Zambia Visa Policy

Visa Policy for Zambia

The visa policy of Zambia is the list of rules and regulations which determines who may enter the country, who needs a visa for Zambia, and which type of visa is required.

There are different types of visa for Zambia for different purposes and lengths of stay. There are also various methods of obtaining an entry permit.

Most visitors will need a short-stay Zambia tourist visa, while other visas are available for foreign nationals who plan to stay long-term.

It is possible to obtain either a single-entry, double-entry, or multiple entry visa for Zambia.

Zambia has an electronic visa (e-Visa) that can be obtained online by completing a quick application form. This is regarded as the easiest way to get authorization to travel to the African country.

Travelers from certain countries are able to apply for a visa on arrival for Zambia. This involves joining a queue at border control and filling out the application there and then. However, this can mean spending a lot of unnecessary time at the airport or border checkpoint before being allowed to enter the country.

Nationals of various other countries must apply for their visa in person at a Zambian embassy or consulate. This typically takes longer than applying online.

According to Zambia’s immigration policy, all foreign nationals who plan to move to and/or work in the country must apply at an embassy for a long-term visa and/or work permit.

There are also a number of countries whose citizens may enter visa-free and stay for up to 90 days, in line with Zambia’s visa policy.

Find below a full guide to the different Zambian visas and find out which type is needed by each nationality.

Tourist Visa Policy for Zambia

According to Zambia’s tourist visa policy, visitors from most countries must have a visa to enter for leisure.

Short-term Zambian visas for the purpose of tourism can be obtained online, on arrival, or at an overseas diplomatic mission.

A tourist visa for Zambia allows a maximum stay of 90 days in the country starting from the date of entry.

The simplest way to obtain a visa for tourism is via the Zambia e-Visa platform. Travelers must submit a simple online application and will receive their entry permit within a few working days.

Foreign visitors applying for a Zambia visa online can choose between single-entry, double-entry, and multiple-entry options.

Some travelers may be required to apply at a Zambian embassy or consulate instead. This involves going to the diplomatic mission in person, bringing any necessary supporting documents.

Zambia has a visa on arrival service available to certain nationalities.

In addition, tourists from some countries may enter Zambia without a visa for short visits.

Consult the map below to find out which types of Zambia visas are required by visitors of different nationalities.

Zambia e-Visa

The Zambia e-Visa is an electronic entry permit that can be obtained by completing and submitting an online application form.

Introduced in 2014, the Zambian e-Visa system is designed to facilitate visa applications and is widely considered the most straightforward option for obtaining authorization to visit Zambia.

Citizens of over 60 countries are eligible to apply online for a visa for Zambia.

It is possible to obtain a Zambia e-Visa for the purposes of tourism and business.

The Zambia e-Visa Approval Letter is valid for 3 months from the date of issue. If the holder does not use it to enter the country within this time period, they will need to reapply.

Once in Zambia, the e-Visa allows short stays, permitting the holder to stay in the country for up to 90 days.

Single-entry, double-entry, and multiple-entry Zambia visas are available through the online platform.

Foreign nationals simply enter their details in the online questionnaire and provide digital copies of supporting documents, including a passport with a minimum of 6 months’ validity beyond the date on which the individual intends to enter Zambia.

According to the Zambia visa policy, other items may be required, depending on the nationality of the traveler.

Zambia e-Visa applications are usually processed very quickly, typically within a few working days.

See below the list of countries whose citizens can apply online for a Zambia e-Visa.

Afghanistan
Algeria
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Benin
Burkina Faso
Cameroon
Central African Republic
Chad
China
Egypt
Equatorial Guinea
Ethiopia
Gabon
Gambia
Guinea
Guinea Bissau
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ivory Coast
Jordan
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Lebanon
Liberia
Libya
Macau
Mali
Mauritania
Morocco
Nepal
Niger
Nigeria
North Korea
Oman
Pakistan
Palau
Palestinian Territory
Papua New Guinea
Philippines
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Sudan
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Syrian Arab Republic
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Timor Leste
Togo
Tunisia
Turkmenistan
Uzbekistan
Yemen

Zambia eVisa Info

Apply Online

Visa On Arrival for Zambia

A Zambia visa on arrival is a type of visa that can be obtained at certain airports and border crossing points.

Zambia’s visa policy allows nationals of over 90 different countries to obtain a visa on arrival.

Visas on arrival for Zambia are valid for short visits for the purposes of tourism or business.

Tourist visas on arrival allow the visitor to stay for a maximum of 90 days, while business visas on arrival for Zambia only allow up to 30 days in the country.

Although it is useful for last-minute trips, there are several drawbacks to the Zambian visa on arrival service. Firstly, it means spending a lot of time standing in line at immigration control before finally being allowed to cross the border into Zambia.

In the unlikely event that the visitor loses or forgets the necessary supporting documents or encounters another problem with the application, they may be denied entry and will have to return home.

For these reasons, it is highly recommended to apply for a Zambia e-Visa beforehand, allowing time to resolve any rare issues and entering the country much quicker on arrival.

Browse the list of countries below to find out which nationalities can get a visa on arrival for Zambia.

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

Get Embassy Info

KAZA Visa

The KAZA Visa is a type of visa on arrival that permits entry to both Zambia and Zimbabwe.

It can be obtained at border checkpoints in both countries. In Zambia, the KAZA Visa can be obtained at the following crossings:

Livingstone Airport
Lusaka Airport
Victoria Falls
Kazungula

The KAZA Visa permits visitors to stay for a maximum of 30 days in either or both Zambia and Zimbabwe and also includes day trips to Chobe National Park in Botswana.

It is planned to be a “universal visa”, with more countries expected to join the scheme. When the KAZA Visa enters the second phase, it will also grant entry to Angola, Botswana, and Namibia, with other southern African countries joining in the third phase.

Embassy or Consular Visa Required for Zambia

An embassy or consular visa for Zambia is any type of visa granted by a diplomatic mission abroad.

The Zambian immigration policy states that embassies and consulates are the only places where foreign nationals can obtain long-term visas if they plan to move to Zambia or stay long-term.

It is also necessary to apply for Zambian work permits at an embassy if the individual plans to seek employment or perform paid work in the country.

Travelers of around 30 different nationalities must apply for a Zambia visa at an embassy or consulate for any type of visa, including short-term tourist visas.

To apply for a Zambia embassy visa, travelers must go to an embassy or consulate in person and submit their application along with all required supporting documents.

Embassies typically take longer to process visa requests than the online e-Visa service, so it is advisable to apply in good time before the trip.

See below the list of countries whose citizens must apply for a visa at an embassy.

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

Get Embassy Info

Visa Not Required for Zambia

Certain travelers do not require a visa to enter Zambia for short-term visits. This exemption extends to trips for the purposes of tourism and business.

Citizens of over 60 different countries enjoy visa exemption for Zambia and may visit using only their passports.

Eligible travelers can stay in the country visa-free for up to 90 days per year for tourism and leisure.

Individuals visiting on business can spend a maximum of 30 days per calendar year in Zambia.

Citizens of visa-exempt countries who plan to stay for longer than the maximum time permitted or for reasons not covered under the terms of their visa exemption must apply for the relevant type of Zambia visa.

Find below the list of countries whose nationals have visa exemption for Zambia.