30 Day Tourist Visas now available at Borders for all Visitors

Selecting Mozambique as a travel destination has become that much easier after the recent announcement by the Mozambique government that all visitors to the country are now eligible to obtain visas at borders equipped with the necessary equipment to issue biometric visas.  This is a great breakthrough as there has been a lot of confusion over the past several years after the announcement that visitors with a Mozambique embassy or consulate in their home country should obtain their visas prior to traveling to Mozambique.  Contrary to this ruling, visitors have been able to secure their visas at borders although there were incidents at Maputo Airport were tourists were turned back due to confusion with the interpretation of the law.

The uncertainty of securing a visa, the risk in being turned away on arrival and reported poor service from some internationally based embassies and consulates had a severely negative impact on Mozambique’s reputation as a tourism destination which led to many travellers deciding to travel to other countries.  The availability of visas to all travellers is therefore seen as a major breakthrough by stakeholders in the Mozambique tourism industry.

The new announcement by the government of Mozambique also states that High Commissions and Consulates will no longer be issuing any 30-day tourist visas which reinforces that all visitors, irrespective if they have any Mozambique representation in their country of residence, will be able to secure their visa on arrival at the border.

There are now a total of 44 borders with equipment to issue biometric visas to visitors.  These borders include the following major tourist destinations / border crossings: Maputo Airport, Inhambane Airport, Vilanculos Airport, Beira Airport, Nampula Airport, Nacala Airport, Pemba Airport, Ponta do Ouro Border (Mozambique/South Africa), Goba Border (Mozambique/Swaziland), Namaacha Border (Mozambique/Swaziland), Ressano Garcia Border (Mozambique/South Africa) and Giriyondo Border (Mozambique/South Africa).

(written by Barbara Kuhn)