Owais Crawford
Zambia is a landlocked country in southern Africa, with a tropical climate and a diverse landscape of high plateaus, hills, mountains, and river valleys. When planning a trip to Zambia, it's important to understand the visa requirements. The type of visa needed depends on your nationality and the purpose of your visit. Zambia offers different types of visas, including single-entry, double-entry, multiple-entry, and e-visas. While some countries' citizens are exempt from obtaining a visa for short stays, others can obtain a visa on arrival or through an online application process. It's recommended to check with the Zambian Department of Immigration or a local embassy for specific requirements and to ensure you have a valid passport and any necessary documentation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Countries eligible for a visa on arrival in Zambia | Nationals of certain countries can obtain a visa on arrival for up to 90 days as tourists or 30 days for business. This includes holders of diplomatic or official passports of any country. |
| Passport requirements for visa on arrival | A passport valid for at least six months from the date of entry with at least three blank pages. |
| Additional requirements for visa on arrival | Full information about the host and a physical address for the duration of the stay. Valid return air tickets for those arriving by air and sufficient funds for the stay and departure for those arriving by land or water. |
| Countries exempt from requiring a visa for Zambia | Nationals of certain countries do not need a visa to enter Zambia for up to 90 days in a year as tourists or 30 days for business. This includes US passport holders. |
| Countries whose citizens can obtain an e-Visa for Zambia | Zambia introduced an e-Visa system in 2014, which is available to citizens of countries whose residents are required to obtain a visa prior to travel. |
| Countries where Zambian citizens can obtain a visa on arrival | Zambian citizens are eligible for a visa on arrival in at least 22 countries. |
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What You'll Learn
Zambia's e-visa program
To obtain a Zambian e-visa, applicants must enter the required information and make payments by credit or debit card. In the case of approval, travellers must bring their approval letter and receipt to present to an immigration officer upon arrival in Zambia. Single, double, and multiple-entry visas are valid for 90 days from the date of first issuance. A single entry visa costs $25, a double entry visa costs $40, and a multiple entry visa costs $75. Multiple-entry visas can only be issued through the e-visa facility.
Ordinary visitors and tourists are entitled to a free 90-day visit in any 12-month period, while business visitors are entitled to a free 30-day visit in the same period. Visitors must have a passport valid for at least six months from the date of entry and with at least three blank pages. Those arriving by air must have valid return tickets, while those arriving by land or water must have sufficient funds for their stay and departure.
Zambia also offers a universal visa program jointly with Zimbabwe, allowing citizens of nearly 100 countries or territories to enter visa-free for up to 90 days as tourists or 30 days for business within a year. However, the visa-free list is subject to change, so travellers should consult the list before deciding to travel to Zambia without a visa.
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Passport requirements
A passport is required for all foreign visitors to Zambia and must be valid for at least six months upon arrival. The passport must also have a minimum of three blank pages. Those arriving in Zambia by air must possess valid return tickets.
Citizens of most countries can obtain a visa upon arrival or don't need one. Nationals of certain countries may obtain a visa for Zambia on arrival for up to 90 days as tourists or 30 days for business. This includes US citizens.
Zambia introduced an e-visa system in late 2014. The e-visa is issued abroad or upon arrival at the airport. It takes about three days to process and is valid for 90 days. To get an e-visa, you must complete and submit an online application form with your travel documents. After approval, the visa will be emailed to you. You must print it out and bring it to Zambia, where you will exchange it for a physical visa at the entry point.
Single, double, and multiple-entry visas are available. A single-entry visa costs $25, a double-entry visa costs $40, and a multiple-entry visa costs $75. Multiple-entry visas are only issued by headquarters through the e-visa facility.
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Visa on arrival
Zambia has different visa requirements depending on the nationality of the visitor. Citizens of some countries do not need a visa to enter Zambia. For visits of up to 90 days for tourism or 30 days for business, citizens of the following countries do not require a visa:
- The United States
- Countries in the European Union
- Australia
- Brazil
- Norway
- Russia
- And others
Nationals of other countries may obtain a visa on arrival for up to 90 days as tourists or 30 days for business. This includes holders of diplomatic or official passports of any country. To obtain a visa on arrival, visitors must have the full information of their host and a physical address where they will be staying. They must also have at least six months' validity on their passports from the date of entry and at least three blank pages. Those arriving in Zambia by air must have valid return tickets, and those arriving by land or water must have enough funds for their stay and departure.
Zambia also offers an e-visa program as an alternative to visas issued at Zambian embassies or on arrival. The e-visa is valid for 90 days and takes about three days to process. To obtain an e-visa, visitors must complete and submit an online application form and pay a fee using a credit or debit card. Once approved, the e-visa will be emailed, and visitors must print it out and bring it to Zambia to be exchanged for a physical visa at the entry point.
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Single, double, and multiple-entry visas
Zambia offers single, double, and multiple-entry visas for foreign nationals who require a visa to enter the country. Here are the details for each type of visa:
Single-Entry Visa
The Single-Entry Visa allows travellers to enter Zambia only once during the validity of the visa, which is 90 days from the date of first issuance. The fee for this visa is US$25. This type of visa is suitable for those who are one-time visitors and do not plan on visiting Zambia again in the near future.
Double-Entry Visa
The Double-Entry Visa allows travellers to enter Zambia twice during the validity of the visa, which is also 90 days from the date of first issuance. The fee for this visa is US$40. This option is suitable for those who plan to revisit Zambia within a short time after their initial visit.
Multiple-Entry Visa
The Multiple-Entry Visa allows travellers to enter Zambia multiple times during the validity of the visa. The fee for this visa is US$75. Multiple-Entry Visas are only issued by Headquarters through the e-visa facility and are valid for 90 days from the date of first issuance. This type of visa is ideal for those who plan to frequent Zambia multiple times during a calendar year.
It is important to note that the validity of the visa refers to the period within which the holder must enter Zambia, and it does not determine the length of stay in the country. Additionally, all visitors must have a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date of entry and must provide full information about their host and accommodation during their stay.
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Visa-exempt countries
Zambia has different visa requirements depending on the traveller's nationality and the purpose of their visit. While some nationalities require a visa, others may be eligible for a visa on arrival or may be visa-exempt. Here is some information regarding the visa-exempt countries for Zambia:
Holders of passports from certain countries are exempt from obtaining a visa to enter Zambia for short stays. As of 1 November 2022, tourists holding passports from the following countries can enter Zambia without a visa for up to 90 days in a year for tourism or 30 days for business:
- United States
- Zimbabwe (with a KAZA Visa)
It is important to note that visa exemptions are often based on the principle of reciprocity, meaning that Zambia may offer visa-free entry to citizens of countries that also grant visa-free entry to Zambian citizens. Additionally, holders of diplomatic or official passports from any country can generally obtain a visa on arrival in Zambia.
Electronic Visa (e-Visa):
Zambia introduced an e-Visa system in 2014, which is an alternative to obtaining a visa from Zambian diplomatic missions or on arrival. The e-Visa allows eligible travellers to apply for a Zambian visa electronically by entering the required information and making the necessary payments online. The e-Visa is typically valid for 90 days during a given calendar year from the date of entry into Zambia.
Universal Visa:
Zambia and Zimbabwe introduced the KAZA Visa in November 2014, which is a universal visa valid for both countries. This visa can be obtained on arrival and allows for visits of up to 30 days within Zambia and Zimbabwe, including day trips to Chobe National Park in Botswana at Kazungula. The KAZA Visa is issued at Livingstone Airport, Victoria Falls, Kazungula, and Lusaka Airport border crossings.
It is always recommended to check with official government sources or diplomatic missions for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding visa requirements before planning international travel.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on your nationality. Citizens of some countries can enter Zambia without a visa for up to 90 days in one year as tourists or 30 days in one year for business. US citizens, for example, are exempt from needing a visa for visits of up to 30 days for business and 90 days for ordinary visits. Nationals of other countries may obtain a visa on arrival or an e-visa.
An e-visa is an alternative to a consular visa issued by Zambian embassies and foreign missions abroad. It is issued abroad or once the visitor arrives at the airport and allows visitors to stay in Zambia for up to 90 days from the date of their entry. It takes about three days to process.
Yes, you can obtain a visa on arrival at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, Copperbelt International Airport, Harry Mwanga Nkumbula Airport, and Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport. However, it is recommended that you check the website of your local Zambian embassy/high commission or the government travel advisories for the most current information.
