Zimbabwe eases visa regulations for visitors of all non-hostile countries

Visa requirements are being regularly reviewed by the Zimbabwean Government in a bid to make it convenient for visitors, particularly from peaceful countries.

Mr Melusi Matshiya, permanent secretary, the Ministry of Home Affairs, speaking during the maiden Tourism, Security and Enablers conference in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, in September last week, was quoted by The Herald as saying that the onus lay on their government to provide a secure, transparent, accountable and conducive environment required to develop a country, which is competent and prosperous globally.

He said that their ministry was intending to accomplish this vision by improving and maintaining law and order, timely registration, managing migration and granting of secure identification documents in addition to regulating private security industry.

Matshiya added that they had extended this facility to citizens of the SADC (Southern African Development Community), and added that theirs was the third country in the SADC region to embrace this stand.

According to him, visitors from traditional source markets of this southern African country were mostly placed under category B, as they would be given visas at the port of entry.

People, who come from countries with security concerns, are placed under category C, and they need to obtain visas before they board Zimbabwe bound planes.

Mr Matshiya added that an electronic visa application platform was added by the department of immigration to make it easier for potential travellers to apply from all corners of the globe.

He assured that most applications would be processed within seven working days. The ministry was currently focused on reviewing and allotting the visa regime for nationals placed in the category C in order to elevate their status, said Mr Matshiya.

He added that in relation to this, IBS (Integrated Border Management) has been adopted by their ministry with an objective to put in place an efficient, effective and integrated border management system to aid in having open, but well regulated and secured borders.

If you are looking to travel to Zimbabwe, get in touch with Y-Axis, a trusted consultancy for immigration services, to apply for a visa.