Zimbabwe Visa for South Africans in 2026: Do You Need One?

Quick answer: South African citizens travelling on ordinary South African passports do not need a Zimbabwe tourist visa for stays of up to 90 days. The 2026 visa-regime data lists South Africa as visa-free for Zimbabwe for 90 days. For tourism, you therefore do not need to apply for an eVisa or pay a tourist visa fee before travelling.

Zimbabwe immigration can still require a valid passport and may check the purpose and length of your stay. If you intend to work, study, live in Zimbabwe, stay beyond the visa-free period, or travel on another nationality’s passport, check the official Zimbabwe eVisa portal and immigration authorities before booking.

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

Zimbabwe visa requirements for South African citizens

For a normal holiday, safari, or short visit, South African passport holders are listed as visa-free for 90 days in Zimbabwe’s 2026 passport-regime information. This means a South African traveller does not ordinarily need a visa approval letter, embassy appointment, or online eVisa application for a qualifying tourist visit.

Visa-free entry is based on the passport you use to enter Zimbabwe, not simply on living in South Africa. A permanent resident of South Africa who holds a different passport should check Zimbabwe’s rule for that nationality. The same applies to dual nationals: travel with the passport that establishes your applicable entry status and follow the relevant immigration instructions.

Zimbabwe’s official visa information divides foreign nationals into categories: those who do not need visas, those who may obtain a visa at a port of entry or apply online, and those who must obtain a visa before travelling. South African citizens fall into the visa-exempt group for the short tourist stay described above, based on the available visa-regime data.

Which trips may require permission beyond ordinary tourism?

A visa-free tourist entry should not be treated as permission to work, undertake long-term study, or establish residence. Zimbabwe’s official eVisa service is intended for foreign nationals applying for Zimbabwe visas, and the Department of Immigration retains discretion over the visa type during processing. For a non-tourism purpose, contact Zimbabwe Immigration or confirm the correct permit before travelling rather than relying on the 90-day tourist allowance.

Travellers comparing national rules should not use South African requirements as a guide for other passports. SafariFind also publishes separate guidance on whether Singaporean citizens need a Zimbabwe visa and on Zimbabwe visa requirements for Indian citizens.

Step-by-step: travelling to Zimbabwe from South Africa

1. Confirm the passport you will use

Check that your passport is South African and that the name on your travel booking matches the passport. If you are travelling with a temporary travel document, emergency document, or a second nationality, confirm its acceptance with Zimbabwean authorities before departure. The visa-free rule cited here applies to South African passport holders as recorded in the available visa-regime data.

2. Check your travel purpose and length of stay

For a short holiday or safari of no more than 90 days, South African citizens are listed as visa-free. If the itinerary involves paid employment, volunteering, formal study, residence, or a longer stay, ask Zimbabwe Immigration which visa or permit applies before you travel.

3. Carry evidence supporting your trip

Although a visa application is not normally required for the qualifying visa-free tourist visit, keep your accommodation details, onward or return travel information, and a basic itinerary available. These documents help explain the purpose and planned duration of your visit if an immigration officer asks. The official Zimbabwe embassy guidance lists passport validity and photographs among requirements for visitors who do need a visa at a port of entry.

4. Use the official portal only if your nationality or purpose requires an eVisa

The official Zimbabwe eVisa portal is evisa.gov.zw. The official FAQ describes the eVisa as an online alternative to the traditional visa process and states that applicants receive notices by email. Do not submit an eVisa application merely because you are a South African tourist who qualifies for visa-free entry.

5. Save copies of your documents

Keep a digital and offline copy of your passport identification page, accommodation confirmation, transport details, travel insurance information, and any approval letter if one is issued. This is practical preparation; it does not replace the entry conditions set by Zimbabwean immigration.

Documents and passport rules

If you need to apply for a Zimbabwe visa—for example, because of your travel purpose or passport status—the Zimbabwe Embassy’s published port-of-entry requirements include a passport valid for at least six months and two passport-size photographs. The same source says visa fees are subject to change.

Document or detail	What the research supports
South African passport for a tourist visit	Listed as visa-free for up to 90 days.
Passport for a visa application	At least six months’ validity according to the Zimbabwe Embassy guidance.
Photographs for a visa application	Two passport-size photographs according to the Zimbabwe Embassy guidance.
eVisa approval	Applicants receive confirmation and further notices by email through the official system.

The research does not establish a separate passport-validity threshold specifically for visa-exempt South African tourists. Check the latest instruction from Zimbabwe Immigration or the relevant border post before travelling, particularly if your passport is close to expiry.

Health and vaccination rules can depend on where you have travelled or transited, not only on your nationality. For comparison, SafariFind’s country-specific resources include Zimbabwe vaccination guidance for Indian travellers and health rules for Singaporean travellers; confirm your own route with an official health or government source.

Zimbabwe visa fees and payment

South African tourists who qualify for visa-free entry do not have a Zimbabwe tourist visa fee to pay. If you need a visa for another purpose or because you are travelling on a different passport, do not assume that the South African visa-free rule applies.

Published official sources show different figures for certain Zimbabwe visa categories. The U.S. State Department’s Zimbabwe travel information lists USD 30 for a 30-day single-entry visa, USD 45 for a 45-day double-entry visa, and USD 160 for a 12-month multiple-entry visa. The Zimbabwe Embassy’s visa information lists USD 30 for single entry, USD 45 for double entry, and USD 55 for multiple entry, while warning that fees can change.

Published visa option	Fee shown in research	Important note
30-day single entry	USD 30	Listed by the U.S. State Department and Zimbabwe Embassy.
45-day double entry	USD 45	Listed by the U.S. State Department and Zimbabwe Embassy.
Multiple entry	USD 55 or USD 160, depending on the published source and category	Official sources conflict; confirm the current fee on the official portal or with Zimbabwe Immigration.

Because the official published figures conflict for multiple-entry visas, confirm the current fee, permitted stay, payment method, and visa category before submitting an application. A visa payment does not guarantee approval: Zimbabwe’s official eVisa FAQ states that payment is for processing and does not guarantee approval, and denied applications are not refunded.

Processing times and visa validity

Visa-free South African tourists do not have an eVisa processing time because they do not need to apply for a tourist visa before travelling. For travellers who do need an eVisa, Zimbabwe’s official FAQ says processing takes an average of seven working days, although the time can vary.

The official eVisa FAQ advises applicants to apply at least three weeks before their travel date. That is a planning recommendation for eVisa applicants, not a requirement for South African citizens using visa-free tourist entry.

The official eVisa information states that an eVisa is valid for one month for a single entry or a KAZA Univisa, three months for a double entry, and six months for a multiple entry, beginning on the date of issue. These validity periods concern the eVisa product and should not be confused with the 90-day visa-free allowance listed for South African passport holders.

On arrival: what Zimbabwe immigration may check

At a Zimbabwe airport or land border, present the passport you used for the journey and answer questions about your visit accurately. Immigration may check your identity, travel purpose, and intended length of stay. If you are travelling for tourism, keep your accommodation and onward-travel information accessible.

If you have an eVisa approval letter, carry a printed copy as well as an electronic copy. Zimbabwe’s official eVisa information says an approval enables the visitor to approach a port of entry, where the visa is physically issued after payment of the requisite fee in the process described by the official embassy notice.

Entry is ultimately decided by Zimbabwean immigration officials. The official eVisa FAQ expressly states that Zimbabwean officials retain the right to deny entry without explanation. Visa-free status therefore removes the advance visa application for a qualifying South African tourist; it does not guarantee admission in every circumstance.

Transit, extensions and overstays

If Zimbabwe is only a transit point, check the entry and transit rules for your specific route, ticket, and border crossing. The available research does not provide a definitive transit exemption specifically for South African citizens, so confirm with the airline and Zimbabwean authorities when your itinerary involves leaving the airport, changing tickets, or crossing a land border.

Do not plan to remain in Zimbabwe beyond the period granted on entry. If you need more time, contact a Zimbabwe Department of Immigration office before your authorised stay expires and request the appropriate extension. The available Canadian government travel advice says visitors can apply for two consecutive extensions, for a total of 90 days, at a Zimbabwean Department of Immigration office. This information should be confirmed directly with Zimbabwe Immigration because the permission granted to an individual traveller can depend on the entry category and purpose.

Business visas and work permissions are different from tourist entry. The same travel advice states that a business visa or work permit cannot be extended from within Zimbabwe and that the traveller must exit and either re-enter as a visitor or obtain the relevant new permission before returning. Do not work or undertake activities outside your authorised status.

Common mistakes and avoidable problems

• Applying for a visa unnecessarily: South African citizens on qualifying tourist visits are listed as visa-free for up to 90 days.
• Assuming residence equals nationality: South African residency does not automatically give a non-South-African passport the same entry treatment. Check the passport nationality.
• Using an unofficial visa website: the official Zimbabwe eVisa portal is evisa.gov.zw.
• Relying on an old fee: published official sources conflict on multiple-entry pricing, and the Zimbabwe Embassy says fees may change.
• Ignoring passport condition or validity: the Zimbabwe Embassy guidance specifies at least six months’ validity for a visa application and two passport photographs.
• Waiting until the last minute for an eVisa: the official FAQ gives an average processing time of seven working days and recommends applying at least three weeks before travel.
• Confusing visa validity with permitted stay: an eVisa’s validity period and the time immigration authorises you to remain are not necessarily the same.
• Overstaying: request an extension before the authorised period ends rather than assuming it will be granted later.

Once your entry documents are confirmed, you can compare safari packages on SafariFind, including Zimbabwe itineraries and regional combinations with South Africa. If your trip also includes South Africa’s Kruger National Park or another wildlife safari park, check the entry rules separately for each country and border crossing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do South African citizens need a visa for Zimbabwe?

No, South African citizens travelling on ordinary South African passports are listed as visa-free for Zimbabwe for up to 90 days. This applies to the qualifying short visit described in the available visa-regime data; check separately if you plan to work, study, live in Zimbabwe, or use another passport.

How long can South Africans stay in Zimbabwe without a visa?

South African passport holders are listed as being able to stay visa-free for up to 90 days. Confirm the period granted by immigration on arrival and request any extension before that period expires.

How much is a Zimbabwe visa for South African citizens?

A South African tourist who qualifies for visa-free entry does not pay a Zimbabwe tourist visa fee. If you need a visa for another purpose, published figures include USD 30 for single entry and USD 45 for double entry, while official sources conflict on multiple-entry fees, so confirm the current fee before applying.

How long does a Zimbabwe eVisa take?

Zimbabwe’s official eVisa FAQ says processing takes an average of seven working days, although the time can vary. The FAQ recommends applying at least three weeks before your travel date.

Do South Africans need to apply online before travelling to Zimbabwe?

Not for a qualifying tourist visit of up to 90 days, because South African citizens are listed as visa-free for Zimbabwe. Travellers with a different passport or a non-tourism purpose should check the official eVisa portal at evisa.gov.zw.

What documents do South Africans need to enter Zimbabwe?

Carry your South African passport and supporting trip information such as accommodation and onward-travel details. For visa applications, the Zimbabwe Embassy guidance lists a passport valid for at least six months and two passport-size photographs.

Can South African citizens work in Zimbabwe without a visa?

No conclusion of work authorisation follows from the tourist visa-free rule. South African citizens planning employment, volunteering, business activity, or residence should confirm the required Zimbabwe visa or permit with Immigration before travelling.

Can South Africans extend their stay in Zimbabwe?

An extension may be available through a Zimbabwe Department of Immigration office, and published Canadian travel advice refers to two consecutive extensions for a total of 90 days. Apply before your authorised stay expires and confirm the current procedure directly with Zimbabwe Immigration.

Is a Zimbabwe eVisa refundable if the application is refused?

No, Zimbabwe’s official eVisa FAQ says payment is for processing, does not guarantee approval, and is not refunded when an application is denied.

Can Zimbabwe immigration refuse entry to a South African citizen?

Visa-free status does not guarantee admission in every circumstance. Zimbabwe’s official eVisa FAQ states that immigration officials retain the right to deny entry without explanation.