The Zimbabwean government has updated its electronic visa (eVisa) issuance portal.

Key Points:

  • Foreign nationals of 118 countries and territories can now apply for an eVisa on arrival on the updated site before traveling to Zimbabwe.
  • The reintroduction of electronic travel authorization via an electronic visa on arrival is designed to simplify the entry process for prospective travelers.

Additional Information: Foreign nationals from the 118 countries and territories that are required to obtain a visa on arrival have been unable to apply for an eVisa prior to their travel to date. Eligible tourists and business travelers from these countries may now opt for the simplified eVisa process online.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2024 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – HIGH

Lesotho has implemented several measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Key points:

  • Inbound and outbound travel are suspended. There are exceptions for emergency medical providers, providers of specialized consultancy services invited by the Government and the transporting of goods.
  • Individuals from countries affected by COVID-19 or who have been in contact with someone who has it are subject to a 14-day self-quarantine with careful observation. Individuals with symptoms of COVID-19 will be quarantined.
  • Government offices that provide non-essential services are closed and all permit applications (including work and residence permits) are on hold until the COVID-19 situation is over.

Analysis & Comments: The travel and quarantine measures and government office closures will impact the movement of people into and out of Lesotho. Depending on how the COVID-19 situation unfolds, there could be additional measures announced in the coming weeks. Employers should account for affected travelers and rearrange travel schedules accordingly. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.

 

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Zimbabwe has announced that it has eased visa requirements by extending visas-on-arrival to an additional 28 countries.

What does the change mean? The list of countries that have been moved from Category C (visa required prior to travel) to Category B (visa-on-arrival) include Bahrain, Ethiopia, India, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Romania, Senegal and others.

  • Implementation time frame: Immediate.
  • Visas/permits affected: Visas on arrival (Category B).
  • Who is affected: Nationals of the 28 countries listed below.
  • Impact on processing times: Designated nationals will not need to obtain a visa before traveling to Zimbabwe. 
  • Business impact: Business visitors are allowed to use the visa on arrival. The sole exception is Chinese nationals because they uniquely fall into both Category B (visas on arrival) if they are tourists traveling as a group cleared by tour operators and travel agencies in China) and Category C (visa-required) if traveling on business or not as a tourist traveling as a group cleared by tour operators and travel agencies in China.

Background: Zimbabwe Vice President Constantino Chiwenga said that the country “should take advantage of the international community’s confidence in the new administration to market the country as a preferred destination for tourists and investors.”

Countries Moved from Category C to Category B
Albania Ecuador Honduras Peru
Armenia El Salvador India Reunion
Bahrain Ethiopia Mexico Romania
Bhutan French Guiana Nicaragua San Marino
Bulgaria Guam Norfolk Islands Senegal
Chile Guatemala Panama Venezuela
Costa Rica Guyana Paraguay Yugoslavia

The full updated list of all Category B nationalities may be found here.

BAL Analysis: Zimbabwe’s move toward visa liberalization is in step with the African Union’s stated goal of visa-free travel for all African nationals and also extends visa-free travel to non-African countries.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact africa@bal.com.

Copyright © 2018 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.