Zambia Visa Fees 2026: What Changed and What You'll Pay
If you need a visa for Zambia, it now costs USD 50 for a single entry, double the old USD 25. The Department of Immigration revised its fees from 1 January 2026, and many travel sites still quote the old prices. Before you budget for it, check whether you need a visa at all: most nationalities don't.
The new fees
Source: Department of Immigration. Fees apply until further notice.
Do you even need one?
Probably not. Zambia has one of the most open visa policies in Africa. Since the expansion of its visa waiver programme, only around 31 countries still need a visa to enter.
Check your passport against the official list on the Zambia Department of Immigration site before you travel. Don't rely on a third-party list, including this one; the waiver list has changed several times since 2024.
Which visa makes sense
Flying into Lusaka for a single trip: single entry, USD 50.
Lusaka plus a hop to a neighbouring country and back: double entry, USD 80. Now that a double costs the same as a multiple, consider the multiple-entry visa for flexibility.
Victoria Falls from both sides: the KAZA Univisa, still USD 50, covers Zambia and Zimbabwe on one visa. It is now the same price as a Zambian single entry, which makes it the obvious pick if Livingstone is on your route.
A day across the border from Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe: day tripper, USD 10.
How to apply
You can apply online through the government's e-services portal at eservices.zambiaimmigration.gov.zm and receive an e-visa before you fly. Eligible nationalities can also get a visa on arrival at major airports and land borders.
Two practical tips:
Pay in US dollars, in clean notes. Visa fees are set in USD. Carry newer, undamaged notes as a precaution, or apply online and pay by card.
The Victoria Falls border is now open 24 hours on the Zambia–Zimbabwe crossing, according to Zambia Tourism.
Once you've landed
You'll pay for almost everything else in Kwacha. Our guide to the Zambian Kwacha covers the new Heritage Series notes, ATMs and mobile money. For connectivity, see SIM cards in Zambia.
