Zambia visa options for United Kingdom passport holders

Visa types & longer-stay routes for Zambia

Rules are written for ordinary-passport foreign nationals generally; entry requirements differ sharply by nationality — 167 countries (incl. US, UK, Germany, France) are now visa-exempt while others must obtain an eVisa or visa on arrival, so always verify your specific passport.

• Most nomadsTourist

  Tourist / Visitor entry (visa-free or eVisa)

  Up to 90 free days within any 12-month period from first entry (often granted in shorter blocks, extendable free at immigration offices).

  Insurance

  RecommendedNot required — no health or travel insurance is mandated for entry per the Department of Immigration; travel/medical cover strongly recommended.

  Good for

  Holidaymakers and short-stay visitors; nationals of 167 visa-exempt countries (incl. US, UK, Germany, France) enter without a visa, others apply for an eVisa or visa on arrival.

  Requirement

  Passport valid 6+ months with 3 blank pages, proof of accommodation/hotel booking and a return ticket or sufficient funds; visa-required nationals pay single-entry US$25 / double US$40 / multiple US$75 (90-day validity).

• Tourist

  KAZA UniVisa (regional tourism)

  Valid up to 30 days while travelling within Zambia and Zimbabwe (day-trips to Botswana via Kazungula allowed).

  Insurance

  RecommendedNot required — no insurance condition stated; travel cover recommended.

  Good for

  Tourists combining Zambia and Zimbabwe (e.g. Victoria Falls) on one multiple-entry document; available to eligible nationalities.

  Requirement

  Hotel booking and return ticket; obtained online (eVisa) or at select ports incl. Kenneth Kaunda Int'l Airport, Victoria Falls and Kazungula borders. Fee approx US$50 (verify).

• Business

  Business Visa

  Issued as single/double/multiple-entry visa valid 90 days; business visits beyond 30 days require a Temporary Employment Permit.

  Insurance

  RecommendedNot required — no insurance requirement stated by the Department of Immigration; cover recommended.

  Good for

  Foreign nationals attending meetings, conferences or short-term commercial activities — not employment.

  Requirement

  Cover letter on company letterhead and an invitation letter from the host company in Zambia.

• Work

  Temporary Employment Permit

  Up to 6 months within any 12-month period.

  Insurance

  RecommendedNot required — no health insurance condition stated; cover recommended.

  Good for

  Business visitors or short-term workers needing to stay beyond the 30-day business window but less than a full employment posting.

  Requirement

  Support letter from the sponsoring business institution; prescribed fee (amount not published — verify with Immigration).

• Work

  Employment Permit

  Issued for the contract period and extendable up to a maximum of 10 years.

  Insurance

  OptionalNot required by immigration rules — no health insurance condition stated; employer-provided or private medical cover advisable.

  Good for

  Foreign nationals taking up paid employment in Zambia for more than 6 months (government, private sector, NGO or religious organisation).

  Requirement

  Valid employment contract with a Zambian employer; prescribed fee (amount not published).

• Study

  Study Permit

  Issued for the course and renewable annually.

  Insurance

  RecommendedNot required — a medical report is required but health insurance is not mandated; private medical cover recommended.

  Good for

  Foreign nationals enrolled full-time or part-time at a Zambian educational institution.

  Requirement

  Letter of acceptance from the institution and a medical report from a Zambian government health facility; prescribed fee.

• Residence

  Investor's / Self-Employment Permit

  Renewable; holding it for 3+ continuous years is a pathway to a 10-year Residence Permit.

  Insurance

  RecommendedNot required — no insurance condition stated by the Department of Immigration; private medical cover recommended.

  Good for

  Foreign nationals (18+) establishing or investing in a Zambian business and intending to reside there.

  Requirement

  Proof of personal investment of approx US$250,000 for a new business or approx US$150,000 to join an existing company; ongoing tax clearance and annual audited accounts.

• Residence

  Residence Permit (long-term / permanent residence)

  Valid 10 years; lapses if the holder is absent from Zambia for 12+ months or fails to enter within 6 months of issue.

  Insurance

  RecommendedNot required — no insurance condition stated; private medical cover recommended.

  Good for

  Long-settled foreign nationals — e.g. those who held an Employment Permit for 10+ continuous years, an Investor's Permit for 3+ years, or a Spouse Permit for 5+ years.

  Requirement

  Evidence of the qualifying prior permit and continuous-stay period; prescribed fee.

• Transit

  Transit Visa

  Maximum 7 days.

  Insurance

  RecommendedNot required — no insurance condition stated; cover recommended.

  Good for

  Visa-required nationals passing through Zambia, typically by land transport.

  Requirement

  Onward travel documentation; valid passport. (Commercial truck crews exhausting business days use a separate Transit Permit, valid 1 year, renewable once.)

Durations, fees and investment thresholds are drawn from the Zambia Department of Immigration; confirm your nationality's status and current fees before travel. Last checked: 2026-06.

Last verified June 2026

United Kingdom → Zambia: frequently asked

Do United Kingdom passport holders need a visa to visit Zambia?

Visa-free · up to 90 days. Enter without a visa, usually for a set number of days. Always confirm with the official source before booking.

Can a United Kingdom passport holder live or work long-term in Zambia?

Yes, via a long-stay visa. Zambia has 9 documented visa types covering work, study, residence and — where it exists — digital-nomad routes.

Do I need travel insurance for Zambia?

Entry to Zambia never includes health cover, so travel medical insurance is strongly recommended.