Responses to Information Requests

​​​​​​​Responses to Information Requests (RIRs) are research reports on country conditions. They are requested by IRB decision-makers.

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Responses to Information Requests (RIRs) cite publicly accessible information available at the time of publication and within time constraints. A list of references and additional sources consulted are included in each RIR. Sources cited are considered the most current information available as of the date of the RIR.            

RIRs are not, and do not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Rather, they are intended to support the refugee determination process. More information on the methodology used by the Research Directorate can be found here.          

The assessment and weight to be given to the information in the RIRs are the responsibility of independent IRB members (decision-makers) after considering the evidence and arguments presented by the parties.           

The information presented in RIRs solely reflects the views and perspectives of the sources cited and does not necessarily reflect the position of the IRB or the Government of Canada.          

1 April 2011

COD103711.FE

Democratic Republic of the Congo: Process for applying for or renewing a passport
Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

Radio Okapi, the United Nations radio station in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), interviewed a spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs ( ministère des Affaires étrangères) by telephone for a 22 October 2009 article. During the interview, the spokesman reportedly indicated that applicants applying for the DRC's new biometric passport must [translation] “bring their voter card, US$150 for the passport and US$20 for the form” (Radio Okapi 22 Oct. 2009). In a telephone interview with the Research Directorate on 16 March 2011, a representative at the Embassy of the DRC in Ottawa explained that the new biometric passport entered circulation in April 2009; he also said that to apply, applicants must provide their current passport or nationality certificate, their residency card or a valid driver’s licence, and pay C$250.

The same embassy representative also said, in a telephone interview with the Research Directorate on 7 March 2011, that the new passport is valid for five years and that it is not renewable; unlike previous passports, the new passport does not include a page for passport extension.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). 16 March 2011. Embassy of the Democractic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in Ottawa. Telephone interview with a representative.

_____. 7 March 2011. Embassy of the Democractic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in Ottawa. Telephone interview with a representative.

Radio Okapi. 22 October 2009. “ Kinshasa : bientôt la fin de la validité des anciens passeports.” <http://radiookapi.net/sans-categorie/2009/10/22/kinshasa-bientot-la-fin-de-la-validite-des-anciens-passeports/#more-23003> [Accessed 7 Mar. 2011]

_____. N.d. “ À propos.” <http://radiookapi.net/a-propos/> [Accessed 7 Mar. 2011]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: Attempts to reach respresentatives at the embassies of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Brussels, Lusaka and Paris were unsuccessful.

Internet sites, including: Afrik.com; AllAfrica.com; La Conscience [Kinshasa]; Digitalcongo.net; InfoSud Belgique (InfoSud); Keesing's Reference Systems; Panapress (PANA); Le Phare [Kinshasa]; Le Potentiel [Kinshasa].

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