Mozambique Visa for New Zealanders in 2026: What to Know

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

Rules can differ depending on your passport, purpose of travel, route and intended length of stay. Mozambique's official system distinguishes an ETA from an eVisa: an ETA is a pre-travel authorization for eligible visa-exempt travellers, while an eVisa is a visa issued for a specified purpose and period.

Visa types and who needs one

Short tourism or business: ETA route

New Zealanders travelling to Mozambique for tourism or business for up to 30 days should use the ETA route described by the Government of Mozambique. The ETA must be obtained before departure, and the Canadian government's Mozambique travel advice also describes the short-stay tourist and business exemption as requiring an ETA at least 48 hours before departure.

The exemption is not the same as unrestricted visa-free travel. You still need to satisfy the arrival conditions, pay the applicable fee and retain the receipt issued at the border. The official travel advice also says that immigration officials may require accommodation evidence and onward or return travel.

When an eVisa or other visa may be required

An eVisa may be appropriate when your intended stay exceeds 30 days or when your travel purpose is not covered by the short-stay exemption. Mozambique's official portal describes an eVisa as a full visa for purposes such as tourism, business, sport or investment, with the permitted stay and conditions specified in the approval.

Work, study, residence and some private-invitation visits require different immigration arrangements. The available official travel advice lists work, student and residence visas as required categories and says that a visitor travelling by private invitation may need a visitor visa.

Do not assume that an ETA covers paid work, volunteering, journalism, long-term stays or other activities beyond ordinary tourism or qualifying business travel. Contact a Mozambican embassy, consulate or immigration authority if your purpose is unusual or your itinerary involves several visa categories.

How to apply: step-by-step

1. Confirm the route for your trip

Start with Mozambique's official eVisa and ETA portal rather than a commercial visa agent. Check whether your New Zealand passport and intended purpose qualify for the ETA, or whether the portal directs you to an eVisa or embassy application. The portal explains that an ETA is not a visa, while an eVisa is a government-issued visa linked to the approved travel conditions.

2. Prepare your passport and travel information

Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond your expected departure from Mozambique and should have at least two blank pages for immigration stamps and related processing.

Prepare accurate details for your arrival and departure, accommodation and travel route. The short-stay entry conditions include proof of accommodation and a return or onward ticket, except that the onward-ticket condition may not apply when travelling by land.

3. Complete the online form

Enter your name, date of birth, nationality and passport details exactly as they appear in your New Zealand passport. Check every character before submission. The official portal uses an application reference number for status tracking, so save the reference and the email account used for the application.

4. Upload or provide requested documents

The documents requested depend on whether you are applying for an ETA or an eVisa. Clear scans and consistent information reduce the risk of a request for corrections. If the official portal identifies missing or incorrect documents, it gives applicants a limited period to correct and upload them; the portal's published FAQ states that applicants have five calendar days after the preliminary rejection email.

5. Pay through the official process

Pay any online ETA or eVisa charge shown by the government portal and keep the payment confirmation. For the ETA route, an additional government fee may be payable on arrival.

6. Save the approval and travel documents

Keep a digital and printed copy of the ETA or eVisa approval, your accommodation confirmation, onward or return booking and payment receipt. The ETA or eVisa is connected to your passport details, so travel with the same passport used in the application.

Fees and payment

The available official travel advice confirms that a fee is payable under the short-stay visa-exemption process and that payment may be made by card or cash, depending on the port of entry and accepted payment arrangements.

Cost item	What the research confirms
ETA processing	An ETA processing fee is payable online through the official process. Confirm the current amount on the government portal.
Arrival fee	A separate government fee may be payable on arrival under the visa-exemption policy. Confirm the current amount and accepted currency or card arrangements before departure.
eVisa or embassy visa	Fees depend on the visa category and application route. Confirm the current fee on the official portal or with the responsible Mozambican consular office.

Do not rely on prices displayed by third-party visa websites. Commercial websites may combine government charges with service fees, rush charges or exchange-rate markups. The safest reference for the amount due is the official Mozambique application system or the relevant Mozambican diplomatic mission.

Processing times, validity and length of stay

ETA timing

Mozambique's official portal recommends applying for an ETA at least 48 hours before your planned departure. This is a minimum planning recommendation, not a guarantee that every application will be approved within that period. Apply earlier if your itinerary is fixed or if you need time to correct an application.

eVisa timing

The official portal states that standard eVisa processing takes approximately five business days after the application has been submitted and payment completed. Missing or incorrect documents can interrupt the process and trigger a correction request.

Validity and permitted stay

The short-stay ETA exemption described in the official travel advice permits tourism or business travel for up to 30 days, subject to the conditions at entry.

An eVisa is valid according to the period and conditions stated in the approval. Do not confuse the visa's validity or permitted entry window with the number of days you may remain in Mozambique. Check both dates before departure and again when immigration stamps your passport.

If your safari includes a beach stay, a wildlife reserve or a cross-border itinerary, allow enough time for immigration processing at each relevant border. You can also plan your Mozambique safari around the July–October travel season while checking that your permitted stay covers the full itinerary.

On arrival: what immigration may check

Carry your New Zealand passport, ETA or eVisa approval, accommodation confirmation, onward or return ticket and proof of payment. Immigration officials may ask to see these documents before admitting you.

Check that your passport is stamped correctly and that the permitted stay matches your plans. The official travel advice recommends keeping the receipt issued on arrival as part of the visa-exemption process.

Entry is ultimately decided by Mozambican immigration authorities at the port of entry. An ETA is authorization to travel under the relevant process; it does not remove the requirement to meet the entry conditions or guarantee admission.

Yellow fever documentation may also matter if you arrive from a country where yellow fever is present. Australia's official travel advice says travellers entering Mozambique from a yellow-fever-risk country need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate.

Transit, extensions and overstays

Transit

If you remain airside during an international connection, the applicable transit rules can depend on your route, airport and whether you pass immigration. If you collect baggage, change airports, leave the transit area or cross a land border, you may need to meet Mozambique's entry requirements. Confirm the position with your airline and the nearest Mozambican diplomatic mission before booking a complex itinerary.

Extensions

Do not plan to exceed the 30-day short-stay allowance on the assumption that an extension will be automatic. The available official material confirms that longer stays require the appropriate immigration route; ask Mozambique's immigration authority about any extension before your authorized period expires.

Overstays

Remaining after the authorized period can lead to penalties. Canada's official travel advice warns that people who overstay may be fined for each day they are unlawfully in Mozambique. If illness, cancelled transport or another emergency affects your departure, contact immigration authorities promptly and keep supporting evidence.

Common mistakes and rejection risks

• Applying too late: The official portal recommends submitting an ETA at least 48 hours before departure and gives approximately five business days as the standard eVisa processing time.
• Using the wrong route: An ETA is not a full visa. A longer stay or different activity may require an eVisa or another category.
• Inconsistent passport details: A spelling, passport-number or date error can create problems because the authorization is linked to the application and passport information.
• Missing accommodation evidence: Proof of accommodation is listed among the arrival requirements for the short-stay exemption.
• No onward or return evidence: Immigration may ask for a return or onward ticket; the official advice notes an exception for land travel.
• Insufficient passport validity or space: Plan for at least six months' validity beyond expected departure and two blank pages.
• Relying only on a digital copy: Save paper copies as well as phone files in case connectivity or battery access is limited.
• Ignoring the entry stamp: Check the authorized stay at the border and keep the arrival receipt.

Once your documents are in order, you can compare safari packages on SafariFind, including itineraries that combine Mozambique's coast with southern African wildlife areas. For accommodation planning, compare Mozambique safari lodges and luxury stays before finalizing the dates covered by your ETA or visa. If wildlife is the focus, our guide to Mozambique safari animals can help match the route to your interests.

Important: This article is informational content, not legal advice. Entry requirements, fees, processing times and border procedures can change. Confirm your eligibility, current fee and documentation on Mozambique's official portal and with the relevant Mozambican diplomatic authority before travelling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do New Zealander citizens need a visa for Mozambique?

Not usually for tourism or business visits of up to 30 days, provided they obtain the required ETA and meet the entry conditions. Longer stays and activities such as work, study or residence may require a visa.

What is the Mozambique ETA for New Zealand citizens?

The ETA is a pre-travel authorization for eligible visa-exempt travellers; it is not the same as a full eVisa. New Zealanders using the short-stay exemption should obtain it before departure through Mozambique's official system.

How early should New Zealanders apply for a Mozambique ETA?

Apply at least 48 hours before planned departure, which is the recommendation on Mozambique's official portal. Applying earlier gives you time to correct errors or missing documents.

How long does a Mozambique eVisa take for New Zealand citizens?

Standard eVisa processing takes approximately five business days after submission and payment, according to Mozambique's official portal. Missing or incorrect documents can delay or interrupt processing.

How much is the Mozambique visa or ETA for New Zealanders?

A fee applies to the ETA process and a separate government fee may be payable on arrival, but the research does not establish a reliable current amount for New Zealand citizens. Confirm the current fee on Mozambique's official portal before travelling.

What passport validity do New Zealanders need for Mozambique?

Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond your expected departure from Mozambique and have at least two blank pages.

Do New Zealanders need proof of accommodation for Mozambique?

Yes, proof of accommodation is listed among the arrival requirements for the short-stay tourist and business exemption. Immigration officials may ask to see it.

Do New Zealanders need a return ticket for Mozambique?

You should carry a return or onward ticket for air travel under the short-stay exemption. The official travel advice notes that this condition may not apply when travelling by land.

Can New Zealanders extend a 30-day Mozambique stay?

Do not assume that an extension is automatic. Ask Mozambique's immigration authority about the correct procedure before the authorized period expires, particularly if you are using the ETA exemption.

What happens if a New Zealander overstays in Mozambique?

Overstaying can result in a fine for each day of unlawful stay. Check the entry stamp and contact immigration authorities promptly if an emergency could prevent departure on time.