The Zimbabwean passport is a travel document issued to citizens of Zimbabwe, primarily serving to grant its bearer international passage and as proof of citizenship. It can also be used for identification in lieu of a national registration card or driver's license.
Applying for a New Passport
Applying for a new passport can be done at the Embassy Chancery in Washington DC. A personal appearance at the Embassy is required for fingerprinting and authentication of documents; it cannot be done at a police station or by a Notary Public.
The application process goes on smoothly if you have all your documents in order, photocopies included. When making arrangements to come, please be advised that the average time it takes to complete the forms and process the documents is 30 minutes per person.
The Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe reserves the right to cancel or reschedule an appointment due to severe weather conditions, an emergency, or any other unforeseen circumstances. In the event of this happening, the Embassy will find a new day and time that will work.
Required Documents
Passport forms (P1) are currently available at the Embassy Chancery. We strongly encourage you to bring photocopies of the required documentation that will be authenticated by the Consular Officer at the Embassy.
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For all applicants above 16 years:
- Zimbabwean National Identity Document (I.D) (Driver’s Licence NOT ACCEPTED).
- Two (2) color passport photos (size 3.5cm x 4.5cm) on a strictly white background (please wear dark or bright colors. Cream and white colors are not acceptable).
For minors below the age of 18, the following are also required:
- The father/mother or legal guardian must be present to sign ‘Section 5’ of the application form.
Once your forms have been processed and documents authenticated at the Embassy, everything will be returned to you. You must send your forms to the next of kin listed on your application, together with your current/expired passport (original), authorization letter (for your listed next of kin to do it on your behalf), and top-up fee.
We recommend DHL or Federal Express for shipping your old and new passports from Zimbabwe to the USA. Your next of kin should be able to provide you with a tracking number given by DHL or Federal Express.
Around the same time you expect your documents to arrive at the Embassy, send us a self-addressed, stamped courier (UPS, DHL, FedEx) return envelope, together with a cover note indicating that it is for your passports from Zimbabwe. We DO NOT accept air bills for DHL, Federal Express, or UPS.
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Passport application forms expire 6 months from the date of completion. In addition, the processing fee and duration of passports are also determined in Zimbabwe.
Visa Information for Travelers to Zimbabwe
You need a passport, visa, return ticket, and adequate funds to cover your intended stay in order to enter Zimbabwe. If you are traveling to Zimbabwe for tourism, business, or transit, you may obtain a visa at the airports or other border ports-of-entry.
There is currently no option of getting a Zimbabwean tourist visa in advance through the Zimbabwean Embassy in Washington.
You can expect to pay USD $30 for a 30-day/single-entry visa, USD $45 for a 45-day/double entry visa or USD $160 for a 12 month/ multiple-entry visa. Extensions of the 30-day and 45-day visas are possible and require visiting the Zimbabwe Immigration Office's public window.
Travelers who intend to engage in any non-tourism related activity require a visa in advance of entry.
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If you are planning to arrive to Zimbabwe via South Africa, please ensure that you have at least 6 blank pages in your passport. South Africa requires two clean, consecutive pages for each transit through South Africa. You will need two pages to transit South Africa in each direction, and two pages to enter Zimbabwe. South African officials take this requirement very seriously and will turn you around if you do not have sufficient pages.
Additionally, South Africa has updated its laws regarding visiting or transiting the country with minor children.
Zimbabwe: What They Don't Tell You - Honest Travel Advice | Insider Tips
Important Considerations for Travelers
- Bring cash sufficient for the duration of your trip; especially $1 and $5 bills, which are used more often than local currency; the importation of any currency into Zimbabwe by travelers is not restricted.
- Prepay expenses such as hotels, flights, and tours by credit or debit card.
Security and Safety
Criminals operate in the vicinity of hotels, restaurants, and shopping areas of major cities and tourist areas such as Victoria Falls. Demonstrations can occur with little notice. Terrorists are increasingly using less sophisticated methods of attack - including knives, firearms, and vehicles - to more effectively target crowds.
The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not commonly occur. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities. First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities and to provide urgent medical treatment.
Local Laws and Penalties
You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Individuals establishing a business or practicing a profession that requires additional permits or licensing should seek information from the competent local authorities, prior to practicing or operating a business. Furthermore, some crimes are prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law.
Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Zimbabwe can be severe, and convicted offenders can expect average jail sentences of three to seven years and heavy fines. Fines for overstaying a visa can be over 1,000 USD and may involve time in jail.
Although counterfeit and pirated goods are prevalent in many countries, they may still be illegal according to local laws. You may also pay fines or have to give them up if you bring them back to the United States.
Roadblocks
The Government of Zimbabwe frequently uses marked and unmarked roadblocks to enforce order and collect fines, particularly in urban centers and on major roads.
Game Parks and Hunting
Safety standards and training vary at game parks and wildlife viewing areas. You should ascertain whether operators are trained and licensed. All animals should be respected as wild and extremely dangerous.
Tourists wishing to hunt in Zimbabwe must be accompanied by a licensed operator. You should request and check the authenticity of their license by contacting the Zimbabwe Professional Guides Association (Z.P.G.A). Hunters should confirm that they are not hunting on illegally seized land or on a nature conservancy as you may be subject to arrest, lawsuits, fines, seizure of possessions, and imprisonment. You should also contact the Embassy of Zimbabwe in Washington, D.C.
LGB Travelers
The constitution of Zimbabwe outlaws marriage between people of the same sex and allows for discrimination based on sexual orientation. Consensual sex between men is criminalized in Zimbabwe, with both parties subject to fines of 5,000 USD or a year imprisonment or both. While there is no explicit legal prohibition against sexual relations between women, societal violence and harassment against LGB individuals is pervasive.
Travelers with Disabilities
The law in Zimbabwe prohibits discrimination against persons with physical and mental disabilities, but the law is not enforced. Social acceptance of persons with disabilities in public is not as prevalent as in the United States. Accessible facilities, transportation, and communications are extremely rare. Expect accessibility to be limited in public transportation, lodging, communication/information, and general infrastructure.
Health Information
Standards and medical facilities are limited. Provincial hospitals in rural areas are rudimentary and not equipped to care for serious injuries. The power supply in Zimbabwe is 220 volt 50 Hz and unreliable. Medicare does not apply overseas. Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention closely monitors the prevalence of disease in Zimbabwe and updates the Travel Health Notice accordingly. The air quality varies considerably and fluctuates with the seasons. It is typically at its worst in the southern hemisphere winter. Air pollution can be a significant problem in many destinations overseas.
Public medical clinics lack basic resources and supplies. Hospitals and doctors normally require payment “up front” prior to service or admission. Credit card payment is not available. Generally, in hospitals only minimal staff is available overnight.
Zimbabwe does not allow the importation of Oxycodone, even with a prescription.
In many areas, tap water is not potable. Bottled water and beverages are generally safe, although you should be aware that many restaurants and hotels serve tap water unless bottled water is specifically requested.
CDC recommends that travelers going to Zimbabwe take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip.
Road Conditions and Safety
Driving in Zimbabwe is hazardous. Zimbabweans drive on the left side of the road and people often drive over the speed limit. Avoid driving at night. The Traffic Safety Council reports there are 40-50 vehicle accidents in Harare every night. Car seats for children are uncommon. There is no national network of roadside emergency service.
It is illegal to use a cell phone while driving in Zimbabwe. Drivers are required to wear seat belts or helmets if driving motorcycles. Car seats are not legally required for small children.
Inter-city commuter bus travel, except on “luxury coaches,” is dangerous due to overcrowding, inadequate maintenance, and unsafe drivers.
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