Anger over Zambian visa costs

We’ve been contacted by several travellers angry at the recent increase in the cost of an entry visa for Zambia.

Last month, the cost of a single-entry visa for UK nationals more than doubled from £33 to £75. A multiple-entry visa went up from £35 to a whopping £245.

The Zambian government also abolished the fee-waiver visa, where travellers on a package tour with a foreign operator or a local company were exempt from paying for a visa.

The cost has also increased for US visitors, who now pay US$135 for a single-entry visa.

However, travellers from other European countries are paying just US$50 for a single-entry visa or US$160 for multiple-entry.

The Zambia National Tourist Board (ZNTB) told us that the increases were “because the Zambian government has applied the principal of reciprocity”. Zambian citizens currently have to pay the equivalent of £73 for a UK visa.

The ZNTB denied the increased charges were an attempt to capitalise on the continuing instability in neighbouring Zimbabwe. 

If you’re just popping into Zambia from a neighbouring country to see Victoria Falls, you can pay US$10 for a day-tripper visa. But if you're planning a longer stay, make sure you've budgeted for the border.

What do you think of Zambia's higher visa charges? Do you think other countries charge too much? Have your say on goWander.com

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