Last updated: [06/15/2021]
*** Effective January 26, all airline passengers to the United States ages two years and older must provide a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within three calendar days of travel. Alternatively, travelers to the U.S. may provide documentation from a licensed health care provider of having recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 days preceding travel. Check the CDC website for additional information and Frequently Asked Questions.
Country-Specific Information:
- The Central African Republic (CAR) is under a level 4 “Do Not Travel” Travel Advisory due to COVID-19, Embassy Bangui’s limited capacity to provide support to U.S. citizens, crime, civil unrest, and kidnapping. CAR’s medical infrastructure is inadequate to deal with COVID-19 cases or any other health conditions.
COVID-19 Testing
- Are PCR and/or antigen tests available for U.S. citizens in the Central African Republic? Yes
- If so, are test results reliably available within 72 hours? Yes
- For symptomatic patients, testing is free and available at the Ministry of Health and Institute Pasteur. For pre-departure testing, travelers should go to the Pasteur Institute in Bangui. Their current hours are 7:00am to 11:15am Monday to Saturday and testing is first come, first serve. Tests are approximately $75 and should be paid in local currency.
- Tests are generally available within 48 hours via email.
- https://reports.unocha.org/en/country/car/card/7jsVXwSZcV/
- For information on limited humanitarian exemptions to CDC’s requirement that all U.S. bound travelers present a negative COVID test, please review the following page: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/covid-testing-required-us-entry.html
- Humanitarian exemptions to this order will be granted on an extremely limited basis and will only be considered when the country of departure lacks adequate COVID-19 testing capacity. To submit information in support of an exemption, e-mail YaoundeACS@state.gov.
COVID-19 Vaccine Information:
- Has the government of the Central African Republic approved a COVID-19 vaccine for use? Yes
- Are vaccines available in Central African Republic for U.S. citizens to receive? Yes, in accordance with the host government’s prioritization schedule.
- Which vaccines are available in Central African Republic? AstraZeneca
- According to the Ministry of Health COVID-19 coordinator, when vaccines arrive, they will be available to anyone residing in the Central African Republic, regardless of citizenship, according to the government’s final prioritization schedule.
- The United States Government does not plan to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to private U.S. citizens overseas. Please follow host country developments and guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination.
- Information from the CDC regarding COVID-19 vaccination.
Entry and Exit Requirements:
- Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? Yes
- The Central African Republic does not require visas for visits under 180 days by U.S. passport holders. However, not all airlines will board U.S. passport holders without a valid visa, so travelers are advised to check with their carrier. If you arrive in CAR without a visa, expect long delays at airport immigration.
- Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? Yes.
- Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry? Yes, however, screening procedures are not uniformly enforced.
- Visa extensions for three-months are allowed.
Movement Restrictions:
- Is a curfew in place? Yes, due to ongoing civil unrest, not due to COVID-19 restrictions
- Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel? No
Quarantine Information:
- Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? Yes
- U.S. citizens are required to quarantine for 14 days. However, if you are a member of an international organization or humanitarian NGO, a quarantine is only required until you receive a negative COVID-19 test at the local Pasteur Institute. The cost of the test is approximately US$70.00 (CFA35,000)
Transportation Options:
- Are commercial flights operating? Yes, however airline schedules often change with little notice. Please monitor your flight status on a continual basis.
- Is public transportation operating? Yes
- Public transportation is considered dangerous and it is not recommended to travel by mini-bus or moto-taxis (motorcycles). Private cabs are available.
Fines for Non-Compliance:
- Not applicable.
Consular Operations:
- Embassy Bangui does not offer ACS services. For ACS services, please contact U.S. Embassy in Yaounde, Cameroon at +(237) 22220-1500 ext. 4341/4023 or in case of emergency +(237) 22220-1500, ext. 4531. Their email address is YaoundeACS@state.gov.
- Embassy Bangui does not offer visa services at this time.
Local Resources:
Other links:
