Entry/Exit Requirements

You need a passport, visa, return ticket, and adequate funds to enter Zimbabwe. If you are traveling to Zimbabwe for tourism, business, or transit, you usually can obtain a visa at the airports or other border ports-of-entry, or in advance by contacting the Embassy of Zimbabwe at 1608 New Hampshire Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20009; telephone (202) 332-7100.

U.S. citizens entering Zimbabwe for tourism only can expect to pay 30 USD for a single-entry, 30-day duration of stay permit upon entering the country. A 60-day multiple entry permit is also available for 60 USD. Extensions are possible, and require visiting the Zimbabwe Immigration Office's public window, located at the second floor of Liquenda House at Nelson Mandela Avenue/First Street in the center of Harare. U.S. citizens are strongly urged to adhere to Zimbabwean immigration laws as even minor overstay cans lead to arrest, prosecution, detention, fines, seizure of possessions, and deportation. Allow for sufficient time for an extension review, as staying past the permitted length of stay has resulted in imprisonment for foreign nationals.

You should seek the appropriate business, student, or work visa before entry if you plan to engage in anything other than tourism. Any U.S. citizen who intends to engage in any non-tourism related activity, such as volunteering, paid or unpaid work, consulting, or meeting with churches, businesses, and non-governmental organizations should contact a Zimbabwean embassy or consulate, or the Zimbabwean Immigration Department, to determine which visa class corresponds with his or her intended activities and how to apply.

If you intend to reside or work in Zimbabwe, you must obtain a work permit approved by the Zimbabwean Chief Immigration Officer before entering the country. Work permit applications should be submitted by the employee's sponsor at any Zimbabwean immigration office. Typically, work permits take a minimum of six weeks to process, and have a 500 USD application fee. The Embassy of Zimbabwe in Washington, D.C. is unable to process work permit applications. Zimbabwean authorities can deny residency or work permits without explanation.

Upon arrival in Zimbabwe, you should keep all travel documents readily available, as well as a list of residences or hotels where you will stay while in Zimbabwe. You must carry some form of identification at all times while in Zimbabwe. You must enter the address where you will be staying in Zimbabwe on your visa form, and may be denied entry if you do not have that information.

U.S. citizens who intend to conduct activities in Zimbabwe which might be viewed within the realm of journalism should contact the Zimbabwean Embassy in Washington, D.C., for information about accreditation at least one month in advance of planned travel. The Government of Zimbabwe uses a very broad definition of journalism, and any interviews, filming, or photography may be considered “presenting oneself as an accredited journalist,” a crime punishable by arrest or detention. Journalist and media accreditation is controlled by the Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC), which also sets applicable fees. Journalists can expect to pay approximately 100 USD in application and accreditation fees for a limited-duration journalist accreditation.

Individuals and journalists engaged in activities related to elections, political events, or demonstrations can expect to encounter increased scrutiny from Zimbabwean authorities. According to government regulations, a journalist who has applied for accreditation, but has not yet received a response from the Ministry of Media, Information, and Publicity should not travel to Zimbabwe until obtaining a clearance.

U.S. citizen students and faculty at educational and other institutions who wish to do research in Zimbabwe should contact a host educational or research institution for affiliation prior to applying for a visa. Despite fulfilling all such requirements and receiving appropriate permission, legitimate researchers have been detained in the past by the police because the subject of their research was believed to be sensitive.

You must plainly state the purpose of your visit to Zimbabwe to Immigration upon entry. Any attempt to enter Zimbabwe under false pretenses, including those who misuse a visitor permit/visa, may result in detention, arrest, imprisonment, conviction, fines, and/or deportation. If you arrive at a port of entry without a visa and make your intent to participate in non-tourism activities clear to the Immigration official at the port of entry, you may still be in violation of Zimbabwean Immigration law. Zimbabwean officials have arrested, prosecuted, fined, and deported U.S. citizens for engaging on non-tourism related activities on visitor visas. Violators of Zimbabwean regulations, including acts such as taking pictures of non-tourism venues, face seizure of property without redress. We recommend obtaining personal property insurance for high-value items because valuables can be seized by government officials and crime is prevalent in Zimbabwe (see below).

Important Information for U.S. citizens working for Non-Governmental, Religious, and Health Organizations: U.S. citizens are receiving increased scrutiny from Immigration officials upon arrival to Zimbabwe. Some U.S. citizens associated with non-governmental, religious, and health groups have been denied entry. All U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to obtain a visa from a Zimbabwean embassy or consulate prior to traveling to Zimbabwe.

Foreign health workers and social volunteers have been repeatedly detained and/or deported for their work in unregistered charity and developmental activities. U.S. citizens traveling to Zimbabwe to work in health, aid, charitable, or development projects (including short-term volunteers) should ensure they have proper permission and documentation from the Zimbabwean government before entering Zimbabwe. Health practitioners must obtain a license to practice in Zimbabwe from the Medical and Dental Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe (MDPCZ). If you need to take personal medications into Zimbabwe, you must also obtain approval from the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ). If you plan to support HIV/AIDS clinical care or treatment activities, you must coordinate with the Ministry of Health and Child Care’s AIDS and TB unit to ensure adherence to national protocols and guidelines. The unit can be reached by phone at: +263 (0)4 792 981.

If you intend to travel through or visit South Africa, be aware that South African law requires travelers to have at least two blank (unstamped) visa pages in your passport to enter the country. Travelers without the requisite blank visa pages in their passports may be refused entry into South Africa, fined, and returned to their point of origin at their own expense. South Africa has recently updated its laws regarding traveling to or transiting the country with minor children. See the Country Specific Information on South Africa for additional information.

Zimbabwe is a cash society, with only hotels, restaurants, and travel agencies in major tourist destinations accepting international credit or debit cards. ATMs in the country are limited and sometimes unreliable. Traveler's checks and check cashing facilities are practically nonexistent. Visitors are required to declare the amount of currency that they are carrying into and out of the country. While there is no set legal limit on the amount of foreign currency that a person can carry into Zimbabwe, the maximum foreign currency that can be taken out of the country is 5,000 USD.

HIV/AIDS restrictions: The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Zimbabwe

Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information page.