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Zimbabwe Visa Information:
3. Valid passport
4. Cover letter on company letterhead (2) if traveling on business
5. Fees: Single Entry Visa per person - $60.00 Double Entry Visa per person - $75.00 Multiple Entry Visa per person - $95.00
Exceptions – for citizens of the following countries, visa fees are as follows: Canada - Single Entry Visa per person - $65.00 Ireland - Single Entry Visa per person - $75.00 United Kingdom - Double Entry Visa per person - $95.00 Fees are payable by MONEY ORDER or BANK DRAFT to Embassy of Zimbabwe – personal checks are not accepted
6. For return of passport, send a self-addressed, stamped USPS Express Mail envelope OR a self-addressed air bill, prepaid or with account number for DHL, Federal Express or UPS (also for the return of documents outside the US). We do not accept credit card numbers. If using one return envelope for multiple applications, indicate names of all applicants outside envelope Do not use certified/registered mail – if you use any other postage, documents will be held until proper postage is received
7. Processing time is 5 working days from receipt of application 8. Visas are valid for 6 months and are effective from date of issue 9. Incomplete applications will be returned unprocessed 10. Send all requirements to:
Embassy of Zimbabwe 1608 New Hampshire Ave., NW Washington, DC 20009
Walk-in applications are accepted Monday-Friday, 9am-12nn; pick-up is after 3 business days, 2:30-3:30pm.
OTHER IMMIGRATION INFORMATION Business Visitors Business visitors would be required to be in possession of all requirements as for Ordinary Visitors (holiday makers) and in addition to that, are restricted to a period of stay not exceeding six weeks (6). If there is need to continue as a business visitor at the expiry of this initial period, then a Temporary employment Permit covering the desired period should be applied for from the Chief Immigration Officer. Business visits may be granted to personnel coming on business for the following:
a. consultancy work b. installation and backup service for machiner purchased outside c. attending Board meetings d. assessing investment opportunities
There should be genuine supporting documents which should accompany the application for a visa.
Journalists Journalists should be placed on a journalistic Notice to Visitor(IF3) and be required to report within 24 hours to the Ministry of Information for for accreditation, should they be on a working visit. They should also comply with the normal entry requirements. If the journalist is coming as a holiday maker, he is to be facilitated on a “Notice to Visitor” and in this case, marking for his attention that working without the relevant permit is prohibited.
Investor Please visit the Zimbabwe Investment Authority website or e-mail them for information on Rules and Regulations for investors.
a. On showing proof of intended investment and the necessary documentation of approval from the Zimbabwe Investment Centre, an intending investor will be admitted on a Provisional Restriction Notice which requires subject to apply for a Residence Permit as an Investor. b. Diplomats and members of International Organizations are admitted on a diplomatic “Notice to Visitor” which requires them to report to Ministry of Foreign Affairs within 30 days for accreditation. Diplomats receive accreditation under section 15 (2) (e) and members of International Organizations under Section 30 (1) of the Immigration Act Chapter 4:02 Revised Edition 1996. c. Persons in transit are required to fully comply with requirements as for ordinary visitors if passing over land. When they are only transferring from one flight to continue to another country by air, they would not be required to go through Immigration Examination, but would instead be referred to the departure/transit lounge for the onward journey.
Scholars and Students Scholars and students are required to be in possession of a letter of acknowledgement certifying that the requisite permit would be issued on arrival at the port of entry. For requirements for a Scholar or Student Permit, see below. Extension of Stay as a Visitor A person can extend stay as a visitor. At the discretion of an Immigration Officer, the maximum period allowed as a visitor is six months. However, a visitor will be given a three month.s Visitor.s Entry Certificate at a port of entry. That certificate will need a monthly extension sought a week before it expires up to a maximum stay of six months. Extension beyond six months can only be granted on written application to the Chief Immigration Officer. Application for extension of stay can be done at any nearest Immigration office. Change of Purpose of Visit No change of purpose of visit is allowed unless with the express authority of the Chief Immigration Officer. Can a Visitor's Permit Allow a Person to Engage in Any Employment? A person is not allowed to engage in any employment, paid or unpaid, on a visitor’s permit.
a. No visitor shall engage in any employment unless he/she has been issued with a permit authorizing such employment b. No visitor shall remain in c. It is normal practice that all complying visitors may be given an initial period of 3 months even where one has asked for a lesser period. Persons Who Do Not Immediately Qualify for Entry Into Persons in the following categories may not immediately qualify for entry into
a. People arriving without valid travel documents b. Persons falling under .Category C. of the visa regime arriving at a port of entry without a visa (Category C) refers to those persons who need of apply for visas in advance before coming to c. Prohibited Immigrants d. A person having insufficient funds for his/her upkeep/self sustenance while in the country and return to country of origin. e. Those who declare or are known to have previous criminal convictions. f. Those suffering from prescribed diseases. g. Those who are found not to qualify in the category for which entry is sought. Immigration Permits No person shall enter
a. Any person with his/her domicile in b. Any person who enters c. A bona fide scholar below 18 years attending a recognized educational institution in d. A diplomat or member of an international organization accredited to e. Refugees lawfully resident in Scholar Permits All prospective foreign pupils who wish to enroll at formal
a. A letter of conditional authority to attend school in b. Certified copies of applicant.s birth certificate. c. A sworn affidavit or notarized letter from the applicant.s parents or guardian. d. A sworn affidavit or notarized letter from a local resident accepting to be the guardian to applicant. e. A letter from parent’s bank confirming that the parents can afford to pay school fees for the child in foreign currency. f. A non-refundable statutory fee of US$60 or the equivalent in acceptable currency must be paid on submission of application. g, A valid radiological certificate confirming freedom from active pulmonary tuberculosis. h. Documentary proof of accommodation arrangements if applicant is a day scholar. i. Two full-face passport-size photographs of applicant, certified as a true likeness of subject by Commissioner of Oaths. j. One residence permit application form to be completed in respect of applicant. Student Permits All prospective foreign students who wish to enroll at private Independent Colleges, Technical or vocational Colleges and Universities must apply for a student’s permit. No application will be considered whilst applicant is in
a. Certified copy of applicant.s birth certificate. b. A letter of offer of a place to study, signed by the Head of the College, stating course of study and anticipated period. Hours of attendance per day should be reflected if applicant is attending an c. A sworn affidavit or notarized letter from applicant.s parents appointing a local resident as the guardian to applicant, if applicant is below the age of 18. d. A sworn affidavit or notarised letter from a local resident accepting to be the guardian to applicant if applicant is below 18. e. A letter from parents’ bank confirming that the parents can afford to pay school fees for the child in foreign currency. f. A non-refundable statutory fee of US$80 or the equivalent in acceptable currency must be paid on submission of application. g. A valid radiological certificate confirming freedom from active pulmonary tuberculosis. h. Documentary proof of accommodation arrangements if applicant is not accommodated at his or her learning institution. i. Two full-face passport-size photographs. j. One residence permit application form to be completed by applicant. Residence Permit for a Dependant This permit may be issued to a person below 18 years or retired persons not seeking employment but coming to live with close relatives who are permanently resident in
a. Fully completed application for Residence Permit forms x 2. b. Proof of adequate financial means by the guarantor. c. A fully completed close relative guarantee form. d. Proof of residence of the guarantor. e. Recent full-face passport-size photographs x 2 with one certified at the back as true likeness of the person. f. Birth/Marriage/Death/Divorce certificates certified as true copies of the originals by a Commissioner of Oaths (copies of applicable certificates only). g. An application letter stating reasons why permit should be issued and any other information applicant considers to be relevant.
Investor’s Residence Permit A person who wishes to establish a business in
a. Fully completed Residence Permit application forms. b. A written application letter by the prospective investor stating the project proposal. c. Zimbabwe Investment Centre Certificate of approval. d. Certificate of incorporation from the Registrar of Companies. e. Local bank statement of the funds transferred. f. Bill of Lading or customs clearance papers for the importation of capital equipment if applicable. g. Permit can be processed within fourteen formal working days after submission of the application.
Requirements for Extension of Residence Permit for Investors
a. Letter of request from company (3) three months before the permit expires. b. Progress Report. c. Latest financial statement. d. Customs clearance documents for imported equipment, if any. e. List of employees stating names, positions, salary and signatures. f. Viability Study Report if requested by the Immigration Control Committee.
When Does One Qualify for Permanent Residence? A person who has resided or lived in POINT OF NOTE Employees of non-governmental organizations and those on government to government agreement contracts, including diplomats and members of International Organizations, do not qualify for permanent residence regardless of having lived in
Who Can Apply for Resumption of Residence? A permanent resident who has been absent from Zimbabwe for a continuous period not exceeding seven years may apply for resumption of residence.
Temporary Employment Permit This is authority given by the department of Immigration to a foreigner to work for an Organization or a company registered in
Persons Who Can Apply for a Temporary Employment Permit
a. Professionals offering scarce skills, which are not easily available in b. Journalist on assignments. c. Short term Temporary employment permit (12 months) - personnel on short contracts. d. Foreign Researchers - who must in the first instance, be cleared by the Research Council of Zimbabwe.
Missionary A missionary is a religious worker whose main duty is to lead his congregation in prayer and preach the essential of his creed. To qualify as a missionary, the church must prove that:
a. The person is required for employment as a Minister of Religion/Church Worker by the leadership of a local congregation; b. The person has either been working for at least one year as a Religious worker; or has c. Been ordained as a Minister of Religion following some training for the ministry; d. The person intends to work full time as a Minister of Religion or Church Worker; e. The church organization takes full financial responsibility for the maintenance of the person and such dependants while in Zimbabwe and his return to country of domicile without recourse to public funds; and f. The person will need to produce a letter from the church organization.
Requirements for a Temporary Employment Permit and How to Apply The employer lodges an application to engage a foreign national to the Chief Immigration Officer with the following documents:
a. Completed temporary employment permits application forms by the employer. b. Completed residence permit application forms by applicant. c. Letter of offer of employment in d. Letter from employer requesting a Temporary Employment permit - stating period required addressed to the Chief Immigration Officer. e. Documentary evidence in English of qualifications and experience in the proposed occupation i.e. certified copies of degrees, diploma certificates or testimonials. f. Two recently taken full-face passport-size photos of the applicant. All to be certified as a true likeness of the applicant. g. Certified copy of birth certificate. h. Certified copy of marriage certificate (if applicable). i. A non-refundable statutory application fee of US$100.00.
For How Long Can One Stay On a Temporary Employment Permit? Temporary Employment Permits are normally issued for an initial period up to a maximum period of three years and may be renewed up to five (5) years. The applicant is required to remain outside
N.B. It takes about six (6) weeks to process an application for a Temporary Employment Permit.
Can a Person Extend His Stay on a Temporary Employment Permit? The employer can apply to the Chief Immigration Officer three (3) months before the permit expires for the Temporary Employment Permit to be renewed. This may be renewed up to five (5) years.
Can a Person Change Jobs or Employers? A person cannot change jobs or employers without authority from the Chief Immigration Officer.
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