Zimbabwe and Botswana revise visa entry policies for African nationals

Zimbabwe announced an updated 2026 visa‑on‑arrival scheme that allows citizens of nine African countries – Algeria, Burundi, Cape Verde, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Senegal – to obtain visas at ports of entry. The policy offers single‑entry (one month), double‑entry (three months) and multiple‑entry visas (six months for UK, US and Canada citizens) and aims to simplify travel, boost tourism and encourage business visits. Notably, major African economies such as Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa remain excluded and must follow standard visa procedures.

Botswana released its own visa‑free entry list, granting visa exemption to only 15 African nations, including South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Seychelles and Mauritius. Citizens of other African countries must apply for visas, providing documentation such as passport copies, travel itineraries and, where relevant, proof of employment. The broader visa‑free roster also covers more than 100 non‑African countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Germany, France and Japan. Both countries cite tourism promotion and border‑management improvements as drivers of the new rules.