As of July 24, 2026, Russia has reopened its borders to citizens of several countries, including China, India, and Turkey, allowing visa-free travel for tourism and business. However, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has not been included in this list, leaving Congolese travelers unable to enter Russia without a visa.
The decision, announced by the Russian government on July 20, 2026, is part of a gradual easing of COVID-19 restrictions. The list of eligible countries was based on reciprocal agreements and low COVID-19 transmission rates, according to official statements.
The exclusion of the DRC has sparked criticism from Congolese officials, who argue that the decision is discriminatory and not based on health data. The DRC has reported relatively low COVID-19 cases compared to other African nations, with a cumulative total of 100,000 cases as of July 2026, according to the World Health Organization.
Travel experts note that the DRC's exclusion may be due to a lack of bilateral agreements or concerns over infrastructure. The Russian embassy in Kinshasa has not commented on the matter.
