Visa / Entry - Zimbabwe

Posted on: October 25, 2006 16:12

Zimbabwe Visa & Health Passport/Visa Passport Required? Visa Required? Return Ticket Required? British Yes 2 Yes Australian Yes 2 Yes Canadian Yes 2 Yes USA Yes # 2 (below) Yes OtherEU Yes 1/2 Yes Passports Passport valid for at least six months beyond date of departure required by all. Visas Required by all except the following: (a) 1. nationals of Cyprus, Ireland and Malta; (b) nationals of Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, Cayman Islands, Congo (DRC), Fiji, Grenada, Hong Kong (SAR), Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Leeward Islands, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Montserrat, Namibia, Nauru, New Zealand, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Western Samoa and Zambia; (c) passengers continuing their journey to a third country within 6 hours by the same or connecting flight, provided holding tickets with reserved seats and documents for onward travel and not leaving the transit area. Note # 2 Nationals of the following countries may obtain visas valid for up to 90 days on arrival in Zimbabwe, provided holding tickets and documents for return or onward travel and sufficient funds for their stay: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Cook Islands, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana (gratis visa; free-of-charge), Greece, Iceland, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea (Rep), Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Palau, Palestinian Authority Region (State Of), Papua New Guinea, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico (USA), Seychelles, South Africa (gratis visa; free-of-charge), Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uruguay, USA, US Virgin Islands and Vatican City. Types of visa and cost Visa at port of entry: cost dependent on nationality, British nationals US$62 ; contact consular section at Embassy or High Commission for further details. Cost of visa from Embassy: single-entry US$69 ; double-entry US$86 Multiple-entry visas only issued when in Zimbabwe. Validity Six months from date of issue. Application to Consular section at Embassy or High Commission; see Passport/Visa Information. For Multiple-entry visas, travelers must apply direct to the Chief Immigration Officer in Harare, Zimbabwe. Application requirements (a) Completed application form. (b) Passport valid for at least six months beyond date of departure. (c) Fee, payable by cash or banker's draft (cheques are not accepted). (d) Two passport photographs. (e) Letter of invitation or an itinerary. (f) Return ticket and proof of sufficient funds (this requirement applies to all visitors, including those who may enter visa-free). Note All visitors to Zimbabwe must be in possession of return tickets (or funds in lieu) and sufficient funds to support themselves. The granting of a visa is not a guarantee of entry. Working days required Usually seven; minimum of 48 hours from receipt of application. Temporary residence Apply to Chief Immigration Officer, Private Bag 77717, Causeway, Harare. Passport/Visa Information Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe in the UK Zimbabwe House, 429 Strand, London WC2R 0JR, UK Tel: (020) 7836 7755. Website: www.zimbabweembassy-uk.com Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700; 0900-1230 (visa section). Embassy of Zimbabwe in the USA 1608 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA Tel: (202) 332 7100. Website: www.zimbabwe-embassy.us Openign hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1200 (consular section). There has been an increase in tension in urban areas and a general increase in the level of violent crime. There is a continuing risk of violence at political demonstrations, but main tourist areas have been largely unaffected by political and social unrest. Most visits to Zimbabwe are trouble free. Travel with organized tour operators to well-established destinations is recommended. Independent travel, particularly backpacking, is strongly advised against. Travel to the high-density suburbs is advised against; the Government of Zimbabwe's 'clean up' campaign has increased tension in these areas. Travelers should avoid engaging in overtly partisan political activity, or in activities that could be construed as such. This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organizations for the latest travel advice: British Foreign and Commonwealth Office Tel: (0845) 850 2829. Website: www.fco.gov.uk US Department of State Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel Health Special Precautions Certificate Required? Yellow Fever No 1 Cholera Yes 2 Typhoid and Polio 3 N/A Malaria 4 N/A 1 A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers over one year arriving from infected areas. 2 Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is not a condition of entry to Zimbabwe. However, cholera is a risk in this country and precautions are advisable. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination, as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness. 3 Vaccination against typhoid is advised. 4 Malaria risk, predominantly in the malignant falciparum form, exists from November to June in all areas below 1200m (3937ft) and throughout the year in the Zambezi Valley although there is negligible risk in Harare and Bulawayo. Resistance to chloroquine has been reported. The recommended prophylaxis is mefloquine. Food & drink All water should be regarded as being a potential health risk. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilized. Other risks Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water; swimming pools which are well chlorinated and maintained are safe. Human trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) has been reported. Trachoma and hepatitis A and E are widespread. Hepatitis B is hyperendemic. Epidemics of meningoccal meningitis may occur, particularly in the savannah areas during the dry season. There may be a small risk of plague in rural areas, especially Matabeleland. Dengue, filariasis, leishmaniasis and onchocerciasis (river blindness) are present. Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. HIV/AIDS is a high risk throughout the country (around 25 per cent of the adult population are infected) and precautions should be taken. Health care Medical facilities are good in the major towns and there are well-equipped clinics in most outlying areas, although medical costs can be high. There may be drugs shortages in public hospitals. There is no reciprocal agreement with the UK. Health insurance is essential; adequate medical provision is often only provided privately, especially in urban areas. Private hospitals may require health insurance or a cash payment before admission.