Zimbabwe visa options for France passport holders
Tourist / short stay
Visa on arrival
Get the visa at the border on entry.
Visa types & longer-stay routes for Zimbabwe
Rules are written for non-Zimbabwean foreign nationals; the eVisa requirement depends on your nationality's classification under Zimbabwe's Category A (visa-free), B (visa-on-arrival/eVisa) or C (visa required in advance) lists.
- Most nomadsTourist
Tourist eVisa / Visa on Arrival
Up to 30 days per entry; single, double or multiple entry. Category B nationals can also obtain this on arrival.
- Insurance
- RecommendedNot required — no source found mandating travel or health insurance for entry. Recommended given limited public healthcare; verify.
- Good for
- Travellers visiting Zimbabwe for tourism, sightseeing (e.g. Victoria Falls), or visiting friends and family. Does not permit any paid work or business activity.
- Requirement
- Passport valid 6+ months with blank pages, digital photo, accommodation booking and onward/return ticket; proof of funds (an approx. US$50/day guideline is cited by visa agents). Yellow-fever certificate if arriving from an endemic country.
- Business
Business eVisa
Stated as up to ~30 days per entry on a 30- or 90-day-validity eVisa; single or double entry. Verify current terms.
- Insurance
- RecommendedNot required per sources found. Recommended; verify.
- Good for
- Foreign nationals attending business meetings, negotiations or conferences/seminars (a separate conference eVisa class also exists). Not for taking up employment.
- Requirement
- Valid passport, photo and supporting business documentation (e.g. invitation/business letter); applied for online via the eVisa portal.
- Work
Temporary Employment Permit (TEP)
Sources vary — commonly cited as up to 3 years, extendable up to a maximum of 5 years with Chief Immigration Officer approval (some agency sources cite shorter 12-month terms). Verify.
- Insurance
- OptionalNot required per sources found; no mandatory health insurance specified.
- Good for
- Foreign nationals with a genuine job offer from a Zimbabwean employer; the employer initiates and justifies the appointment. The work and residence application are combined.
- Requirement
- Job offer, labour-market justification, CV, academic/professional qualifications, police clearance (not older than 6 months), and in some cases medical/radiological reports or proof of professional registration. Fee approx. US$500 (varies).
- Study
Student / Scholars Permit
Tied to the duration of study; specific cap not stated in sources — verify.
- Insurance
- OptionalNot required per sources found.
- Good for
- Foreign students enrolled at an approved Zimbabwean educational institution (separate higher/tertiary 'student' and school-age 'scholars' classes).
- Requirement
- Acceptance/admission letter, Ministry of Education clearance, police clearance (not older than 6 months), radiological certificate, photos and proof of fee payment/accommodation. Fee cited around US$200 plus ~US$300 per dependent. Verify.
- Residence
Investor / Business Residence Permit
Residence permit tied to the investment; duration not consistently stated in sources — verify.
- Insurance
- OptionalNot required per sources found.
- Good for
- Foreign nationals making a significant financial investment or establishing business operations in Zimbabwe.
- Requirement
- Project proposal, banking history and proof of funds, company documents (e.g. CR6/CR12/CR14, ZIDA licence, ZIMRA tax clearance), police clearance (not older than 6 months) and a radiological certificate. Fee cited around US$500 plus ~US$300 per dependent (some sources cite higher). Verify.
- Residence
Permanent Residence Permit
Indefinite, but status can lapse after a continuous absence of 12+ months unless documented exceptions apply.
- Insurance
- OptionalNot required per sources found.
- Good for
- Long-term residents who qualify — e.g. those who have lawfully lived in Zimbabwe for over five years, spouses of citizens/permanent residents, or qualifying investors.
- Requirement
- Evidence of qualifying long-term residence or relationship (e.g. marriage certificate for spouse route), guarantor/support and accommodation proof, police clearance and a radiological certificate.
- Transit
Transit eVisa
Short transit only — cited as up to ~7 days, single entry, on a 30-day-validity authorisation. Verify.
- Insurance
- OptionalNot required per sources found.
- Good for
- Travellers passing through Zimbabwe en route to another destination.
- Requirement
- Valid passport, onward travel documentation; applied for online via the eVisa portal.
Figures are sourced from Zimbabwe's eVisa portal, the Department of Immigration and immigration-law firms; fees, durations and category lists change, so verify on evisa.gov.zw before travel. Last checked: 2026-06.
Last verified June 2026
Visa-free isn’t insurance-free
Whatever route you take into Zimbabwe, your entry stamp never includes health cover. Many longer-stay visas also require proof of insurance before they’re granted. That part is on you — and it’s what we actually do.
France → Zimbabwe: frequently asked
- Do France passport holders need a visa to visit Zimbabwe?
- Visa on arrival. Get the visa at the border on entry. Always confirm with the official source before booking.
- Can a France passport holder live or work long-term in Zimbabwe?
- Yes, via a long-stay visa. Zimbabwe has 7 documented visa types covering work, study, residence and — where it exists — digital-nomad routes.
- Do I need travel insurance for Zimbabwe?
- Entry to Zimbabwe never includes health cover, so travel medical insurance is strongly recommended.
Last updated
Visa rules can change at short notice and depend on your purpose of travel, length of stay and onward tickets. Always confirm with the destination’s embassy or the IATA Travel Centre before you book. Visa-free entry never includes travel health insurance. That’s still on you.