This article about Zimbabwe visa requirements was fully updated in Sept 2025.

Do I need a Zimbabwe visa as a tourist?

For most tourists, the good news is that the Zimbabwe visa process is fairly simple.

There are three categories of nationalities: (A) No visa approval or fee, (B) Visa with automatic approval and a fee, (C) Visa with manual approval and a fee. Most countries are in Category B which is not much hassle. I’ve detailed the most common countries below, but a full list of countries is in the image towards the end of the article. Don’t forget to read the “Notes for all nationalities” at the bottom of this article, too. 

Note: I am not a visa official. I write this advice in an easy-to-understand format, to the best of my knowledge and personal experience, informed by others in the Zim community. I have ensured there are links to the official websites, for you to double check this info. I don’t get paid for writing this info, but if you’d like to buy me a coffee to say thanks via Paypal, please click here.

A. Zimbabwe visas for citizens from Category A 

If you’re a citizen of a SADC African country, Malta, Hong Kong, or Singapore you do not need to pay to enter Zimbabwe for a holiday.

• What to do: Complete the immigration declaration form either online in advance, or in person upon arrival. To complete the online form, see the section ‘How to complete the Zimbabwe e-visa application form‘ section further down this page. It’s the same platform as for Category B citizens, but there is less to fill out, and no fee to pay.
  • Once completed, your immigration document will be automatically approved online. Print a copy if possible and keep a note of your application reference.
  • A sample of the paper version of this immigration declaration form is further down this page for info.
• Read the section “Notes for all nationalities” at the end of this article for Zimbabwe visitor passport requirements applicable for everyone.
• Double-check first: The full list of countries in Category A are shown further down this page; you should see the latest category list on the official Zimbabwe eVisa website under the ‘FAQ’ section.

B. Zimbabwe visas for citizens from Category B

If you’re a citizen of the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Germany, Ireland and USA, you just need to fill out an electronic visa form in advance. It will be approved automatically. You’ll also need to pay a visa fee.

• How to complete the Zimbabwe e-visa application form:
  • Go to the official Zimbabwe government e-visa website: https://evisa.gov.zw
  • (Note you can read through the FAQ section on that website in advance, too.)
  • Click ‘Start the process’. If you haven’t created an account, select ‘No account yet’ and complete that.
  • Navigate to New Application and complete it.
    • Note: Harare Airport is called Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport. Bulawayo Airport is called Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport.
  • Follow the prompts. You’ll need your passport details, travel dates, and accommodation details in Zimbabwe. Notes on the single/double entry visas are further down this page.
  • You can choose to pay the visa fee online, or upon arrival. Either pay the fee using the online application system using a card, or opt to pay upon arrival in Zimbabwe using cash (preferably in exact US Dollar notes) or debit card. Your application will saved be on the e-visa system.
  • Once completed, your visa will be automatically approved online. Print out the approval if possible and keep a note of your application reference.

Info for Category B (ctd):

• When you arrive at the airport arrivals hall or border post in Zimbabwe, your passport will then be stamped.
• If choosing to pay your visa fee upon arrival, you will pay in US Dollars (preferably cash) at the desk in Zimbabwe. Take the exact denomination of notes if possible. The amount to pay is outlined further down this page. Debit cards may be accepted for payment upon arrival but I’d rely on using cash.
• If you’re unable to fill out the electronic form in advance, you can still do it upon arrival at the actual airport in Zimbabwe, but there may be a longer queue to do so.
• There are no other visa requirements for Category B, but read the section “Notes for all nationalities” at the end of this article for info applicable to everyone.
• The full list of countries in Category B are shown further down this page; you can also confirm the category list on the official Zimbabwe e-Visa website under the ‘FAQ’ section.

• Types of Zimbabwe visas:
  • Single Entry Visa (most common): Choose this if you are only entering Zimbabwe once during your holiday and not, for example, going to Livingstone-Zambia or Chobe-Botswana and then back into Zimbabwe. See our map below to be aware of different countries around Zimbabwe. It’s not a huge deal if you change your mind later to do a trip across the border; you’ll simply need to pay for another Single Entry Visa. This visa is valid for 30 days. If staying longer than 30 days, you need to extend it in Zimbabwe.
  • Double Entry Visa: Choose this if you need two entries into Zimbabwe and two exits out of Zimbabwe which will be used within 90 days of the issue date. Choose this if, for example, if you’re planning on doing day trips from Zimbabwe (Victoria Falls or Hwange) to either Zambia (Livingstone) or Botswana (Chobe).
  • KAZA Visa or UniVisa: Choose this in specific circumstances when travelling between Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana. Most travellers won’t need this as a visa isn’t required to enter Zambia (for many countries). It is valid for 30 days. See this article for details.
  • Multiple Entry Visa: this is hardly used because it can only be done at the town office; choose repeated Double Entry Visas instead. It is valid for 6 months.
  • Info also available on the official Zimbabwe e-Visa website under the ‘FAQ’ section.
• How much does it cost for a visa to Zimbabwe?:
  • For UK and Ireland citizens: Single Entry: US$ 55 | Double Entry: US$ 70.
  • For Canadian citizens: Single Entry: US$ 75.  Canadian Passport holders can only get a Single Entry Zimbabwe visa at the port of Entry, not a Multiple Entry Visa.
  • For the rest of the countries in Category B: Single Entry: US$ 30 | Double Entry: US$ 45. Payable in cash.

• • Do children need a visa for Zimbabwe? Yes, children do need a visa for each of them, too – and for the same price as adults.

A screenshot of the e-Visa Application Zimbabwe Website home page. Note the ‘FAQ’ and ‘Guide’ sections at the top, which will help you.

C. Zimbabwe visas for citizens from Category C

If you’re from India, Nigeria and Mexico, you need to apply for a visa electronically or at the Zimbabwe Embassy in your country in advance before travelling to Zimbabwe.

• The full list of countries in Category C are shown further down this page; you should see the latest category list on the official Zimbabwe eVisa website under the ‘FAQ’ section.
• How to do it: Follow the instructions found above as per Category B ‘How to complete the Zimbabwe e-visa application form‘. Note that you have to do this in advance if you are from Category C.
• Your application will not be automatically approved; you will need to wait for approval manually.
• Read the section “Notes for all nationalities” at the end of this article for requirements applicable to everyone.

Notes for all nationalities visiting Zimbabwe

• Passport requirements for everyone: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival in Zimbabwe, and should have at least 3 blank pages left in it. You should have proof of onward/return tickets out of the country, or sufficient money to buy one (although I have never seen this being checked at the airport).
• Top tip: Children and babies are charged full visa fees regardless of their age (if they are citizens of Category B or C). You will of course need to bring your child’s passport with you. Officially you do not need to bring your child’s birth certificate, but I would bring it anyway, as a precaution (see the note further down about travelling through South Africa [a different country to Zimbabwe] with a child).
• Declaring cash: If you enter the country with less than US $2000, and you don’t anticipate taking more than $2000 amount out the country, then you don’t need to use a special form to declare your cash. You can just write the amount of cash in the regular Immigration Declaration Form upon arrival. However, if you plan on taking more than US $2000 out of Zimbabwe, you will need to do the following: When arriving in Zimbabwe, go to Customs (red route), declare your cash in the blue Form 47 provided, and keep this form safe to display it to officials when departing Zimbabwe. (To see details of this form, you can find the PDF online by Googling “Zimra Form 47“).
• Length of time for a Zimbabwe holiday visa (Category B and C): Holiday visas are valid for 90 days from the date of issue, and they are issued for a maximum of a 30-day stay. If you wish to stay in Zimbabwe for longer than 30 days, you can extend the visa at a consulate office in Zimbabwe without too much fuss if you’re a Category B citizen. A reader from New Zealand says: “The immigration office in Harare (Herbert Chitepo Avenue) is clearly signposted about 100 metres along from the US embassy on the opposite side. A month after we arrived in Zimbabwe we turned up at the immigration building. Just had to fill in another immigration form – the same one as at the airport – and then went into the next room to submit it to the immigration officer who stamped it and gave us another 30 days no questions asked (took all of 15 minutes with no queues).” You can get two free extensions up to three months. From three to six months it costs US$20 per month. Any extension seven months and more is US$100 per month. There is a three day grace period from the visa expiry date.
• Important note on flights via South Africa with children: If you are travelling from, or via, the country of South Africa with children, have a look at the South African entry requirements which includes needing to show their birth certificate (here’s a link to official UK travel advice for SA). The South African Department of Home Affairs have confirmed that no supporting documents will be required by people in direct transit through a South African International Airport to another country. However, to be on the safe side, I would advise that it would be best to travel with your child’s birth certificate, as well as a letter from the other parent if you are travelling without them.
• Other types of visas: This article discusses tourist visa information; however see the e-visa website for guidance on alternative types of visa, such as Zimbabwe Business Visas, Transit Visas and Conferencing Visas (more info on the Zimbabwe eVisa website).

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Useful websites and contact info about Zimbabwe visas

• Official Zimbabwe e-visa website | Email: admin@evisa.gov.zw | Address: Department of Immigration, PO Bag 7717, Causeway, Harare, Zimbabwe. Telephone: +263-4-791913/8
• Zimbabwe Embassy in USA | Address: 608 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009, United States. Telephone: +1 202-332-7100
• Official UK Government advice for UK citizens about Zimbabwe visas

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Make sure you also read the Zimbabwe travel quick reference guide

You may also be interested in the following articles on related Zimbabwe topics:

• How to renew a Zimbabwe passport from the UK: step-by-step guide
• Flights to Zimbabwe
• Transport within Zimbabwe
• Tips on flying to Africa with a baby
• Practical information and FAQs about visiting Zimbabwe
• Top tips on staying safe in Zimbabwe
• What to pack for a Zimbabwe holiday
• Harare travel guide
• Victoria Falls travel guide
• Bulawayo travel guide
• A guide to Great Zimbabwe Monument

Great Zimbabwe Guide gives travel tips, information and inspiration about Zimbabwe, Africa. We share stories of Zimbabwe’s talented people, world-class wilderness & wildlife safari experiences, all wrapped up in an unmatched climate.

Do you have a question about visiting Zimbabwe? Start with the Quick-reference list of travel advice. 

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