We have been advised that the Zambian Government has now officially approved its dropping of  the visa waiver system, and now all visitors Zambia are required to pay for a visa on arrival.

This story was originally reported on our blog back on 28 January (see here for details), however, although the decision was enforced from the end of January, final Government approval was only confirmed recently.

 The following visa fees are payable upon entry for all visitors to Zambia:

 British Nationals:       £75.00 for single entry and £240.00 for multiple entry

American Nationals:  $135.00 for standard visa

Canadian Nationals:  $55.00 for standard visa

Other Nationalities:    $50.00 for single, $80.00 for double and $160.00 for multiple entry.

Reports coming out from Livingstone Airport in Zambia appear to confirm a major change in the Visa system and costs for overseas visitors to Victoria Falls and the rest of Zambia.

Our sources have today informed us that:

1. With immediate effect, the whole visa waiver system is abolished for all visitors to Zambia. Until now this system had meant that the majority of visitors who booked through overseas tour operators were able to enter Zambia without paying for a visa provided they supplied their passport and travel details to their tour operator in advance.

This change means that every visitor is obliged to pay for his or her visa either in advance or on arrival in Zambia.

2. In addition to this, visa costs have increased considerably:

UK passport holders: £75 (or US$140) for single entry and £240 (or US$442) for multiple entry.

US nationals: US$135 for standard visas

Canadian nationals: US$55

Other nationalities (continental EUR): US$50 for single entry, US$80 for double entry, and US$160 for multiple entry.

The above is the only information we have so far received from Immigration officials at Livingstone Airport. We have not yet received confirmation from other sources.