Zimbabwe eVisa Cost: Single vs Double Entry Fees in USD and GBP
In 2026, the Zimbabwe eVisa cost for UK passport holders is $55 USD for single entry and $70 USD for double entry. The fee is charged in US dollars; the pound amount depends on the exchange rate on the day you pay. The regional KAZA UniVisa covers Zimbabwe and Zambia for $50 USD. Applying directly on the government portal avoids commercial agency service fees and VAT on top of the visa price.
This guide is for British tourists budgeting the visa before booking flights. We're an independent travel information site, not a government service - you apply and pay yourself on the official portal, evisa.gov.zw.
Who Pays What: Category B Rules for UK Citizens
As a UK passport holder, you fall under Zimbabwe's Category B: you can enter with either an eVisa arranged online or a visa on arrival (VoA) at the border. Category A nationals travel visa-free, while Category C nationals must obtain their visa before travelling, applying in advance online.
Before anything else, check your passport. It needs six months' validity from the date you arrive and at least three blank pages for stamps and full-page visa stickers, per FCDO travel advice. If your pages are full, you risk being refused entry.
Why UK Passport Holders Pay More
British and Irish passport holders pay $55 single / $70 double, a higher rate than most other Category B nationalities. Those nationals - including US and EU citizens - pay the standard $30 single / $45 double, so don't budget from general travel forums quoting those lower rates; they don't apply to your passport.
The Full Price List in USD and GBP
Here's the complete 2026 fee schedule for a British passport.
| Visa type | Entries | USD fee | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Entry | One | $55 | 1 month |
| Double Entry | Two | $70 | 3 months |
| Multiple Entry | Unlimited | $90 | 6 months |
| KAZA UniVisa | Zimbabwe + Zambia | $50 | 30 days |
The $15 jump from single to double is only worth paying if you'll leave and re-enter Zimbabwe once. The government portal lists a Multiple Entry visa on arrival for UK, US and Canadian passports, but it cannot be obtained at the border in practice, so applying for the eVisa in advance is the reliable route.
Travelling with Children: Full Adult Fees Apply
Zimbabwe removed child exemptions. Every minor and infant on a UK passport pays 100% of the adult fee - $55 single, $70 double. A family of two adults and two children pays $220 for single-entry visas alone.
eVisa vs Visa on Arrival: Same Fee, Different Risks
The government fee is identical either way - $55 or $70. What differs is convenience and risk. With an approved eVisa your details are already in the system, so the passport check at arrivals is quicker, and you've already paid digitally. With a VoA, you queue at the immigration window and pay in USD cash, because card machines at the border are unreliable.
| Factor | eVisa (online, in advance) | Visa on arrival |
|---|---|---|
| Government fee | $55 / $70 | $55 / $70 |
| Payment | Digital, before travel | USD cash at the window |
| Processing time | 7 working days | At the border desk |
| Queue risk | Details already in the system, faster clearance | Form and payment handled at the counter |
| Card machine risk | None - paid upfront | Machines often unreliable |
The official eVisa portal quotes an average of seven working days and recommends applying at least three weeks before departure. If you're short on time, the VoA route still works - just bring the right cash.
Approved Airports and Land Crossings
Both entry methods work at the three international airports: Robert Gabriel Mugabe (Harare), Victoria Falls (VFA) and Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo (Bulawayo). Approved land border posts include Beitbridge, Kazungula, Victoria Falls, Chirundu, Forbes-Mutare, Kariba, Nyamapanda and Plumtree.
KAZA UniVisa vs Double Entry: The $20 Saving
If Victoria Falls is on your itinerary, you'll probably want to cross to Livingstone in Zambia. That's where the KAZA UniVisa can be the cheaper option: it costs $50, covers both countries for 30 days, and allows unlimited Zimbabwe - Zambia crossings, undercutting even a single-entry Zimbabwe visa, let alone the $70 double. Because British passport holders no longer need a Zambian visa, however, officers may decline to issue it, so confirm on the portal before relying on it.
- Victoria Falls plus Livingstone - buy KAZA at $50.
- Zimbabwe only, with one re-entry - buy Double Entry at $70.
- Zimbabwe only, no re-entry - buy Single Entry at $55.
- Day trip to Botswana via Kazungula - KAZA still covers you.
One practical caveat: the KAZA visa is not always available at border posts, so do not count on getting it on the day.
The Botswana Trap: Overnight Stays Void Your Visa
Day trips to Chobe National Park preserve your KAZA UniVisa. An overnight stay in Botswana doesn't - it voids the visa, and you'll need a new single-entry Zimbabwe visa ($55) on your way back. A family of four planning a Chobe overnight could pay $200 in KAZA visas plus $220 in re-entry visas: $420 instead of the $200 they budgeted. If Botswana overnighting is in your plan, price a Double Entry or Multiple Entry visa against that risk.
Hidden Agency Fees and The True Cost in GBP
Search "Zimbabwe visa" and you'll find polished commercial sites charging well over the government fee per person. The markup structure is consistent: a service fee on top of the government charge, plus 20% UK VAT on that fee.
| Cost item | Direct, solo |
|---|---|
| Government fee | $55 |
| Agency handling fee | None |
| VAT on service (20%) | None |
| Total per person | $55 |
Agencies file the same application with the Department of Immigration, which quotes an average of seven working days. To spot an intermediary, check whether the domain is .gov.zw; the Department of Immigration warns travellers against third-party visa application platforms. An agency is not a scam, but it charges a fee for a form you can submit yourself.
Applying and Paying: Pitfalls and Cash Rules
One typo can cost you the entire fee. An application cannot be amended online once submitted and fees are not refunded: if your details do not match your passport the eVisa is invalid, and you must either contact the Immigration Department or submit and pay for a new application. The Department of Immigration also reserves the right to reclassify your visa type during processing, which can change the final cost.
Check dates and names against your passport.
Your passport's biographical page scan and a digital passport photo.
Plus your return ticket.
A previous Zimbabwe visa copy and a yellow fever certificate.
Then print the approval letter sent to your email.
If you're paying on arrival instead, bring enough US dollars in small notes, as change is rarely available and card machines at the border are unreliable. Also know the cash limits: declare imports of $10,000 or more, and don't export more than $2,000 in cash without a declaration. If you extend your stay, extensions are handled in person at the Zimbabwe Immigration Department, which sets the applicable fee.
Common Mistakes That Cost Travellers Extra
- Buying Double Entry when KAZA covers the trip - you'll overpay $20 per person; check the decision list above first.
- Assuming children travel free - they don't; budget the full adult fee for every child and infant.
- Paying extra for 'express' handling - the Department of Immigration quotes an average of seven working days regardless of who files the application.
- Bringing only large notes - change is rarely available at the immigration desk, so carry small US dollar notes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much does a Zimbabwe eVisa cost for UK citizens?
$55 USD single entry and $70 USD double entry, with no intermediary charges when you apply directly. The KAZA UniVisa covering Zimbabwe and Zambia is $50 USD.
Is it cheaper to apply for a Zimbabwe eVisa online or pay for a visa on arrival?
No - the government fee is identical either way: $55 or $70 USD. The eVisa removes card terminal risk at the border and shortens the queue. Apply at least three weeks ahead.
Can I pay the Zimbabwe visa on arrival fee with a British debit or credit card?
Card payment on arrival is possible at the main ports of entry, but card machines are widely reported as unreliable, so officers often ask for cash. Carry enough US dollars in small notes, because change is rarely available.
Which US dollar notes should I bring for the Zimbabwe visa on arrival?
Small denominations are the safe choice: immigration desks rarely hold change, so bring enough in small notes to cover the exact fee for each traveller in your group.
Do babies and children pay the full Zimbabwe visa fee?
Yes. Zimbabwe removed child exemptions, so every minor and infant on a UK passport pays 100% of the adult rate: $55 single or $70 double. A family of four pays $220 for single-entry visas.
What is the cost difference between a Double Entry visa and a KAZA UniVisa?
The KAZA UniVisa costs $50 USD and covers both Zimbabwe and Zambia for 30 days with unlimited crossings. A Double Entry visa costs $70 USD and covers Zimbabwe only, twice. For Victoria Falls plus Livingstone, KAZA saves $20 per person - but a Botswana overnight voids it.
Can I get a refund if my Zimbabwe eVisa application has a typo or is rejected?
No. Refunds are not issued for unused or refused applications, and you cannot amend an application online after submitting it. If your details do not match your passport, the eVisa is invalid: contact the Zimbabwe Immigration Department, or submit a new application and pay the fee again.
Where do I apply for a Zimbabwe eVisa and how long does processing take?
Apply on the official government portal, evisa.gov.zw. Processing averages seven working days, and the government recommends applying at least three weeks before departure. You'll receive the Visa Approval Letter by email to print and present at the border.
Sources and Further Reading
- evisa.gov.zw - the official Zimbabwe eVisa application portal, with current fees, processing times and document requirements.
- Zimbabwe eVisa FAQs - official answers on processing windows, the three-week application recommendation and the non-refund policy.
- FCDO Zimbabwe entry requirements - UK government advice on passport validity, blank pages, ports of entry and cash limits.
- Home Office visa fee finder - UK visa application fees for applicants in Zimbabwe.
Rules and fees can change, so confirm current details on the official portal before you travel.