Zimbabwe Entry and Travel Requirements
Zimbabwe's entry requirements include all the rules that anyone wishing to visit Zimbabwe must follow in order to cross the country's borders without any problems.
These requirements identify documents that travelers must prepare or obtain before traveling, including passports and visas.
If you are traveling to Zimbabwe, remember to check the validity of your passport: it must be valid for at least 6 months from your intended date of arrival and have three blank pages.
The need to apply for a Zimbabwean visa depends on a number of factors, including your nationality, your reason for traveling as well as the length of your stay in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe's visa policy specifies which nationals can enter Zimbabwe without a visa and who are only allowed to visit the country if they have an appropriate valid visa. Currently, citizens of about 40 different countries are allowed to visit Zimbabwe without a visa, provided their stay does not exceed 90 days. They only need to present a valid passport at a certain border entry point to enter Zimbabwe. Most visa-free travelers hold passports from other countries and territories in southern and central Africa.
Additionally, there are over 200 countries worldwide whose citizens are required to apply for a Zimbabwean visa, regardless of their purpose of travel or expected length of stay.
Zimbabwe also facilitates visa applications for visitors from nearly 170 different countries eligible for electronic visas. These applicants simply submit a brief online form, pay the processing fee, and receive their approved visa via email. Zimbabwe e-visa covers tourism, transit and business. Depending on the visa type chosen, you will be allowed to stay in Zimbabwe for varying periods of time.
For any other long-term purposes, including study or work, all travellers, including those eligible for an e-visa, will need to apply for a visa or related permit. official from the nearest Zimbabwean embassy.
Currently, the Zimbabwean government does not ban any foreign nationals from entering the country. There is also a KAZA UNIVISA for Zimbabwe and Zambia which is issued upon arrival at certain border entry points to individual travellers.
In the context of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the Zimbabwean government is still maintaining a number of Covid-related restrictions. Currently, all passengers visiting Zimbabwe must submit one of the following documents:
proof of Covid-19 vaccination;
Negative PCR test report issued within 48 hours before flight departure.
There are no separate rules for people who have recently recovered from coronavirus. They must follow the same entry process depending on their vaccination status. All travelers are also required to complete track and trace information upon arrival in the country.
Important note:
If you are planning to travel abroad, please remember that Covid-19 restrictions may change at short notice. Some additional security measures may be in place in your destination country, even during your stay.
Who can enter Zimbabwe?
Zimbabwe welcomes visitors of all nationalities, vaccinated or unvaccinated against Covid-19.
Document checklist for entry into Zimbabwe
- Visa Zimbabwe
- PCR test results were negative
- Proof of Covid-19 vaccination
- Civil liability insurance (mandatory)
- Travel insurance (optional)
Testing, Vaccination, and Quarantine Requirements
Request an inspection
Unvaccinated travelers must provide a negative test result taken no earlier than 48 hours before their planned trip to Zimbabwe. Fully vaccinated travelers can present a negative test result taken 48 hours before departure or a valid vaccination certificate.
Vaccination required
Zimbabwe recognizes all Covid-19 vaccine manufacturers approved by the World Health Organization. At least 14 days must have passed since the last dose of vaccine to be considered fully vaccinated.
Quarantine required
Currently, there is no quarantine requirement for people arriving in Zimbabwe. However, returning residents who do not present a valid vaccination certificate or a negative test result may be subject to testing upon arrival and a 10-day quarantine at their own expense.
Traveling from Zimbabwe
To leave Zimbabwe, you may be required to provide a valid negative Covid-19 PCR test from an approved laboratory. Contact your airline or travel provider for more specific information about the conditions you must meet to leave Zimbabwe.
Traveling to Zimbabwe
Before traveling to Zimbabwe, be sure to carefully check your airline's instructions. Sometimes you may need to present a negative coronavirus test result to board a flight to Zimbabwe, even if you are fully vaccinated and have proof of vaccination.
Also, be aware that airlines can change or even cancel flights at short notice. Charter flights to Zimbabwe can be booked through a private company.
Monitor any changes in international travel requirements and follow travel advice to ensure seamless access to the country.
Entry Rules for Children
Children under 5 years old
Children under 5 years old do not need to provide a vaccination certificate or a negative Covid-19 test result.
Children from 5 to 17 years old
Children in this age group are subject to the same regulations that apply to fully vaccinated travelers entering Zimbabwe.
Transit through Zimbabwe
Covid documents
To transit through Zimbabwe, travelers must have a vaccination certificate confirming they have received two doses of one or more WHO-approved Covid-19 vaccines or a valid negative PCR test result issued no earlier than 48 hours before departure time.
Also, be sure to check directly with your airline to see if they implement additional transit requirements.
Transit visa
Citizens of most countries are also allowed to transit Zimbabwe without a visa if they are not departing from an international airport and their transit stop does not exceed 6 hours on the same calendar day. However, Bangladeshi and Pakistani passport holders must apply for a transit visa to Zimbabwe, regardless of the duration of their expected stopover.
Visa requirements
electronic visa
Zimbabwe's electronic visa system has been introduced to expedite the process of obtaining visas required for short-term stays. This system eliminated the need to queue for hours at an embassy or immigration office upon arrival in the country.
Electronic visas for Zimbabwe are issued as single-entry visas or double-entry visas. In addition, KAZA UNIVISA allows entry not only into Zimbabwe but also into Zambia. Zimbabwe e-Visa holders can visit the country for sightseeing, sightseeing or business purposes. Depending on the type of visa chosen, their permitted length of stay may vary.
Applying for a Zimbabwe visa online will only take a few minutes and you will receive your approved visa in your email inbox. Check if your nationality is among the countries eligible for the Zimbabwe e-visa and apply for the visa 3 working days before your planned trip.
Regular visa
There are approximately 45 different countries whose citizens must obtain a visa from a Zimbabwean embassy or consulate, regardless of the reason for travel or the desired length of stay in Zimbabwe. Regular visas to Zimbabwe are issued for varying durations depending on the traveler's nationality and the reason for their trip. Individuals should think ahead about applying for an embassy or consulate visa as the application process can even take several weeks. Additionally, in most cases it will be necessary to provide some supporting documentation. These documents vary depending on the specific visa type you are applying for. Please contact your nearest embassy for more information on how to apply for a visa for your travel plans.
The following countries require a regular Zimbabwean visa:
- Aland Islands
- American Samoa
- Anguilla
- Antarctica
- Aruba
- Bermuda
- Bonaire
- British Indian Ocean Territory
- British Virgin Islands
- Cayman Islands
- Christmas Island
- Cocos Islands
- Cook Islands
- Curacao
- Falkland Islands
- Faroe Islands
- French Guiana
- French Polynesia
- Gibraltar
- Greenland
- Guadeloupe
- Guam
- Guernsey
- Isle of Man
- Jersey
- Lebanon
- Martinique
- Mayotte
- Montserrat
- New Caledonia
- Niue
- Norfolk Island
- Northern Mariana Islands
- Pitcairn Islands
- Puerto Rico
- Reunion
- Saint Barthelemy
- Saint Helena
- Saint Martin
- Saint Pierre and Miquelon
- Sint Maarten
- South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
- Svalbard and Jan Mayen
- Tokelau
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- United States Virgin Islands
- Wallis and Futuna
Visa on arrival
Zimbabwe offers visa-on-arrival services at several border checkpoints across the country. Visa on arrival is issued for short-term stays for tourism or business purposes. Its holder is allowed to stay in the country for up to 3 months with a tourist visa and up to 30 days with a business visitor permit.
To obtain a VoA, eligible travelers must go directly to an immigration checkpoint in Zimbabwe and complete the visa application process, including providing passport data, personal information as well as travel information. It may also be necessary to provide some supporting documents. Additionally, each traveler must pay a visa fee upon arrival to complete the registration process.
Citizens of countries eligible for e-visas are encouraged to apply for their visa online in advance, as this will save them a lot of time they would have to wait at the Zimbabwean border.
The following countries are eligible for a Zimbabwe visa on arrival:
- Albania
- Algeria
- Andorra
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Australia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Bahrain
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bhutan
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Brazil
- Brunei Darussalam
- Bulgaria
- Burundi
- Canada
- Cape Verde
- Chile
- Comoros
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Cuba
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- El Salvador
- Equatorial Guinea
- Estonia
- Ethiopia
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Finland
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Greece
- Guatemala
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Hungary
- Iceland
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Kazakhstan
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macau
- Macedonia
- Marshall Islands
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- Norway
- Palau
- Palestinian Territory
- Panama
- Papua New Guinea
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russian Federation
- Rwanda
- San Marino
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Korea
- Spain
- Suriname
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Tajikistan
- Turkey
- Turkmenistan
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- United States
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
- Vatican City
- Venezuela
Visa exemption
Currently, there are around 40 different countries whose citizens are exempt from the requirement to have a Zimbabwean visa for stays of up to 90 days. The purpose of their visit must be touristic or professional.
Most of these visa-exempt visitors are citizens of other countries in Southern and Central Africa. In addition, some Southeast Asian countries as well as Caribbean islands are also allowed to visit Zimbabwe without a visa. These visitors only need a valid passport to enter Zimbabwe without a visa.
The full list of visa-exempt countries includes:
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Botswana
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Fiji
- Ghana
- Grenada
- Hong Kong
- Jamaica
- Kenya
- Kiribati
- Lesotho
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Malta
- Mauritius
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Nauru
- Republic of Cyprus
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Samoa
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- Solomon Islands
- South Africa
- Swaziland
- Tanzania
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
- United Kingdom
- Vanuatu
- Zambia
Passenger Locator Form
The Zimbabwean government has not imposed a requirement to complete a health declaration before arriving in the country. However, all travelers must submit track and trace information upon arrival in Zimbabwe.
Travel Insurance
You should buy personal insurance from reputable international companies. Civil liability insurance is mandatory. Short-term insurance policies can be purchased at the border.
Due to cholera outbreaks across the country, malaria in the lower regions (Kariba, Victoria Falls) and very high rates of AIDS, all travelers are advised to purchase comprehensive travel insurance to cover medical expenses abroad, including Covid-19 treatment. .