Complete guide to visa requirements for entering Mozambique
Mozambique requires most international visitors to obtain a visa before entering the country. The visa requirements vary depending on your nationality, purpose of visit, and intended duration of stay. Understanding these requirements is essential for ensuring a smooth entry into this beautiful East African nation.
The Republic of Mozambique has implemented an electronic visa (eVisa) system to streamline the application process for eligible travellers. This digital approach has significantly simplified visa applications whilst maintaining the security and integrity of the country's immigration procedures.
All visa requirements are subject to change. It is strongly recommended to verify current requirements with the official Mozambique immigration authorities or your nearest Mozambican embassy before travelling.
To be eligible for a Mozambique visa, applicants must meet several fundamental requirements that apply regardless of the specific visa type being sought. These criteria are designed to ensure that visitors can support themselves during their stay and pose no security risk to the country.
The primary eligibility requirements include holding a valid passport with sufficient remaining validity, demonstrating adequate financial means to support your stay, providing evidence of your intended departure from Mozambique, and having no criminal record that would make you inadmissible to the country.
Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your intended date of entry into Mozambique and contain at least two blank pages for visa stamps.
Applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial resources to cover their expenses during their stay in Mozambique, including accommodation, meals, and transportation.
Evidence of onward or return travel arrangements must be provided, typically in the form of confirmed flight tickets or other transportation bookings.
Applicants must have no criminal convictions or other factors that would make them inadmissible to Mozambique under immigration law.
Citizens of certain countries are exempt from visa requirements when visiting Mozambique for short stays. These exemptions are typically based on reciprocal agreements between Mozambique and other nations, and the permitted duration of stay varies by nationality.
It is important to note that visa-free entry is generally limited to tourism and short business visits. Longer stays, work, or other specific purposes may still require a visa even for citizens of visa-exempt countries. Additionally, all travellers, regardless of visa requirements, must still meet other entry requirements such as passport validity and proof of sufficient funds.
Visa exemption policies can change frequently. Always verify your specific requirements with official sources before travelling, even if you believe you may be exempt from visa requirements.
The tourist visa is the most common type of visa issued for visitors to Mozambique. It is designed for individuals travelling for leisure, holiday, vacation, sightseeing, or visiting friends and family. The tourist visa allows for a stay of up to 30 days and can be issued as either single-entry or multiple-entry, depending on your travel plans.
Tourist visa applicants must provide comprehensive documentation to support their application. This includes proof of accommodation arrangements, evidence of sufficient financial means to cover their stay, and confirmation of their intention to leave Mozambique before their visa expires.
| Document | Requirements | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Passport Copy | Valid for at least 6 months, with 2 blank pages | JPEG, PDF, or PNG |
| Passport Photograph | Recent, passport-size, colour photograph | JPEG, PDF, or PNG |
| Proof of Financial Means | Bank statements, credit card statements, or cash declaration | JPEG, PDF, or PNG |
| Hotel Reservation | Confirmed booking for entire stay or first few nights | JPEG, PDF, or PNG |
| Return Ticket | Confirmed flight booking showing departure from Mozambique | JPEG, PDF, or PNG |
The business visa is intended for travellers visiting Mozambique for commercial purposes, including attending meetings, conferences, trade fairs, conducting research, or engaging in short-term business activities. Like the tourist visa, the business visa typically allows for a stay of up to 30 days.
Business visa applications require additional documentation compared to tourist visas, particularly evidence of the business purpose of the visit and the applicant's professional credentials. Companies sponsoring the visit may need to provide supporting documentation as well.
Individual business travellers must provide documentation demonstrating the legitimate business purpose of their visit to Mozambique.
When a company is sponsoring the business visa application, additional corporate documentation is required.
The investment visa is a specialised category designed for individuals planning to invest in Mozambique. This visa requires a minimum investment threshold of US$500,000 and is intended to attract foreign investment that contributes to the country's economic development.
Investment visa applications undergo more rigorous scrutiny than other visa types, and applicants must provide extensive documentation proving both their financial capacity and the legitimacy of their proposed investment. The application process may take longer than standard tourist or business visas.
| Document Category | Specific Requirements |
|---|---|
| Personal Documents | Passport copy, photograph, criminal background check |
| Medical Certificate | Health clearance from recognised medical institution |
| Investment Proof | Bank statements showing minimum US$500,000 investment capacity |
| Business Plan | Detailed investment proposal and business plan |
| Legal Documents | Criminal registration certificate translated into Portuguese |
Transit visas are required for travellers passing through Mozambique en route to another destination. These visas are typically valid for up to seven days and are single-entry only. Transit passengers who do not leave the international transit area of the airport may not require a transit visa, but this should be confirmed with the airline and airport authorities.
Transit visa applications require proof of onward travel and may require a visa for the final destination country. The documentation requirements are generally less extensive than for other visa types, reflecting the short duration and limited purpose of the stay.
Mozambique issues several types of special purpose visas for specific activities and circumstances. These include crew visas for airline and ship crew members, humanitarian assistance visas for aid workers, and sport or culture visas for participants in sporting events or cultural activities.
Crew visas are designed for airline crew members and ship crew who need to enter Mozambique as part of their professional duties. These visas require documentation from the employing airline or shipping company and proof of crew status.
This visa category is for individuals entering Mozambique to provide humanitarian assistance, typically in response to emergencies or disasters. Applications require invitation from governmental authorities, international organisations, or recognised non-governmental organisations.
Participants in sporting competitions, cultural events, or related training activities may apply for this specialised visa. Documentation requirements include accreditation from relevant sporting or cultural organisations and proof of participation in the specific event.
All documents submitted as part of a Mozambique visa application must meet specific technical and quality standards. These requirements are designed to ensure that immigration officials can properly verify the authenticity and content of submitted materials.
Documents must be scanned clearly and legibly, with all text and images easily readable. The accepted file formats are JPEG, PDF, and PNG, with file sizes typically limited to ensure efficient processing. Original documents may be required for verification at the time of entry into Mozambique.
Ensure all documents are current, clearly scanned, and in the correct format. Keep original documents for presentation upon arrival in Mozambique, as immigration officials may request to see them.
While not strictly part of the visa requirements, health and vaccination requirements are essential considerations for travel to Mozambique. Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory for travellers arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission, and proof of vaccination must be presented upon arrival.
Other recommended vaccinations include hepatitis A and B, typhoid, and malaria prophylaxis. Travellers should consult with a travel medicine specialist or their healthcare provider well in advance of travel to ensure they receive appropriate vaccinations and health advice.