The Zimbabwean government has updated its electronic visa (eVisa) issuance portal, allowing foreign nationals from 118 countries and territories to apply for an eVisa on arrival before traveling to Zimbabwe.
This reintroduction of electronic travel authorization is designed to simplify the entry process for prospective travelers, VisaGuide.World reports.
Previously, tourists from these 118 countries, including citizens from Europe and North America, were required to obtain a visa on arrival and could not apply for an eVisa prior to their trip. Now, eligible tourists and business travelers can take advantage of the streamlined eVisa process online, making planning their visits to Zimbabwe easier.
Zimbabwe’s visa system is organized into three categories, each with specific requirements based on nationality.
- Visitors in Category A do not need a visa to enter Zimbabwe and can submit an online declaration before their trip.
- Category B includes those not required to obtain a visa prior to traveling but must pay for and acquire a visa upon entry; they can also submit an online declaration in advance.
- Category C comprises visitors who must obtain a visa before traveling to Zimbabwe, necessitating payment before arrival.
The validity of a Zimbabwe visa varies based on its type. Thus, a tourist visa is valid for 90 days from the date it is issued, while visit and business visas are typically valid for 30 days. Visa on arrival is granted at the port of entry, and applicants will be informed of the visa duration at the time of issuance.
List of Travelers Who Don’t Need a Visa to Travel to Zimbabwe
For stays exceeding 30 days or for purposes such as work or study, eligible travelers must obtain a visa through an embassy under the eVisa program. Additionally, all travelers over the age of 45 must have a visa, irrespective of their reason for visiting or the length of their stay.
Countries that are exempt from visa requirements include:
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Aruba
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Botswana
- Cayman Islands
- Cyprus
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Eswatini
- Fiji
- Ghana
- Grenada
- Hong Kong
- Jamaica
- Kenya
- Kiribati
- Leeward Islands
- Lesotho
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Malta
- Mauritius
- Montserrat
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Nauru
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Samoa
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- Solomon Islands
- South Africa
- Tanzania
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
- Vanuatu
Moreover, Zimbabwe’s immigration authorities now offer four types of electronic visas on arrival:
- e-Visa on Arrival – Single Entry (1 month): US$30.00
- e-Visa on Arrival – Double Entry (3 months): US$45.00
- e-Visa KAZA Univisa on Arrival – Single Entry (1 month): US$65.00
- Entry Without Visa- Free of Charge
Zimbabwe and Zambia introduced a universal visa on 28 November 2014 called KAZA Visa. This visa can be obtained upon arrival and is valid for visits up to 30 days in both countries while remaining within Zambia and Zimbabwe.