Mozambique
Mozambique visa guide: eVisa, business, investment and work
- 6 visa types
- checked 25 October 2026
How visas for Mozambique work
Mozambique's rules on entry, stay and exit of foreigners are set by Law No. 23/2022 of 29 December, which replaced Law 5/93 and entered into force on 28 January 2023. The Serviço Nacional de Migração (SENAMI) administers visas and residence. Under Article 19 of the law, visas granted by Mozambican missions require SENAMI's prior authorisation, and most travellers now apply through SENAMI's official eVisa portal, evisa.gov.mz, run with the support of VFS Global.
The portal distinguishes three situations: nationals exempt from visas (some of whom must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation, ETA, before departure), nationals who need an eVisa, and a short list of restricted nationalities (Pakistan, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Nepal and Somalia) who must apply at an embassy. Exemptions are set by country, passport type and purpose in SENAMI's waiver table; for some countries only diplomatic, service or special passports are exempt, so ordinary passport holders from those countries need an eVisa.
eVisas exist for tourism, business, investment, sports and culture, humanitarian assistance, crew and oil and gas activities. The approved preliminary eVisa is emailed as a PDF, printed and shown at boarding and on arrival. The law also changed the tourist visa so that holders can stay 90 days, continuous or interrupted, within 12 months, and extended the work visa to one year renewable for an equal period.
Which visa do I need?
Holiday or visiting friends, if your passport is not exempt: tourist eVisa for 30, 60 or 90 days.
Meetings, conferences, research or business talks: business eVisa (up to 90 days).
Accredited sports or cultural event: sports and culture eVisa (30 days, single entry).
Investing in a project of at least USD 500,000: investment eVisa (90 to 730 days).
Employment with a Mozambican company: work visa; for oil and gas projects, the oil and gas work eVisa.
Diplomatic, service or special passports: check SENAMI's waiver table, which exempts some of these passports by country and purpose.
Visa types for Mozambique
Visits and short stays
- Tourist visa Tourist visa (tourist eVisa)
Travellers whose country and passport type are not exempt in SENAMI's waiver table need a tourist visa for a holiday in Mozambique and apply online on SENAMI's eVisa portal.
Maximum stay: 30, 60 or 90 days as approved; at most 90 days in 12 months - Culture, sports and events visa Sports and culture visa (sports & culture eVisa)
Mozambique's sports and culture eVisa is for people accredited to take part in demonstrations, sports training, sports competitions or cultural competitions.
Maximum stay: Up to 30 days, as stated on the approved visa
Business and self-employment
- Business visa Business visa (business eVisa)
The business eVisa covers meetings, conferences, research and business discussions in Mozambique for up to 90 days.
Maximum stay: Up to 90 days (30, 60 or 90) - Investor visa Investment visa (investment eVisa)
Mozambique's investment eVisa is for foreigners travelling to invest in a project worth at least USD 500,000.
Maximum stay: Up to 730 days
Work
- Work visa Work visa (Law 23/2022, Article 27) and oil and gas work eVisa
Foreigners employed in Mozambique need a work visa.
Maximum stay: Up to one year, extendable for an equal period
Online travel permits
- e-Visa Mozambique eVisa (SENAMI online visa)
Mozambique's eVisa is SENAMI's online visa, applied for on evisa.gov.mz before travel.
Maximum stay: Depends on category: 30–90 days for tourism and business, up to 730 days for investment
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Mozambique?
It depends on your country, passport type and purpose. SENAMI's waiver table lists the exempt cases, some of which need an ETA at least 48 hours before departure; everyone else applies for an eVisa on evisa.gov.mz, except six restricted nationalities who apply at an embassy.
How long does a Mozambique eVisa take?
The portal states about five business days for standard processing after payment, and advises applying at least three to five days before travel.
What is the difference between Mozambique's eVisa and ETA?
The eVisa is a full visa for a specific purpose and duration. The ETA is a pre-travel authorisation that certain visa-exempt nationals must obtain online at least 48 hours before departure.
Is the eVisa fee refunded if I am refused?
Generally no. SENAMI states that the fee covers processing even if the application is refused.
Can I change the dates on an approved eVisa?
No. If your plans change you must apply for a new eVisa and use it within the period stated on the preliminary visa.
Embassies and consulates
Last checked 25 October 2026. Each visa page lists the official sources it is based on.