Zambia Increases Visa Fees | Southern & East African Tourism Update

Article Summary:
Zambia has revised its visa fees, effective January 1, 2025, increasing the cost for single-entry and double-entry visas for visitors from visa-requiring countries. The single-entry visa fee has risen from US$25 to US$50, while the double-entry fee has increased from US$40 to US$80. The multiple-entry visa fee has also increased to US$80 from US$75. The KAZA Univisa and day-tripper visa fees remain unchanged at US$50 and US$10, respectively. Zambia has one of Africa’s most liberal visa policies, with 167 visa-exempt countries as of 2025, and only 31 nations requiring visas for travel to the country.

Key Points:

1. Visa fees for visitors from visa-requiring countries have been revised, with single-entry and double-entry fees increasing from US$25/US$40 to US$50/US$80, respectively.
2. The multiple-entry visa fee has increased to US$80 from US$75.
3. The KAZA Univisa and day-tripper visa fees remain unchanged at US$50 and US$10, respectively.
4. Zambia has one of Africa’s most liberal visa policies, with 167 visa-exempt countries as of 2025.

Actionable Takeaways:

• Increased Visa Costs for Certain Travelers: The revision in visa fees may impact travel costs for visitors from visa-requiring countries, potentially influencing their decision to travel to Zambia. This could have implications for tourism revenue and the travel industry in Zambia.
• Impact on Visa-Exempt Countries: With 167 visa-exempt countries, the majority of travelers to Zambia will not be affected by the fee increase. This highlights Zambia’s continued commitment to a liberal visa policy, which may attract more tourists and boost the travel sector.
• Market Adaptation: Travel agencies and tour operators in Zambia may need to adapt their pricing strategies to account for the increased visa costs, ensuring competitiveness in the market while maintaining profitability.

Contextual Insights:
The revision in visa fees reflects Zambia’s ongoing efforts to balance the need for revenue generation with the goal of maintaining a welcoming and accessible travel environment. This aligns with broader industry trends towards flexible and transparent pricing models, which aim to attract a diverse range of travelers while ensuring sustainable tourism development. The fact that the majority of visa-exempt countries remain unaffected underscores Zambia’s strategic positioning as an attractive destination for a broad spectrum of international travelers. As the travel industry continues to evolve, such policy adjustments will play a crucial role in shaping the future of travel to Zambia, potentially influencing market dynamics and consumer behavior.

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