13 July 2015

UNIVISA for Zambia & Zimbabwe

Recently the governments of Zimbabwe and Zambia set up a pilot project for issuing the new UNIVISA. The organization is formally called KAZA Visa

Currently, tourists visiting Southern Africa must apply for separate visas for each country, each with its own visa regime. For some, this acts a deterrent for multi-country travel in the region. It is for this reason that the development of a common visa, deemed a UNIVISA, was endorsed by SADC Heads of State in 1998. While there have been some obstacles to implementation, significant momentum is now building towards the UNIVISA. Central to the UNIVISA strategy is taking a phased approach. The first step is the creation of a pilot initiative through which a common visa will be created for Zambia and Zimbabwe. One of the reasons they were selected as pilot countries relates to their role as cohosts of the 2013 UNWTO General Assembly.

The name appears to be a mix of Kazungula Land and Zambezi River (Ka and Za)

Some day, the UNIVISA might (might!) include such countries as Angola, Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Mozambique, and Swaziland. Far down the road they hope to add D.R. Congo, Malawi, Lesotho, Tanzania, Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles. The chances of Angola being an early adopter seem slim at best.

The Zimbabwe High Commission says that there is some availability of this visa at certain border and airport entry points, but that it is only available to persons who can prove they are going to BOTH countries. It is only valid for up to 30 days, and costs at least US$50 per passport.

 The UNIVISA is only available upon arrival at the following entry points:

ZAMBIA
Harry Mwaanga Airport (Livingstone)
Victoria Falls Land Border
Kazungula Land Border (border with Botswana)
Kenneth Kaunda Airport (Lusaka)

ZIMBABWE
Victoria Falls Airport
Victoria Falls Land Border
Kazungula Land Border
Harare Airport

No high commission or embassy or consulate is allowed to issue this permit.

Click here for regular paper Zambian visas.

Click here for regular paper Zimbabwe visas.