Zimbabwe has released its 2026 visa policy, confirming the African countries whose citizens qualify for visas on arrival as the country continues to p...
HARARE — Zimbabwe has released its 2026 visa policy, confirming the African countries whose citizens qualify for visas on arrival as the country continues to promote tourism, business travel and regional integration.
Under Zimbabwe’s immigration system, travellers from eligible countries can obtain a visa upon arrival at designated ports of entry instead of applying for one before travelling. Visitors may also choose to apply for an electronic visa through Zimbabwe’s online immigration system before departure.
According to the latest visa policy, the African countries whose citizens qualify for a Zimbabwe visa on arrival in 2026 are:
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Algeria
Burundi
Cape Verde
Egypt
Equatorial Guinea
Ethiopia
Rwanda
São Tomé and Príncipe
Senegal
Zimbabwe operates a three-category visa system. Category A countries are visa-exempt and do not require a visa before travelling. Category B countries are eligible for a visa on arrival or may apply for an eVisa, while Category C travellers must obtain a visa before travelling to Zimbabwe.
Travellers who qualify for a visa on arrival are still required to meet Zimbabwe’s immigration requirements. These include presenting a valid passport, meeting the conditions of entry and satisfying immigration officials regarding the purpose and duration of their visit. Immigration authorities also reserve the right to refuse entry where legal requirements are not met.
In addition to the visa-on-arrival programme, Zimbabwe allows citizens from several African countries to enter without obtaining a visa. The visa-free arrangement covers a number of SADC member states and other African countries under existing bilateral and regional agreements.
Zimbabwe also continues to participate in the KAZA UniVisa programme with Zambia. The joint tourist visa allows eligible travellers to visit both countries using a single visa and is available at selected entry points, making travel between the two destinations easier for international visitors.
The visa-on-arrival system is expected to support tourism, trade and investment by making entry procedures more convenient for eligible travellers. It also forms part of broader efforts by Zimbabwe to improve cross-border travel and strengthen regional cooperation.
Authorities advise travellers to confirm the latest immigration requirements before departure, as visa rules may change and additional documentation may be required depending on the purpose of travel. Eligible visitors can also complete an online entry declaration before arriving in Zimbabwe to help speed up immigration processing.
The updated 2026 visa policy provides travellers with greater clarity on Zimbabwe’s entry requirements while supporting the country’s efforts to attract more visitors from across Africa and beyond.
