Sub Saharan Africa

Visas

You will need a visa to visit Zimbabwe.  This can be obtained from the Zimbabwean Embassy in London or on arrival in Zimbabwe.  The current charge for a single entry visit visa issued on arrival in Zimbabwe is £35.00 or US$55.00, although this could change.  If you have not obtained a visa before travelling, you should bring enough cash with you to pay for your visa on arrival.  You should ensure you have small notes as immigration officers may not be able to provide change.

Visitors are currently being given entry permission for anything up to 90 days but you are advised to check that the number of days given at the port of entry covers your intended period of stay, although you can apply to have this period renewed and extended if required.  It is illegal to give a false statement in support of a visa or to work in Zimbabwe without the correct visa or work permit.  A number of people found to be working without the correct permissions have been arrested and deported.

We recommend that before you travel you should first check current entry requirements with the Zimbabwean Embassy in London.  Anyone intending to carry out journalistic activity needs to arrange prior accreditation through the Zimbabwean Embassy in London. We advise against travel by journalists intending to carry out any reporting or official photography without the proper accreditation as there is a risk of arrest, detention in difficult conditions, and a possible fine, plus a period of further detention or deportation. The Zimbabwean government has made clear that they will penalise any journalists found to be working in Zimbabwe without accreditation.

Passport validity

Your passport should have at least six months validity and three blank pages left in it to enable you to enter Zimbabwe and exit via one of the neighbouring countries, if leaving at short notice becomes necessary. Applications for passport renewals should be submitted at the British Embassy Harare at least a month before you intend to travel.

Travelling with children

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country.  For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the Zimbabwean Embassy in London.