(Above photo taken from Ilala Lodge’s website. Ilala will be our home in Victoria Falls)

Whatta breeze.

Yesterday, I received my Zimbabwe e-visa application result: An authorization to pay for visa on arrival (Zimbabwe e-visa price US$30) at the port of entry (in our case, the Victoria Falls border). I had just applied two days prior. Along with citizens of 82 other countries, I, a Philippine passport holder, must apply for an e-visa before traveling to Zimbabwe. Citizens/nationals of 45 countries do not need a visa to enter Zimbabwe, and citizens/nationals issued visas of 105 countries can apply for visa on arrival. List of countries here.

Zimbabwe E-Visa application requirements:

1. Filled out online application form (must register first).
2. Passport picture.
3. Passport scan (make sure it’s valid for 6 months).
4. Proof of residential status in country of origin (can be a residence visa, birth certificate or the passport bio page).
5. Address at destination (hotel booking).
6. Previous Zimbabwe visa if there’s any.

* For some reason, the system also required me to submit an invite from a Zimbabwe sponsor. For, this I uploaded an email correspondence with Ilala Lodge, where we will be staying in Victoria Falls.

After uploading, agree to terms and conditions then submit the application. An email will be sent to you as a receipt of application. Once you’ve received the (approved) response, you will be asked to download and print it. You will present this document at the border and pay for the visa fee. You are expected to enter Zimbabwe within thirty days. After that, the authorization will be invalid.

Straightforward and painless (except, Africa can be really expensive). Now we’re just counting down the days ’til we see the mighty Victoria Falls!