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🇬🇧UNITED KINGDOM
🏳ZMGB-ZM

Do United Kingdom passport holders need a visa to visit ZM?

UK ordinary passport holders do not need a visa to visit Zambia for tourism. You can enter visa-free and stay for up to 90 days in any 12-month period. British citizens holding an ordinary passport are exempt from visa requirements when visiting Zambia as tourists. The exemption dates from November 2022 and was reinforced by Zambia's expanded visa-waiver policy effective 1 January 2025, which covers nationals of 53 countries including the United Kingdom. Tourists may remain in Zambia for a total of 90 days in any 12-month period, counted from the date of first entry. No visa, eVisa, or visa-on-arrival fee applies for a UK tourist. At the border you must present a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date with at least 2 blank pages for stamping, plus proof of return or onward travel and sufficient funds. The UK government's official travel advice confirms no visa is required. Note that the eVisa system Zambia operates is only for nationals who ordinarily require a visa, so UK travellers should not apply for one. Always ensure your passport is physically stamped on arrival to avoid exit problems.
VISA-FREETOURISMMULTIPLE 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.
United Kingdom (ILR)Living in United Kingdom as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
Visa-free (visa exemption)
Maximum stay
Up to 90 days total in any 12-month period
per entry
Entries
Multiple entries permitted within the 90-day annual allowance
from issue date
Visa fee
Free (no visa fee)
consular fee only
Processing time
None - entry granted on arrival
standard track
Validity
90-day cumulative allowance per rolling 12 months from first entry
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm your passport meets entry rules
Ensure your UK passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date and has at least 2 blank pages for entry stamps.
· Before travel· Mandatory
/02
Prepare proof of onward travel and funds
Have a confirmed return or onward ticket and evidence of sufficient funds for your stay, as immigration officers may ask for these.
· Before travel
/03
Check health and yellow fever requirements
Carry a yellow fever vaccination certificate if arriving from or transiting a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
· Before travel· Conditional
/04
Arrive and present documents at the border
On arrival at a Zambian port of entry, present your passport and travel documents. No visa application or fee is required for UK tourists.
· On arrival
/05
Ensure your passport is stamped
Confirm the immigration officer physically stamps your passport on entry; an unstamped passport can cause problems when you leave.
· On arrival· Important
/06
Track your 90-day allowance
Keep within the 90-day total per 12-month period; apply for an extension at a Department of Immigration office before it expires if you need longer.
· During stay
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

8 items
Personalized checklist
0 / 8 complete
UK passport valid 6+ months beyond arrival date
required
At least 2 blank passport pages for stamps
required
Confirmed return or onward ticket
required
Proof of sufficient funds for the stay
required
Proof of accommodation / itinerary
recommended
Yellow fever certificate (if arriving from a risk country)
conditional
Travel insurance covering medical care
recommended
Passport physically stamped on arrival
required
Track your progress · save & email a copy
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Tourist visa fee0UK passport holders are visa-exempt for tourism
eVisa / visa-on-arrival0Not applicable - only for nationals who ordinarily require a visa
KAZA UNIVISA (optional)USD 50Optional regional visa for Zambia/Zimbabwe travel and Botswana day trips; not needed for Zambia-only tourism
Total estimate00incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Visa exemption for UK nationals
Zambia waived visa requirements for UK passport holders in November 2022, confirmed by official UK travel advice.
High
/02
Expanded 53-country visa waiver (2025)
From 1 January 2025 Zambia broadened its visa-waiver policy to 53 countries, including the United Kingdom, to boost tourism.
High
/03
Short tourist stay within allowance
Tourist visits up to 90 days per 12-month period fall squarely within the visa-free channel.
High
/04
eVisa only for visa-required nationals
Zambia's eVisa system applies solely to those who ordinarily need a visa, so it is not relevant to UK tourists.
Medium
/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
United Kingdom to Zambia route verified
Confirmed visa-free tourist entry for UK ordinary passport holders against UK GOV.UK travel advice, Zambia Department of Immigration, and the visa policy of Zambia. Up to 90 days per 12-month period; no fee.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do UK citizens need a visa to visit Zambia?
No. British ordinary passport holders are visa-exempt for tourism and can enter Zambia without a visa for up to 90 days in any 12-month period.
How long can I stay in Zambia visa-free?+
Do I need to apply for a Zambia eVisa?+
What passport validity do I need?+
Will I be asked for a return ticket or funds?+
What is the KAZA UNIVISA and do I need it?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the United Kingdom passport

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