Bangui

Passport validity requirements

To enter the Central African Republic, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual Citizenship.

Visa requirements

You must have a visa to visit the Central African Republic.

Applying for a visa

Apply for a visa through the Central African Republic Embassy in Paris (in French). Requirements can change at short notice, contact the Central African Republic Embassy in Paris for the latest requirements.

Vaccine requirements

To pass border control in the Central African Republic, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination.

For more details about health entry requirements and recommended vaccinations for the Central African Republic, see TravelHealthPro’s Central African Republic guide. 

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of the Central African Republic. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

There is an export tax on cultural artefacts.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of the Central African Republic. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

There is an export tax on cultural artefacts.

Emergency services in the Central African Republic

Telephone: 117 (ambulance, fire, police)

or

Ambulance: 610600           

Fire: 118

Military police (‘gendarmerie’): 2161 2200

Emergency numbers are unreliable in the Central African Republic. The emergency services are unlikely to respond outside Bangui.

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• finding English-speaking lawyers and translators and interpreters in the Central African Republic
• dealing with a death in the Central African Republic
• Being arrested or imprisoned in the Central African Republic
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime
• what to do if you’re in hospital
• if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack

Contacting FCDO 

Help abroad  

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency. 

Help in the UK  

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.  

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)  

Find out about call charges

Get travel advice updates  

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.  

Follow FCDO: 

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

Areas where FCDO advises against travel

FCDO advises against all travel to the whole of the Central African Republic, including the areas of Bimbo, Begoua and Coline, except to the capital, Bangui.

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Bangui, including Bangui M’Poko International Airport.

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.

Limited consular support

There is no British Embassy in the Central African Republic, and consular support is severely limited. The British Embassy in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, can provide limited remote consular support to British nationals.

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

Get travel advice updates

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. 

Follow FCDO:   

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

• Travel Aware on Instagram

Laws and cultural differences

Personal ID

You must always carry ID by law, such as a certified copy of your passport or a residence permit. The police can detain you if you do not have ID with you.

Buying diamonds

It is only legal to buy diamonds or precious stones through government-authorised agents.

Illegal drugs penalties

There are severe penalties for drug use and possession. If convicted, you can expect heavy fines and a long jail sentence.

Using cameras

You often need permission to take photos in public places. You may be detained, fined and have your camera confiscated for photographing government property, uniformed law enforcement officers or military installations and personnel.

It is not permitted to take photographs the authorities think damage the country’s image (for example, street children and people with disabilities).

You can get a permit for more serious photography from the Ministry of Tourism.  

LGBT+ travellers

While homosexuality is not illegal, same-sex relationships are not widely accepted in Central African society. LGBT+ travellers may face arrest for “public expressions of love”.

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.

Money

It is easier to exchange euros for Central African francs rather than US dollars. You can exchange traveller’s cheques at banks.

There are very few ATMs. Most places, including hotels, do not accept international credit or debit cards.