How to get a visa in Zambia: steps and requirements

Zambia is not a commonly visited country by tourists but has a plenty of places to visit, stunning wildlife and safari options and friendly people. It has more than 15.5 million inhabitants and an area of 750,000 square kilometres. On its border with Zimbabwe is the UNESCO World Heritage site of Victoria Falls – the largest curtain of falling water in the world.

Zambia shares borders with eight other African countries. With English being the official language, more and more tourists are encouraged to visit this gem. Zambia boasts over 72 indigenous tribes, each with their own language. It is a country rich in the diversity of its flora and fauna and its impressive national parks.

Here you will discover how to get a visa in Zambia. Explore the different visa types available, the documentation needed to apply for each one and more essential information for foreign travelers. 

Do I need a visa to travel to Zambia?

Yes, it is necessary to apply for a Zambia visa before traveling. One of the most recommended visas to visit the country is the so-called Kaza Univisa, as it will allow you to visit Zambia and neighbouring Zimbabwe with just one visa.

Types of visas for Zambia

There are different types of visas, depending on the reason and duration of your trip:

Kaza Univisa visa

This visa allows tourists to travel to Zambia and Zimbabwe with a single visa. It is valid for 30 days and will enable you to make a day trip to Botswana, as long as you don't stay overnight and return to one of the 2 previous countries. If you travel to a different country, your Kaza visa will be cancelled and you'll have to apply and pay for a new one or another single-entry visa.

Single-entry tourist visa

This visa is for a single entry into the country. It is valid for 90 days, allowing a maximum stay of 90 days in the country. It is exclusively for tourist travel.

Single-entry business visa

This is a single-entry visa, valid for 90 days, allowing a maximum stay of 90 days in the country. The reason for applying for this visa must be for business or commercial agreements. With this visa, it is not possible to work in the country.

Double-entry tourist visa

This visa allows two entries into Zambia during its 90-day validity and each stay in the country must not exceed 30 days. It is for tourist purposes only.

Double Entry Business Visa

This visa allows you to enter Zambia twice during its 90-day validity and each stay cannot exceed 30 days in the country. This visa is requested for business or trade agreements and is not applicable for a stay in the country to work.

Multiple Entry Tourist visa

This visa allows entry to the country for tourism, religious, NGO or voluntary purposes with multiple entries into the country, with a validity of 90 days, allowing a maximum stay of 90 days, or several entrances and exits during that period. This visa is only available online.

Multiple-entry Business visa

This visa allows entry to the country for business or commercial purposes, with multiple entries, valid for 90 days, allowing a maximum stay of 30 days in the country at a time. This visa is only available online. It is not possible to work in the country with this visa.

Transit visa

This visa is issued to a foreign citizen who is required to enter the country for transit purposes. It is valid for a maximum stay of 7 days.

Hiker's Visa

This visa allows tourists to travel to the country for less than 24 hours for excursions. This visa is only required at the Victoria Falls port of entry or the Kazungula border control. You must enter and leave through the same border post and you cannot stay in the country for more than 24 hours.

Residence permits

It is granted to persons applying for permanent residence in the country. Only foreign citizens who have a work permit for more than 5 years, or citizens who have had a previous long-term permit and wish to retire in the country, can apply.

Employment permit

It can be requested by foreign nationals who will work in the country for a period longer than six months and with a maximum of ten years.  This permit is generally valid for two years at a time.

Investor's permit

Investor permission is granted to foreigners over the age of 18 who intend to establish a business or invest in Zambia, or who have already invested in a business in the country.

Spouse Permit

It is granted to the spouse of a Zambian national or a permanent resident who already holds a residence permit.  This permit does not allow the spouse to work in the country.

Study permit

A study permit is issued to foreign citizens who travel to the country to study at one of its educational institutions. The length of validity of the permit depends on the duration of the course.

Diplomatic Permit

It is granted to ambassadors, ministers or consular officials representing international organisations, or an employee of a foreign government who is going to travel to the country for work or business purposes.

Permission to visit

It is granted to foreign citizens who travel to the country to visit a family member. The maximum period of stay is 90 days, although it is possible to request an extension for up to 9 months.

Cross-border permit

It is granted to foreign nationals who are members of a regional grouping of some kind, or to citizens of neighbouring countries who share a border with Zambia. It is valid for 90 days and can be extended to a maximum of 6 months.

Temporary employment permit

This is granted to foreign nationals who are required to enter the country for paid employment for a minimum of 30 days and a maximum of 6 months.

Transit permit

It is granted only to truck drivers and their crew after they have exhausted their work visit permit for business purposes. This permit is valid for 1 year.

Asylum permit

It is granted to persons who for a given reason need asylum in the country. The duration of this permit is 30 days, while the asylum seeker's legislative decision is made. Once their status is determined, they must be granted the permit specifically for their needs.

How to get a visa in Zambia: application methods

All visas to travel to Zambia for tourism or business purposes can be applied for at the embassy (in person), on arrival in the country or online.

Whenever possible, it is best to apply online. You can do this through the Zambian government's website, or through a specialised company such as visagov.com, which will facilitate and help in the process.

The online procedure can take between 48 and 72 hours to be resolved, depending on the visa or permit requested. If you choose the option of applying for your visa on arrival in the country, please make sure you bring all the necessary documentation with you, because if there is a problem, it will be more difficult to solve once you are in the country.

If you have to go to an embassy to apply for your visa, you should do so at least one month before your trip. The procedures at the embassy are always longer.

Who needs to know how to get a visa in Zambia?

Virtually all foreign tourists need to know how to get a visa in Zambia. Use our eligibility checker to see the specific situation of your nationality. If you're eligible, you'll be able to apply for the visa for Zambia online in our website in just a few minutes.

What are the requirements to apply for a visa to Zambia?

The specific documentation required will depend on the type of visa that you wish to obtain. Tourist visas require the same documentation, regardless of whether they are single or multiple-entry visas. The necessary documentation to process them is:

• Recent passport-size photograph
• Copy of the passport
• Letter of introduction on letterhead to the Director-General of Immigration
• Flight receipt with the dates of departure from the country

The same applies to business visas, which, regardless of whether they are single-entry, double-entry or multi-entry, will require the same documentation for processing:

• Recent passport size photograph
• Copy of the passport
• Letter of introduction on letterhead to the Director-General of Immigration (DGI)
• Certified photocopies of the certificate of incorporation

To process the transit visa we will need:

• A recent passport-size photograph
• Copy of the passport
• Letter of introduction on letterhead to the Director-General of Immigration
• Flight receipt with the dates of departure from the country, and the final destination of our trip

To apply for the Kaza Univisa visa we will need:

• A recent passport-size photograph
• Copy of the passport
• Letter to the Director-General of Immigration
• Flight receipt with the dates of departure from the country

Residence permits require:

• Delivery of the original permit
• Certified copy of your passport and National Registration Card (NRC)
• Certified copy of the marriage certificate
• Certified copy of the parents' status
• Copy of the original permit
• Certified copy of the passport
• Birth certificate
• Recent passport-size photograph
• Letter of presentation to DGI
• Certified copy of the National Registration Card (NRC)

Employment permits require:

• Certified copy of passport
• Contract of employment
• Two reference letters from previous jobs
• Recent passport-size photograph
• Copy of the original permit
• Letter of presentation to DGI
• Certified copy of your National Registration Card (NRC)

An investor's permit requires the following for processing:

• Certified copy of passport
• Investment licence (if available)
• Details of the share capital
• Letter of presentation to DGI
• Recent passport-size photograph
• List of directors if more than one
• Proof of the applicant's investment
• Proof of ownership of your residence, or lease
• Certificate of Minimum Capital of the company
• Photocopies of the Certificate of Incorporation
• Certificate of Registration of Trade Name

To apply for a spouse's permit the following documents are necessary:

• Spouse's status, certificate of established resident status
• Spouse's letter of consent
• Certified copy of the marriage certificate
• Certified copy of the passport
• Recent passport-size photograph
• Proof of livelihood
• Letter of introduction of the applicant to the Director-General of Immigration

To apply for a study permit you need:

• Medical report from the government institution
• Proof of sponsorship commitment
• Recent passport-size photograph
• Letter of the introduction of the applicant to the Director-General of Immigration
• Letter of support from parents or legal guardians
• Letter of acceptance from the university or school
• Certified copy of the passport

To apply for a diplomatic permit you need:

• A recent passport-size photograph
• Note verbale from the mission or copy of the letter of accreditation
• Letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Certified copy of Diplomatic Identification Card from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country
• Certified copy of the passport

To apply for a visiting permit you need:

• Certified copy of the host's permit
• Host's letter of introduction to DGI
• A bank guarantee or flight ticket indicating return date
• Recent passport-size photograph
• Proof of the host's ability to support the applicant
• Certified photocopies of current passport showing current endorsements
• Letter of the introduction of the applicant to the Director-General of Immigration

A cross-border permit requires:

• A letter from the relevant cross-border traders' association
• Valid cross-border trader's membership card issued by a competent authority
• Proof of habitual residence in a bordering country
• Certified photocopies of current passport
• National Registration Card (NRC)

To apply for a temporary work permit you need:

• A copy of the host company's Certificate of Incorporation
• Recent Zambian business visa approval stamps in your passport from before applying for an employment permit
• Letter of introduction from the employer and addressed to the Director-General of Immigration, indicating the work the applicant will be doing in the country.
• Copy of the biodata page of the passport
• Recent passport-size photograph
• Curriculum Vitae

An application for an employment permit requires:

• Certified copy of valid passport
• Curriculum Vitae
• Copy of marriage and birth certificates
• Police authorisation from the country of the previous residence
• Letter of introduction to the employer's chief immigration officer, stating the work the applicant intends to do in Zambia.
• Certified photocopy of the passport
• Recent passport-size photograph
• Certificates of practice from professional bodies
• Letter of offer or contract from the employer
• Certified photocopy of the Certificate of Incorporation
• Certified photocopy of academic or professional qualifications
• Certificate of share capital and list of directors

To apply for a temporary permit you need:

• Proof of legal proceedings
• Certified photocopy of current passport
• Certified copy of the host's permission
• Current bank statement
• Recent passport-size photograph
• Letter of introduction to the DGI or the regional immigration officer
• Certified copy of valid passport
• Letter of consent from the sponsor

To apply for a transit permit you need:

• A copy of the driver's license
• Letter of introduction to the general manager
• Certified photocopy of the passport
• Passport size photo

Can the Zambia visa be changed once it has been processed?

No, once the visa has been processed by the Zambian authorities, it is not possible to change any data. If there is an error, a new visa can be applied for, but new fees will have to be paid again.

How much does a visa to Zambia cost?

There are different government fees depending on the visa applied for:

• Single-entry visas: $50
• Double-entry visas: $80
• Multiple-entry visas: $150
• Transit visas: $50
• Kaza Univisa Visa: $50

All prices mentioned only include the costs of government fees. You will be required to go to the Zambian embassy to find out the price of residence permits, study permits or any other type of permit.

How far in advance do I need to apply for a Zambia visa?

The visa can be applied for at any time in advance, but it will only become applicable 40/50 days before your trip. Although the processing time does not usually exceed 5 working days, it is advisable to apply for the online visa a minimum of 30 days in advance.

What are the entry borders to Zambia?

Zambia shares a land border with Malawi, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia and Angola.

It has more than 20 airports, although the most common ones for entering the country are:

• Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (Lusaka).
• Chipata Airport.
• Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport (Livingstone).
• Mfuwe Airport.
• Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport.

There are many land borders with neighbouring countries. The border crossing point that divides Zambia from the Democratic Republic of Congo is not recommended due to the conflicts in the DRC. The most frequently used border crossings are:

• Victoria Falls (in the south) from Zimbabwe.
• The Chirundu Bridge (in the south-east) from Zimbabwe.
• The Kariba Dam (in the south) from Zimbabwe.
• Chipata (in the north-east) from Malawi.
• Katima Mulilo (in the south) from Namibia.
• Kazungula (in the south) from Botswana.
• Tunduma and Nakonde (in the north) from Tanzania.