Responsible Travel - Visas

Please note that these are guidelines only and each traveller is responsible for checkign and confirming the visa requirements for their specific type of travel. This information is correct as at October 2009. African Impact cannot be held liable for any changes in information or visa requirements.

General Notes Relating To Visas:

First, check the current validity of your passport:
All travellers will need a passport valid for at least 90 days following your departure date from many African Countries. However, we strongly recommend travelling with 6 months validity on your passport at all times.

Second, make sure your passport has blank Visa pages.
We recommend that you have at least two free pages in the Visas section of your passport before any international travel.

Thirdly, confirm if transit visa is required for any connections.
Check with your airline in case you have connecting flights overseas as part of your journey to Africa. It may be the case that countries you pass through en route to your destination require a separate transit visa. You would then need to refer to visa requirements of the specific country. Finally, we recommend traveling with copies of your passport and relevant visas if you have applied for them before arriving in Africa.

Botswana:
All nationals of foreign countries, except those from countries which have reached visa abolition agreements with Botswana, require a visa for entering Botswana. Nationals not requiring visas: Members of all Commonwealth countries (except the nationals of Ghana, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh), Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, German Federal Republic, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Lichtenstein, Luxembourg, Namibia, Netherlands, Norway, Republic of Ireland, Samoa (Western), San Marino, Sweden, Switzerland, Uruguay, USA and Yugoslavia. Any visitor - whether visa exempted or not that wishes to stay more than 90 days should apply for prior permission for the extended period to the Chief Immigration Office in Gabarone.

Ghana:
Most foreigners entering Ghana require Entry Visas. Entry Visas must be obtained prior to arrival in Ghana and may be obtained from a Ghana Embassy, High Commission or Consulate abroad. Where Ghana has no Consular or Diplomatic representation, an application for Entry Visa may be made to the nearest Diplomatic Mission or Consulate authorised by the Government of Ghana to act on its behalf. Ghana Entry Visa may be issued on arrival if the Director of Immigration has prior notification from travellers or their sponsors.

Kenya:
On arrival you will need to pay USD25 (single entry) or USD50 (multiple entry) and will be issued a 3 month visitors visa at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta Airport. For volunteers staying longer than 3 months, you can apply for a visa extension once in the country. Note: Customs Officials will only accept USD notes printed from the year 2000 – 2009, they will not accept any notes from 1999 or older. Note: Prices correct as at October 2009.

Lesotho:
Holders of the following passports do not require visas for Lesotho: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Ireland, United Kingdom. Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland. The Netherlands, Canada, Israel and Japan. Others such as Australia, New Zealand, U.S.A., Belgium and Austria do need visas, which will be granted free of charge and valid for 30 days.

Malawi:
For entry into Malawi you will require a tourist visa. UK passport holders will receive a free 30-day tourist visa stamp on entry into Malawi. For those staying longer, you will be required to pay approximately £25 extra per 30 days for staying in the country. You can extend your visa locally each month. All other nationalities should consult the relevant embassy.

Madagascar:
Tourist visas are valid for stays of up to 3 months in length. Requirements: Valid passport; Passport Photograph; Completed Application Form; Copy of round trip ticket or itinerary.

Mozambique:
If you are staying in Mozambique longer than one month you will need to request a 90 day visa at the Mozambique Embassy in your home country before you arrive. If you are intending to leave the country and return to it during your stay, it is cheaper to apply for a multiple-entry visa. You will usually be able to get your Mozambique visa ON ARRIVAL AT THE AIRPORT/PORT OF ENTRY if you are visiting for less than one month. The cost of the visa is approximately US$30 per person and should be paid in US$ cash. Bring small notes as the airport often lacks change. NB: Please can you also bring a notarised (certified) photocopy of your passport ID page and photocopy of your visa if you applied for it before your arrival.

Namibia:
Most travellers from the EU and North America do not need a visa (but check with your local embassy or travel agent for the most recent information). Nationals of the following countries do NOT require visas, since they will be stamped into your passport on arrival; Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Cuba, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Russian Federation, South Africa, Sweden, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, USA. (These countries can change, so please check with the Namibian embassy in your home country to be sure). Citizens of other countries should check with their local embassy, or travel agent for visa entry requirements.

South Africa:
Tourist visas are issued free on arrival to visitors on holiday from most Commonwealth and most EU countries, as well as the United States. Passport holders that are not entitled to entry permits will need to get a visa before they arrive.

Swaziland:
Holders of the following passports do not require visas for Swaziland for stays of up to two months: UK, Australia, Canada, USD and Other EU countries. Travellers from Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands and Portugal all require visas which can be obtained free of charge on rival into Swaziland.

Tanzania/Zanzibar:
You will be able to obtain a 3 month visitors’ visa at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, or at the Zanzibar International Airport in Stone Town. Visa costs as at October 2009: US and Irish Citizens USD100 / Other Citizens USD50. Please specify ‘holiday’ visa (number 6) on all entry forms that you fill in at immigration on arrival at the airport.

Uganda:
US, UK, Canadian, Australian, South African, New Zealander nationals all require visa obtainable upon arrival. Irish nationals do not require a visa if staying for up to 6 months.

Zambia:
On arrival in Zambia, you need to get a 30-day business visa. It is possible to obtain a visa prior to departing for Zambia from your local Zambian embassy. PLEASE NOTE: this can take at least 6 weeks; “Multi-entry” visas are usually available if you arrange your visa through an embassy and these are recommended to those wanting to travel to neighbouring countries. Obtaining your visa at the airport upon arrival in Zambia itself is very simple but “Multiple Entry” is not obtainable.

Zimbabwe:
It is vital that you apply for a holiday visa at immigration. It is possible to obtain a visa prior to departing for Zimbabwe from your local Zimbabwean embassy; however it is usually easier to obtain the necessary visa at the airport on arrival in Zimbabwe itself. It is possible to get a visa for up to 3 months at the port of entry, which can be extended after arrival in Zimbabwe up to a maximum of 6 months. You will not automatically be given the maximum 3 months.There is a cost to obtain a visa, payable in cash (US, Pound Sterling, Euro or Rand) at immigration.