanent Residence Visa	1.500
3a	Ordinary Residence visa for traders and liberal professions of a lucrative nature (doctor, lawyer, etc.)	700
3b	Ordinary Residence visa for liberal profession of a philanthropic nature (missionaries)	200
4	Work Visa	653
5	Residence Visa for teenagers and students	100
6	Residence visa for foreign spouses (matrimonial)	200
7	Residence Transposition visa	43
8a	Single Trip Exit Visa	117
8b	Multiple Trip Exit Visa	183
8c	Exit visa for minors and students, one trip	22
8d	Exit visa for minors and students, multiple trips	43
8e	Exit visa for missionaries, one trip	44
8f	Exit visa for minors and students, multiple trips	86
9a	One-way transit visa	50
9b	Round trip transit visa	100
10a	Travel Visa 1 month, one entry	83
10b	Travel Visa 1 month, multiple entries	133
10c	Travel Visa 2 months, one entry	150
10d	Travel Visa 2 months, multiple entries	200
10e	Travel Visa 3 months, one entry	217
10f	Travel Visa 3 months, multiple entries	250
10g	Travel Visa 6 months, one entry	300
10h	Travel Visa 6 months, multiple entries	400
11a	Airport Visa	40
11b	Port Visa	40
12	Individual Pass	5
13a	Extension of stay for foreigners holding a 30-day pass from neighboring countries	20
13b	Extension of stay for foreigners holding a 15-day pass from neighboring countries	10
14a	Transactional fines for irregular stay following expiry of the visa (Per month of irregularity)	100 à 150
14b	Transactional fines for lack of visa	150 à 300

After having obtained your visa and you are ready for your trip to Bukavu, we advise you to:

– Schedule it within the next three months of obtaining your visa as required by the General Office of Migration;

– Book a ticket early enough with an operational travel agency in your region or simply online. As a precaution, it is necessary to have your ticket several days before the flight and to make sure that the Catholic University of Bukavu is informed of your arrival;

– Communicate your travel program to the Protocol Service (protocole@ucbukavu.ac.cd) so that your reception may be organized and allow us to intervene in case of an incident with the migration services;

– Bring all your identity as well as health documents (Covid-19 test, up-to-date vaccination card from common diseases in the region, health insurance, etc.)

– Information on the response and prevention measures of Covid-19 pandemic is available on the University’s website at this link

– If you plan to visit a friend family, notify the Protocol Service for organization;

– If you wish to reside at the University Guest House or in another establishment of the Diocese, notify the Protocol Service and the member of staff whom you are in contact with.

– Those in transit via Rwanda to Bukavu can also read the health and safety guide available at – Five-Step Health & Safety Guide –

ACCOMMODATION IN BUKAVU

The Protocol Service of the Catholic University of Bukavu will help you choose between the different lodging houses in the town. Our University also has a well-equipped guesthouse maintained by professionals in the hotel industry. It is located at the entrance of Avenue du Gouverneur, not far from Munzihirwa Square at Nyawera. Our visitors occupying the guesthouse and having activities in one of our campuses benefit from a transport onboard of staff bus.