Zambia Tourism Board

VISA AND IMMIGRATION INFORMATION

   Updated February 2008

 Click here to download a Word Document on:
Guidelines on the issuance and extension of Permits,
Visa Requirements and Procedures

Link to Immigration Department

A visa is an endorsement on a visa form or in a valid passport of a foreigner granting such person authority to enter Zambia within a specific period upon examination by an Immigration officer at the port of entry.

The period of stay in Zambia shall be determined by an Immigration Officer at the port of entry.  The validity of the visa is NOT the period which the holder is entitled to remain in the country but a period within which the holder has to enter Zambia.

 

 

 The following visa procedures will therefore apply:-

 

 

1. ENTRY VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR DIPLOMATS AND UNITED NATIONS PERSONNEL ACCREDITED TO ZAMBIA.

• Official or Gratis Visas could be obtained at Zambian Missions abroad or at ports of entry on presentation of letters of accreditation.

• Persons in category 1.1 above who are not accredited to Zambian may get visas at a Missions abroad or at ports of entry on presentation of official/diplomatic passports.

 2.  DELEGATES COMING TO ZAMBIA ON CONFIRMED GOVERNMENT BUSINESS

• Delegates from International Organisations coming to Zambia should obtain Entry Visas at Zambian Missions Abroad or ports of entry provided they produce official invitation letters.

• Persons under paragraph 2.1 above include delegates from countries listed at paragraph 4 provided they have confirmed letters of invitation from relevant Ministries, Departments or International Organisations represented in Zambia.

3. TOURISTS TO ZAMBIA

• A bonafide tourist is any person travelling to Zambia as an individual or group of persons on a pre-arranged package tour through a foreign tour operator or travel agent in conjunction with a local tour operator.  Tour operators include hotels registered in Zambia as such.

• All bonafide tourists shall be issued with visas at any port of entry to Zambia or at  Zambian Missions abroad EXCEPT for those at paragraph 4 who require visas authorized by the Chief Immigration Officer or the stipulated Zambian Mission abroad.

• THE PREVIOUS VISA FEE WAIVER IS NO LONGER VALID

• PRIVATE VISITORS

• Nationals of countries which require visas to enter Zambia for the purpose of visiting friends or relatives should be issued with visas at Zambian Missions abroad or ports of entry.  Those nationals who may wish to obtain such visas well in advance should apply for them to the Chief Immigration Officer – P . O Box 50300, LUSAKA-ZAMBIA, Zambiavisa@zamnet.zm.


 

• BUSINESS VISITORS

Nationals of countries which require visas, coming as experts on business with organisations in Zambia could be issued with entry visas at ports of entry EXCEPT for those from countries listed under paragraph 4 below.  A Business visitor should produce an invitation letter from the institution which invited him/her.  A Business visitor is entitled to thirty (30) days visit in a period of twelve (12) months.

• TRANSIT VISITORS

Nationals of countries who require transit visas could obtain them at Zambian Missions abroad or ports of entry except for those from countries listed at 4 below.  A transit visa shall be valid for a maximum period of seven (7) days.

• DAY TRIPPERS

Day tripper visas shall be issued at ports of entry to tourists coming to visit Zambia for a period of less than twenty-four (24) hours.

 

4. REFERRED VISAS

 

Nationals of the following countries coming to Zambia as Private/Business visitors or in transit shall apply for visas to the Chief Immigration Officer or the following Zambian Missions Abroad:-

 

London (U.K)  * Pretoria (South Africa)  * Lubumbashi (DRC) * New Delhi  (India) *Beijing (China)
see contact details below

8. GRATIS VISAS

Gratis Visas shall be issued to the following categories of persons at Zambian Missions abroad and ports of entry:-

• Diplomats accredited to Zambia.

• Diplomats coming to Zambia on official business

• Holders of official passports coming on confirmed government business.

• United Nations personnel accredited to Zambia.

 

9. RE-ENTRY VISAS

• Private and Business visitors wishing to visit neighbouring countries for a short period shall be issued with re-entry visas valid for a maximum period of seven (7) days at Internal Immigration offices or some authorized border posts before departure from Zambia.

• Holders of Employment, Self employment and Entry Permits shall be issued with re-entry visas valid for a maximum period of ninety (90) days at internal offices.  However, British nationals resident in Zambia holding Entry Permits are on reciprocal basis exempted from re-entry visa requirements.

• Students whose parents hold Employment Permits and require visas to enter Zambia shall be issued with re-entry visas valid for a maximum period of one hundred and eight (180) days at internal offices.

 

10.  TYPES OF VISAS

• Single Entry

• Double Entry

• Multiple Entry

• Transit

• Double Transit

• Re-entry

• Gratis

• Day Tripper

 

11. VISA FEES

           

The following Visa fees shall apply:-

(a)  British Nationals

• Single Entry visa    -   ₤75

• Double/Multiple Entry visa    -   ₤240

(b) Americans

• Standard Single      US$135

• Canadians             US$ 55

(c) Other Nationals

• Single      US$50

• Double    US$80

• Multiple   US$160

 

NOTES:

• Double and Multiple Entry Visas shall be issued at Immigration Headquarters and         Zambian Missions Abroad except as stipulated in paragraph 4. above.

• Applications for Visas shall be accompanied with two (2) passport size photographs, a letter of invitation from the host in Zambia, proof of Immigration Status in Zambia of the host, Photostat copy of the return air ticket to the country of origin where applicable and proof of sufficient funds for sustenance while in the country.

•  Visa fees unless authorized by Immigration Headquarters, shall be paid in United States dollars and British pounds sterling only.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

The Chief Immigration Officer
Immigration Headquarters
Kent Building
Haile Sellassie Road
P O Box 50300, LUSAKA
Tel:     254393;   252659; 252831; 251725
Fax:     251725
E-mail Immighq@zamnet.zm

 

• VISA APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE DOWNLOADED FROM www.zhcl.org.uk
   

• Click here for a list of Zambian embassies, high commissions and consulates around the world
   

•  Click here to download a Word Document on: Guidelines on the issuance and extension of Permits, Visa Requirements and Procedures

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