Zambia Entry and Travel Requirements
Zambia entry requirements are the most important set of rules that you must follow to enter Zambia without any problem.
If you are planning to visit Zambia, one of the most important documents you will need is your passport. Make sure it will not expire a minimum of 6 months from your intended date of arrival in Zambia and that it has at least two blank pages. The Zambian government recognizes dual citizenship. However, to avoid unnecessary delays, dual nationals should leave Zambia with the same passport used to enter the country. According to Zambia's visa policy, citizens of most countries in the world require a visa to enter Zambia. The type of visa required for Zambia varies depending on the traveler's nationality, reason for travel or desired length of stay in the country.
Most tourists planning a short holiday in Zambia will only need a tourist visa. Those planning a long-term stay in Zambia have many visa options at Zambian diplomatic missions around the world.
Zambia has introduced an electronic visa system, which is the most convenient method of obtaining the necessary travel permits to enter the African country. Additionally, some visitors may also apply for a visa upon arrival in Zambia. However, this option requires spending a lot of time at the border control agency to manage all the procedures.
There are also some countries where citizens must apply for a Zambian visa in person at the nearest Zambian embassy or consulate, regardless of the reason for the trip or the expected length of their stay in the country. Zambia. An embassy or consulate visa is also required if one plans to move to Zambia to work or live.
Finally, Zambian authorities allow some foreign nationals to enter the country without a visa. The maximum stay without a visa cannot exceed 90 days. To stay longer in Zambia, they will need to apply for a visa.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Zambian government has decided to implement a number of restrictions. Currently, the pre-departure testing requirement only applies to unvaccinated passengers. The PCR test must be performed within 72 hours before departure. Fully vaccinated travelers do not need to take a pre-departure test to enter Zambia. However, they must submit proof of vaccination confirming that they have received the full Covid-19 vaccination schedule. Recently recovered patients are subject to the same entry process, i.e. if they cannot present valid proof of vaccination, they must provide a valid negative PCR test.
Regardless of vaccination status, all arrivals must fill out a health declaration and undergo temperature checks upon arrival in Zambia.
Important:
Covid restrictions can change at short notice. Before planning an international trip, be sure to check the latest updates on entry requirements to ensure smooth entry into the country.
Who can enter Zambia?
Zambia is open to international tourism. Entry into the country is permitted for both fully vaccinated and unvaccinated foreigners.
Document checklist for entry into Zambia
- valid passport
- Zambia visa
- proof of vaccination (if vaccinated)
- negative PCR test (only if not vaccinated)
- Travel insurance (optional)
Testing, Vaccination, and Quarantine Requirements
Request an inspection
Fully vaccinated travelers can enter Zambia without having to submit to a Covid-19 test. However, travelers who are not fully vaccinated must provide a negative PCR test report issued within 72 hours before the scheduled departure time. Some airlines may require a test to be taken within 72 hours of arrival in Zambia. Be sure to check directly with your airline to see what their specific requirements are.
Vaccination required
COVID-19
To be considered fully vaccinated, you must present proof of vaccination confirming that you have received the full dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, i.e. the first and second doses of the two-dose or one-dose vaccine in Johnson's case. and Johnson.
Yellow fever
Travelers from areas where yellow fever is common will also be required to present proof of valid yellow fever vaccination.
Quarantine required
All visitors to Zambia will have to have their temperature checked. If their body temperature is 38.0°C or higher, they will have to be tested for Covid-19 at their own expense and quarantined at home/hotel/government-designed facility until they receive the results. test.
Traveling from Zambia
Passengers departing from Zambia should check the exact entry requirements in place in their next destination country. A pre-departure novel coronavirus test may be required within a specific timeframe.
Travelers should also familiarize themselves with other essential requirements for smooth entry into a given country.
Traveling to Zambia
Zambia remains open to international visitors. Depending on the traveler's Covid-19 vaccination status, entry regulations may vary slightly. Currently, fully vaccinated passengers are exempt from pre-departure testing requirements, while unvaccinated travelers must still provide a valid negative test result to enter Zambia.
While there is no quarantine requirement, anyone with symptoms of Covid-19 can be tested and instructed to self-isolate at their own expense.
If you're planning to visit Zambia soon, remember that entry requirements can change frequently. Make sure you familiarize yourself with the latest ones.
Entry Rules for Children
Children 11 and under are not required to present a negative Covid-19 test or proof of vaccination.
Children over 11 years old are subject to the same immigration procedures as adult travelers.
Transit through Zambia
If your next travel destination requires you to provide a valid negative Covid-19 test certificate, you will need to present that certificate to board your connecting flight.
Check other entry requirements that apply to your final destination country, including vaccination, quarantine and visa requirements.
Visa requirements
Electronic visa for Zambia
The Zambian authorities decided to implement the e-Visa system in 2014. Since then, eligible travelers can benefit from applying for their visa completely online.
Zambia e-visa can be issued as a single-entry, double-entry or multiple-entry visa.
The online application can be completed in a few minutes and does not require a visit to the embassy. The approved e-visa will be sent to the applicant's email address within 3 working days after submitting the e-visa application.
Visa on arrival
Visas on arrival are issued at several border crossings and airports in Zambia. Currently, there are over 90 different countries whose citizens can apply for a visa on arrival in Zambia if they are traveling short-term for tourism or business purposes.
This visa option is the most convenient solution for those making a last-minute trip to Zambia. However, if one is able to apply for a visa before the planned trip, an online visa alternative is recommended. Registering online will save you a lot of time and avoid unnecessary stress at the border.
Full list of countries eligible for a Zambia visa on arrival:
- Albania
- Andorra
- Argentina
- Australia
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bhutan
- Bolivia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Brazil
- Brunei Darussalam
- Bulgaria
- Burundi
- Cambodia
- Canada
- Cape Verde
- Chile
- Colombia
- Comoros
- Congo
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Cuba
- Czech Republic
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Denmark
- Djibouti
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Eritrea
- Estonia
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Finland
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Ghana
- Greece
- Guatemala
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Kazakhstan
- Laos
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macedonia
- Madagascar
- Mexico
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Mongolia
- Myanmar
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- Norway
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Poland
- Portugal
- Russian Federation
- Rwanda
- San Marino
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Korea
- Spain
- Suriname
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Thailand
- Turkey
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- United States
- Uruguay
- Vatican City
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
Embassy or consulate visa
According to Zambia's visa policy, long-term visas for Zambia can only be issued at an embassy or consulate.
If a person has long-term plans to come to Zambia, for example to live and work there, then an appropriate embassy or consular visa is required.
Additionally, the Zambian government has compiled a list of approximately 30 different countries whose citizens must apply for a regular visa to Zambia, regardless of the reason for their trip or the expected duration. stay in this country.
Applying for a visa at a Zambian embassy involves making an appointment at the embassy. The entire registration process must be started well before the planned trip, as it can take many weeks. Often, it may be necessary to visit the embassy more than once.
List of countries whose citizens should apply for a Zambia embassy visa:
- Aland Islands
- American Samoa
- Aruba
- Bonaire
- Christmas Island
- Cocos Islands
- Cook Islands
- Curacao
- Faroe Islands
- French Guiana
- French Polynesia
- Greenland
- Guadeloupe
- Guam
- Guernsey
- Jersey
- Martinique
- Mayotte
- New Caledonia
- Northern Mariana Islands
- Puerto Rico
- Reunion
- Saint Barthelemy
- Saint Martin
- Saint Pierre and Miquelon
- Sint Maarten
- South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
- Svalbard and Jan Mayen
- United States Virgin Islands
- Wallis and Futuna
Visa exemption
Visitors from certain countries may benefit from visa-free entry into Zambia. This visa exemption applies to short-term visits to Zambia for tourism or business purposes.
Currently, there are over 60 different countries whose citizens can travel to Zambia without a visa and simply need a valid passport.
If an eligible tourist is visiting Zambia for tourism purposes, the maximum visa-free stay in the country is 90 days. In return, for business purposes, visa-exempt travelers are allowed to visit Zambia without a visa for up to 30 days per calendar year. All foreign visitors wishing to stay in Zambia for a longer period of time or if their purpose of travel is not visa-exempt will need to apply for a regular visa from the nearest Zambian diplomatic mission.
Full list of countries with visa-free access to Zambia:
- Angola
- Anguilla
- Antarctica
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Bermuda
- Botswana
- British Indian Ocean Territory
- British Virgin Islands
- Cayman Islands
- Dominica
- Falkland Islands
- Fiji
- Gibraltar
- Grenada
- Hong Kong
- Ireland
- Isle of Man
- Jamaica
- Kenya
- Kiribati
- Lesotho
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Malta
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritius
- Montenegro
- Montserrat
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Nauru
- Niue
- Norfolk Island
- Pitcairn Islands
- Republic of Cyprus
- Romania
- Saint Helena
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Samoa
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- Solomon Islands
- South Africa
- Swaziland
- Tanzania
- Tokelau
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
- United Kingdom
- Vanuatu
- Zimbabwe
Passenger Locator Form
Passenger locator forms are provided to passengers on flights to Zambia. There is no need to declare your health online before traveling.
Travel Insurance
European-level medical care is only available in Lusaka, the capital of Zambia. For more advanced medical care, it may be necessary to transport the patient to the Republic of South Africa. When choosing travel insurance, make sure your policy will be recognized in Zambia.
Public liability insurance is mandatory - you can buy a short-term insurance policy at the main border crossings in Zambia. Additionally, we also recommend purchasing personal insurance.
