Trip checklist: Zambia

For South African passport holders. Last checked 5 October 2026.

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Visa requirement

South Africans don't need a visa for Zambia.

Permitted stay

You can stay up to 90 days per year.

Before you go

• Purpose of visit

  Tourism and ordinary visits (90 days/12 months); business visits (30 days/12 months). Work requires a Temporary Employment Permit.

• Passport validity

  At least 6 months' validity from date of entry and at least 3 full blank pages.

• How to apply

  No visa needed. Optional KAZA UNIVISA (USD 50, valid up to 30 days while the holder stays within Zambia and Zimbabwe, plus day trips to Botswana via Kazungula) is available online and at selected airports/land borders, but South Africans are visa-exempt in both Zambia and Zimbabwe, so it is unnecessary for them. Official e-services portal: eservices.zambiaimmigration.gov.zm.

• Where South Africans apply

  Not applicable for visits. For permits: Zambia High Commission in Pretoria or Department of Immigration, Lusaka (zambiavisa@zambiaimmigration.gov.zm).

• Return or onward ticket

  Air arrivals must hold valid return air tickets.

• Proof of funds

  Land/water arrivals must show enough funds for their stay in and departure from Zambia.

• Vaccinations, including yellow fever on return to South Africa

  Zambia: yellow fever certificate required if arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission risk. South Africa's own rule (DIRCO): Zambia is NOT on South Africa's yellow-fever certificate list (WHO lists it as low potential for exposure), so no certificate is needed to return to SA from Zambia.

• Extending your stay and overstaying

  Visitors whose endorsed period has expired may apply at the nearest Immigration Office to extend, within the 90-day limit. Business visitors wanting to stay longer need a Temporary Employment Permit. Overstay penalties not published on pages checked.

• Confirm with the embassy

  Rules change. Check the official source before you book.

Where to apply

• Zambia Department of Immigration https://www.zambiaimmigration.gov.zm/for-visitors/
• UK FCDO https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/zambia/entry-requirements
• Zambia Department of Immigration https://www.zambiaimmigration.gov.zm/nationals-who-dont-require-visa/

Research sources

1. 1. Zambia Department of Immigration (Official, zambiaimmigration.gov.zm) https://www.zambiaimmigration.gov.zm/nationals-who-dont-require-visa/
2. 2. Zambia Department of Immigration (Official, zambiaimmigration.gov.zm) https://www.zambiaimmigration.gov.zm/for-visitors/
3. 3. Zambia Department of Immigration (Official, zambiaimmigration.gov.zm) https://www.zambiaimmigration.gov.zm/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Guide-on-Immigration-Permits-Visas.pdf
4. 4. UK FCDO (Other government, gov.uk) https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/zambia/entry-requirements
5. 5. DIRCO (South African High Commission, Canberra) (Other government, dirco.gov.za) https://dirco.gov.za/canberra/yellow-fever/

From doineedavisa.co.za/zambia. Always confirm with the embassy before you travel.