Trip checklist: Zimbabwe

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

Visa requirement

South Africans don't need a visa for Zimbabwe.

You can stay up to 90 days per visit, and you can apply to extend.

Purpose of visit
Tourism and short business visits without a visa. Work, study or residence need permits via epermits.zimimmigration.gov.zw.
Passport validity
At least 6 months' validity after arrival and 3 blank pages (in case you exit through a neighbouring country).
How to apply
No visa needed. Official e-visa portal (for nationalities that need one): www.evisa.gov.zw. KAZA UNIVISA (USD 50, 30 days, Zimbabwe + Zambia + day trips to Botswana at Kazungula) exists but SA passport holders are visa-exempt in both Zimbabwe and Zambia and do not need it.
Return or onward ticket
Return ticket and adequate funds expected (stated for US citizens; generally applied).
Proof of funds
Adequate funds for the intended stay may be requested.
Vaccinations, including yellow fever on return to South Africa
Zimbabwe: yellow fever certificate required if arriving from a yellow-fever transmission-risk country. South Africa's rule: Zimbabwe is not a yellow-fever risk country, so no certificate is needed to return to SA.
Arrival forms
Zimbabwe Entry Declaration Form (IF1). Travellers are 'encouraged' to complete it online before travel at the official portal evisa.gov.zw (standby-kiosk); otherwise complete it on a kiosk or paper form at the border. Free. Customs: declare cash of USD 10,000 or more on entry; you may not leave with more than USD 2,000 in cash unless you declared it on entry.
Confirm with the embassy
Rules change. Check the official source before you book.

Department of Immigration Zimbabwe (Visas) https://www.zimimmigration.gov.zw/?page_id=6900

1. Department of Immigration Zimbabwe (Category A list) (Official, zimimmigration.gov.zw) https://www.zimimmigration.gov.zw/?p=7176
2. Department of Immigration Zimbabwe (Visas) (Official, zimimmigration.gov.zw) https://www.zimimmigration.gov.zw/?page_id=6900
3. UK FCDO (Other government, gov.uk) https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/zimbabwe/entry-requirements
4. US Department of State (Other government, travel.state.gov) https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Zimbabwe.html
5. DIRCO (South African High Commission, Canberra) (Other government, dirco.gov.za) https://dirco.gov.za/canberra/yellow-fever/
6. Wikipedia (Reference, en.wikipedia.org) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_requirements_for_South_African_citizens
7. Venture to Zimbabwe (tour operator) (News and guides, venture-to-zimbabwe.com) https://www.venture-to-zimbabwe.com/blog/new-immigration-requirements

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