Traveling to Congo Kinshasa is deemed dangerous at the moment due to conflicts within the country. However, like most countries in conflict, the need for expat employees is present and the compensation for working in such areas is very good which is why many people find it worthwhile to work there for a few years. If you are on your way to Kinshasa, here’s some very important information to prepare you for your move.
INFO
- Expat Clubs
- Schools
- Local News Sources
- Country Information
- Resident and Work visa information
- How to get a driving license
- Where to live and about the accomodation types
- Healthcare information including Hospitals and Insurance
Expat Clubs
There are no expat meet up clubs as such in Congo Kinshasa and most expats communicate online through websites such as ExpatWoman.com.
International Schools
The American School of Kinshasa TASOK
TASOK has been providing a high quality American education to English speaking students in Kinshasa since 1961. For over 30 years, TASOK has been accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and offers a first world quality education comparable to suburban schools in the US. Purpose-built facilities include separate facilities for PE, art, music, and technology in elementary and secondary. There are separate libraries and librarians for elementary and secondary. A campus-wide intranet distributes satellite dish connectivity to every classroom and the two computer labs. A fiber optic backbone for our wireless network now adds stability. Overseas teachers, primarily from the US, Canada, and the UK, live on the campus in one of two residential areas.
Curriculum: American
Address: Rte de Matadi, Ngaliema, Kinshasa II, République Démocratique du Congo
Tel: +243 8188 46619
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.tasok.cd
Little Jewels International School
This is a complete elementary school with a focus on an international curriculum. The school was founded in 1972 with the intention of giving a good,affordable education to the international community of Kinshasa. They offer an American Syllabus - Mc Millan,MC/Graw Hill and integrate Canadian and British syllabuses as well. Classes are from Toddler 1 (18months) to Grade Eight (13 Years).
Curriculum: American
Address: Gombe 7475, Avenue OUA, Kinshasa, République Démocratique du Congo
Tel: +243 99 99 09 163
Email: [email protected]
Website: littlejewelskinshasa.tripod.com
The English-Speaking School of Lubumbashi (TESOL)
The English-speaking School of Lubumbashi (TESOL), founded in 1987, offers education in English for students from preschool (age 4) through Grade 12. All subjects (Reading, Writing, Math, Science, History, etc.) are taught in English, with the exception of language courses (French for four periods per week and Swahili for one period per week).
Address: 1 route Kipopo, Terminus Golf, Lubumbashi, République Démocratique du Congo
Tel: +243 819 644306
Website: www.tesolschool.org
The Academy for English Education of Lubumbashi (AFEEL)
The Academy For English Education of Lubumbashi (AFEEL) is based in the city of Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The AFEEL desires to be an English speaking, affordable school for the English speaking community. This institute will also benefit those parents who wish to educate their children in English even if it isn’t their first language.
Curriculum: British
Address: 16, Avenue de Musee, Commune de Lubumbashi, Republic of Congo
Tel: +243 9970 15013, +243 8173 57440
Email: [email protected], [email protected]
Website: www.afeelinternational.org
Local News in English
AllAfrica.com Congo-Kinshasa
AllAfrica publishes around 2,000 reports a day from more than 130 news organizations and over 200 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons.
Website: allafrica.com/congo_kinshasa
Country Information
Location: Africa
Capital City: Kinshasa
Other Important Cities: New Zaire (CFAF)
Language: French
Calling Code: +243
Internet TLD: .cd
Electricity: 220V 50Hz.
Tel: +243 81 301 03 82
Fax: +243 81 607 62 54
Website: www.snel.cd
The Société Nationale d’Electricité SNEL is a state-owned, sole generator and supplier of electricity in the country.
Address: 2831, Avenue de la Justice, B.P. 500 Kinshasa/Gombe, Democtratic Republic of Congo
Embassy Information
www.embassyworld.com
Residents Visa and Work Permit information
Visitors from a few countries may enter and stay for a limited period. These include countries in the Africa, Asia, Americas and Oceana. Other countries must apply for a visa at Congo Brazzaville’s embassy or consulate in their home or host country. There are different types of visas available for expats: one-way and two-way transit visas and single and multiple entry visas for 1 to 6 months.
Documents Required
- A valid Passport (for at least six months)
- Two (2) application forms properly completed, dated and signed by the traveler.
- 2 recent passport photos with the person facing the camera.
- A copy of the Permanent Residence document "Green Card" for non US citizens
- An International Certificate of Vaccination showing immunization against yellow fever
- A copy of airline tickets or itinerary from an authorized travel agent
- A letter from the company assuming all financial responsibilities for the traveler (for business trips only)
- An invitation letter notarized in the DRC.
- (Not required for DIPLOMATIC or OFFICIAL PASSPORTS)
- Pre-paid mailing envelope for return
For more information about visa requirements please visit the Congo Kinshasa embassy in the US site.
The US and UK government has issued a travel advisory about Congo Kinshasa
‘The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of traveling to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Congo-Kinshasa) (DRC). The Department recommends U.S. citizens avoid all but essential travel to the provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu and the Ituri region in the province of Orientale. With ongoing instability and violence in North and South Kivu, northeastern Orientale, and northern and central Katanga province, the Department's ability to provide consular services to U.S. citizens in these regions of the DRC is extremely limited. This replaces the Travel Warning dated October 24, 2013, to update information on security in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.’ – US Passports and International Travel
For further details about the travel advisory please visit here.
‘The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to eastern and north eastern DRC.. The only exceptions to this are the towns of Bukavu and Goma, to which the FCO advise against all but essential travel. The FCO advise against all but essential travel to the remainder of the DRC.’ – Foreign and Commonwealth Office
For further details about the travel advisory please visit here.
Accommodation
Hotel accommodations are concentrated in the capital, Kinshasa. Smaller hotels can be found in areas such as Gombe and Ngaliema.
Kinshasa-Congo.com has a good listing of hotels in the country and other essential expat information here.
Driving License
Expats will need an international driving license to drive legally in the country.
Healthcare
The facilities in the country are very limited. Although the services Centre Prive d’Urgence are adequate for basic treatments, medical evacuation to neighboring South Africa is often sought for more complex cases. It is highly advised to obtain a health insurance that covers medical evacuation, as these can be expensive.
Insurance Companies
Bellwood Prestbury
They offer Medical emergency evacuation insurance that cover for emergency evacuation by air ambulance is strongly advised along with international health insurance.
Address: 4 Imperial Square, Cheltenham, GL50 1QB, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 1242 584 558
www.bellwoodprestbury.com
Cigna Global Health Options
Cigna provides international insurance coverage for expats. International medical evacuation is also available in cases where emergency treatment must be sought outside of the host country.
www.cignaglobal.com
Hospitals
Centre Medical de Kinshasa (CMK)
Address: Avenue des Wagenias, Commune de la Gombe, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Tel: +243 89 895 0300
Centre Prive d'Urgence (CPU)
Address: Cnr ave du commerce et Bas Congo, Gombe, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Tel: +243 99 895 0301
Fax: +243 99 982 6505
Clinique Guenin
Address: Centre ville, proche du rond point, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Tel: +243 5 575 67 73
Ngaliema Medical Center
Address: 4197, Ave de la Montagne, Quartier Joli Parc, Ngaliema, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Tel: +243 81 509 4444
