Mozambique’s expanded visa waiver list – which took effect on May 1 – has effectively expedited the entry of travellers from key source markets into the country.
The Ministry of Economy and Finance reports that, by June 30, 12 325 travellers from the 29 countries added to the list had entered Mozambique on visa-free status.
“The main nationalities that entered Mozambique visa-free during the initial two months were the United States of America (3 020 visitors), Portugal (1 509 visitors), China (1 332 visitors), United Kingdom (1 327 visitors), Germany (739 visitors) and France (831 visitors),” the Ministry said in a statement.
Arriving on national carrier LAM’s first resumed flight from Johannesburg to the tourist hotspot of Vilanculos on Sunday, August 6, Minister of Culture and Tourism Eldevina Materula said arrivals on the visa exemption had since surpassed 13 000. She said more than 10 000 arrivals were for the purpose of tourism, while 3 000 were for business purposes.
“This is a clear sign that government measures are having an effect on boosting the sector. With these measures, we clearly have a new pattern of tourists, with American, British, Portuguese, Chinese and German nationalities standing out.”
Natalie Tenzer-Silva, Owner of Dana Tours, said her clients had effectively made use of the visa exemption.
“On the very day that the visa exemption came into effect, we had our last cruise of the season docking in Maputo, carrying over 400 passengers. The processing of visitors was quick and efficient,” said Tenzer-Silva.
Travellers who arrive on the visa waiver are required to make a tax payment of MT650 (€9).
“Depending on the queue, the tax payment can take a while to process. At the moment no pre-registration is available but this will come in due course,” said Tenzer-Silva.
Meanwhile, Mozambique’s e-visa platform, which was rapidly implemented as part of a set of economic stimulus measures announced by President Felipe Nyusi in August 2022, has also resulted in significant improvements in inbound traveller flows.
According to data from the National Migration Service, between January 1 and June 30, 15 894 visas were approved on the online platform, with travellers from India leading the list with 1 215 approved applications.
