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Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



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  #1  
Old 7 Sep 2016
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DRC Embassy London
Hi


Has anybody recent experiences of the DRC embassy in London? I'm looking to apply in the next 2 weeks or so before I set off for Cape Town at the end of October


Any hints and tips? Naturally, i'll post my updates here however it goes


Cheers
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  #2  
Old 7 Sep 2016
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I can only say it is very easy in Brussels. Only an adress and name and tel.numebr of a recepetionst of a hotel in DRC needed (not even a reservation). Same day service
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  #3  
Old 16 Sep 2016
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hardly an update, but i'll post.


I was in London for work yesterday and went by the DRC embassy at 2:30. Online I'd seen visa's are dealt with between 13:00 - 15:00 as the website below said


For VISA, LEGALISATION, ATTESTATIONS enquiries only :
Monday to Friday : 13h00' - 15h00'
Tel.: +44 (0) 74 4860 0034 or +44 (0) 79 6086 7689
eMail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


DRC in the UK - la RDC au Royaume-Uni - Contacts


Anyway, got there the same details as on the link above were posted outside, the door was locked though. A a guy did come down but wouldn't open the door only to give me the 'finished' hand gesture, like a dead ball in cricket if that helps. I tried to get him to open to ask about the times, but no joy.


I've emailed as well, but ignored. I'll try to phone I guess before applying in about 10 days
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  #4  
Old 17 Sep 2016
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Hi All,

If you are going to try and get a visa at the DRC embassy in London - all I can say is good luck!

To get the visa you need a 'Prise en Charge'. This is the magical yellow piece of paper which must be stamped by the DGM in Kinshasa. Apparently only the office in Kinshasa can stamp it, not Kisangani, not Lubumbashi, not Goma - Kinshasa only!

The cheapest I was quoted to get this Prise en Charge' was $200 USD per person.

Plus I believe you need a letter of invitation from a resident and a confirmed hotel reservation! The hotel reservation must be of a certain standard (ie a recognised 5 star hotel)

All of these requirements are quite liable to change of course, but this was my very recent experience. Not easy at all.

I spoke to Travel visa agency a few days ago and they said the DRC embassy had lost 4 peoples passports in recent months. In addition they said the staff at the embassy are so unhelpful that they are almost certainly going to stop offering a visa service for DRC.

As you know there's always a way, but this one has become particularly difficult in recent months....many suspect due to the Presidential elections fast approaching.
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  #5  
Old 20 Sep 2016
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Cheers Dave, its sobering and realistic advice fitting what I'm coming to believe. I'm thinking maybe don't apply and try to ship around. I don't know. I'll think


Additionally, I've tried to email them (ignored) and no trying to download the application form, the link is broken this morning. I don't really think that emailing them on this will fix it and I intend to set off on the 24th October, so must do it now really


Agreed about the politics, I cannot imagine an improvement given the situation, banning demonstrations isn't looking like they want to encourage foreigners right now


https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...nne-tshisekedi
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  #6  
Old 20 Sep 2016
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Hi pjmancktelow,

Gvdaa says that it is quite easy to get the visa in Brussels.

Therefore why not pop over there and get it? As an EU citizen (for the moment at least) you should be allowed to apply there, as you have the right to live (and work) in Belgium.

David
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  #7  
Old 20 Sep 2016
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time is not my friend right now sadly. I have a fixed leave date and would struggle to get over and do it, post is a potential I guess though.


Also, wouldn't it be a problem as its not my 'home' country? Bit concerned that I'd be rejected at the border itself if it was issued in my UK passport in Belgium.
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Old 20 Sep 2016
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Also possible in Abidjan ... usually!
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