Zambia Visa Waiver Restrictions
 

The Zambian government has announced that fee waived visas, which have been available to tourists in Zambia for a number of years now, will only be offered to visitors staying 14 days or less. Those tourists planning to spend more than 2 weeks in Zambia will, with immediate effect, need to buy a visa on entry.

Zambia visa guidelines are available on the Department of Immigration website, http://www.zambiaimmigration.gov.zm/...uidelines.aspx

Nyama,

Depending on where one travels from. I need a visa prior to arrival, regardless of dates in the country.

Hari

Also, regarding Zambia Visas.


We know that Zambia has increased the three year visa fee up to $100 for USA people, but, what if you already have a three year visas in your passport at the previously lower $40 fee?


I have an email from Zambia Immigration [email protected] and after some checking, they write that the three year $40 visa is still valid.


Dear Jon,

I am very sorry for misdirecting you over the issue of 3 years $40 visa. In fact your three years visa is still valid despite the recent changes. Sorry for the wrong information. I consulted with the airport officials and they confirmed in the affirmative. Please, bear with me and go ahead to use the same visas.

Best Regards,

Shabwa.

I've just got back from Zambia, travelling on a British passport and this is how to seemed to work -

Ordinarily British passport holders are able to buy a visa on arrival at the airport. However, if you are travelling on a trip arranged with a Zambian operator, it is possible get a visa waiver. The lodge where you are spending the first night needs to send a letter to the immigration authorities at your port of arrival with yout names and passport details, stating your intention to visit Zambia. You will then be asked to look through a file containing 100's of letters to find your letter (it helps to have a copy of the letter with you, but it's advisable not to show this first). These files have been known to 'vanish', in which case the visa fee is payable.

Admittedly, the system doesnt inspire much confidence, but seems to work. Most people on our flight 'found' their letters.

That's how it worked for years and will continue to work. The news is that now such visa waiver restrictions are only valid for visitors who stay 14 DAYS OR LESS.

PS: remove the word 'restrictions' from my last post (too much copy & paste...)

Does anyone know about re-entering ? I'll be in zambia 29th - 31st, then returning the 13th and 14th.

Thanks for the update...I heard it was definitely not guaranteet that they'll have the waiver.

Heather

Oops...also forgot to ask if anyone has been asked to prove verification of funds for return? I was told to bring a copy of a bank statement and was just wondering if anyone was asked for this in Zim or Zambia.

Thanks

can you get a visa waiver for the second entry into Zambia? if not, you'll probably have to pay the $100.00 visa fee. never had to show proof of funds or even a return ticket for either Zim or Zam.

At the border, do you need to have passport photos? I didnt' even think about it until I read the zambian gov. link. Thanks.

never needed a photo, think that's only if you mail yours in beforehand.

Great..thanks. Got 3 photos just in case. The lodge i'm staying at sent a letter already and confirmed the visa waiver for me.

Thanks everyone. I'll let you all know how my experience was with the re-entry because i'm staying 2 nights at first, then returning again for another 2 nights, so I should be able to get waivers for both entries or just have them consider it a multiple entry.

This is what happened for us (US citizens) Upon arrival, our names were on a list from River Club - we went through; no problems..just a look at our passports and a stamp. However, on a return trip from Botswana- driving THROUGH the border to get to Livingstone for a fight to Jo'burg, we were required to pay $100 per person -- but were told it was good for three years..right, can't wait to get back. But thats part of the game and we knew it. This was June 2007.

I wish, other African nations had similar provision for the possibility of a 3 year visa......