Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe visa guide: visa on arrival, eVisa and residence permits

7 visa types
checked 25 October 2026

How visas for Zimbabwe work

Zimbabwe's Department of Immigration administers entry and stay under the Immigration Act [Chapter 4:02]. Visitors are sorted into three categories: nationals who need no visa, nationals who can buy a visa on arrival at the port of entry, and nationals who must obtain a visa before travelling. Visas can be applied for online on the official eVisa platform (evisa.gov.zw), and residence and work permits are filed through the department's e-Permits system.

Many nationalities, among them EU member states, Australia, Brazil and Canada, are in the visa-on-arrival category: they do not need to apply before travelling but pay for and obtain a visa on entry, or they can buy it in advance online. Nationals of the third category must obtain a visa before travel. The department's fee table lists USD 30 for an ordinary single-entry visa, whether bought online or at the port of entry, and USD 55 for a multiple-entry visa. The KAZA UNIVISA covers Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Longer stays require a permit from the Chief Director of Immigration: temporary employment permits, investor residence permits, student and scholar permits, spouse residence permits and permanent residence. Permit applications carry non-refundable statutory fees, typically USD 500 plus USD 300 per dependant, and documents issued abroad must be notarised and translated into English.

Which visa do I need?

Holiday or short business trip: visa on arrival if your nationality is in that category, otherwise an eVisa before travel; USD 30 single entry.

Several trips in six months: multiple-entry visa (USD 55).

Visiting Victoria Falls on both sides: KAZA UNIVISA for Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Business meetings or a conference: ordinary visa with an invitation letter and sending-company letter, on arrival or as an eVisa.

Employment: temporary employment permit (USD 500 plus USD 300 per dependant).

Setting up or investing in a business: investor residence permit with a project proposal and ZIDA licence.

University or college study: student permit (USD 200); school pupils: scholar permit (USD 100).

Married to a Zimbabwean: spouse residence permit.

Visa types for Zimbabwe

Business and self-employment

Business visa Business visa (ordinary visa for business and conference visits)
Short business trips and conferences in Zimbabwe are made on an ordinary visa, which nationals in the visa-on-arrival category can buy at the port of entry and everyone else applies for in advance on evisa.gov.zw.
Maximum stay: Period written on the entry endorsement; up to six months in the first instance under the Immigration Act
Investor visa Investor residence permit
Foreigners investing in Zimbabwe apply to the Chief Director of Immigration for an investor residence permit.

Study and training

Student visa Student permit and scholar permit
Foreign students in Zimbabwe need a student permit (colleges and universities, USD 200 plus USD 300 per dependant) and school pupils a scholar permit (USD 100).

Work

Work visa Temporary employment permit
Foreigners employed in Zimbabwe need a temporary employment permit from the Chief Director of Immigration.

Family

Spouse and partner visa Spouse residence permit
The foreign spouse of a Zimbabwean applies for a spouse residence permit, supported by the local spouse through a close relative guarantee form, proof of accommodation and funds.

Online travel permits

Visa on arrival Visa on arrival (ordinary, double and KAZA UNIVISA on arrival)
Nationals of the countries in Zimbabwe's visa-on-arrival category, such as EU member states, Australia, Brazil and Canada, can travel without applying in advance and buy a visa at the port of entry.
Validity: Single entry: one month; double entry: three months; KAZA UNIVISA: one month
e-Visa Zimbabwe eVisa (single, double, multiple entry and KAZA UNIVISA)
Zimbabwe's official eVisa platform lets travellers prepay their visa online: single entry valid one month, double entry valid three months, multiple entry valid six months, and the KAZA UNIVISA.
Validity: From issue: one month (single or KAZA), three months (double), six months (multiple)

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa for Zimbabwe?

It depends on your nationality. The Department of Immigration sorts countries into three categories: no visa required, visa obtainable on arrival (for example EU member states, Australia, Brazil and Canada), and visa required before travel. Anyone needing a visa can also apply online in advance.

How much is a Zimbabwe visa?

USD 30 for an ordinary single-entry visa online or at the port of entry, USD 55 for multiple entry and USD 100 for an emergency visa, according to the Department of Immigration's fee table.

How long does a Zimbabwe eVisa take?

On average seven working days; the department advises applying at least three weeks before travel.

Are visa fees refundable?

No. Unused eVisas are not refunded, and the fee is not returned if the application is refused.

Do foreign documents for permits need certification?

Yes. Copies of documents from outside Zimbabwe must be notarised, and all translations must be in English.