Zambia Entry Requirements are a set of the most essential rules that must be followed in order to enter Zambia without any issues.
If you plan to visit Zambia, one of the most important documents you must hold is a passport. Make sure it will not expire within a minimum of 6 months from the date of your planned arrival in Zambia, and it has at least two blank pages. The Zambian Government recognizes dual nationality. Nevertheless, to avoid unnecessary delays, double nationality holders are advised to exit Zambia on the same passport used to enter the country.
According to the Zambian visa policy, citizens of the majority of countries in the world need a visa to enter Zambia. The type of visa required for Zambia differs according to the traveler's nationality, travel motive, or desired duration of stay in the country.
Most tourists planning a short-term stay in Zambia will simply need a tourist visa. Those who have long-term-oriented plans to stay in Zambia have plenty of visa options available at Zambian diplomatic missions located around the world.
Zambia introduced the electronic visa system, which offers the most convenient method of obtaining the necessary travel authorization to enter this African country.
Additionally, certain travelers can also obtain a visa on arrival in Zambia. This option, however, involves spending long hours at border control handling all the formalities.
There are also some countries whose citizens must apply for a visa for Zambia in person at the nearest Zambian embassy or consulate, regardless of their travel purpose or planned length of stay in Zambia. An embassy or consular visa is also mandatory if one plans to move to Zambia for working or living purposes.
Finally, Zambian authorities allow certain foreign citizens to enter the country without a visa. The maximum visa-free stay cannot exceed 90 days. For longer stays in Zambia, they will need to obtain a visa.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government of Zambia decided to implement a number of restrictions. Currently, pre-departure testing requirements apply only to non-vaccinated passengers. The PCR test must be taken within 72 hours prior to departure time.
Fully vaccinated travelers do not need to take a pre-departure test to enter Zambia. However, they need to submit vaccination proof confirming receiving the full Covid-19 vaccine regimen. Recently recovered patients are subject to the same entry protocol, i.e., if they are unable to submit a valid vaccination proof, they must provide a valid negative PCR test.
Regardless of vaccination status, all arrivals must complete a health declaration form and undergo thermal screening upon arrival in Zambia.
Important: Covid-related restrictions may change at short notice. Before planning any international travel, remember to check the latest update on entry requirements to ensure smooth access to the country.
Zambia is open to international tourism. Entry to the country is permitted both to fully vaccinated and non-vaccinated foreigners.
Fully vaccinated travelers can enter Zambia without needing to submit any Covid-19 test. Non fully vaccinated travelers, however, need to provide a negative PCR test report issued within 72 hours before the scheduled departure time. Some airlines may require the test to be taken within 72 hours prior to arrival in Zambia. Remember to check directly with your airline what their particular requirements are.
If you need to validate your test, upload it online here.
In order to be recognized as fully vaccinated, you must submit vaccination proof confirming that you have received the full regimen of the Covid-19 vaccine, i.e., first and second doses of a two-dose vaccine or one-dose in the case of Johnson and Johnson.
Travelers arriving from the areas where yellow fever is widespread will also need to submit a valid yellow fever vaccination proof.
All travelers arriving in Zambia will undergo thermal screening. If a body temperature is 38.0°C or above, they will need to take a test against Covid-19 at their own expense and quarantine at a home/hotel/government-designed facility until receiving the test result.
Passengers departing Zambia should check the precise entry requirements introduced in the country of their next destination. It may be necessary to perform a new coronavirus test before departure within a specific time frame.
Travelers should also familiarize themselves with other requirements that are essential to enter a given country hassle-free.
Zambia remains open to international travelers. Depending on the traveler's status of Covid-19 vaccination, the entry rules may differ slightly. Currently, fully vaccinated passengers are exempt from pre-departure testing requirements, while non-vaccinated travelers are still required to provide a valid negative test to enter Zambia.
Despite the lack of quarantine requirements, everyone who has Covid-19 symptoms may be tested and directed for self-isolation at their own cost.
If you plan to visit Zambia soon, remember that entry requirements are subject to frequent change. Make sure you are familiarized with the recent ones.
Children aged 11 and younger are not required to submit either a Covid-19 negative test or vaccination proof.
Children above 11 years of age should follow the same entry protocol as adult travelers.
If your next travel destination requires providing a valid negative Covid-19 test certificate, you will need to present it in order to board your connecting flight.
Check other entry requirements applicable in the country of your final destination, including vaccination, quarantine, and visa requirements.
The Zambian authorities decided to implement the e-Visa system in 2014. Since that time, eligible travelers can benefit from an entirely online visa application.
Zambia e-Visa can be issued as a one-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry visa.
The online application can be completed within minutes, and no embassy visits are necessary. The approved electronic visa is sent to the applicant's email address within 3 business days of submitting an e-Visa application.
Visa on Arrival is issued at certain border crossing points and airports across Zambia. At the moment, there are more than 90 different countries whose citizens may apply for a visa upon arrival in Zambia if they travel for short-term visits of tourism or business character.
This option of obtaining a visa is the most convenient solution for those who make a last-minute trip to Zambia. However, if a person can apply for a visa in advance of the planned trip, an online visa alternative is more recommended. An online application will help you save plenty of time and unnecessary stress at the border.
Complete list of countries eligible for Zambia visa on arrival:
According to the Zambian visa policy, long-term visas for Zambia can be issued only at embassies or consulates.
If a person has long-term-oriented plans to visit Zambia, for example, to live and work there, a relevant embassy or consular visa will be necessary.
Moreover, the Zambian Government determined the list of around 30 different countries whose nationals must apply for a regular visa for Zambia no matter their travel purpose or planned length of stay in the country.
The application for a Zambian embassy visa entails the necessity of booking an embassy appointment. The entire application procedure should be started well in advance of the planned journey as it may take long weeks. Usually, numerous visits to the embassy may be necessary.
List of countries whose citizens must apply for a Zambian embassy visa:
Travelers from certain countries can enjoy visa-free entry to Zambia. This visa exemption applies to short-term visits to Zambia of tourism or business character.
Currently, there are over 60 different countries whose nationals can travel to Zambia without a visa holding only a valid passport.
If an eligible traveler visits Zambia for tourism purposes, the maximum visa-free stay in the country is 90 days. In turn, for business-related purposes, a visa-exempt traveler is permitted maximally to travel to Zambia without a visa for maximally 30 days per calendar year.
All those foreign travelers who wish to stay in Zambia for longer or if their travel purposes are not covered by the visa exemption will need to apply for a regular visa at the nearest Zambian diplomatic mission.
Full list of countries eligible for visa-free entry to Zambia:
Passenger Locator Forms are provided to passengers during the flight to Zambia. There is no need to complete any health declaration online before travel.
Medical care of European standard is available only in Lusaka, Zambia's capital. For more advanced medical care, it may be necessary to transport a patient to the Republic of South Africa. When choosing your travel insurance, make sure that your insurance policy will be recognized in Zambia.
It is mandatory to have civil liability insurance - a short-term policy can be obtained at major border crossing points in Zambia. Moreover, it is highly advisable to obtain personal insurance as well.
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