Democratic Republic of the Congo: immigration

How many refugees are in the DR Congo?

The DR Congo hosted 503,732 refugees and 100,112 asylum seekers at the end of 2025, according to UNHCR population statistics. The largest groups were 201,324 refugees from the Central African Republic and 198,125 from Rwanda, according to UNHCR data by origin.

Refugees have been recognised as needing international protection; asylum seekers are waiting for a decision. The number of asylum seekers rose from 1,041 at the end of 2024. Refugee status is handled by the Commission Nationale pour les Réfugiés with UNHCR.

Official sources: UNHCR: population data for the DR Congo as asylum country (API) · UNHCR: refugees in the DR Congo by origin (API) · Commission Nationale pour les Réfugiés

How many Congolese refugees are there abroad?

1,176,489 refugees and 168,421 asylum seekers from the DR Congo were recorded in other countries at the end of 2025, according to UNHCR population statistics. That is up from 1,060,086 refugees at the end of 2024.

Uganda hosted the most, 644,537, followed by Burundi with 109,885, according to UNHCR data by host country. Many more people are displaced within the DR Congo than have left it. UNHCR publishes the figures on its Refugee Data Finder.

Official sources: UNHCR: population data for the DR Congo as origin country (API) · UNHCR: Congolese refugees by host country (API) · UNHCR: Refugee Data Finder

How many people are internally displaced in the DR Congo?

5,669,479 people were internally displaced within the DR Congo at the end of 2025, according to UNHCR population statistics. That is down from 6,905,511 a year earlier, as 3,582,665 displaced people returned home during 2025.

Internally displaced people have fled their homes but not crossed a border, so they are not refugees. Most are in the eastern provinces, where armed conflict continues. The figures change quickly as people flee and return; UNHCR publishes them on its Refugee Data Finder.

Official sources: UNHCR: population data for the DR Congo (API) · UNHCR: Refugee Data Finder

Is the DR Congo losing people to emigration?

The DR Congo's net migration was −27,309 people in 2025, meaning slightly more people left than arrived, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators. It was −26,968 in 2024.

Net migration is small relative to a population of more than 112 million. The figure is a modelled estimate, so it is uncertain. Refugee returns are counted by UNHCR: in 2025, 23,262 refugees living in the DR Congo returned to their home countries, according to UNHCR population statistics, and 788 Congolese refugees returned home from abroad, according to UNHCR.

Official sources: World Bank: net migration, DR Congo · UNHCR: population data for the DR Congo (API) · UNHCR: population data for the DR Congo as origin country (API)

Do I need a visa to visit the DR Congo?

Entry rules depend on nationality. Visas and residence permits are handled by the Direction Générale de Migration, which controls entry and exit for both Congolese and foreign nationals. The government runs an eVisa website for online applications.

Visa fees and the list of exempt nationalities could not be read on the DGM or eVisa websites on 15 October 2026, because the eVisa site loads its content only in a full browser. Travellers should check the eVisa site or a DR Congo embassy before travel.

Official sources: Direction Générale de Migration · DR Congo eVisa

How many foreign-born people live in the Democratic Republic of the Congo?

1.0%: that is the share of people born abroad in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for 2024, according to the UN Population Division. It is 35th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 2.2%. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 150th highest.

Are more people leaving the Democratic Republic of the Congo than arriving?

The latest figure from the UN Population Division, for 2025, is -27,309. Since 2005 it has ranged from -144,920 (2019) to 440,748 (2016). Sub-Saharan Africa median: -5,646; the Democratic Republic of the Congo is 41st highest of 48. Worldwide: 156th of 193.

How many refugees are in the Democratic Republic of the Congo?

The latest figure from UNHCR, for 2025, is 503,732. Since 2005 it has ranged from 65,106 (2012) to 537,089 (2017). Sub-Saharan Africa median: 35,241; the Democratic Republic of the Congo is 7th highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 18th of 169.

How many refugees come from the Democratic Republic of the Congo?

In 2025, the number of refugees from the country living abroad in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was 1.18 million, according to UNHCR. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 12,726, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo placed 3rd highest of 48. Of 189 countries with 2025 data, 7th highest.

How much money do migrants send home to the Democratic Republic of the Congo?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2025, is 3.6% of GDP. Since 2005 it has ranged from 0.0% of GDP (2007) to 4.7% of GDP (2023). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 2.6% of GDP, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo placed 9th highest of 20. Of 127 countries with 2025 data, 45th highest.