Republic of Zambia visas
Zambia publishes visitor, visa and residence-permit guidance through the Department of Immigration and its eServices portal. The official framework covers eVisas and visa-on-arrival categories, KAZA UNIVISA tourism, business visit evidence, employment permits, temporary employment permits, investor permits, spouse permits, study permits and residence permits that confer permanent residence for qualifying long-term, investor, spouse, retiree and family cases.
9 routes · 4 without a sponsor · 4 lead to settlement
Official portal
Primary source
Zambia Department of Immigration ↗ · Zambia Department of Immigration
Link last verified:
Regulators of immigration advice
- Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) — Professional body for legal practitioners in Zambia. The Department of Immigration separately registers immigration consultants and accepts filings from individual applicants, practising lawyers, practising HR employees of the employing company and registered immigration consultants.
Visa routes (9)
Visitor Visa or eVisa
General visitor visa framework for travellers who need a Zambian visa before or on arrival.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 13 July 2026
KAZA UNIVISA
Regional tourist visa for eligible travellers visiting Zambia and Zimbabwe, with Botswana day trips through Kazungula.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 13 July 2026
Business Visit Visa
Short business visitor visa supported by company and host documents.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 13 July 2026
Employment Permit
Main long-term work permit for employment in Zambia exceeding 6 months.
Sponsor required · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 13 July 2026
Temporary Employment Permit
Shorter work/business permit for a business visitor remaining in Zambia beyond 30 days.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 13 July 2026
Investor Permit
Investor permit for foreigners establishing, investing in, or joining a business in Zambia.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 13 July 2026
Spouse Permit
Family permit for the spouse of a Zambian citizen, established resident or Residence Permit holder.
Sponsor required · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 13 July 2026
Study Permit
Study permit for full-time or part-time study at a Zambian educational institution.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 13 July 2026
Residence Permit
Zambia permanent-residence permit for applicants who meet a listed employment, investment, family, retirement, citizen-family or delayed-change basis.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 13 July 2026
Planning life after your move?
Organise documents, arrival money, housing and the practical steps after visa approval. Your route conditions remain the starting point.
Frequently asked questions
How many visa routes does Republic of Zambia have?+
We cover 9 Republic of Zambia visa routes in these categories: visitor and short business, sponsored work, investor, family, study, and general residence. Each one links to its primary government source and carries a last-reviewed date.
Which Republic of Zambia visas do not need an employer sponsor?+
4 of the 9 Republic of Zambia routes we cover can be pursued without an employer sponsor, which helps if you do not have a job offer yet. The remaining 5 are employer-sponsored.
Which Republic of Zambia visas lead to permanent residence?+
4 of the 9 routes can lead to settlement or permanent residence; the others are temporary. Open each route for its settlement detail and qualifying period.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
Find a regulated advisor in Zambia