Netherlands diplomatic mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Dutch Embassy in Kinshasa, DR Congo
Find the address, telephone number and consular information for the Dutch Embassy in Kinshasa. Learn about Dutch passport and identity card applications, visa procedures, appointments and document collection.
Contact
Dutch Embassy in Kinshasa: Contact Details
Intersection with Avenue des Jacarandas
Gombe, Kinshasa
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Important: the consular counter operates by appointment. Dutch passport and identity card applications require online booking. For visa applications, the correct application location depends on the type of visa and, for Schengen visas, the province where you live.
Location
Where Is the Dutch Embassy in Kinshasa?
The Dutch Embassy is located at 133 Boulevard du 30 Juin, near the intersection with Avenue des Jacarandas, in the Gombe district of Kinshasa.
Gombe is an important administrative and diplomatic area of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s capital.
Use the complete visiting address when arranging transport. Allow sufficient time to reach the embassy and complete any security checks.
Choosing the correct application location
Dutch citizens can apply for passports and identity cards directly at the embassy by appointment.
Most regular Schengen visa applicants must use the Belgian Centre européen des Visas (CEV), rather than the Dutch Embassy.
Residents of North Kivu and South Kivu have different Schengen visa application options, so they should check the specific instructions for their province before making travel arrangements.
Before travelling: confirm your appointment, check the embassy’s public holiday closures and make sure you have the correct supporting documents.
Diplomatic representation
About the Dutch Embassy in Kinshasa
The Dutch Embassy in Kinshasa represents the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
It maintains diplomatic relations with the Congolese authorities and supports cooperation on political, economic, humanitarian and development-related matters.
Its activities include maintaining institutional relationships, representing Dutch interests and supporting cooperation between organisations in both countries.
Consular support for Dutch nationals
The embassy provides consular services for Dutch nationals living in or visiting the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Services include passport and identity card applications, selected consular certificates, nationality procedures, emergency travel documents and certain visa-related matters.
Regional responsibilities
The embassy in Kinshasa is also relevant to Dutch nationals living in neighbouring countries where the Netherlands does not operate a resident embassy.
For example, residents of the Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic may be referred to Kinshasa for certain Dutch consular services.
Confirm which services are available before travelling internationally to attend an appointment.
Consular services
Consular Services at the Dutch Embassy in Kinshasa
Passports and ID Cards
Dutch nationals can apply for a new passport or identity card through an online appointment at the embassy.
Nationality Procedures
Naturalisation applications and declarations under the option procedure require an appointment arranged by email.
Certificates and Legalisations
The embassy handles selected consular certificates and appointments to legalise signatures or identification document copies.
Emergency travel documents
If your Dutch passport or identity card has been lost or stolen and you urgently need to travel, contact the embassy to ask about an emergency travel document.
Request an appointment by emailing kss-ca@minbuza.nl.
The embassy will explain the application requirements and assess which emergency document may be appropriate.
Naturalisation and the option procedure
For an eligible naturalisation application or option declaration from abroad, request an appointment through the consular email address.
Check the legal requirements and the supporting evidence needed for your circumstances before attending.
Signature legalisation
If you need your signature legalised for use by another authority or organisation, arrange an appointment by email.
Bring valid identification and the documents specified by the embassy.
Legalising an identity document copy
For legalisation of a copy of your passport or identity card, request an appointment by email.
Confirm that the organisation receiving the document accepts this form of certification.
Certificate of marital status
A consular statement confirming marital status can be requested by email at kss-ca@minbuza.nl.
You do not need an in-person appointment to submit the initial request.
Certificate of legal capacity to marry
If you need a certificate of legal capacity to marry, you can request it by email.
The embassy will provide instructions about any required identity or civil-status records.
Certificate of residence
A certificate of residence can also be requested by email, without first booking a personal appointment.
Prepare evidence of your place of residence and other documents required for the certificate.
Proof-of-life certificate
If a pension provider or another organisation needs proof that you are alive, request an appointment by email.
Personal attendance may be required to verify your identity.
Basic civic integration examination abroad
The basic civic integration examination abroad can be arranged through the embassy’s online appointment system.
Complete the required registration and preparation steps before making an examination appointment.
Caribbean Carpet Programme
Eligible organisations may submit the completed Caribbean Carpet Programme registration form by email to kss-ca@minbuza.nl.
Appointment procedures vary: passports and civic integration examinations are booked online. Emergency documents, nationality procedures and several legalisations require an email appointment. Certain consular certificates can be requested directly by email.
Travel documents
Applying for a Dutch Passport or Identity Card in Kinshasa
Dutch citizens living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo can apply for a new passport or identity card at the Dutch Embassy in Kinshasa.
1. Prepare Your Checklist
Create a personal documents checklist through NetherlandsWorldwide and collect all required supporting documents.
2. Book Online
Reserve an appointment with the embassy. Separate applications require separate checklists and bookings as instructed.
3. Attend in Person
Bring your printed checklist, completed and signed application form and all original supporting documents.
Proof of legal residence
You must demonstrate that you reside legally in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The official guidance lists acceptable examples including:
- A valid visa accompanied by any required supporting documents.
- A valid residence permit.
- For applicants who also hold Congolese nationality, a valid Congolese passport or identity card.
For a baby’s first passport or identity card, a birth certificate may be used as evidence of legal residence in accordance with the official instructions.
Birth and marriage certificates
Birth and marriage certificates issued in the Democratic Republic of the Congo must be legalised when required for a Dutch travel document application.
Documents issued elsewhere may follow different legalisation rules.
Translation requirements
Documents written in Dutch, English, German or French can be submitted.
Documents in another language must be translated by a sworn translator when required.
Applications for children
Children must attend the appointment in person, including infants and minors.
A passport application for a child under 18 or an identity card application for a child under 12 may require parental or legal guardian consent.
Where a parent cannot attend, a signed consent form and an identification document copy may be needed.
Bring existing travel documents
Bring all Dutch and foreign passports and identity cards you hold, including expired documents.
You may be allowed to keep an existing travel document until the new one is ready, subject to the embassy’s instructions.
Receiving your new document
New Dutch passports and identity cards must be collected from the embassy in Kinshasa. Delivery by post or courier is not available.
The published passport collection hours are Monday and Wednesday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Important: the official passport guidance lists collection without a new appointment, while the general appointment guidance asks visitors to arrange collection by email. Contact kss-ca@minbuza.nl in advance to confirm the current procedure.
Visas and residence
Applying for a Visa for the Netherlands in DR Congo
The correct visa application procedure depends on the applicant’s nationality, place of residence, travel document and purpose of travel.
Short-stay Schengen visas
For residents of most provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, regular Schengen visa applications for the Netherlands are handled through the Belgian Centre européen des Visas (CEV).
CEV provides application services in Kinshasa and Lubumbashi.
Regular Schengen visa applications are therefore not generally submitted directly to the Dutch Embassy.
Special arrangements for North Kivu and South Kivu
If you live in North Kivu or South Kivu, NetherlandsWorldwide lists application options in Tanzania or Uganda.
Do not assume that the CEV application procedure in Kinshasa or Lubumbashi applies to your province.
1. Confirm Your Location
Identify the official application country or centre for your province of residence.
2. Prepare the Application
Complete the required visa form and gather the supporting evidence for your intended visit.
3. Book the Appointment
Follow the instructions provided by the authorised visa application centre or Dutch mission.
Facilitating visas for parents of Dutch children
Certain facilitating visa applications connected with joining a minor Dutch child cannot be submitted at CEV.
For this specific category, NetherlandsWorldwide directs eligible applicants to the Dutch Embassy in Kinshasa, where an online appointment can be made.
MVV visa stickers
If the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) has approved your application for residence in the Netherlands, you may need an MVV visa sticker.
You can apply at the embassy in Kinshasa if your IND approval letter authorises collection in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Book an appointment online and follow the instructions in your approval letter.
Caribbean visas
For certain short-stay and long-stay Caribbean visa applications, the embassy in Kinshasa uses an email appointment procedure.
Contact kss-ca@minbuza.nl for the appropriate appointment instructions.
Airport transit visas
Application arrangements for an airport transit visa depend on where you reside within the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Check the official procedure for your location before booking.
Entry visas
If your Dutch residence permit has been lost, stolen or expired while you are in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, you may need an entry visa to return to the Netherlands.
For this application, request an appointment with the Dutch Embassy in Kinshasa by email.
Important: the Schengen visa procedure differs between North and South Kivu and the other provinces. Check the application location for your specific province before travelling.
Consular visits
Opening Hours of the Dutch Embassy in Kinshasa
NetherlandsWorldwide states that the embassy’s consular counter is available by appointment only.
Opening times for individual services depend on the appointment offered to the applicant.
Passport and ID card collection hours
The official passport instructions publish the following document collection periods:
Confirm the current collection arrangements with the embassy before attending.
Public holidays
The embassy is closed on selected Dutch and Congolese public holidays.
Consult the official embassy page for the current closure calendar, including any additional office closures.
Plan ahead: there are no published general walk-in hours for new consular applications. Book the required appointment before visiting.
Appointments
How to Make an Appointment at the Dutch Embassy in Kinshasa
Online Booking
Book passports, identity cards, civic integration examinations and eligible MVV visa sticker appointments online.
Email Appointments
Contact kss-ca@minbuza.nl for emergency documents, nationality procedures, legalisations and selected certificates.
Visa Application Centres
For regular Schengen visas, check whether CEV or an application location in Tanzania or Uganda applies to your province.
Passport and identity card applications
Prepare the personal document checklist before booking online. Bring the required originals to your appointment.
Nationality procedures
For naturalisation or the option procedure, request an appointment at kss-ca@minbuza.nl.
Consular certificates
Certificates of marital status, legal capacity to marry and residence can be requested by email without an initial counter appointment.
For proof-of-life certificates, legalisation of signatures and certification of identity document copies, request a personal appointment by email.
Changing an appointment
Online booking confirmations contain instructions for changing or cancelling appointments.
For appointments arranged by email, contact the consular team directly.
Document collection
Collecting a Dutch Passport or ID Card in Kinshasa
You will receive notification when your new Dutch passport or identity card is ready.
The official passport guidance lists Monday and Wednesday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM as collection periods.
Confirm your collection visit
The general appointment guidance asks visitors to arrange document collection by email, while the passport-specific guidance states that no new appointment is required.
To avoid an unnecessary journey, contact kss-ca@minbuza.nl before collecting your document.
No postal or courier delivery
New Dutch passports and identity cards cannot be sent from Kinshasa. You must collect the document in person.
Surrendering your old document
When collecting your new passport or identity card, hand over the old document according to the embassy’s instructions.
If your old passport contains a valid visa or residence permit, inform the embassy before the passport is invalidated.
Collection deadline
A completed passport or identity card must be collected within three months of notification. After that period, it will be destroyed.
Check your personal details
Verify the information on your new document immediately after collection.
If you notice an error, email kss-ca@minbuza.nl and explain which details need correction.
Important: document delivery is not available. Confirm the collection procedure in advance and allow for the embassy’s public holiday closures.
Before your visit
Preparing for a Visit to the Dutch Embassy in Kinshasa
Confirm Your Appointment
Check that the embassy can handle your request and that you have received a confirmed appointment.
Prepare Your Documents
Bring original identification, application forms and any required legalisations or translations.
Check Local Arrangements
Review public holiday closures, security information and any instructions from the embassy.
Payment for consular services
The embassy accepts payment by bank card, including Visa and Mastercard, in euros.
Cash payments are not accepted. Your bank may charge additional transaction fees.
Check the current consular fee for your application before attending.
Emergency consular assistance
If you need urgent consular help in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, contact NetherlandsWorldwide.
Emergency assistance: NetherlandsWorldwide is available 24 hours a day on +31 247 247 247. WhatsApp support is available through +31 857 737 400. Do not share sensitive personal documents through WhatsApp. In immediate danger, contact local emergency services first.
Frequently asked questions
Dutch Embassy in Kinshasa: FAQ
Where is the Dutch Embassy in Kinshasa?
The embassy is at 133 Boulevard du 30 Juin, near Avenue des Jacarandas, in Gombe, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
What is the embassy’s telephone number?
You can call +243 996 050 600. NetherlandsWorldwide is available on +31 247 247 247.
Can I apply for a Dutch passport or identity card in Kinshasa?
Yes. Prepare your personal documents checklist and book an online appointment at the embassy.
What are the consular opening hours?
The consular counter operates by appointment only. The available time depends on your booked service.
When can I collect my new Dutch passport?
The published passport collection hours are Monday and Wednesday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Contact the embassy first to confirm whether an email arrangement is required.
Can my new Dutch passport or identity card be delivered?
No. The embassy in Kinshasa does not send new Dutch passports or identity cards by post or courier.
Where can I apply for a Schengen visa in DR Congo?
For most provinces, applications are handled through the Belgian Centre européen des Visas. Residents of North Kivu or South Kivu have application options in Tanzania or Uganda.
Can I apply for an MVV visa sticker in Kinshasa?
Yes, if your IND approval letter authorises an application in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Book an online appointment with the embassy.
How can I pay for consular services?
The embassy accepts payment by bank card, including Visa and Mastercard, in euros. Cash payments are not accepted.
How can Dutch nationals get emergency help in DR Congo?
Contact NetherlandsWorldwide on +31 247 247 247, available 24 hours a day. In immediate danger, contact local emergency services first.
Official information