Arrival in Zambia

Before travelling to Zambia, check the nationality and travel-purpose requirements for visa exemption, visa on arrival or application through a Zambian mission or the e-Visa system. A passport should normally remain valid for at least six months after entry and contain at least three blank full pages. Air travellers should carry a valid return ticket. People arriving by land or water should have sufficient funds for their stay and departure. A visitor using visa on arrival may need a host's details and physical address, while a tourist should carry hotel booking evidence and a return ticket. The e-Visa process uses an account, Form 16, payment, an approval letter and a receipt; print the approval letter and receipt before travel. Children under 16 can be included in an adult application where the application rules allow it. A visa or visa waiver does not guarantee admission. An Immigration Officer makes the final decision at the border, and the traveller should present the passport, approval letter, receipt and supporting evidence requested for the journey. Standard visa fees are US$25 for a single-entry visa, US$40 for a double-entry visa, US$75 for a multiple-entry visa and US$25 for a transit visa of up to seven days. A Day Tripper visa costs US$10, applies for up to 24 hours and is limited to the Victoria Falls and Kazungula areas. The KAZA UNIVISA costs US$50 and can allow travel for up to 30 days under its applicable regional conditions. Single-, double- and multiple-entry visas are generally valid for 90 days from first issue. A tourist or ordinary visitor may stay for up to 90 days in a 12-month period. A business visitor may stay for up to 30 days in a 12-month period. Apply for an extension before the permitted stay expires at the appropriate Immigration Office. A stay beyond 90 days requires a Visiting Permit. Business activity beyond 30 days requires a Temporary Employment Permit, which can cover up to six months in a 12-month period; work beyond six months requires an Employment Permit. Study requires a Study Permit. A visitor status does not authorize employment or study. A person who needs a permit and also requires a visa must obtain the visa before entering Zambia to collect or use the permit process. At customs, complete the CE6 customs declaration when required and use the Red or Green Channel only for permitted, non-commercial personal goods. The duty-free allowance for personal goods is approximately US$1,000, subject to the applicable conditions. Declare goods above the allowance, commercial quantities, weapons and other sensitive or restricted goods. Travellers aged over 18 may generally bring up to 2.5 litres of beer, 2.5 litres of wine, 1.5 litres of spirits and either 0.5 kilograms of tobacco or 400 cigarettes within the stated limits. Declare foreign currency above US$5,000 and keep purchase receipts. Do not carry luggage or parcels for unknown people. Health preparation includes checking the current transit and health situation before departure. A yellow-fever vaccination certificate may be required when arriving from a yellow-fever risk country. Zambia Airports Corporation Limited provides a link to the Ministry of Health Traveller Health Bio Data Form. Travel insurance should include emergency treatment and evacuation cover, especially for travel to remote areas. Carry regular medication in its original packaging with the prescription or medical documentation. Primary healthcare in Zambia is delivered through community health centres, rural health posts and general hospitals. Specialist and emergency care is concentrated more heavily in provincial and central facilities. NHIMA, the National Health Insurance Management Authority, is compulsory for Zambian citizens and established residents over 18 who have income; registration can take place through an employer, online, at an NHIMA office or through the informal sector. Newly arriving foreign visitors do not automatically qualify for NHIMA. An accredited health facility may accept a National Registration Card or passport for identification. The National Registration Card, or NRC, is the local identity document managed through DNRPC. First registration is personal and generally concerns citizens and foreign nationals from age 16, with status, birth and declarant documents depending on the category. Green NRCs identify Zambian citizens, pink NRCs Commonwealth nationals and blue NRCs other foreign nationals. An Alien Registration Card can be relevant in permit procedures, but an identity document does not replace a visa or residence or work permit. International arrivals commonly use Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka, Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport in Ndola, Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport in Livingstone or Mfuwe International Airport. Some land borders operate around the clock, while others may close at approximately 18:00, so check the exact border hours before departure. Zambia uses the Zambian Kwacha, abbreviated ZMW. Airport and private transfers differ by airport, and a pickup should be arranged in advance because Zambia has no single nationwide arrival transport system. Arrival services are distributed across the Department of Immigration, Zambia Revenue Authority, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security, NHIMA and Zambia Airports Corporation Limited. Immigration access includes 98 offices, 10 provincial centres, 43 border controls, 40 internal or district offices and four international airports. Visa and some permit renewal or extension services are available electronically, but the responsible office depends on the place of stay and province. In an emergency, call Police on 991, Ambulance on 992 or Fire on 993.