Under Zambia visa rules for children and group applications, a child under 16 cannot apply for an eVisa on their own. Instead, each child is included in a parent’s or guardian’s Form 16 application on the e-Services portal at eservices.zambiaimmigration.gov.zm. Every child needs their own passport valid for at least 6 months, plus a certified copy of their birth certificate.
This guide is for UK families planning a trip to Zambia. It’s an independent travel advice article, not a government site, we don’t charge fees or file applications on your behalf, and you should confirm current rules on the portal before you travel. By the end, you’ll know exactly which documents to prepare, what to pay, and how to include your children in one adult’s application.
Who Needs a Visa: Children Under 16 and British Families
If you’re travelling with children under 16, they cannot apply for an eVisa in their own name. You list them in your own application, and their entry is processed on that basis.
That doesn’t mean children bypass checks. They still present their own passports and supporting documents at the border. Children over 16 need an individual visa, depending on nationality.
Here’s the part that confuses many British families: UK passport holders don’t need a visa for tourist stays up to 90 days in any 12-month period. But that exemption only covers the visa itself. You may still be asked for each child’s certified birth certificate and, where it applies, a notarised consent letter.
The KAZA UNIVISA is relevant if you’re combining Zambia with Zimbabwe; to stay beyond 90 days you apply for a Visiting Permit instead.
Parental Consent Letters and Safeguarding Documents
Each minor needs a certified copy of their birth certificate. If your child travels without both legal parents, a notarised letter of consent from the non-travelling parent may be required, including travel dates, destination, contact details, and copies of both parents’ IDs.
What exactly should the consent letter contain? Keep it practical: the child’s details, both parents’ details, travel dates, destination, and a signature witnessed by a notary. No validity window for the letter is published, so use a recently issued one.
| Travel scenario | Primary document | Supporting documents |
|---|---|---|
| Both parents travelling | Certified copy of birth certificate | Child’s passport |
| One parent travelling | Notarised consent from non-travelling parent | Both parents’ ID copies |
| Sole legal custody | Court custody order | Birth certificate |
| Non-parent guardian | Notarised consent from both parents | Proof of legal guardianship |
How to Add Children to a Family Application: Step by Step
You complete Form 16 on the e-Services portal, include each child in the application, upload everyone’s documents, and pay the prescribed fee. Here’s the full walkthrough:
- Register a user account at eservices.zambiaimmigration.gov.zm as an individual applicant, employer representative, practising lawyer, or registered immigration consultant.
- Select Form 16, the Application for Visa.
- Include each child under 16 in your own application while completing Form 16.
- Upload each traveller’s passport copy and photo, the cover letter to the Director-General, the hotel booking and return ticket, in jpeg, tiff or png format, and add the children’s birth certificates and any consent letter.
- Review the application, then pay the prescribed fee for the visa type on the system-generated electronic bill.
- Download and print the approval letter from the Approved cases folder.
Fees are set in USD: Single Entry $25, Double Entry $40, Multiple Entry $75 (online only), and Transit $25 (valid 7 days, land only). The KAZA UNIVISA costs $50, is valid 30 days, and covers unlimited Zambia – Zimbabwe crossings plus day trips to Botswana via Kazungula. The Day Tripper Visa ($10, under 24 hours) is only sold at the Victoria Falls and Kazungula land borders.
Processing takes 3 to 5 working days, depending on the visa category. Present the printed approval letter and payment receipt at your port of entry.
Unaccompanied Minors, School Groups and Common Mistakes
Can a child under 16 travel to Zambia without parents? Yes, a parent or guardian submits a written request for special clearance to the Director General of Immigration. Request it well before departure, and contact the Department of Immigration at [email protected] or +260 211 255282.
Common avoidable errors include:
- Travelling without a certified copy of the child’s birth certificate.
- Confusing the eVisa Approval Letter with the entry stamp; you print the letter and show it on arrival.
- Treating the KAZA UNIVISA as a Zambian Double Entry visa; it covers Zambia and Zimbabwe, not two Zambian entries.
- Assuming the UK visa exemption removes the need for the child’s documents; carry them anyway.
- Forgetting the Yellow Fever vaccination certificate when arriving from a transmission risk area.
Beyond that, keep every traveller’s passport valid for 6 months with at least 3 blank pages, carry a return or onward ticket, and be ready to show sufficient funds.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can a child under 16 apply for a Zambia eVisa independently?
No. Children under 16 cannot apply for an eVisa in their own right. They are included in the accompanying adult’s Form 16 application and present their own passport and documents at entry.
What documents does a child need to enter Zambia from the UK?
Each child needs a passport valid for at least 6 months and a certified copy of their birth certificate; a notarised consent letter may also be requested if they travel without both parents. UK tourists stay visa-free up to 90 days, but you should still carry the child’s documents.
How do Zambia visa rules for children and group applications work on the eVisa portal?
One adult registers the account and files Form 16, with each child included in that application. You upload each traveller’s documents, pay the prescribed fee, and download the approval letter for printing.
Do children pay the same visa fees as adults?
Children under 16 don’t hold their own eVisa; they are included in the adult’s application. Fees are published by visa type ($25 single entry, $40 double, $75 multiple), with no separate rate for a child added to an adult’s application. UK tourists pay nothing for stays up to 90 days.
Can a single parent take a child to Zambia without the other parent’s consent?
Normally you need a notarised consent letter from the non-travelling parent. Where custody is disputed or you have sole responsibility, carry the court custody order or proof of guardianship.
How long does a Zambia family eVisa application take to process?
Expect 3 to 5 working days, depending on the visa category. Apply well before departure so a delay doesn’t affect the whole family’s travel plans.
Can a minor under 16 travel to Zambia alone or with a school group?
Yes, with advance written clearance from the Director General of Immigration, requested by a parent or guardian. Submit the request well before departure.
Where can I submit a group application and contact the Zambia Department of Immigration?
Submit through the e-Services portal at eservices.zambiaimmigration.gov.zm. For group inquiries, contact the Department of Immigration at [email protected] or +260 211 255282.
Sources and Further Reading
- Zambia Department of Immigration – For Visitors – eVisa portal access, Form 16, and dependant rules.
- Zambia Department of Immigration – Permit Types – visa categories, fees, and validity periods.
- Visa Requirements by Purpose of Visit – entry conditions per travel purpose.
- UK Foreign Travel Advice – Zambia Entry Requirements – visa-free stays for British passport holders and border guidance.
- Guide on Immigration Permits and Visas (PDF) – detailed permit and visa documentation requirements.
Rules can change, so check the portal before your trip.
