Central African Republic visas
Whether you need a visa for the Central African Republic depends on your nationality and the purpose and length of your stay. Most travellers must obtain a visa before departure from a Central African diplomatic mission (or, where none exists, a partner French mission), while a small number of nationalities enjoy short visa-free entry. Visas and entry policy are administered by the Ministère des Affaires Étrangères et des Centrafricains de l'Étranger, with applications routed through the ministry in Bangui and the relevant embassy or consulate abroad.
Central African visa categories
Explore visa categories by the purpose of your trip.
- Visitor & short-stay visasShort stays in Central African Republic — tourism, visiting family or friends, business visits and transit, plus any visa-free or e-visa options.4 visas
- Work visasComing to Central African Republic to work — the employment and skilled-worker routes and the permits they require.1 visa
- Study visasStudying in Central African Republic — student visas and permits for accepted students.1 visa
- Family visasJoining or sponsoring a partner, child or other relative in Central African Republic.1 visa
- Business & investor visasInvesting, doing business or coming to Central African Republic as a highly skilled individual.0 visas
- Residence & citizenshipLiving in Central African Republic long term — residence routes and, where available, the path to citizenship.2 visas
Central African visa application at a glance
From start to finish in five simple steps.
- 01Choose the right visa
- 02Check eligibility & documents
- 03Apply online
- 04Provide biometrics
- 05Wait for a decision
Who needs a visa to visit Central African Republic?
Residents of the following countries are exempt from visa requirements: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Ivory Coast, Israel, Liberia, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, and the United States. If you do not reside in one of the countries listed above, you must obtain a valid visa prior to entering the Central African Republic.
Entry into Central African Republic
Anyone flying into the Central African Republic is required to present a negative PCR test conducted 72 hours prior to arrival. To enter or travel through the Central African Republic as a visitor, you must present a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate.
Eligibility to apply for a Central African Republic visa
The criteria to apply for a visa to Central African Republic is straight forward. You must ensure before applying you have all relevant documentation needed. There are different types of visas available, the nature of your stay will determine which visa you are eligible for. The criteria for a Central African Visa is layed out below.
- Passport. You must present your actual, signed passport along with a copy of the page containing your personal information.
- Photographs.
- Form for Visa Application.
- Documentation of Travel Arrangements.
- Vaccination Certificate.
- Travisa Order Form.
Appointment waiting times
Normal waiting periods for an appointment are approximately two to three weeks on average. If there are any issues or missing documentation, your wait time will increase. If you will be travelling within the next six weeks, you should apply for your visa as soon as possible.
Who can visit Central African Republic without a visa?
If your home Country is not listed below, you will be required to obtain a visa before entering Central African Republic. Failure to prove a visa on arrival will result in you being removed from Central African Republic, and could even face jail time. The following Countries do not require a visa:
- Dominica
- Ecuador
- Micronesia
- Benin Burkina Faso
- Cameroon
Central African Republic — key facts
- Visa authority
- Ministère des Affaires Étrangères et des Centrafricains de l'Étranger (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Central Africans Abroad)
- Application
- Online (in most cases)
- Biometrics
- Usually required
- Currency
- Central African CFA franc (XAF)
- Time zone
- West Africa Time (WAT, UTC+1)
Central African visas — people also ask
The direct trip to South Africa takes about eleven hours. 11 hours and 30 minutes is the total flight time from London to Johannesburg or London to Cape Town.
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.