Every way into Zimbabwe.

Category C nationals must pay for and obtain a visa before travelling to Zimbabwe; they cannot obtain a visa on arrival. They apply through the official e-Visa portal at evisa.gov.zw and must receive an approval (Letter of Authority) before departure. The single-entry holiday e-Visa costs USD 30 and is valid one month, double entry USD 45 (valid three months) and multiple entry USD 55 (valid six months). Average processing time is around seven working days. Category C covers many African, Asian and other countries that are neither visa-exempt nor visa-on-arrival eligible. The visa is for tourism/visits only and does not authorise work or study.

Government fee

$30

Processing time

7 days

Max stay

30 days

Validity

30 days

Zimbabwe classifies foreign nationals into three visa categories. Category A nationals do not require a visa to enter Zimbabwe and are admitted free of charge for tourism or short visits, with the entry stamp duration set by the immigration officer (commonly up to 90 days, sometimes 30). Category A mainly covers citizens of Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states and a small number of other countries. The entry does not authorise work, business employment or formal study, and stays beyond the stamped period require an extension or the appropriate permit.

Government fee

$0

Max stay

90 days

Category B nationals are not required to obtain a visa before travelling and may pay for and obtain a holiday (tourist) visa on arrival at any legal port of entry, or apply in advance through the e-Visa portal at evisa.gov.zw. The single-entry holiday visa costs USD 30 and is valid for one month; a double-entry visa (valid three months) costs USD 45 and a multiple-entry visa (valid six months) costs USD 55. Category B covers most Western nations including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan and EU member states. The visa is for tourism and short visits and does not authorise work or study. Fees are payable in USD and are non-refundable.

Government fee

$30

Max stay

30 days

Validity

30 days

The KAZA Univisa is a shared tourist visa for the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area that allows holders to move freely between Zimbabwe and Zambia, including day trips to Botswana via the Kazungula border, on a single visa. It costs USD 50, is valid for up to 30 days within any 12-month period, and is for tourism only. It is available to eligible nationals (around 48-63 listed countries, including the US, Canada, Australia, Japan and most European states) and can be obtained online via the e-Visa portal or on arrival at designated ports of entry such as Victoria Falls, Harare and Kazungula. It does not authorise work or study.

Government fee

$50

Processing time

7 days

Max stay

30 days

Validity

30 days

The transit visa allows its holder to pass through Zimbabwe en route to another destination, not to stay in the country. It is applied for through the e-Visa portal or, for Category B nationals, on arrival. The transit visa fee is USD 20. Applicants must hold a valid visa or entry right for the onward destination and a confirmed onward ticket. The visa does not authorise work, study or an extended stay.

Government fee

$20

Processing time

7 days

The conferencing visa is a distinct visitor category for foreign nationals attending conferences, seminars, workshops and other professional events in Zimbabwe. It is applied for through the e-Visa portal at evisa.gov.zw and typically requires an invitation or accreditation letter from the conference organiser. Applicants of Category B nationality may also obtain it on arrival. The published fee is not separately itemised on the Department of Immigration fee schedule and is generally aligned with the standard visitor visa fees. It does not authorise paid local employment.

Processing time

7 days

Max stay

30 days

Validity

30 days

The business visa is for foreign nationals travelling to Zimbabwe for business-related activities such as meetings, seminars or short-term projects, where the applicant will not enter the local workforce. It is applied for through the e-Visa portal (or on arrival for Category B nationals) and carries the same fee structure as the visitor visa: USD 30 single entry (one month), USD 45 double entry, USD 55 multiple entry. Applicants must provide an invitation letter from the partnering Zimbabwean company plus a letter from their sending company. It permits business engagement but not paid local employment, which requires a Temporary Employment Permit.

Government fee

$30

Processing time

7 days

Max stay

30 days

Validity

30 days

The Student Permit is for foreign nationals enrolled in higher or tertiary education programmes in Zimbabwe. Applicants must show a letter of acceptance from the institution, a clearance letter from the Ministry of Education, proof of payment of fees in foreign currency, proof of accommodation, police clearance and a radiological certificate. The statutory non-refundable fee is USD 200 plus USD 300 per dependent. The permit is granted for the study period and is extended on proof of continued enrolment and satisfactory academic results.

• Study: Full enrolment at the admitting tertiary institution.

Government fee

$200

The Scholars Permit is for foreign minors attending primary or secondary school in Zimbabwe. Applicants must provide a letter of acceptance from the school, a clearance letter from the Ministry of Education, proof of fee payment in foreign currency, proof of accommodation, an affidavit from a local guardian accepting custody, and a radiological certificate. The statutory non-refundable fee is USD 100. The permit is granted for the schooling period and renewed on proof of continued enrolment.

• Study: Enrolment at the admitting primary/secondary school.

Government fee

$100

The Temporary Employment Permit authorises a foreign national to work for a specific employer in Zimbabwe, usually where the skills are scarce locally. It is typically granted for up to 12 months and is renewable. Applications are filed with the Department of Immigration (via the e-permits system) and require a confirmed employment contract, notarised academic and professional qualifications, a local newspaper advertisement of the post, CVs of shortlisted local candidates and of the local understudy to be trained, plus company documentation including the ZIDA licence and ZIMRA tax clearance. The statutory non-refundable fee is USD 500 plus USD 300 per dependent. TEP time does not count toward permanent residence.

• Work: Work authorised for the specified employer and position only.
• Family: Dependents added at USD 300 each with marriage/birth certificates; spouse work needs a separate permit.

Government fee

$500

Validity

365 days

The Investor Residence Permit is for foreign nationals making a significant financial investment in and actively overseeing a business in Zimbabwe. It is normally granted for an initial 12 months with annual renewals. Applicants must submit a project proposal, banking history, proof of funds available for transfer, proof of equipment to be imported, a list of expatriate and local employees, and company documentation including a ZIDA investment licence and ZIMRA tax clearance. The Department of Immigration fee is USD 500 plus USD 300 per dependent; the underlying ZIDA General Investment Licence carries its own fees (around USD 577.50 application and USD 4,620 on approval). No fixed minimum investment is published on the immigration fee schedule. After five continuous years on a residence permit, holders may apply for permanent residence.

• Work: Authorises running and overseeing the invested business.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: Dependents included at USD 300 each with supporting certificates.

Government fee

$500

Validity

365 days

The Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) General Investment Licence is the gateway document for foreign investors and is a prerequisite for the Investor Residence Permit. Through ZIDA's One-Stop Shop Investment Centre it provides formal recognition of a bona-fide investment and assists with post-investment approvals including residence and work permits. Published fees are around USD 577.50 for the application and USD 4,620 on approval, with renewals about USD 3,000. No single statutory minimum investment is published for the general licence, though sector and joint-venture rules apply. The licence itself confers no residence right; the holder must then obtain the Investor Residence Permit from the Department of Immigration.

• Residency after 5 years

Government fee

$4,620

The Spouse Residence Permit is for the foreign spouse of a Zimbabwean citizen or permit holder. The local spouse completes a close-relative guarantee form and a support letter to the Chief Director of Immigration, and the couple must show proof of a genuine marriage, accommodation and the guarantor's funds. The initial permit fee is USD 500 plus USD 300 per dependent, with extensions at USD 300; the permit is renewed periodically and is a recognised route toward permanent residence after five years of continuous residence. Holders may live in Zimbabwe with their spouse and apply to permanent residence as a spouse category.

• Work: Spouse residence generally allows residence; employment may need confirmation with Immigration.
• Study: Residence permitted; enrolled study uses a student/scholars permit.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: Permit is for the foreign spouse; children added as dependents at USD 300 each.

Government fee

$500

Validity

365 days

A residence permit authorises a foreign national to reside in Zimbabwe under categories such as employment, investment, spouse or dependant. It is generally issued for up to 12 months and renewed annually (the ordinary extension fee is USD 500, the spouse extension USD 300). Continuous lawful residence on a residence permit (or dependant residence permit) for five years is the qualifying basis for permanent residence, except for Temporary Employment Permit holders, who are excluded. Required documents include the I.F.5 form, a covering letter to the Chief Director of Immigration, certified passport bio-data, police clearance and a radiological certificate, plus category-specific evidence.

• Work: Work rights depend on the residence category (employment/investor permitted).
• Study: Residence permitted; enrolled study uses a student/scholars permit.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: Dependants added at USD 300 each with supporting certificates.

Government fee

$500

Validity

365 days

The Permanent Residence Permit is granted to a foreign national who has resided continuously in Zimbabwe for five years on a residence permit or dependant residence permit; Temporary Employment Permit holders are excluded from this route. Spouses of Zimbabwean citizens and investors may also qualify under their respective categories. Applicants submit the I.F.5 form, a covering letter to the Chief Director of Immigration, certified passport bio-data, police clearance, a radiological certificate confirming freedom from active tuberculosis, and category evidence (marriage/divorce/death certificates where relevant). The non-refundable fee is USD 500 for non-investors and USD 1,000 for investors, plus USD 300 per dependent. Permanent residence allows indefinite residence and work.

• Work: Permanent residents may live and work without a further permit.
• Study: Education on the same basis as residents.
• Residency: This is permanent residence; citizenship may be pursued separately under the Citizenship Act.
• Family: Granted individually; dependents added at USD 300 each.

Government fee

$500