The Republic of Zimbabwe is a southern African country. Zimbabwe’s name as a tourist destination in the past has not been good because of political unrest. But as of now, Zimbabwe is more stable than ever, and the tourism industry is slowly coming back.
Zimbabwe offers many tourists attraction sites, from the famous Victoria Falls to the national museums. The country also boasts several animal parks that are home to the Big Five. Some of the parks include;
- Hwange National Park
- Chimanimani national park
- Matobo national park
- Mana Pools national park
- Nyanga national park and many more.
This article discusses different types of Zimbabwe visas, their cost and what you need to get one.
Summary
| Requirement type | Mandatory for UK citizens
|
| Purpose of travel | Tourism, business or transit |
| Validity period | Three months (90 days) from the date of approval |
| Entry/exit | Single or multiple depending on the type of visa chosen |
| Processing time | Standard processing; six to fifteen business days
Urgent processing; four business days |
| Cost | Single-entry is £25.20
Double entry is £37.80 Multiple entries are £46.20 |
| Application method | By Post or Online |
| Payment method | Credit card, Debit card, Cash, Mastercard, PayPal and Visa card |
About Zimbabwe Visa?
The Zimbabwe e-visa system is a digital system that allows travellers to apply for visas via the Zimbabwe Department of Immigration Website. When your application goes through, you will receive an email with the visa approval number. Make sure to print and keep a copy of this approval together with other documents needed to travel to Zimbabwe.
It is compulsory for all foreign travellers entering Zimbabwe to have a visa. You can get the visa on arrival from the Zimbabwe Embassy in London and e-visa online. Note that multiple visas are only available at Zimbabwe Embassy in London.
The e-visa is mandatory to arrive at Harare and Joshua Nkomo International airports, although there are seven other selected ports of entry. So, ensure that you confirm the correct entry point into Zimbabwe with your travel agent.
Types of Zimbabwe Visas
There are seven main types of Zimbabwe visas available today for travellers from the UK:
- Tourist visa – If you want to visit Zimbabwe for a holiday escape, meet family and friends, apply for a tourist visa.
- Business visa – This visa is for persons who wish to travel to Zimbabwe for business-related reasons. These reasons include attending business meetings or conducting market surveys.
- Transit visa – A transit visa allows a traveller to layover in Zimbabwe for a short while. The purpose for entering Zimbabwe should only be to transit only.
- Conference visa – This visa allows a foreigner to attend seminars, workshops and conferences for a limited time.
- The KAZA Universal visa (Univisa) – This visa allows visitors to travel to both Zimbabwe and Zambia and consider a day stop in Botswana. This visa is only available at the borders of the respective countries.
Requirements For the Zimbabwe Visa
To enter Zimbabwe, you will need the following essential documents;
- A passport valid for six months.
- An empty page on the passport for stamping.
- A scanned copy of the passport information page.
- A recent passport photo of the applicant.
- A method of payment convenient for the applicant.
- An email address that is currently active.
- Proof of residency in the country of origin.
The supporting documents listed below may or may not be necessary, but they are important;
- Bookings of accommodation
- A travel itinerary
- Yellow Fever vaccination certificate. It applies if you have travelled from a country with a high risk of yellow fever transmission.
The e-tourist visa also requires you to provide the address of accommodation. On the other hand, the e-business visa needs applicants also to provide an invitation letter from the company in Zimbabwe and a letter from the company that sent them. Any applicant who has held a Zimbabwean visa before does not need to provide proof.
Who Needs a Zimbabwe Visa?
All British travellers require a visa to enter Zimbabwe. Since June 2012, even infants and children of all ages previously exempted must have a visa now. However, there are countries exempted from the Zimbabwe visa for three months. Remember to check with your travel agency or Immigration Department if your country is one of them.
How Long Does the Zimbabwe Visa Last?
The Zimbabwe e-tourist visa is valid for three months from the date of approval. A business visa allows a stay of thirty days, and it is not renewable.
The validity period of a conference visa is thirty days, and it is not extendable. A transit visa is valid for up to six hours on the same day.
A Universe is valid for a month. It is not renewable, but you can get a new one, up to at most three in a year.
How Long Does It Take to Get the Zimbabwe Visa?
Your Zimbabwe e-visa will take approximately six to fifteen working days for standard processing. Urgent applications take about four days if you apply online.
How Much Does Zimbabwe Visa Cost?
Your application for the Zimbabwe e-visa costs:
- 25.20 Euros for single entry
- 37.80 Euros for double entry
- 46.20 Euros for multiple entries.
If you need your visa delivered to your home, you pay extra for the delivery.
All registered foreign trucks and vehicles using Zimbabwe roads to transit to other countries must pay transit fees. Currently, the government charges 84 Euros for every 100 km payable at the entry port before you use the road.
If you apply through travel agents, you have to pay more for their service fee. There are also additional costs for urgent applications. You can pay for your Zimbabwe e-visa through credit card, debit card, PayPal, Mastercard, Visa card, or cash.
Extra Tips
- Applying for a visa requires several documents attached, for example, invitation letters. Gather these documents as PDF, JPG or MS Word files for easy upload and submission.
- Apply for your Zimbabwe visa three weeks before your travel date to avoid the last-minute rush.
- All arriving passengers must have a negative COVID-19 test certificate. They should do the test 48 hours before leaving for Zimbabwe.
- All arriving passengers without a COVID-19 certificate or exhibiting symptoms must be in quarantine in a government-designated facility for ten days. The government will only release them upon receipt of a negative coronavirus certificate.
- Travellers from India or who have transited through India get retested at their own cost. You must take the test whether you have a negative COVID-19 certificate.
- Upon arrival in Zimbabwe, fill in the complete track and trace details.
- You cannot do business or get employment using a tourist visa. You should obtain a temporary work permit instead.
- You can use Emergency Travel Documents to enter and exit Zimbabwe. If you lose your travel documents, you will need a police report.
- There is an official ban on firearms. In the UK law, it is illegal to carry firearms into Zimbabwe, even if you will take them back to the UK at the end of your trip.
- Zimbabwe recognises dual citizenship. To avoid inconveniences, use one passport to enter and exit the country.
- There is an introduction to the Priority Visa Service, which takes five business days to process at 100 Euros. There is hope that it will have a positive impact on travellers.
Get Your Zimbabwe Visa Today
The majority of tourist attraction sites in Zimbabwe are outside the cities, making it safer for tourists. The Zimbabwe visa also gives you a chance to visit its neighbours. If Zimbabwe is your next destination, apply for a visa here.
Sources:
www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/zimbabwe/entry-requirements
www.victoriafalls-guide.net/zimbabwe-visa.html
www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Zimbabwe
www.gov.uk/government/news/new-uk-visa-application-procedures-for-zimbabwe