🇲🇿 Mozambique visa requirements

Most passports need a visa for Mozambique, but a few get lucky with visa-on-arrival. Don't assume you're one of them.

Who gets a visa-free pass to Mozambique?

Short answer: not many. If you hold a passport from USA, UK, Canada, Australia, or any EU country, you'll need to sort out a visa beforehand. This usually means applying through a Mozambican embassy or consulate in your home country or a nearby one. It's not difficult, but it adds a bureaucratic hoop to jump through before you even book your flight.

Then there's a small group who get the visa-on-arrival treatment. This includes citizens of countries like South Africa, Eswatini, and Tanzania. You can get your visa stamped directly at the airport or border crossing. The fee for this is typically around $50 USD, payable in cash. Always have the exact amount or close to it. A third group, for whom a visa is strictly required before travel, includes a much longer list of nationalities. If your country isn't listed above or you're unsure, assume you need to apply in advance.

How long can you actually stay, and what are the traps?

Standard tourist visas for Mozambique are usually issued for 30 days. This can often be extended, but the process isn't always straightforward and can require a trip to the immigration office. This is where things get tricky. If you plan a longer stay, research the extension process thoroughly before you arrive.

The real gotcha is around exit stamps and multiple entries. If you leave Mozambique and plan to re-enter, you might run into issues if your initial visa wasn't set up for multiple entries. Some border guards are stricter than others. Overstaying is a serious no-no. Penalties are steep. Expect fines that can run into hundreds of dollars, potentially coupled with detention or deportation. While specific daily fines vary, a common rate cited is around $100 USD per day for overstays, but this can escalate quickly. It's not worth the risk.

Can you work remotely on a tourist visa?

Officially, no. Working on a tourist visa in Mozambique is a legal grey area, and authorities might not actively police it for short-term remote workers. You won't typically see immigration officers asking about your laptop or Wi-Fi usage. However, the visa stamp explicitly states "tourism" or "visit." If you're questioned, especially during a longer stay or if you draw attention, you could face issues.

The reality on the ground is that many digital nomads do work remotely from Mozambique without specific work permits, especially from places like the popular beaches south of Maputo. Enforcement seems lax for individuals not engaging in formal employment within Mozambique. But remember, this is not a legal endorsement. If you plan to stay for an extended period or are concerned about compliance, investigate options for longer-term visas or specific remote work permits if they become available.

What's new with Mozambique visas?

Mozambique has been slowly rolling out an eVisa system, primarily for tourism. This is a massive step forward, aiming to streamline the application process and reduce reliance on embassies. The eVisa is generally for single-entry, 30-day stays, and the application is done entirely online. Fees for the eVisa are usually comparable to the visa-on-arrival or standard visa fees, around $50-$70 USD.

The availability of the eVisa can fluctuate, and it's not always guaranteed for all nationalities or all entry points. Always check the official government portal or a trusted visa service for the latest information before you travel. While the eVisa is the future, it's crucial to verify its current status and applicability to your specific situation. Some older visa processes might still be in play, especially at certain land borders.