Official ports of entry into Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe

Immigration information for Zimbabwe

The Department of Immigration is responsible for facilitating the entry into and departure of people from Zimbabwe. The services which the Department provides include; manning all border posts with adequately trained officers, and clearing bona fide travellers courteously and politely within 3 minutes of arrival at the officer’s desk and within a minute of arrival at the officer’s desk at points where there are computers.

Visitors to Zimbabwe must obtain a Visa from one of the Zimbabwean diplomatic missions or online unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries or are eligible for Visa on arrival. As of November 2014 Zimbabwe and Zambia also offer a universal tourist Visa.

Zimbabwe Visa regime
Zimbabwe has 3 categories that guide Visa application:
Category A – Countries who nationals do not require visa; COMESA and SADC countries are in this category. 
Category B – Countries whose nationals who can obtain visas at the port of entry after paying visa fees.
Category C – Countries whose nationals are required to apply and obtain visas prior to travelling. They apply online.

Visa application timelines

Visa application within seven (7) days

• Urgent Visas within 24 hours
• Investor Residence Permits within 6 weeks
• Scholars’ and Students’ permits within 14 days
• Acknowledge complaints within seven (7) days and conduct thorough investigations and furnish a response within 30 days
• Deport prohibited persons within 14 days of apprehension and/or of a prohibition order being made
• Carry out diplomatic accreditation within seven (7) days