Mozambique Visa Requirements for U.S.

Passport Holders
Overview
All U.S. passport holders need a valid visa to enter Mozambique. The U.S. Department of State recommends that travelers obtain a visa from the Mozambique Embassy in Washington, D.C., prior to departing for this southern African nation. The embassy issues five types of visas: visitor, residence, business, student and transit. A one-time entry visa for a two-week stay in Mozambique also can be purchased from Mozambican officials at the countrys points of entry.

Advance Visa Application Requirements

When applying for any type of visa through the Mozambique Embassy in the United States, you must submit a passport that is valid at least six months from the date of submission and a visa application form, which can be downloaded from the Embassy of Mozambique website. The passport needs at least one blank page for a visa stamp. Applicants also must submit two passport-sized photographs. A copy of round-trip tickets or confirmed itinerary and a copy of confirmed hotel reservations must also be submitted with visa application. There also are special requirements for each type of visa. Business visa applications must include a letter from the company. Applicants for a residence visa must submit their work contract and police report. Student visa applicants must include a letter from the university. Applicants for a transit visa must submit a visa for their final destination. Visitor visa applicants must include a letter from the person inviting them to Mozambique; the letter should state the residents full name and address.

Fee Discrepancies
Visa fees for U.S. travelers to Mozambique change regularly, and up-to-date information on fees can be accessed on the Embassy of Mozambique website. Many U.S. citizens travel to Mozambique via South Africa, its southern neighbor, which is also a popular tourist destination. Note that the Mozambican embassy and consulate offices in South Africa may charge more for a visa than does the U.S. Consulate in Washington, D.C., according to the U.S. Department of State.

Vaccination Requirements
The Mozambican Interior and Health Ministries require all foreign visitors who have been in areas where yellow fever is present to show a certification of vaccination at the Mozambican border, the U.S. Department of State reports. The department recommends that all travelers to the country get vaccinated to avoid problems at the border, regardless of whether they have visited an area where yellow fever is present. If you arrive at the border without proof of vaccination, you will be charged for an on-the-spot yellow fever vaccination.

Penalties
Mozambican borders are quite porous, and many people enter and exit the country without getting stopped by border officials. While it is possible to enter Mozambique by boat or car without a visa, it is illegal. If caught, foreigners will be fined 1,000 meticais (approximately $40) for each day they are in Mozambique illegally, according to the U.S. Department of State. Airport and border officials will assess the validity of your visa upon your departure from the country. To make sure you do not overstay your welcome in Mozambique, look for a line on the visa that reads autorizado a permaneer pelo perodo de [number] dias. That number will tell you how many days you are permitted to stay in the country.