Zambia visa policy

Zambia visa policy states the visa requirements for foreign travelers who intend to enter the country.

The entry rules differ between countries, so every visitor to Zambia should thoroughly study the visa policy of Zambia to know what is required for their nationality.

Currently, a Zambia visa can be received through several methods: online, at the entry point, and at the Zambia embassy.

A Zambia eVisa is an electronic visa obtained online that is considered to be the most advantageous option. Eligible citizens can finish the application in a few minutes from any place. The eVisa to Zambia is available in single-entry, double-entry, and multiple-entry types.

At entry points, travelers can apply for a Zambia visa on arrival. It does not require applying in advance, and the application is completed upon arrival in Zambia. Passengers choosing this method must be ready for long queues.

Nationals who cannot get online or on-arrival visas to Zambia must apply for a regular Zambia visa. The application can be lodged only at the embassy/consulate with the in-person presence of the applicant.

Also, citizens from around 60 countries can have visa-free tourism and business visits in Zambia for periods not exceeding 30-90 days.

Keep in mind that a Zambia visa is only one of the documents necessary for traveling to Zambia. Other entry requirements are as important as the visa policy of Zambia, so take your time to review them as well and prepare a passport, proof of sufficient funds, and other documents you may need.

Who can enter Zambia?

Zambia welcomes citizens of all countries, provided they act according to the Zambia visa policy and entry requirements.

Citizens of certain countries with visa-free access are entitled to short-term stays without a Zambia visa.

Other nationals must use the proper method of getting a Zambia visa: by applying online, on arrival, or at the nearest embassy/consulate of Zambia.

Entry requirements for Zambia

All international tourists willing to cross Zambian borders must carry a passport with a validity period of at least 6 months from the date of arrival. It is also necessary that the passport contains 3 blank pages per entry in Zambia.

A Zambia visa is required for all non-exempted foreigners intending to enter Zambia. You should study the Zambia visa policy to know how to apply.

Upon arrival, visitors must show proof of sufficient funds for the whole period of their stay. If a person is traveling by air, it is mandatory to present a return/onward ticket.

Since on 21 March 2023, the Zambian Ministry of Health announced the removal of all COVID-19 entry restrictions with immediate effect, passengers are now spared from the necessity to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or testing.

A yellow fever certificate is requested when a person is entering Zambia from a yellow fever-endemic country.

Documents checklist for entering Zambia

Review the list of documentation to present upon arrival in Zambia:

• a valid passport
• a Zambia visa (if applicable)
• a return ticket (if arriving by air)
• proof of sufficient funds
• a yellow fever certificate (if applicable)

Important! The content is provided for information only. While we do our best to provide accurate and relevant details, the entry requirements of Zambia may be subject to change with little notice. Feel free to contact the Zambia embassy in your country for the most recent guidelines.

Methods of getting a visa to Zambia

The method a traveler can use depends on the purpose of their trip and the duration of stay. It is possible to get a Zambia eVisa, a visa on arrival, and a regular visa.

Electronic visa

Zambia electronic visa can be obtained using an online electronic system. It makes the procedure quick and effortless.

One completes a short form, makes the online payment, and receives the approved Zambia eVisa via email.

Zambia eVisa is available in 3 types: single-entry, double-entry, and multiple-entry. All of them have a validity period of 3 months.

It is also possible to apply online for a KAZA UNIVISA – a visa allowing entry to both Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Visa on arrival

Zambia visa on arrival can be obtained at the borders of Zambia without pre-arrangements. Applicants should find the proper line at the airport, wait in queues, and give their passports to get stamped.

Note that it may be complicated to find the line, and waiting in queues may last for hours.

Regular visa

Persons who cannot apply online or get a visa on arrival have to attend the nearest Zambia embassy or consulate in person to receive a regular visa.

You may be required to have a visa interview with a consular officer and provide more documents than when using other methods of applying.

Countries and regions which require a visa for entry into Zambia

Find your country in the list and discover the visa requirements of Zambia for you:

Electronic visa

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

Visa on arrival

• Andorra
• United Arab Emirates
• Albania
• Argentina
• Austria
• Australia
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Burundi
• Bolivia
• Brazil
• Bhutan
• Belarus
• Canada
• Congo
• Switzerland
• Chile
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• Cuba
• Czech Republic
• Germany
• Djibouti
• Denmark
• Dominica
• Dominican Republic
• Ecuador
• Estonia
• Eritrea
• Spain
• Finland
• Micronesia
• France
• Georgia
• Ghana
• Greece
• Guatemala
• Guyana
• Honduras
• Croatia
• Haiti
• Hungary
• Israel
• Iceland
• Italy
• Japan
• Cambodia
• Comoros
• South Korea
• Kazakhstan
• Laos
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Latvia
• Monaco
• Moldova
• Madagascar
• Macedonia
• Myanmar
• Mongolia
• Mexico
• Nicaragua
• Netherlands
• Norway
• New Zealand
• Panama
• Peru
• Poland
• San Marino
• Suriname
• El Salvador
• Thailand
• Turkey
• Ukraine
• United States
• Uruguay
• Vatican City
• Venezuela
• Vietnam
• Rwanda
• Portugal
• Sweden
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Russia
• Brunei Darussalam
• Paraguay
• Sao Tome and Principe
• Cape Verde

Regular visa

• American Samoa
• Aruba
• Aland Islands
• Cocos Islands
• Cook Islands
• Christmas Island
• Faroe Islands
• Georgia
• French Guiana
• Greenland
• Guadeloupe
• Guam
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Martinique
• New Caledonia
• French Polynesia
• Mayotte
• United States Virgin Islands
• South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
• Saint Pierre and Miquelon
• Guernsey
• Saint Martin
• Reunion
• Puerto Rico
• Jersey
• Curacao
• Saint Barthelemy
• Sint Maarten
• Bonaire

Visa-free

• Anguilla
• Angola
• Barbados
• Bermuda
• Bahamas
• Botswana
• Belize
• Serbia
• Cyprus
• Dominica
• Fiji
• Falkland Islands
• United Kingdom
• Grenada
• Gibraltar
• Hong Kong
• Ireland
• India
• Jamaica
• Kenya
• Kiribati
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Cayman Islands
• Saint Lucia
• Lesotho
• Montenegro
• Marshall Islands
• Montserrat
• Malta
• Mauritius
• Maldives
• Malawi
• Malaysia
• Mozambique
• Namibia
• Norfolk Island
• Nauru
• Niue
• Swaziland
• Caicos Islands
• Tokelau
• Tonga
• Tuvalu
• Tanzania
• Uganda
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• British Virgin Islands
• Vanuatu
• Samoa
• South Africa
• Zimbabwe
• Singapore
• Seychelles
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Romania
• Turks and Caicos Islands
• Isle of Man
• Solomon Islands
• Saint Helena
• British Indian Ocean Territory
• Antigua and Barbuda

Entry requirements for children

There are no facilitations to Zambia’s entry requirements for minors. However, Zambia does not permit travelers under the age of 18 to apply for visas on their own. A parent or legal guardian should complete the application for them.

In addition to other required documents, children also must have a birth certificate with them.

If the minor is traveling with only one parent, immigration officers will request a letter of consent in the form of an affidavit from the other parent registered as a parent on the birth certificate. The letter must authorize the parent to enter into or depart from Zambia with the child.

Transit information

International travelers transiting through Zambia by air directly or staying within the precincts of the airport do not need to go through immigration control and, therefore, are not required to get a visa to Zambia.

Other passengers, unless they have visa-free entry, must obtain a Zambia visa. Travelers transiting by land can obtain a special transit visa to Zambia that remains valid for up to 7 days. A transit Zambia visa is also available online.

Transit passengers from delayed flights covering overnight stops may get a report order by the immigration officer enabling them to lodge at a prescribed hotel and report back for departure out of Zambia.

Important information

• There are several methods to apply for a Zambia visa: an eVisa, a visa on arrival, and a regular visa.
• Zambia eVisa is the most convenient method, as it has an entirely online application process.
• Applying online for a KAZA UNIVISA permitting traveling to Zambia and Zimbabwe.
• Certain nationalities have visa-free entry to Zambia.
• All travelers to Zambia must provide a valid passport and proof of sufficient funds.
• Air passengers should present a return ticket, while travelers coming from yellow fever belt countries must be vaccinated.