Doing business in the Democratic Republic of Congo can prove fruitful due to the following reasons:

• The DRC is a relatively untapped and huge market. First mover advantage is a high-return low-risk factor for businesses looking to expand into and within Africa.
• Primary industries like heavy industries, mining, manufacturing, ICT, and other infrastructural development businesses have a high demand in the DRC.
• The DRC is rich in mineral resources like bauxite, cobalt, copper, silver, uranium, lead, zinc, cadmium, diamond, gold, tin, tungsten, magnesium, and coltan. The metallurgy industry has recently been liberalized to welcome foreign investment.
• Presence of the Congo river also provides a conducive environment for maritime manufacturing and hydroelectricity production. Both these industries are promoted by the SEZ program.

The Work Establishment Visa is issued to foreigners who wish to work under an employment contract in the DRC. The application needs to be submitted to the regional employment office by the employer with the below documents:

• An application for a work card for the potential foreign employee submitted to the Direction General De Migration;
• An employment contract approved by the National Employment Office;
• CV of the potential employee;
• Evidence to support the professional skills and expertise of the potential employee;
• Job description;
• List of existing foreign employees;
• Training programs for DRC nationals.

The Work Establishment Visa is valid for two years.

Establishment visas are issued to foreigners wishing to settle in the DRC. The visa is sufficient to prove a foreigner’s status of a resident, and to allow him/her to conduct legal economic activities. There are various types of visas available, depending on the nature of the applicant (student, employee, trader, etc.). There are a few residency permit requirements which apply for all establishment visas. The applicant must:

• have a regular stay in the DRC;
• stay in the DRC for at least six months;
• hold a valid passport;
• present an international vaccination card;
• present a certificate of good life and morals from his country;
• present a certificate of residence from the municipality of residence;
• have sufficient means to live in the DRC.