High commission
High commission of South Africa in Zambia
26D Cheetah Road
Zambia visa requirements for South African citizens
South African citizens do not need a visa for Zambia. Show your passport at the border and stay up to 90 days.
Passport
ZAF
South Africa
Going to
ZMB
Zambia
No visa needed
People from listed countries can visit without a visa.
- Visa
- Not required
- Max stay
- 90 days (3 months)
- Fee
- Free
- Last updated
- 11 November 2026
What to do
Check your passport is valid for the whole stay, ideally six months beyond it.
Carry proof of onward travel and of funds; border officers can ask for both.
Note the maximum stay and count your days in Zambia.
Ways into Zambia
Tourists can stay up to 90 days in 365 days.
Visa not required For your passportVisa-free tourist stayPeople from listed countries can visit without a visa.
- Stay
- 90 days
- Fee
- Free
How to apply
- Check that your nationality is on the visa-free list.
- Show your passport and travel documents on arrival.
- Check the stay stamped in your passport.
Documents required
- Passport valid 180 days from entry
- 3 full blank passport pages
- Return flight ticket for air arrivals
- Your stamp may allow fewer than 90 days within the 365-day limit.
- Land and water arrivals need enough money for their stay and departure.
Sources (18)Last updated 11 November 2026
- Department of Immigration: visitor entry and visa classes
- Department of Immigration: visa-exempt nationalities
- Department of Immigration: visas on arrival or at missions
- Department of Immigration: approval required before travel
- Department of Immigration hosted site: arrival, departure and airport transit
- Department of Immigration hosted site: purpose-specific document checklists
- Department of Immigration: KAZA UNIVISA
- Department of Immigration: permit descriptions
- Department of Immigration: permit requirements
- Department of Immigration: visa and permit fee table
- Department of Immigration: fee notice effective August 2024
- Department of Immigration: guide to visas and permits
- Official Zambia eServices visa and permit portal
- Ministry of Home Affairs: Immigration and electronic visa guidance
- Zambia Embassy in Washington: visa applications
- Zambia Embassy in Washington: 2025 visa application instructions
- Zambia Mission in New Delhi: visa information
- Ministry of Tourism: Ghana–Zambia visa-free agreement, February 2026
Embassies for this trip
For lost passports and emergencies.
Coming from South Africa
- Plugs C D GAdapter for some
- MoneyZMW ZK
- TimeSame timeSame as home
- DrivingOn the leftSame as home
- LanguageEnglishSpoken at home too
- Emergency999 police
Planning your Zambia trip
Best time to go: May to August is the cool, dry season. Visit early for birdwatching and Victoria Falls at high water, or later for easier wildlife viewing as the bush dries out.
- Victoria FallsThis major waterfall lies on the border with Zimbabwe and is a World Heritage Site.
- South Luangwa National ParkA popular safari park with a large and varied wildlife population.
- North Luangwa National ParkA quieter park known for large buffalo herds and groups of lions.
- Lower Zambezi National ParkA remote wilderness area with limited development and few dirt roads.
Scams to watch for in Zambia
- Inflated taxi faresDrivers negotiate fares because taxis have no meters. An opening quote can be much higher than the amount the driver will accept. Taxis directly outside Lusaka's airport terminal charge much more than rides found beyond the car park.
- High opening prices from vendorsSellers without posted prices may start at around twice what they will accept. This is often normal bargaining rather than fraud, but an inexperienced visitor can pay far more than necessary.
- Street money-changing scamA street exchange may look attractive, but groups offering to change money are specifically linked to scams. The exact method is not described.
About Zambia
Zambia is a landlocked republic in Southern Africa, on the upper Zambezi river and its plateau.
- Capital
- Lusaka
- Money
- Zambian kwacha (ZK)
- Languages
- English
- Time zone
- UTC+02:00
- Cars drive on the
- left side
- Calling code
- +260
Other Africa passports
Going to Zambia
Easier trips nearby
Places close to Zambia with simpler entry for you.
Questions
Do south african citizens need a visa for Zambia?
South African citizens do not need a visa for Zambia. Show your passport at the border and stay up to 90 days.
How long can south african citizens stay in Zambia?
Up to 90 days each visit with the no visa needed rule. Staying longer can mean a fine or a ban from coming back.
Do zambian citizens need a visa for South Africa?
Zambian citizens do not need a visa for South Africa. Show your passport at the border and stay up to 90 days.
Do other Africa passports get easier entry to Zambia?
Angola, Botswana, Cape Verde, Comoros Eswatini, and 5 more can enter without applying before they travel.
Which countries near Zambia are easier for south african citizens?
Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique Réunion, and 3 more let south african citizens in without applying before travel.
What should I carry to Zambia?
Check your passport is valid for the whole stay, ideally six months beyond it. Carry proof of onward travel and of funds; border officers can ask for both.
What money is used in Zambia?
Zambian kwacha (ZK). Carry some cash for arrival, especially if a visa fee is paid at the border.
What language do people speak in Zambia?
English.
How strong is the South Africa passport?
It ranks #51 and reaches 91 destinations without applying ahead.
Reviewed by @snuck