The KAZA univisa between Zimbabwe and Zambia is expected to be implemented shortly and awaits only the signatures of the two countries’ Home Affairs departments.

According to Zimbabwe’s immigration department, 50 000 visa stickers have been shared between Zimbabwe and Zambia are already at the ports of entry.

“Training for the immigration officers from both countries has been done and we are ready,” said Zimbabwe Immigration Principal Director Clemence Masango. “We are now waiting for Minister Ignatius Chombo and his Zambian counterpart Steven Kampyongo to sign the official documents to pave way for the implementation at the ports of entry.”  

Masango said the univisa is expected to facilitate the smooth movement of tourists between the two countries as a permanent arrangement.

The pilot project was conducted between November 2014 and December 2015 with more than 47 000 visitors benefiting from the arrangement during the period.

The two countries have however called on the KAZA-TFCA secretariat to assist in funding the integration of the univisa into the border management system so that it can be issued and cleared from any counter at the ports of entry.

The KAZA-TFCA univisa was initiated to promote tourism through facilitation of easier and cost effective movement of tourists between Zimbabwe and Zambia to stimulate economic and regional integration. The system is also expected to incorporate Angola, Botswana and Namibia once these countries have finalised modalities in their systems.