Visa Information / Entry requirements – Zimbabwe

This page reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British Citizen’ passport from the UK, for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Zimbabwe set and enforce entry rules. If you’re unsure how Zimbabwe’s entry requirements apply to you, contact its UK embassy, high commission or consulate ##All travellers

You will need a visa to visit Zimbabwe. It is no longer possible to get a visa from the Zimbabwean Embassy in London.

See Visas section for more information.

If you’re fully vaccinated

If you’re fully vaccinated, you can enter Zimbabwe by presenting a vaccine certificate (2 doses) for one or more of the World Health Organisation-approved vaccines. Alternatively, you can present a valid negative test certificate of a COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than 48 hours prior to departure.

You will be required to complete track and trace information on arrival in Zimbabwe.

Residents of Zimbabwe

Returning residents can enter Zimbabwe by presenting a vaccine certificate (2 doses) for one or more of the World Health Organisation-approved vaccines. Alternatively, you can present a valid negative test certificate of a COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than 48 hours prior to departure.

Returning residents who do not present proof of vaccination or the result certificate of a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 48 hours before their departure to Zimbabwe may be required take a PCR test and to quarantine for 10 days at their own cost.

Returning residents are required to complete track and trace information on arrival in Zimbabwe.

Proof of vaccination status

Zimbabwe will accept proof that you have received a full course (2 doses) of any one or more of the vaccines approved by the World Health Organisation.

If you’re not fully vaccinated

If you’re not fully vaccinated, you must possess the result certificate of a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 48 hours before your departure to Zimbabwe.

You will be required to complete track and trace information on arrival in Zimbabwe.

If you’ve had COVID-19 in the past year

Entry requirements for Zimbabwe are not dependent on whether you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past year.

Children and young people

Observed practice indicates that children under the age of five do not require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test certificate.

If you’re transiting through Zimbabwe

Transiting is when you pass through one country on the way to your final destination.

Transiting through Zimbabwe is permitted for travellers in possession of a vaccine certificate (2 doses) for one or more of the World Health Organisation-approved vaccines or a valid negative test certificate of a COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than 48 hours prior to departure.

Check with your airline or travel provider for further transit requirements.

Check your passport and travel documents before you travel

Passport validity

If you are visiting Zimbabwe, your passport should be valid for a minimum period of six months from the date of your arrival and have 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.

Check with your travel provider to make sure your passport and other travel documents meet their requirements.

Visas

You will need a visa to visit Zimbabwe.

It is no longer possible to get a visa from the Zimbabwean Embassy in London. Most visitors use the visa on arrival service. The current cost is $55 US Dollars for a Single Entry Visa (this includes a service charge) and $70 US Dollars for a Double Entry Visa (this includes a service charge). Take enough cash with you in small notes to pay for your visa at the airport. For more information, visit eVisa Zimbabwe.

Visitors are typically given entry permission for 30 days but you should check that the number of days given at the port of entry covers your intended period of stay. You can apply to have this period renewed and extended if required. If you wish to extend or renew visas or permits, you must do so via the relevant Government of Zimbabwe department. It is illegal to give a false statement in support of a visa.

Make sure you travel with the correct documentation, otherwise you risk arrest and deportation. You aren’t allowed to conduct any business or seek employment if you have a tourist visa. Volunteering and missionary work over a period of 30 days is considered work and a temporary employment permit is required to engage in these activities while in Zimbabwe. You must have the correct visa or work permit in order to work. Check current entry requirements with the Zimbabwe Embassy in London before you travel.

Anyone intending to carry out journalistic activity must arrange prior accreditation through the Zimbabwean Embassy in London. Journalists should not carry out any reporting or official photography without the proper accreditation as there is a risk of arrest, detention in difficult conditions, a fine and deportation. The Zimbabwean government has made clear that they will penalise any journalists found to be working in Zimbabwe without accreditation.

The Zimbabwe Government uses a broad definition of journalism. This may include any form of interview, filming or photography. You should also carefully consider risks associated with engaging in social media activities such as posting comments, blogging or sharing photographs, which could be construed as journalism.

Dual nationals

A growing number of British nationals who have travelled from the United Kingdom to Zimbabwe recently on Zimbabwean one-way temporary travel documents have found themselves stranded in Zimbabwe as these documents are not valid for re-entry to the United Kingdom. In some cases, this has caused serious inconvenience.

Arms embargo

There is a United Kingdom arms embargo against Zimbabwe. It is an offence in UK law to take firearms into Zimbabwe at the current time, even if you intend to bring them back to the UK at the end of your visit.

KAZA Univisa

The KAZA Univisa is valid for travel between Zimbabwe and Zambia and day trips into Botswana. It is available at Harare, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls airports and at the land borders at Victoria Falls (Zambian border) and Kazungula (Botswana border). It costs US $50 and it is valid for 30 days.

Travelling with children to, from and through South Africa

If you’re travelling with children to, from or through South Africa, see our South Africa travel advice page for information and advice about the documents you’ll need to carry.

Yellow fever certificate requirements

Check whether you need a yellow fever certificate by visiting the National Travel Health Network and Centre’s TravelHealthPro website.

UK Emergency Travel Documents

Zimbabwe recognises UK Emergency Travel Documents (ETDs) as valid travel documents. ETDs are accepted at ports of entry and exit and must be valid for the period of intended stay.

It may be necessary to produce a police report if your passport has been lost or stolen and you have been issued with an ETD as immigration officials want to see evidence of entry stamps on departure/exit.

Exiting Zimbabwe

You should check with your travel provider or airline prior to departure for any COVID-19 requirements for your transit and destination countries.

Tourism Health Information – Zimbabwe

If you have a health condition, or you are pregnant, you may need specialist healthcare abroad. Check whether your destination country can provide the healthcare you may need and ensure you have appropriate travel insurance for unexpected medical evacuation or local treatment.

General Health Service

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the latest country-specific health advice from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) on the TravelHealthPro website. Each country-specific page has information on vaccine recommendations, any current health risks or outbreaks, and factsheets with information on staying healthy abroad. Guidance is also available from NHS (Scotland) on the FitForTravel website.

General information on travel vaccinations and a travel health checklist is available on the NHS website. You may then wish to contact your health adviser or pharmacy for advice on other preventive measures and managing any pre-existing medical conditions while you’re abroad.

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or purchased in the UK can be different in other countries. If you’re travelling with prescription or over-the-counter medicine, read this guidance from NaTHNaC on best practice when travelling with medicines. For further information on the legal status of a specific medicine, you’ll need to contact the embassy, high commission or consulate of the country or territory you’re travelling to.

While travel can be enjoyable, it can sometimes be challenging. There are clear links between mental and physical health, so looking after yourself during travel and when abroad is important. Information on travelling with mental health conditions is available in our guidance page. Further information is also available from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC).

Health facilities

The provision and quality of health care is variable and can be especially poor outside of the major cities. There’s a shortage of drugs and trained medical staff in hospitals, making it difficult for hospitals to treat certain illnesses including accidents and trauma cases. The shortage of fuel has reduced emergency response capabilities. Private clinics will not treat patients until they pay and often require large amounts of cash before they will admit even emergency cases. An increasing number of businesses in Zimbabwe will only accept US dollars in cash, rather than credit or debit cards. This includes some medical providers. Even if payment is available some of the best hospitals are often too full to admit patients. Medical costs, particularly for evacuation, can be high. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.

If you’re on medication, bring sufficient supplies of your medication to cover the period of your stay. Pharmacies may not be able to provide you with the appropriate drug prescribed by your doctor.

Weather & When To Go To Zimbabwe

“When is the best time to go to Zimbabwe“ – a question many travelers ask, and the answer to this is often complex. It depends on many factors, including why you are travelling, exactly where you want to visit, and your personal interests. The ‘best time to go’ varies from person to person! 

Below is a broad guide to the weather and climate of Zimbabwe; this comes from records and our experience. Please bear in mind that Africa’s weather patterns are becoming increasingly unpredictable, due to global warming; unexpected weather conditions are no longer a rarity – we are seeing rainstorms in the middle of deserts, and dryness when rains should be falling. 

In Zimbabwe, the rains come principally in December, January, February, and March; the further north you are, the earlier the precipitation arrives and the later it leaves. Zimbabwe’s higher eastern areas usually receive more rainfall than the lower-lying western ones. 

By April and May most of the rain is gone, leaving a verdant setting, which is starting to dry out. Especially in more southerly and higher locations, the night-time temperatures start to drop. 

The nights in June, July and August become much cooler, so do not forget to bring some warm clothes, in case you want to spend a night outside!  

Into September and October the temperatures rise once again: Zimbabwe’s lower-lying rift valley – Mana Pools – can get extremely hot in October. During this time, you will see some fantastic game, as the Zimbabwe’s wildlife concentrates around the limited water sources. 

November is unpredictable; however, it can be hot and dry, it can also see the season’s first rainfalls – and in this respect it is a remarkably interesting month, as on successive days, you can see both weather patterns.