Zambian Immigration Requirements

Zambian Immigration Requirements & Visas

Zambian immigration requirements insist that most international visitors outside of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to obtain a visa for entry into the country. In most cases, you can obtain the visa at the port of entry. There is now an online system for purchasing a visa prior to arriving to Zambia, but at this time we have not tried it and so cannot comment on its work-ability. We will update this post once we know more about it. You can access the e-visa system here. The following is a list of countries whose nationals require a visa to visit Zambia but can obtain a visa at the port of entry or via the e-visa system: The following is a list of countries whose nationals require a visa to visit Zambia but the visa must be obtained prior to travelling. In other words, a visa must be granted before arriving at a port of entry. This can be done at a Zambian Mission abroad: Where you are required to obtain a visa prior to arriving in Zambia you can use a Zambia Mission abroad.

Types of Visa:

KAZA UNIVISA (Recommended) – This visa costs US$50 and allows tourists to obtain one visa to visit both Zambia and Zimbabwe multiple times. The visa is valid up to 30 days as long as the holder remains within Zambia and Zimbabwe. This is ideal for those visiting the Victoria Falls as it allows you to visit both sides of the Falls and experience both Zambia and Zimbabwe without the hassle and expense of multiple entry visas. Whilst the immigration site of Zambia states it is also useable for entry into Botswana through the Kazangula borders (good for Chobe safari trips), we have heard of reports where the KAZA visa has been null and voided due to visiting Botswana. Reports have been sketchy and it is hard to pin down whether this is true or not. Best to ask your booking agent or accommodation supplier for more details. Nevertheless, this visa is still the one to opt for if you are visiting the Victoria Falls. Make sure you stipulate to the immigration officer when entering the country that you want a KAZA visa as they often don’t inform you of its availability. A KAZA visa can only be obtained when entering through one of these ports of entry:

• Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (Lusaka)
• Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport (Livingstone)
• Victoria Falls Bridge border post
• Kazangula (Botswana) border post

You cannot apply for the KAZA visa online using the e-Visa system as far as we can tell. Please advise us if we are wrong on that count.

Single Entry Visa

A Single Entry Visa allows the traveller to enter Zambia only once during the validity of the visa. From 1st January 2022 the fee is US$25. If you want to cross the border to visit the Zimbabwe side of the Falls you will be required to pay for another visa on your return to Zambia. You will probably have to pay for a visa to enter Zimbabwe too.

Double Entry Visa

A Double Entry Visa allows the traveller to enter Zambia twice during the validity of the visa. From the 1st January 2022 the fee is US$40. Perhaps a better choice if you are entering Zambia via a port not listed above as this will allow you to visit the Zimbabwe side of the Falls and return without paying any extra visa fees (You may still have to pay a Zimbabwe visa fee to enter that country however).

Multiple Entry Visa

A Multiple Entry Visa allows the traveller to enter Zambia multiple times during the validity of the visa. From the 1st January 2022 the fee is US$75. Similar to the above visa except you can leave and come back to Zambia more than once. Zimbabwe or Botswana visa fees will still be payable depending on their visa requirements. Multiple Entry Visas are only issued through the e-visa facility. Single, Double and Multiple visas shall be valid for ninety (90) days from the date of first issuance, with the exception of nationals from the United States of America for whose Multiple Entry Visas have a validity of three years.

Transit Visa

Transit visas are issued to nationals who require visas to enter Zambia and are transiting through using land transport and shall be valid for a maximum period of seven (07) days. From the 1st January 2022 the fee is US $25. We are not sure why this visa exists considering you can purchase a single entry visa for the same price.

Day Tripper Visa

A Day tripper visa is issued at a port of entry to a tourist who visits Zambia for a period of less than 24 hours and makes exit through the same port. The facility will also apply to tourists visiting Zambia on a single entry visa and wish to visit a neighbouring country and re-enter within 24 hours. From the 1st January 2022 the fee is US $10. This is useful if you are on the Zimbabwe side of the Falls and just wish to spend the day on the Zambian side and you were not able to get a KAZA visa at your port of entry into Zimbabwe. This visa can only be obtained at the Victoria Falls and Kazungula Border Controls.

Gratis Visa

A Gratis Visa is a free visa issued at Zambia Missions Abroad or at Ports of entry to Members of the Diplomatic Community on presentation of letters of accreditation and/or Diplomatic Passports.

e-Visa

The electronic visa (e-Visa ) is an online facility for applying for visas to Zambia. All persons who ordinarily require a visa to come to Zambia are eligible to apply for visas through this facility.

• Step 1. Access the e-services portal, register an account and fill out the electronic application form, including uploading any relevant documents.
• Step 2. You will be redirected to the site for Barclays Bank, where you will be told the exact cost of your application, which includes a 1.1% administrative fee. You can pay online using any of the following debit/credit cards: Visa, American Express, MasterCard, Discover, Maestro UK, Visa Electron and Maestro Int. A receipt will be automatically sent to your email.
• Step 3. Wait for an email informing you whether your visa has been approved (You can also check status under ‘track’ on the e-Visa Home Page).
• Step 4. Once a decision regarding your visa application has been made log on to the ‘Track’ section of the e-Visa application website and print a copy of the e-Visa approval letter. This decision will simultaneously be sent to your email address.

Arriving into Zambia

Bring your approval letter and receipt with you as you travel to Zambia, as you will be required to present them before an Immigration Officer. Holders of e-Visa approval letters can enter Zambia through any port of entry except where the visa is a KAZA visa which is only valid at the ports of entry mentioned in the above KAZA visa section.