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Zambia Abolishes Visa Waiver and Increases Visa Costs

Paul Campbell - January 28, 2008

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.

8 Comments

  1. […] unknown wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptWith 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 … […]

    Pingback by Visa Gift Cards » Zambia Abolishes Visa Waiver System and Increases Visa Costs — January 28, 2008 @ 9:49 am

  2. Zambia Abolishes Visa Waiver and Increases Visa Costs…

    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…

    Trackback by www.memeza.com — January 28, 2008 @ 5:29 pm

  3. This was disgraceful behaviour on the part of the Zambian government. It is clearly their right to impose or amend the visa system but to cancel existing visa waivers was most unfair. We found ourselves in the position of having to find a bank and obtain $300 at 2 hours notice in order to get through the Chobe river border from Botswana to Zambia on Monday simply to travel to the airport at Livingstone.It was a big problem for us and I feel very sorry for other travellers caught in the same situation. shame on you Zambia. We will not return.

    Comment by Chris Fletcher — January 30, 2008 @ 8:38 am

  4. This is a short-sighted policy which will have a detrimental effect on the Zambian tourist industry – there are alternative choices of location for tourists visiting Africa which are easier and cheaper to visit and this visa cost will only serve to damage the image of Zambia. We ourselves have 24 people attending a wedding on safari in September – I now have to break the news to them that they also have to pay for a visa!

    Comment by R Rea — February 16, 2008 @ 1:26 pm

  5. It seems as though the Zambian government has now had a change of heart and are looking to reduce the cost of entry visas back down towards previous levels…plan to REDUCE Zambian visa fees.

    Comment by PaulCampbell — November 12, 2008 @ 7:16 am

  6. Love the blog! some great information, The Grand Canyon is just breathtaking, I’ve rafted through it many times now and each time is still as special as the first! Some of the rapid highlights for me are Hermit, Granite, Horn Creek and Lava FallsI’ve bookmarked your blog so will be back. Thanks Love the blog! some great information, Zambia does have a few problems but doesn’t every country?I’ve bookmarked your blog so will be back. Thanks

    Comment by grandcanyonraftingman — December 23, 2008 @ 2:18 pm

  7. Visas are expensive, all the western countries including US and UK charge Zambian and other African residents hefty fees for them. They can’t even travel to UK, US, etc, without first obtaining a VISA. Most Africans don’t succeed and they lose their applications fees (upwards of $100) per attempt. Come on, you want the poor government to subsidise your travels? If that’s the case, don’t go there. Those poor countries can do better with occassion tourists than the thousands of broke backpackers who frequently go there!

    Comment by Benjamin Richards — February 2, 2010 @ 9:25 pm

  8. I like Benjamin’s straight to the point reply very much. Are you a guide in Africa somewhere? If yes I may know you from a long time ago!!! . Cheers and keep it up. francoise

    Comment by Francoise Louis — July 29, 2010 @ 3:56 pm

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