canivisit.com
Beta — verify with official sources⌘K
Home/from/cn/to/zw
🇨🇳CHINA
🏳ZWCN-ZW

Do China passport holders need a visa to visit ZW?

Chinese ordinary passport holders are in Zimbabwe's Category B: you can get a visa on arrival at any port of entry, or apply online for an eVisa in advance. A single-entry tourist visa costs US$30 and grants up to 30 days. Zimbabwe classifies China under Category B of its visa policy, which means Chinese ordinary passport holders do not need to obtain a visa before travelling. You may obtain a visa on arrival at any Zimbabwe port of entry (airports such as Robert Gabriel Mugabe International in Harare and Victoria Falls, plus land borders) by paying the fee in USD cash, or you may apply in advance for an eVisa through the official portal at evisa.gov.zw. A single-entry tourist visa costs US$30, double-entry US$45, and multiple-entry US$55. The visa on arrival is typically issued for a stay of up to 30 days, extendable in-country up to a maximum of 90 days per year. Travellers should carry a passport valid for at least six months with at least one blank page, a return/onward ticket, proof of accommodation, and sufficient funds. Note that travellers also visiting Zambia (e.g., for both sides of Victoria Falls) can consider the KAZA UNIVISA, though eligibility for Chinese nationals should be confirmed at the border. Visa on arrival is the simplest channel; an eVisa is a convenient alternative that lets you pre-pay and pre-fill the entry declaration, with processing averaging about 7 working days.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMFLEXIBLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
Visa on arrival (eVisa also available) - Category B
Maximum stay
Up to 30 days (extendable in-country, max 90 days/year)
per entry
Entries
Single, double, or multiple entry
from issue date
Visa fee
US$30 single / US$45 double / US$55 multiple entry
consular fee only
Processing time
Immediate on arrival; eVisa averages ~7 working days
standard track
Validity
Visa valid 1 month (single), 3 months (double), 6 months (multiple) from issue
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm Category B eligibility
Chinese ordinary passport holders fall under Zimbabwe's Category B, meaning no visa is needed before travel; you can pay on arrival or apply online beforehand.
· Category B· China
/02
Decide: visa on arrival or eVisa
Choose visa on arrival (pay in USD cash at the port of entry) or pre-apply for an eVisa at evisa.gov.zw to pre-pay and skip queues.
· VoA· eVisa
/03
Prepare your documents
Ensure your passport is valid 6+ months with a blank page, and have a return/onward ticket, accommodation proof, and funds ready.
· passport· onward ticket
/04
Apply online (if choosing eVisa)
Register at evisa.gov.zw, complete the form, upload documents, and pay online. Submit at least ~10 business days before travel; processing averages 7 working days.
· evisa.gov.zw· online payment
/05
Pay the visa fee
Pay US$30 (single), US$45 (double), or US$55 (multiple entry). On arrival, bring exact USD cash; ATMs/cards may not be reliable at borders.
· USD cash· US$30
/06
Arrive and clear immigration
Present your passport, visa or eVisa approval letter, return ticket, and accommodation proof to the immigration officer to receive your entry stamp.
· port of entry· entry stamp
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

9 items
Personalized checklist
0 / 9 complete
Chinese passport valid 6+ months beyond stay
required
At least one blank passport page
required
Return or onward flight ticket
required
Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or host invitation)
required
Visa fee in USD cash (for visa on arrival)
required
Sufficient funds for the duration of stay
recommended
eVisa approval letter printout (if applied online)
recommended
Travel/medical insurance
recommended
Yellow fever certificate (if arriving from an endemic country)
situational
Track your progress · save & email a copy
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Single-entry tourist visaUS$30Most common for a single short visit
Double-entry visaUS$45Useful if leaving and re-entering (e.g., day trip to Zambia)
Multiple-entry visaUS$55Valid 6 months; apply via eVisa portal
KAZA UNIVISAUS$50Zimbabwe + Zambia combined; confirm Chinese eligibility at border
Total estimateUS$30US$55incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

eVisa (online)
~7 working days
Apply at evisa.gov.zw, pay online, and receive an approval letter by email to print and present at the border.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Tourism (Victoria Falls, safaris)
Most Chinese visitors come for Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park, and Great Zimbabwe.
High
/02
Business and investment
China is a major investor in Zimbabwe's mining and infrastructure sectors.
Medium
/03
Visiting friends or relatives
A growing Chinese expatriate community in Harare and other cities.
Medium
/04
Transit and regional travel
Combining Zimbabwe with Zambia, Botswana, or South Africa on a Southern Africa itinerary.
Low
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Immigration
Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.
/02
Customs
Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.
/03
Connectivity
Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-05-30
China to Zimbabwe route verified
Confirmed via the official Zimbabwe eVisa portal (evisa.gov.zw) and Wikipedia visa policy that China remains in Category B: visa on arrival and eVisa both available for Chinese ordinary passport holders. Single-entry tourist visa US$30, up to 30 days stay. No major recent change.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do Chinese citizens need a visa for Zimbabwe?
Yes, but it is easy to obtain. China is in Category B, so you can get a visa on arrival at any port of entry or apply for an eVisa online in advance. No prior visa is required to board your flight.
How much does the Zimbabwe tourist visa cost for Chinese travellers?+
How long can I stay in Zimbabwe?+
Should I get a visa on arrival or an eVisa?+
What documents do I need at the border?+
Can I use one visa for both Zimbabwe and Zambia at Victoria Falls?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the China passport

See something wrong on this page?
Policies change. If something looks off, tell us — we review every report within 48 hours.