Visa Requirement Waiver for Selected Countries takes effect

The Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, Hon. Jacob Jack Mwiimbu, MP, on 2^nd November 2022, announced the waiver of the visa requirement for the United Kingdom, United States of America, Canada, Norway, Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, South Korea, The Gulf States, and the European Union at a Press Briefing jointly held with his Ministry of Tourism counterpart, Hon. Rodney Sikumba, MP. The waiver comes into effect pursuant to Statutory Instrument No. 69 of 2022.

Mr. Mwiimbu said the delay in implementing the visa waiver was due to the need to put in place the required legislative framework, re-configure the Zambia Immigration Management System (ZIMS), and develop post-entry management measures to ensure that the new visa regime did not compromise internal security.

“In light of the waiver of the visa requirement for the selected countries, the Department of Immigration has been working round the clock to develop post-entry management measures to ensure that the new visa regime does not compromise internal security,” he said. The Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security also reminded the travelling public that the visa waiver was no guarantee of admission into the country. “…the waiver of the visa requirement does not guarantee entry into Zambia as the final decision to grant permission for entry into Zambia rests with the Immigration Officer at the port of entry” he said.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Tourism expressed confidence that the waiver would significantly increase tourist arrivals owing to the reduced bureaucracies. “… the waiver will help to attain the target of three million international arrivals by 2024”.

Click here for the Speech by the Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security