All country guides
- Capital
- Bangui (BGF)
- Dialing Code
- + 236
- Time Zone
- UTC / GMT +1
- Language
- French & Sango
- Best Time to Go
- December - March
- Currency
- Central African CFA Franc (XAF)
Travel Tips
- Central African Republic is a largely cash economy (credit cards are not widely accepted and there are few ATM’s)
- Avoid photographing military and government installations
- Bottled water recommended, milk is unpasteurised
- Many local languages are also spoken
Last updated 29 September 2026
Visa Guide
Foreign Representation in South Africa
Embassy of Central African Republic
209 Eastwood Street, Arcadia, Pretoria, 0083
E-mail: info@carembassysa.co.za
Telephone: 084 9596795 / 074 683 6376 /012 430 2443/ 2473
Office hours: Monday - Friday, 10:00-12:00 & 14:30-16:30
By Appointment Only
Public Holidays
2026
January: 1
March: 20, 29
April: 6
May: 1, 14, 25, 27
June: 30
August: 13, 15
November: 1
December: 1, 25
Visa Requirements
Visas are required by SA passport holders
- 1 fully completed visa application form
- 1 Valid passport (minimum 6 months) with 3 blank pages
- 2 Recent passport size photos (35x45mm)
- Flight Reservation
- Proof of sufficient funds
- Letter of invitation from the host organization in C.A.R
- Proof of hotel accommodation
- Yellow Fever Certificate
- Proof of travel/health insurance
Visa Processing Time
- Approximately 5 working days
- Express visas: 3 working days
Visa Cost
Single entry/transit: 1 month R750
Short stay (one month) Single entry R1000 | Multiple entries R1500
Short stay (three months) Single entry R1500 | Multiple entries R1750
Please note that express visas are double the fee
Visa Forms
Health / Vaccinations
Compulsory:
- Yellow Fever
Recommended Travel Vaccines:
- Hepatitis A & B
- Meningitis
- Rabies
- Polio
- Tetanus
- Typhoid
Malaria Risk
South African Representative Abroad
South African Embassy
No. 5686 Avenue l’Independence, Ndakala Anne, Bangui
Telephone: + 236 75 08 21 46