Do French Citizens Need a Mozambique Visa in 2026?

Quick answer: French citizens do not need a full Mozambique visa for tourism or business stays of up to 30 days, provided they meet Mozambique's visa-exemption conditions. They must still obtain prior electronic authorization through the official Mozambique eVisa and ETA portal before travelling.

The official portal states that the ETA is a pre-travel authorization rather than a full visa. If you plan to stay longer than the visa-exempt period, travel for another purpose, or do not meet the exemption conditions, you may need to apply for an eVisa instead.

Last checked July 2026 — always confirm with official sources before travelling.

Quick answer: Mozambique entry rules for French citizens

Question	Answer
Do French citizens need a visa?	Not for tourism or business stays of up to 30 days when the visa-exemption conditions are met. An ETA is still required before departure.
Which authorization is required?	An Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for an eligible short visit; a full eVisa may apply if the exemption conditions are not met.
Where should you apply?	Use the official Mozambique National Immigration Service portal: evisa.gov.mz. The new platform launched on 11 February 2026 and replaced the previous platform.
How much does it cost?	Confirm the current ETA or eVisa fee on the official portal before applying. The supplied official research does not provide a current French-citizen fee.
How long does it take?	The official FAQ says standard eVisa processing takes approximately five business days after submission and payment. For an ETA, the portal recommends applying at least 48 hours before departure.
How long must the passport be valid?	At least six months from entry into Mozambique, with at least two blank pages for visa and entry or exit stamps.

Visa types and who needs one

ETA for a short tourist or business trip

France appears in Mozambique's list of countries eligible for the visa-exempt pathway. The exemption covers ordinary-passport travellers visiting for tourism or business for up to 30 days, subject to the conditions shown by Mozambique's immigration authorities.

An ETA is not the same as an eVisa. The official FAQ describes an ETA as a pre-travel authorization for certain visa-exempt travellers, while an eVisa is a full electronic visa issued for a specific purpose and period of stay.

For a French holiday involving a safari, beach stay, sightseeing or a short business visit, select the relevant option on the official portal and follow the result generated for your nationality, passport and travel purpose. Do not assume that a visa exemption removes every pre-travel requirement.

When a French traveller may need an eVisa

A full eVisa may be required when the trip does not fit the visa-exempt conditions—for example, when the intended stay exceeds 30 days or the purpose of travel is not covered by the exemption. The official portal lists tourist, business and other visa categories, including investment and sport or cultural travel.

The portal describes tourist eVisas for tourism, holidays and vacations lasting 90 days or less. It also lists tourist eVisa options with 30-, 60- or 90-day durations, although the applicable option depends on the application and immigration decision.

Work, residence, study and other long-term activities should not be treated as ordinary tourism. Choose the category that matches the real purpose of the trip and confirm the exact requirements with Mozambique's immigration authorities before applying.

Step-by-step application through the official portal

1. Check the category before starting

Begin at evisa.gov.mz, the official portal of Mozambique's National Immigration Service. The platform was launched on 11 February 2026, and the previous platform has been discontinued. If you submitted an application on the old platform and have not received a decision, the official portal says not to submit a new application until you receive an update.

Use the passport that you will carry to Mozambique. The official portal specifically instructs dual nationals to apply using the passport they will use for travel.

2. Complete the online form

Enter your personal, passport and trip information exactly as it appears in your travel document. Select the purpose of travel accurately, because the immigration authority uses the declared purpose to determine the appropriate authorization or visa category.

Have your accommodation details, itinerary and travel dates available. The supplied research identifies proof of accommodation and a return or onward ticket among commonly requested supporting documents, but the exact document list can vary by category. Check the current checklist displayed in the official application before uploading anything.

3. Upload the requested documents

The official portal requires applicants to provide their details and upload necessary documents. The supporting material should be clear, complete and consistent with the information in the application.

• Passport: travel with a passport valid for at least six months from entry and with at least two blank pages.
• Accommodation evidence: prepare a hotel booking or other proof requested by the portal; an invitation or equivalent evidence may apply to some trips.
• Return or onward travel: keep evidence of onward or return arrangements available if requested by the application or at the border.
• Photograph: upload a photograph if the application checklist requests one, following the portal's current technical specifications.
• Purpose-specific documents: business, investment, sport, cultural and other categories may require additional evidence.

The research does not establish a single photograph size or file format for every 2026 application. Follow the specifications shown in the official portal rather than relying on an older agency checklist.

4. Pay through the portal and save the reference

The official portal includes an online fee-payment step. Because the supplied official sources do not state a current fee for French applicants, confirm the amount shown in the official portal before authorizing payment.

Save the application reference number and monitor the email address used in the application. The official FAQ says applicants can check an application online using the reference number, with email or passport details sometimes requested by the system.

5. Download and print the approval

If approved, download the PDF and print it. Mozambique's official portal says travellers should have the preliminary eVisa or ETA ready for boarding and arrival in Mozambique. Carry the authorization together with the passport and supporting travel documents.

Fees and payment

Fees can change, and the official research supplied for this article does not provide a confirmed 2026 fee for a French citizen's ETA or eVisa. Confirm the current fee on the official portal before applying.

Authorization	Current fee in the supplied official research	What to do
ETA for an eligible French traveller	Not stated	Confirm the amount on evisa.gov.mz before payment.
Tourist eVisa	Not stated	Confirm the fee for the selected duration and entry conditions on the official portal.
Other eVisa categories	Not stated	Check the category-specific fee displayed during the application.

Do not use a third-party website simply because it displays a price or promises faster approval. The official portal is the correct starting point for the application, payment instructions and status checks.

Processing times and validity

The official Mozambique FAQ states that standard eVisa processing takes approximately five business days after the application is submitted and payment is completed. It recommends applying for an ETA at least 48 hours before planned departure.

These are planning indications, not a guarantee of approval by a particular date. Missing or incorrect documents can affect an application. The official FAQ says that where documents are missing or incorrect, the applicant receives a preliminary rejection email and has five calendar days from that email to upload the requested corrections; failure to do so results in automatic rejection.

For visa-exempt French travellers, the relevant short-stay exemption is up to 30 days for tourism or business, subject to the applicable conditions. Mozambique's UK High Commission states that the 30-day stay may be renewable for an additional 30 days upon justification, but travellers should confirm whether that option applies to their circumstances before relying on it.

For an eVisa, the permitted duration and entry conditions are those stated on the approved document. The official portal lists tourist eVisa durations of 30, 60 and 90 days and says the approval specifies the applicable terms.

On arrival: what immigration checks

At boarding and on arrival, keep the passport, printed ETA or eVisa, accommodation evidence and return or onward travel details accessible. The official portal instructs approved travellers to print the PDF and have it ready for both boarding and arrival.

Immigration officers may check that the authorization matches the passport used for travel, that the visit fits the declared purpose and that the passport meets the entry conditions. The passport should be valid for at least six months from entry and have two blank pages for visa and entry or exit stamps.

An approval does not replace the need to comply with the conditions of stay. Do not present a tourist authorization for an activity that requires another immigration category.

If you are planning a safari and beach trip, you can compare safari packages on SafariFind before finalising the dates used in your application. For accommodation planning, see Mozambique safari lodges to compare in 2026 and the Mozambique safari and beach itinerary for 2026.

Transit, extensions and overstays

Transit

Transit requirements depend on your route, passport, airport or border crossing and whether you pass immigration. The supplied research does not establish a single transit rule for every French itinerary. Check the official portal and the relevant Mozambican diplomatic mission if you will leave the airport, change airports or remain in Mozambique during a connection.

Extensions

Do not assume that an ETA or visa can automatically be extended. The official diplomatic mission information says that the 30-day visa-exempt stay may be renewable for an additional 30 days upon justification, but the applicable procedure and decision depend on Mozambican authorities.

Overstays

Leave Mozambique by the end of the period granted to you, or obtain official permission for any extension before the permitted stay expires. The supplied official research does not state a current overstay fine or penalty, so confirm the consequences and procedure with Mozambique's immigration authorities rather than relying on an unofficial figure.

Common mistakes and reasons applications can fail

• Using the old platform: the previous online platform was discontinued after the new portal launched on 11 February 2026. Existing applicants should wait for the official decision rather than submitting a duplicate application.
• Confusing an ETA with an eVisa: an ETA is for eligible visa-exempt travellers, while an eVisa is a full visa issued for a defined purpose and period.
• Applying with the wrong passport: dual nationals must use the passport they will present for travel.
• Leaving the application too late: the official FAQ recommends applying at least 48 hours before departure for an ETA and gives approximately five business days for standard eVisa processing.
• Uploading inconsistent documents: missing or incorrect documents can trigger a preliminary rejection and a five-calendar-day correction window.
• Relying on an outdated fee: confirm the live amount on the official portal before payment because the supplied research does not confirm a current French-citizen fee.
• Ignoring passport conditions: a passport valid for less than six months from entry or without two blank pages may not meet the published entry conditions.

For health planning, review the relevant Mozambique health guidance before departure. SafariFind also publishes a Mozambique vaccinations and health-rules guide for German travellers; use it as general travel-planning context, then confirm medical advice with a qualified clinician and official French or Mozambican sources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Do French citizens need a visa for Mozambique?

No full visa is required for eligible French citizens visiting for tourism or business for up to 30 days, but an ETA must be obtained before departure.

What is the Mozambique ETA for French travellers?

The ETA is a pre-travel authorization for eligible visa-exempt travellers; it is different from a full eVisa. French citizens should apply through the official Mozambique portal before travelling.

How much is the Mozambique visa for French citizens in 2026?

The current fee is not confirmed in the supplied official research, so confirm the live ETA or eVisa fee on evisa.gov.mz before payment.

How long does a Mozambique ETA take for French citizens?

The official portal recommends applying for an ETA at least 48 hours before departure. Apply earlier if possible because approval timing is not guaranteed.

How long does a Mozambique eVisa take?

Standard eVisa processing takes approximately five business days after submission and payment, according to Mozambique's official FAQ.

How long can French citizens stay in Mozambique without a visa?

The visa-exempt period for tourism or business is up to 30 days when the applicable conditions are met. The official diplomatic mission information mentions a possible additional 30 days upon justification, which travellers should confirm before relying on it.

What documents do French citizens need for Mozambique?

Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages, plus the approved ETA or eVisa and documents supporting accommodation, onward or return travel and the purpose of the visit when requested.

Do I need to print my Mozambique ETA?

Yes. Mozambique's official portal says approved travellers should download, print and keep the PDF ready for boarding and arrival.

Can French citizens apply for a Mozambique eVisa online?

Yes. French citizens can use the official online platform to determine whether the ETA or an eVisa applies to their nationality, purpose and intended stay.

What happens if my Mozambique application has missing documents?

The official FAQ says you receive a preliminary rejection email and have five calendar days to upload corrected or missing documents; otherwise, the application is automatically rejected.