I. Main Visa and Work Permit Types

The table lists only the main routes covered in this guide and is not an exhaustive list of all visa categories.

1. Short-Term Tourism and Business Visits

Zimbabwe’s tourism and business rules and the method for obtaining a visa must be assessed according to the applicant’s nationality category. Electronic applications, visas on arrival, and visa-free arrangements are not available to every passport holder.

A business visit does not grant a general right to work. A person who needs to perform actual duties in Zimbabwe should obtain the applicable Temporary Employment Permit.

Whether an activity qualifies as a visit depends on the actual work performed, not merely the itinerary label or where salary is paid. Installation, repair, training, and on-site client services should be reviewed carefully to determine whether a work permit or specific exemption is required.

2. Temporary Employment Permit (TEP)

A Temporary Employment Permit applies to a foreign national hired by a Zimbabwean employer to work in the occupation stated on the permit.

The employer must demonstrate that the business genuinely exists, complies with ZIMRA tax requirements, and has completed recruitment through local newspapers. The application must also identify shortlisted local candidates and explain the local successor or skills-transfer arrangement.

The foreign employee must hold an employment contract and qualification evidence matching the position and provide a criminal-record certificate and radiological examination documents issued within the preceding six months. Certain industries or projects may also require approval from ZIDA, EMA, the relevant ministry, or a professional body.

The actual validity of a Temporary Employment Permit depends on the approval. The holder must observe the applicable maximum cumulative period of five years, but this does not mean that the first application will necessarily be approved for five years.

For renewal, the applicant must continue to demonstrate the employer, role, and local skills-development conditions. If the person does not take up the position, the original employment ends, or the occupation changes, the necessary written authorization and new lawful status should be obtained first. The original permit cannot be used unconditionally.

II. Entry, Dependants, and Other Arrangements

Visas, work approvals, and residence documents should correspond to the person’s actual activities, and their validity periods should align. A pending application, employment contract, or invitation letter does not by itself prove that entry, residence, or work has already been authorized.

1. Dependants of a Temporary Employment Permit holder: The authority may approve eligible spouses and children to accompany the permit holder.
2. Work by accompanying dependants: A dependant planning to work in Zimbabwe must obtain the applicable work authorization in their own right.
3. Study, transit, and other personal statuses: Each category has its own requirements. The principal applicant’s permit cannot be used directly as the dependant’s entry or employment document.

III. Extensions, Changes, Employment Termination, and Status Maintenance

Before expiry, separately check whether the visa, work authorization, residence document, and dependant documents need to be extended. If the employer, position, workplace, employment contract, or assignment changes, confirm the applicable notification, amendment, or new-application requirements.

IV. Support Available From sailglobal

If you plan to send personnel to Zimbabwe for business visits, local employment, short-term projects, or accompanying-family arrangements, contact sailglobal to understand the potentially applicable route and filing requirements based on the individual’s status, duties, and itinerary.

Visa, work-permit, and residence applications are decided independently by the relevant authorities. sailglobal does not guarantee an approval outcome or a fixed issuance date.