🇿🇲Zambia Visa for Democratic Republic of the Congo Citizens2026 Requirements, Fees & Documents

Gratis Visa

A complimentary visa issued free of charge to members of the diplomatic community entering Zambia on official or accredited business.

Issued at Zambia Missions Abroad or at ports of entry to members of the Diplomatic Community presenting letters of accreditation and/or diplomatic passports. Also issued to diplomats not accredited to Zambia but visiting on official business with letters of invitation. No fee charged.

Employment Permit

For foreign nationals entering Zambia for employment purposes for a period exceeding 6 months.

Valid for up to 10 years (extendable). Covers government employees, private sector workers, NGO staff, volunteers, religious organization employees, and spouses or adult children working in family businesses. Requires employment contract, police clearance, CV, qualifications, and a succession/training plan. Holder cannot purchase land or engage in studies. Issuance fee: 24,240 ZMW; Renewal: 28,280 ZMW. After 10 consecutive years, holder may apply for Residence Permit (permanent residence).

Temporary Employment Permit

For business visitors intending to remain in Zambia for more than 30 days but not exceeding 6 months.

Maximum validity of 6 months per 12-month period. Requires covering letter from the institution the applicant is doing business with, completed Form 25, passport, and photograph.

Investor's Permit

For foreign nationals aged 18 and above who wish to establish a new business or invest in an existing company in Zambia.

Requires proof of personal investment of USD 250,000 for a new business or USD 150,000 for joining an existing company. Requires Certificate of Incorporation, proof of investment, lease or ownership agreement, bank statements, and ZRA tax clearance for renewals. Issuance fee: 16,160 ZMW; Renewal: 20,200 ZMW. After holding an Investor's Permit for more than 3 years, holder may qualify for a Residence Permit (permanent residence).

Study Permit

For foreign nationals undertaking full-time or part-time studies at accredited Zambian educational institutions for longer than 3 months.

Renewable for the duration of studies. Requires letter of acceptance from institution, medical report from a Zambian government facility, sponsor letter, and proof of sponsor's financial status. Holders cannot engage in paid work. Issuance fee: 9,090 ZMW; Renewal: 12,120 ZMW.

Spouse Permit

For spouses of Zambian citizens, established residents, or Residence Permit holders to reside in Zambia.

Renewable. Requires marriage certificate, spouse's consent letter, proof of spouse's status, and proof of sustenance. After holding a Spouse Permit for at least 5 years, holder may apply for a Residence Permit (permanent residence).

Residence Permit (Retiree)

Grants permanent residence to qualifying retirees who can demonstrate sufficient funds to support themselves in Zambia.

Retirees qualify for Residence Permit by demonstrating proof of sufficient funds (pension, irrevocable annuity, or retirement account). This is one of several eligibility routes for the Residence Permit. Permit ceases to be valid if holder is absent from Zambia for any period exceeding 12 months. Issuance fee: 20,200 ZMW.

Visiting Permit

For visitors who wish to remain in Zambia beyond the standard 90-day visa-free or visa entitlement period.

Issued for 3 months; maximum 9 months within any 12-month period. Requires host consent letter, host's proof of immigration status, return ticket or proof of sufficient funds, and valid passport.

Cross Border Permit

For members of regional trade groupings and cross-border traders from neighboring countries engaging in trade across Zambia's borders.

Issued for 90 days, renewable for a further 90 days. Maximum 6 months per 12-month period. Requires proof of membership in a cross-border traders' association and a support letter from that association.

Transit Permit

For commercial truck drivers and crew members transiting through Zambia.

Issued for 1 year, renewable for a further 1 year. Distinct from the Transit Visa (which is for overland transit by air/land passengers). Intended for commercial transport operators and crew. Requires company or host letter, passport, and photograph.

Diplomatic Permit

For ambassadors, diplomats, consular officers, international organization representatives, and their immediate families residing in Zambia.

Requires Ministry of Foreign Affairs support letter, Note Verbale or accreditation letter, diplomatic passport, and diplomatic identity card. Covers immediate family members of the permit holder.

Asylum Seeker's Permit

Issued to individuals who have entered Zambia and are seeking asylum, allowing them to remain lawfully during refugee status determination.

Issued for 30 days for the purpose of refugee status determination. Requires national registration card or passport if available. No fee charged.

Residence Permit

Confers permanent residence on qualifying foreign nationals wishing to settle in Zambia.

Grants permanent residence. Eligibility routes include: holding an Employment Permit for 10+ continuous years, holding an Investor's Permit for 3+ years, holding a Spouse Permit for 5+ years, persons born to Zambian citizens, dependants of residence permit holders, and retirees with proof of sufficient funds. Ceases to be valid if the holder is absent from Zambia for more than 12 months or does not enter within 6 months of issuance. Issuance fee: approximately 20,000 ZMW (private sector) or 11,333 ZMW (government/NGO sector). The retiree eligibility route is captured separately as 'Residence Permit (Retiree)'.

Temporary Permit

Issued to prohibited immigrants directed to remain by the Minister, parents of employment or investor permit holders, and appellants awaiting determination of an appeal.

Granted at the direction of the Minister to prohibited immigrants permitted to remain, to parents of Employment or Investor's Permit holders, and to appellants pending determination of an appeal. Distinct from the Temporary Employment Permit. Issuance fee: approximately 24,000 ZMW / renewal 21,000 ZMW (private sector); 12,000 ZMW / renewal 10,667 ZMW (government/NGO sector).