Contrary to what some languages speak, I found quality and professional service. I submitted my visa application file on February 14, 2017, it was already from March 10, 2017 that my passport had already left Kinshasa for Washington. And only about a week after I received it.
My Experience in the Embassy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo was Great, I went down there applying for my new passport by the fact the old one was no longer valid and expired. I really appreciate the service in the Embassy, they need to do more, to see how actually others Embassies like Canada, France, Belgium, England working, will help more to improve. May GOD Bless D.R.Congo and Leaders.
Received tourist visas in less than three weeks. Embassy staff was courteous and helpful. Looking forward to our visit,
Positive notes:
- The embassy was greatly prompt to send me back my passport with a list of missing document I forgot to include;
- Good processing time: 7 days!
- The gentleman I got on the phone from the provided number was splendid, professional, understanding, patient and just awesome!
Negative note (when I applied long distance):
- Someone thought my passport would have walked out of the embassy and mail itself after visa was granted. Took them a week to realize someone needed to send it.
I went there expecting to be disappointed but i was agreably surprised. The application process was fast and i left earlier than i was supposed to. Now i just hope that my passport will arrive on time. If only they could let us know that walk-ins are also welcome it would make the experience even better and please answer the phone. Overall great job guys!
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My passport arrived earlier than expected! Good job guys!!!
Just got my passport done , the process was extremely nice. Met some random Congolese and made me feel home ..I wish I could do my passport again next week. In addition thumbs up for Kezia She treated us so Nicely and even offered me a soda.
The worst embassy ever! Called more than 45 times with no luck! I had to cancel so many trips because of them. I am going to sue them!
Efficient,fast and professional! I had a very good experience, the staff at the embassy is welcoming,listen to your concerns and I got my passport within the predicted time frame.
Extremely bad. Especially these guys haven't been picking the phone for more than a month! How is that possible?
the service was good. I receive my visa after 10 business day the only ussues is it hard to get someone on the phone .thanks
Anais was wonderful! Very professional and very kind!
I appreciate the fast service to my visa request for the DRC. In 3 weeks exactly I received my passport.
I appreciate the prompt service to my visa application for the DRC. In 3 weeks exactly I received my passport.
Very efficient in the processing of visa requests and very clear in the directions given to all applicants.
I had a great experience at the DRC embassy. I had set an appointment and as soon as I arrived, Ms. Munanga was able to personally walk me through the process of my application and set a timeline expectation. I met with two other officials of the Embassy who had further questions for me and both were very pleasant and helpful.
I just don t know why you guys have a phone because you never answer
I applied for visa last year and this year... I was amazed on how the process went smoothly. I received my passport back within 12 days. Thank you DRC Embassy for your prompt services!
I have worked with this embassy on several occasions, as our company has working relationships in Kinshasa. Mr. Thomas and his crew are always most helpful and kind in working with me to expedite Visas for my company. Thank you!
Utterly enraged and have submitted a story to Washington Post. The embassy has had my passport for 3 weeks, no one picks up the phone or answers emails, and I have now lost my entire trip and my dream of seeing Kinshasa. I am possibly going to have to report my passport stolen so I can try to get one for my trip to Central America in July. How can the State Dept not care about this? Thousands of dollars gone and a hijacked passport. Utter lies that they take 10 days to grant a visa. And they keep your passport and fee! Sickened and I have changed my entire opinion about this country. I was going to write a book as an American traveling to a place few ever visit, and now all I will be writing is vitriol.
I have to say that I am impressed with the service of our Embassy. Divine was courteous and pleasant when it's about to provide update with requests or inquiries. As long as you comply with the embassy requirements, you will get your issues resolved in a timely manner. In My case, the visa was approved and send back to me within 10 business days. Merci Divine
Passport and Visa arrive on time and friendly staff on the phone!
The visa application process was very prompt this time around. I received my visa in 2 weeks. The staff is always helpful and kind. Regardless of the political situation, the embassy tries their best to provide customer service.
Very helpful and communicative! The embassy was patient with me when I called beforehand and on both my physical visits. The visa was expressed to be completed in 10-12 business days and was finished and returned in 7 business days. They expressed exactly what was needed and when provided, all worked out. Quite pleased and appreciative of their efforts.
For the third time, I call my embassy number but no one bother to answer me. Unprofessional office and people.
I am very ashamed how unprofessional DRCongo stuffs are. I called the office yesterday 2/28/17 the girl put me on a hold for more than hour, then hang up on me. Then, I called back several times and no one answered the phone. The woman I spoke with on the phone didn't know anything about what I was asking her which is how to start a process in regards applying DRC passport Is that hard to answer!
Unprofessional, disrespectful, do not answer phone calls, do not respond emails, do not communicate, very shady. We had to cancel our big trip. Very dissapointed with their service.
They never pick up the phone!!!!! I have just called them 20 times in a row and no pick up. Also, I applied for my passport in the beginning of May, and they said I can have someone in Congo pick it up by June 6th. Yet, its 3 weeks later and we have talked to several people in Congo that are saying they still do not have proof of payment which means that they cannot do anything. We have talked to 6 different people that told us the same thing. When I proceed to call the embassy here, they claim they do not know what they are talking about. This is shameful.
I have dealt with embassies all over the world, and this one is by far the worst. They will not respond to any messages, and they are never there to answer their phone. Their voicemail box is nearly always full. I also learned they are not even able to process any visas themselves. They send all the information back to DRC to get it processed. I have even involved my state Representative that my family knows well, and they will not even respond to him. Despite confirmation that they received my package and cashed my check, they never gave me my visa and still have not given me back my passport two months later. Perhaps things will chance in the future, but trying to get a visa right now is just throwing your money away and possibly losing your passport as well. I lost over $200 on the visa, $195 on a second passport, and hundreds more on my flight to get my expedited passport in time for my trip in July.
UPDATE -- the day after I posted this review (originally with 2 stars), they cut a money order and sent it to me. Nice -- someone's reading and responding!
Original review: Got the visa fairly quickly, but it was single-entry and I'd paid for double-entry. Managed to get someone at the embassy on the phone; she was very nice and said they'd send a money order for the difference in price, but it's been a month now and I haven't received it! The price of the visa is high to begin with -- it's frustrating that they made this mistake and that the refund hasn't come through.
I was very happy with the way the Embassy of the DRC handled my visa. I followed their instructions and received it within 10 working. I did express mail it.
They never pick up the phone, I am calling them since a week at all the times from 9am to 5 pm. I have applied for business visa & it's more than 10 working days & I have not received my passport yet. Hope they haven't lost it. I sent a FedEx Overnight prepaid Return Envelope...... Called them infinite times, emailed & faxed them, NO REPLY. UGH FRUSTRATED .... Now planning to fly to Washington from Texas for updates. Worst Worst Worst customer support.
I got seen very quickly and they were incredibly helpful. Can't thank them enough. If you need something urgently, go visit in person.
employees at the democratic republic of the Congo embassy in washington dc are wonder full peoples i fly all the time to Dr Congo
i never have any problems getting a visa .befor you blame Dr congo embassy, check your mistakes
The Consular staff could not have been more helpful or more pleasant. Thank you so much for helping us through a complicated process!
I am a 100% Congolese and I am happy that I got my passport ontime. Thanks guys.
Very disappointed contact number does not work. They don't reply to your email. More embarrassment to the Country.
Courteous staff. Passport application processed in timely manner.
They kept in touch with me to help me resolve an issue I was having. Very helpful
My dealings with the embassy were simple -- applied for and received a visa to travel to DRC. But they did what they said they'd do, within the time frame they said they'd do it. No complaints.
What is the point of having a phone number if you never pick up. My wife and I have been trying to reach you guys for the past 3 weeks. We even tried the New York office, but same result. You guys need to do better.
They never answered the damn phone..this is sooo shameful..go back to kinshasa if you don't know how to deal with the American system..these people have.no sense of urgency amd their forgetting that people already Purchase. Their flight ticket...if you can't answer the phone ..hire me to answer the phone and customers service for you..stupid
I have been working in customer relationship for the last 5 years both from end-users and B2B perspective. I am very impressed with the way my visa process with the DRC consulate in Wash. DC went. I sent in my application on the 23rd Feb. It was signed at the consulate by M. Malolo. I followed up with about 3 calls just because people around me told me things like they never pick the phone, they never return call, they don't even have a voicemail message, etc. For all 3 times, I have spoke to a very nice woman, professional and customer oriented. When she didn't have details on my application, she put me on hold and reached out to the proper individuals. On March 10th, my Visa was issued.
I needed a visa to to go the DRC on a UNICEF mission. I went to the web site to find out what was needed. I went to the embassy in Washington, DC on a Monday 2 1/2 weeks before my departure and was concerned that I would not get my passport with the visa back in time. I supplied the embassy with a FedEx Express return envelope and I had my passport and the visa back by Friday of the same week. Amazing. Bravo.
It is the Monument of the Meeting place of Stanley Morton and Livingstone at Sapel Andranga Village, DR Congo
I recently applied for my visa to the DRC through this embassy. I had heard horror stories of how they were slow and had horrible communication and had even misled in communications. However, I found none of this to be true! They processed my visa within two weeks of arriving. I had everything needed and they were efficient and handled it well. It was extremely difficult to get ahold of them via phone to check the status, but when they finally answered, I was told that my visa was processed and to be shipped the next day! So overall I'm extremely pleased.
The embassy consular service was able to get me my tourist visa in three weeks, despite the Fourth of July.
I have already sent my envelope for the return of my passport to Ohio, I am waiting and I have the tracking number. The tracking shows that it was already delivered. Inside there is already the envelope already paid as agreed.
My name is popo nkulu. Thank you.
I try to call but directly on answering machine 3 days already !!!! Before it rang but directly on the answering machine. Not at all easy
Our NGO works in the DRC, and as such our staff need visas regularly (6 month multiple entry). We have noticed an improvement in visa servicing from the the DRC Embassy over the past 18 months-- we send all materials and the prepaid envelope, and it returns to us within 10 business days (often less than that)! We do miss the option to expedite service, but 10 days standard processing is really quite fast. Very satisfied. Thank you!
The service was fast and I received my visa after 10 days as expected. Also, have copies of your documents before you go there, this will save you some time and energy. Thank you and hope this comment will be helpful to someone. Have a great day.
Disgraceful Embassy. They don't respond to e-mails no matter what you ask. Lazy employees. I have worked with many african countries in my life, but by far, this is one of the most embarrassing embassy. Disorganized, the phone line rings busy every second, nobody responds to the e-mails, nobody returns your call. You can have any kind of emergency and the staff could care less. Poorly run Embassy. Sad, pathetic and just truly an abomination.
Very quick turnaround for a visa for an important meeting in DRC. Phone line needs ability to leave a message. Very pleasant and helpful staff.
People are Great! and fast services and I really appreciated how they handled my case so quick .. Thanks Guys
Worst than any other place I've ever called in my all life... I called them countless times but no one will pick up the phone nor they will bother call you back. Please guys, you get paid to serve us the people but what you are doing is really shamefull... common this is America not Kinshasa!!!
They never answer the phone, i hope they will fix this problem.
The passport was issued in a timely manner, just as they promised!
They never answer the phone. So upsetting to see my people being so lazy. Shame.
Excellent service. I travel to DRC frequently for work, my visa application is processed within days and returned with Fedex. Sylvie Munanga is extremely helpful, responds to email questions or concerns clearly and promptly.
So disappointing. I am trying to get a visa application update and it has been nearly impossible to get someone to answer the phone and no one in the visa office answers or returns my calls.
I sent in two passports for visas with a return self addressed envelop but I received only one passport back, even after talking to the Embassy personnel twice and specifically citing both applicants. This is stressful as we supposed to apply for more visas.
Horrible customer service I my loose my ticket ,no body answer the phone
I have been calling since last week for at least 7 times a day and I have sent 4 emails so far with no responses. This is a really disappointing because it shows a bad image of the country you are representing.
Adventurers like their president, the quality of service is very mediocre
I have been dealing with this DRC Embassy (as well as the DRC UN Mission one) for over 25 years with various applications and I have never had a single problem. I have always received an Excellent Service and my recent experience was just as good, if not better. Consider that I am way out in California and that I am no one special. I follow all the instructions on the application process, I include a pre-paid FedEx envelope, send everything out and I always get the same excellent results every time. I do recommend them both.
It's shameful and suck! They received my visa application without even inform me that it was in process or anything. They don't respond to phone calls, this is so far the worst embassy I've ever seen .
Processed my visa application promptly. Only problem is no one answers the phone and the mailbox is full so there is no way to leave a message. But reply to email was prompt and Ms Sylvie Munanga called me to advise me of an error by FEDEX who failed to include a return mailing label when my application package was sent, enabling me to get a new one generated for shipping that got my passport with visa back in time for my trip. Very good service!
My first experience with DRC trying to obtain Visa for upcoming trip. Everything was received by Embassy on 7/12, now it is 8/9 and have nothing (certainly double the 10 business days listed on website). Phone is not answered and am hoping my email will get some attention. What is recourse to get something done???
I rarely write reviews but I was so puzzled that I felt the need to write one.
I am giving one star because unlike other people, someone actually picked up the phone. No worries, I ve had my share of them not answering my calls and I m sure it s a good thing because the lady who picked up the phone infuriated me. Yes, they pick up the phone when they feel like it and when they do, you would wish they never did.
I seriously can t believe how rude the lady was. Not only she didn t introduce herself (this is the second time) but also the way she was answering seemed like she doesn t know what she s doing and that I was bothering her.
She first told me Maybe to an important matter and I was in disbelief so I repeated Maybe? Then added Or you don t know because I need a serious answer.
From then she started acting as if she doesn t understand what I was talking about and instead of transferring me to someone who can help, she stayed on the line.
Also, I asked to make an appointment since I live far from DC and she refused. She didn t say she couldn t do that but she openly refused to schedule my appointment.
These aren t the only things that happened but the ones that didn t make sense to me.
So, good luck to all of you trying to get them to pick up the phone.
And to the embassy, it would be great to look at all the complaints and do something about it.
P.S. For those of you who aren t sure whether or not you can make an appointment, you sure can because I ve done it before with another woman.
Sincerely,
Clara
Why does not one response to the phone I spent almost 3 weeks to check about my passport???almost 5 months now. I send my priority mail to embassy .inside the prepayed envelope for the return.it is supposed to reach the embassy today .july19 2017
I am waiting for the return.
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