Africa Visa Requirements
Every African country has its own rules — some let you in with just a passport, others want an e-visa, a yellow fever certificate or an embassy visit. Here’s what to know before you fly.
Visa types you’ll see
No visa required for many western passport holders. Entry stamps are issued at the border.
Purchase a visa at the port of entry. Carry the exact fee in US dollars and a passport-sized photo.
Apply online before you fly. Approvals typically take 3 to 10 working days. Print and carry confirmation.
Visa must be obtained from an embassy or consulate before travel. Allow several weeks for processing.
Multi-country tip
The KAZA Univisa
For travelers combining Victoria Falls with safaris in Zambia or Zimbabwe, the KAZA Univisa is one of Africa’s smartest deals. A single USD 50 visa covers both countries for 30 days and allows day trips into Botswana through the Kazungula border. Available on arrival at Vic Falls, Livingstone, Lusaka, Harare and Kazungula.
Quick facts
- Cost
- USD 50
- Validity
- 30 days
- Entries
- Multi (Zam/Zim)
- Where to buy
- On arrival
Visa rules by country
Policies below apply to most US, UK, EU, Canadian and Australian passport holders. Other nationalities can vary — confirm with the official embassy before booking.
Southern Africa
| Country | Type | Stay | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa | Visa Free | Up to 90 days | Free | Visa-free for US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia and most Commonwealth passports. Two blank passport pages required. |
| Namibia | Visa on Arrival | Up to 90 days | USD 75 to 100 | From April 2025 most non-African passport holders pay a visa-on-arrival fee. Verify the current list before travel. |
| Botswana | Visa Free | Up to 90 days | Free | Visa-free for over 100 nationalities including US, UK, EU, Canada and Australia. |
| Zambia | e-Visa | 30 days, single entry | USD 50 (single) / USD 80 (double) | KAZA Univisa (USD 50) covers Zambia and Zimbabwe with day trips into Botswana from Kazungula. |
| Zimbabwe | e-Visa | 30 days | USD 30 (single) / USD 45 (double) | Available on arrival at major ports for most travelers. KAZA Univisa accepted at Vic Falls and Harare airports. |
| Mozambique | e-Visa | 30 days | USD 50 | e-Visa launched 2022 and is now the smoothest option. Visa on arrival also available at major airports and borders. |
| Lesotho | Visa Free | Up to 14 days | Free | Visa-free for most Western passport holders. Easily extended in Maseru. Cross-border from South Africa is straightforward. |
| Malawi | e-Visa | 30 days | USD 75 | Apply online at evisa.gov.mw at least one week before travel. Carry the printed approval to the airport. |
| eSwatini | Visa Free | Up to 30 days | Free | Visa-free for most Western travelers. Most enter overland from South Africa or Mozambique. |
South Africa
Visa-free for US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia and most Commonwealth passports. Two blank passport pages required.
Namibia
From April 2025 most non-African passport holders pay a visa-on-arrival fee. Verify the current list before travel.
Botswana
Visa-free for over 100 nationalities including US, UK, EU, Canada and Australia.
Zambia
KAZA Univisa (USD 50) covers Zambia and Zimbabwe with day trips into Botswana from Kazungula.
Zimbabwe
Available on arrival at major ports for most travelers. KAZA Univisa accepted at Vic Falls and Harare airports.
Mozambique
e-Visa launched 2022 and is now the smoothest option. Visa on arrival also available at major airports and borders.
Lesotho
Visa-free for most Western passport holders. Easily extended in Maseru. Cross-border from South Africa is straightforward.
Malawi
Apply online at evisa.gov.mw at least one week before travel. Carry the printed approval to the airport.
eSwatini
Visa-free for most Western travelers. Most enter overland from South Africa or Mozambique.
East Africa
| Country | Type | Stay | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya | e-Visa | Up to 90 days (eTA) | USD 30 | Kenya replaced visas with an electronic travel authorization (eTA) in 2024. Apply at etakenya.go.ke. |
| Tanzania | e-Visa | 90 days | USD 50 (USD 100 for US) | e-Visa is recommended over visa on arrival to avoid airport queues. Zanzibar uses the same Tanzania visa. |
| Uganda | e-Visa | 90 days | USD 50 | East Africa Tourist Visa (USD 100) covers Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda for 90 days. |
| Rwanda | Visa on Arrival | 30 days | USD 50 | Visa-free for African Union, Commonwealth and Francophonie members. Visa on arrival for everyone else. |
| Ethiopia | e-Visa | 30 to 90 days | USD 52 to 202 | Apply at evisa.gov.et. Only available for arrivals at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. |
Kenya
Kenya replaced visas with an electronic travel authorization (eTA) in 2024. Apply at etakenya.go.ke.
Tanzania
e-Visa is recommended over visa on arrival to avoid airport queues. Zanzibar uses the same Tanzania visa.
Uganda
East Africa Tourist Visa (USD 100) covers Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda for 90 days.
Rwanda
Visa-free for African Union, Commonwealth and Francophonie members. Visa on arrival for everyone else.
Ethiopia
Apply at evisa.gov.et. Only available for arrivals at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.
North Africa
| Country | Type | Stay | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morocco | Visa Free | Up to 90 days | Free | Visa-free for US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia. Passport must be valid for six months beyond entry. |
| Egypt | e-Visa | 30 days | USD 25 | e-Visa at visa2egypt.gov.eg or buy on arrival at Cairo airport. South Sinai (Sharm) offers a free 15-day Sinai-only entry stamp. |
| Tunisia | Visa Free | Up to 90 days | Free | Visa-free for most Western passports. Carry proof of onward travel. |
Morocco
Visa-free for US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia. Passport must be valid for six months beyond entry.
Egypt
e-Visa at visa2egypt.gov.eg or buy on arrival at Cairo airport. South Sinai (Sharm) offers a free 15-day Sinai-only entry stamp.
Tunisia
Visa-free for most Western passports. Carry proof of onward travel.
West Africa
| Country | Type | Stay | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ghana | Embassy Application | 60 days | USD 60 to 100 | Apply at the Ghanaian embassy or consulate before travel. Yellow fever certificate required for entry. |
| Senegal | Visa Free | Up to 90 days | Free | Visa-free for US, UK, EU, Canada. Yellow fever vaccination required. |
| Nigeria | e-Visa | Up to 90 days | USD 160+ | Apply online at immigration.gov.ng. Requires letter of invitation and proof of accommodation. |
Ghana
Apply at the Ghanaian embassy or consulate before travel. Yellow fever certificate required for entry.
Senegal
Visa-free for US, UK, EU, Canada. Yellow fever vaccination required.
Nigeria
Apply online at immigration.gov.ng. Requires letter of invitation and proof of accommodation.
Before you fly
Four things that cause more visa headaches than the visa itself.
Passport validity
Most African countries require at least six months validity beyond your travel dates, plus two blank pages for stamps.
Cash for fees
Visa on arrival fees are paid in US dollars. Carry crisp, post-2009 notes in the exact amount. Damaged or older bills are routinely refused.
Proof of onward travel
Immigration officers can ask to see a return or onward ticket. Have it on your phone or printed before you reach the desk.
Yellow fever certificate
Required for entry into many African countries if you are arriving from a yellow fever zone. Some countries require it regardless of where you are flying from.
A note on accuracy. Visa policies change, sometimes overnight. Use this guide for planning, then confirm with the destination’s official embassy or e-visa portal a week or two before you travel.