Mozambique Entry Requirements

Mozambique Entry Requirements

Visa, immigration, and customs information

Important Notice Entry requirements can change at any time. Always verify current requirements with official government sources before traveling.
Every foreigner landing in Mozambique needs a passport with at least six months left on the clock. Maputo International, Beira, N Nampula, Vilanculos, and the Ressano Garcia land crossing with South Africa run three lanes: visa-free, e-Visa, and visa-on-arrival. Pick the right one and the queue shrinks fast. Officers can ask for proof of onward travel, confirmed beds, and enough cash to cover your stay. Formalities finish at your first Mozambican port. Expect ink on the fingers and a quick mug-shot at immigration, then a bag scan at customs. After that, duty-free, banks swapping meticais, and shuttles to the sand, hotels, and restaurants are all outside the door.

Visa Requirements

Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.

Visa-Free Entry
30 days

Citizens of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and a handful of other countries walk in visa-free for tourism or business.

Includes
South Africa Botswana Eswatini Lesotho Malawi Mauritius Namibia Seychelles Tanzania Zambia Zimbabwe Kenya Rwanda Singapore Israel Turkey

Extension possible once for an additional 30 days at provincial immigration offices.

Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA/eVisa)
30 days (single entry), 60 days (multiple entry)

Travelers whose passports aren't on the visa-free list must secure an e-Visa before wheels touch the tarmac.

Includes
United States United Kingdom Canada Australia Germany France Italy Spain Netherlands Portugal Brazil India China Japan
How to Apply: Apply online at evisa.gov.mz; upload the passport bio-page, a fresh photo, yellow-fever certificate if required, and proof of a bed. Processing usually takes 5 business days.
Cost: Mid-range fee charged in US dollars, payable by credit card.

Print the e-Visa approval letter and carry it together with your passport. The e-Visa is accepted at all designated ports of entry including airports and the Ressano Garcia land border.

Visa Required
30 days (standard tourist visa)

Nationals not covered above must obtain a visa from a Mozambican embassy or consulate prior to travel.

How to Apply: Submit application in person or by post to the nearest Mozambican diplomatic mission. Include passport, photo, proof of funds, accommodation, and onward ticket.

Processing time ranges from 3 to 10 working days depending on the mission. Visas issued by embassies are multiple entry by default.

Arrival Process

Upon landing in Mozambique, follow the overhead signs to immigration. Separate queues are marked for nationals, visa-free visitors, e-Visa holders, and visa-on-arrival applicants.

1
Immigration Control
Present passport and visa document. Officers scan fingerprints and take a digital photograph.
2
Baggage Claim
Collect checked luggage from the designated carousel. Monitors display flight numbers.
3
Customs Inspection
Choose the green channel if you have nothing to declare, or the red channel otherwise. Officers may conduct random bag checks.

Documents to Have Ready

Passport
Must be valid for at least six months from date of entry and contain at least two blank pages.
e-Visa approval (if applicable)
Printed copy presented together with passport.
Return/onward ticket
Airline e-ticket or bus ticket out of Mozambique, checked more strictly at land borders.
Accommodation confirmation
Hotel, lodge, or Airbnb booking for at least the first night.
Yellow Fever Certificate
Required if arriving from or transiting through a yellow fever risk country.

Tips for Smooth Entry

Complete arrival cards on the plane to avoid queues.
Have printouts of accommodation and onward travel. Mobile phone reception can be slow.
Keep small denominations of USD or ZAR for the visa-on-arrival fee if you are not eligible for e-Visa.

Customs & Duty-Free

Mozambique customs allows personal effects and modest gifts duty-free. Exceeding allowances triggers payment of import duty at the red channel.

Alcohol
1 litre of spirits and 2.25 litres of wine
Only travelers 18 years and older qualify.
Tobacco
200 cigarettes or 250 g of other tobacco products
Age restriction 18+.
Currency
Declaration required for cash above USD 5,000 equivalent
Fill in a form available at customs counters before approaching the officer.
Gifts/Goods
Value up to USD 500 per person
Excludes personal electronics already in use.

Prohibited Items

  • Narcotics and illegal drugs
  • Pornographic material
  • Counterfeit currency
  • Endangered wildlife products (ivory, rhino horn)

Restricted Items

  • Firearms & ammunition, need police permit issued in advance
  • Fresh meat and dairy, veterinary certificate required
  • Plant material, phytosanitary certificate required

Health Requirements

Mozambique requires proof of yellow fever vaccination for arrivals from endemic zones. Routine vaccinations should be up to date regardless of recent travel history.

Required Vaccinations

  • Yellow Fever (if arriving from or transiting through Angola, DR Congo, Uganda, etc.)

Recommended Vaccinations

  • Hepatitis A
  • Typhoid
  • Hepatitis B
  • Rabies (for long stays or animal contact)
  • Malaria prophylaxis

Health Insurance

No mandatory cover. But complete travel insurance that includes medical evacuation is strongly recommended because facilities outside Maputo are limited.

Current Health Requirements: COVID-19 PCR or antigen testing requirements were lifted in September 2022; however, airlines may still ask for proof. Check the Ministry of Health website before departure.

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Read our complete Mozambique Travel Insurance Guide →

Important Contacts

Essential resources for your trip.

Embassy/Consulate
Find your country's embassy or consulate
Check your government's travel advisory website
Immigration Authority
Official immigration website
evisa.gov.mz for e-Visa applications and official policy updates
Emergency
Emergency services number
Dial 119 for police, 117 for ambulance, 198 for fire services anywhere in Mozambique

Special Situations

Additional requirements for specific circumstances.

Traveling with Children

Single parents or guardians need a notarized consent letter from the non-traveling parent(s) plus an unabridged birth certificate. Both documents must be in Portuguese or officially translated.

Traveling with Pets

Obtain an import permit from the Mozambican veterinary authority (MICOA) at least 14 days in advance. Pets need a current rabies vaccination certificate and a veterinary health certificate issued within 7 days of travel.

Extended Stays

Tourist visas can be extended twice for 30 days each at provincial immigration offices. For longer stays, apply for a temporary residence permit in Maputo after arrival. This process may take 4, 6 weeks.

Know What to Pack

Climate-specific clothing, travel documents, electronics, and gear, with shopping links for every item.

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