MOZAMBIQUE VISA

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Fabulous view from the Volunteer House!

Mozambique Visa

I had to apply for a Mozambique Visa as Volunteer Vacations has been invited to partner up with an organization dedicated to marine conservation in Mozambique monitoring the decline in the local megafauna.  The volunteers in marine conservation will help photograph and video and monitor the whale sharks, manta rays and other fish populations and promote marine conservation locally.  Numbers of the megafauna have declined significantly over the last two decades.  Scuba diving and snorkelling are essential skills to partake in this but if you have not done these before, you can spend your first week learning to dive before getting fully involved in the project.  This is how I applied for my Mozambique Visa in order to visit Mozambique.

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Whale shark up close!

Getting a visa for Mozambique in the UK

Getting a Mozambique visa was relatively easy in the UK.  I went for a ‘Single Entry” Tourist visa as recommended.

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Map of Mozambique

I went online to find out the score:

http://www.mozambiquehighcommission.org.uk/?id_w=3&id_w1=16

Then downloaded the form:

http://www.mozambiquehighcommission.org.uk/pliki/Application_form_download_information_Oct_2014.pdf

Printed off the form, as a I was departing in just under a week, went up to London to the Mozambique High Commission at:

21 Fitzroy Square,

London

W1T 6EL

and took with me the following documents:

  • the printed application form which I had printed off and filled in
  • two passport size photos
  • a copy of my return airline tickets
  • a copy of my bank account (which they just glanced at and gave straight back to me)
  • a copy of a letter from the Lodge where I would be staying confirming that I was booked in
  • a photocopy of the first page of my passport – the one with the photo showing passport no, issue date, expiry date, nationality, etc.
  • a credit card to pay for the visa
  • passport – make sure you have at least 6 months before expiry from date you enter country and also have 3 blank consecutive pages

I went for the express service which costs £60 and went up to London to hand in the paperwork.   Your visa is ready the same day in 90 minutes!  It all worked like clockwork, having got there nice and early and I went off to look at Tottenham Court Road while I waited.  It really was a very positive experience!

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Fishing boat on the estuary

However, my fellow travel companion – “Thelma” who lives in Lisbon in Portugal – did not have the same success with her Mozambique visa!  She went to the Mozambique High Commission allowing 7 days before she travelled and they said that her visa would take 10 days!  This was ridiculous as she was departing before the Mozambique visa would be ready.  We think the reason for these extended checks is that, due to the unemployment in Portugal, a lot of Portuguese are going to Mozambique in search of work.

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This is how they carry their babies in Mozambique!

Visa on arrival

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Arriving at Inhambane airport

We were reassured by our partners that she could get her Mozambique visa on arrival at Inhambane airport and, sure enough, she did this.  She brought all the documents with her, they took her photo and finger print and she paid for the visa cash in euros there on the spot!  Dead easy!  She paid €Euros 75 cash (no credit cards accepted).  They also accept UK£ and US$.  This option is probably the easiest however only recommended if all else fails.

Visa Extensions

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Getting the boat from Inhambane over the estuary to Maxixe

If you are staying longer than 30 days,  your “Single Entry” Mozambique visa can be extended locally with a half day trip to the Immigration Office in Maxixe but this extension may cost you anything from £12 upwards –- there does not seem to be a definite scale!  Our partners will take you to Inhambane  where you get on a boat across the estuary (25 mins) to Maxixe.  You then walk through the streets to the Immigration Office where it can be relatively quick to get your extension.  You will be accompanied so don’t worry about getting lost!

We do not recommend a “multiple entry” Mozambique visa as this requires you to leave the country and then re-enter.

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Immigration office at Maxixe

Once back in Inhambane, do take time to walk around this old Portuguese colonial town and take in the Art Deco Cine Theatre, church and market.

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Old Art Deco cine theatre in Inhambane

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Old Portuguese colonial style church in Inhambane

For UK Government advice on travel to Mozambique see here: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/mozambique/entry-requirements

Yellow Fever card

It is becoming more and more common for countries to demand to see your Yellow Fever Card on arrival, in particular if they see you have visited a country with Yellow Fever recently.

The Yellow Fever vaccination lasts for life and it is a good idea to keep the little yellow certificate permanently in your passport so you can always produce it.

If you are interested in knowing more about volunteering in marine conservation in Mozambique, then drop us an email to info@volunteervacations.co.uk or give us a ring on  07833 208 158 / 01483 203405 (eves) or check out our website www.volunteervacations.co.uk

(We do have many other projects in other countries, so please do take a look at our website!)

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