Do I need to apply for a visa or an eTA?

It all depends on your nationality: - If you are a national of one of the exempted countries (France, Belgium, Switzerland, Canada, etc.), you must obtain an AVE/eTA (Autorisation de Voyage Électronique). - If your country is not on the list, you must apply for a full e-Visa via the same platform.

How long does it take?

It is imperative that you submit your request at least 48 hours before your flight. As a general rule, approval is sent by email within 24 to 48 hours, but we recommend that you plan a week in advance to allow for any administrative checks.

Can I extend my stay?

Yes, the initial ETA is valid for 30 days, but you can request a further 30-day extension from the immigration authorities (SENAMI) in major cities such as Maputo or Vilankulo.

Do I need to print the eTA document?

Yes. Although the system is digital, airlines and border agents often require a paper copy of your AVE confirmation. Keep a PDF version on your phone.

Is it possible to obtain a visa on arrival in Mozambique?

For nationalities eligible for an e-visa, it is possible to obtain a visa on arrival. In this case, the wait at immigration may be longer! If you are exempt from the visa requirement, you will need to apply for an ETA, which is compulsory before traveling.

Is it possible to travel with children?

Absolutely. However, Mozambique is strict about protecting minors. If the child is not traveling with both parents, a signed and certified authorization to leave the country, as well as a full copy of the birth certificate (translated if possible), may be required at the border.

How much does it cost to apply online?

The system has recently been upgraded to VFS Global management. For ETA The fee is now approximately 48 $ USD (payable online at the time of application). Please note that a processing fee may be added depending on the method of payment. For e-Visa : The fee is higher, around 190 $ USD for a standard tourist visa.

Mozambique: Travel authorization or Electronic visa

eTA or e-Visa: which formality applies to you?

2 online options

eTA or e-Visa, the entire process is 100% online before departure, with no visit to a consulate required.

Passport: 6 months min.

Whichever option you choose, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your planned entry date.

Medium complexity

The official platform (updated in February 2026) is accessible, but the variety of formalities can be confusing.

Mozambique offers two dematerialised entry routes, and confusion between the two is common — indeed, the authorities themselves acknowledge this. It is therefore important to correctly identify your situation before starting the process.

The eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) is an electronic travel authorisation, not a visa. It is intended exclusively for nationals of countries that do not need a visa to enter Mozambique. If you hold a French, Belgian, Swiss, Luxembourgish or any other passport from the list of 29 exempt countries, this is the authorisation you must apply for — not a visa. The eTA is mandatory: without it, even visa-exempt travellers cannot board.

The e-Visa (electronic visa), on the other hand, is a genuine dematerialised visa. It is intended for nationals of countries that do not benefit from visa exemption. The procedure is longer and consular fees are higher, but it is carried out entirely online, without any need to visit a consulate.

Good to know

The Mozambican authorities' website is functional, but the naming of formalities (eTA, AVE, e-Visa, visa on arrival) can be confusing. Remember the simple rule: if your country is visa-exempt, you apply for an eTA; otherwise, you apply for an e-Visa. These two terms refer to distinct procedures with different processing times and fees.

Who can apply for an eTA, and who must apply for an e-Visa?

Mozambican coastline with turquoise waters and white sandy beaches — The new official platform has been operational since 11 February 2026

Mozambique grants visa exemption to nationals of 29 countries for tourist or business stays. These travellers must obtain an eTA before departure — an electronic travel authorisation that facilitates border crossing without replacing the passport or constituting a visa.

European countries concerned: France, Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Portugal, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Russia.

Americas: Canada, United States.

Asia and Middle East: China, Japan, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, Israel, Saudi Arabia.

Oceania: Australia.

If your nationality does not appear on this list, you must apply for an e-Visa. This electronic visa is available to more than 183 nationalities via the same online platform. For nationalities eligible for the e-Visa, a visa on arrival is also available, but involves longer waiting times at immigration.

Nationalities excluded from visa on arrival

Nationals of the following countries cannot obtain a visa on arrival in Mozambique, even if they are eligible for the e-Visa: Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Somalia, Eritrea, Pakistan. These travellers must apply for their e-Visa online before departure.

How to submit your application online, step by step

Whether you are applying for an eTA or an e-Visa, the process takes place entirely online. Here are the main steps to follow in order to submit a complete application and maximise your chances of quick approval.

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1. Check your eligibility
First determine whether your nationality entitles you to an eTA (visa-exempt countries) or whether you must apply for an e-Visa. This distinction determines the entire rest of the procedure.
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2. Gather your documents
Prepare your passport (valid for at least 6 months after your planned entry date), a recent passport-size photo, proof of sufficient financial means, a confirmed and paid hotel reservation, and a return flight ticket or proof of onward travel.
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3. Complete the online form
Access the official platform and fill in the application form. Check each piece of information carefully: an error in your name, date of birth, or passport number can lead to a refusal or additional delay.
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4. Pay the consular fees
Payment is made online at the time of submission. Fees vary depending on the formality requested: approximately 3,069.5 MZN (approx. 41–45 €) for the eTA, and approximately 12,256.5 MZN (approx. 164–165 €) for the e-Visa. Note that a processing fee may be added depending on the payment method.
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5. Wait for email confirmation
For the eTA, the approval time is generally 24 to 48 hours (minimum regulatory deadline: 48 hours before the flight). For the e-Visa, allow a minimum of 5 working days. As a precaution, start the process at least one week before your departure.
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6. Print your document
Once approval has been received by email, print the document. Airlines and border agents often require a paper copy at check-in and on arrival (Maputo, Vilankulo, Beira). Also keep a PDF version on your phone as a backup.

Practical tip

Even if you are planning to travel in several weeks' time, do not delay submitting your application. The competent authorities may carry out additional administrative checks that extend the processing time. Applying 30 days in advance is the advice generally given for peace of mind.

What your application file must contain

An incomplete application is the main cause of refusals or extended delays. The Mozambican authorities require a precise list of supporting documents for each application, whether for an eTA or an e-Visa. Here is what you need to prepare.

Documents required for the eTA and the e-Visa

Valid passportValid for at least 6 months after your planned entry date. A blank page is required for the entry stamp.
Recent passport-size photoDigital format meeting consular requirements (white background, clear face, precise dimensions).
Proof of sufficient financial meansRecent bank statement or any document proving that you have the funds necessary for your stay.
Confirmed and paid hotel reservationA simple booking confirmation (even a cancellable one) may be insufficient: prefer a paid reservation or proof of private accommodation.
Return flight ticket or proof of onward travelThe Mozambican authorities want to ensure that you will not exceed the authorised length of stay.

Required passport validity: Minimum 6 months after planned entry date
Authorised length of stay: 30 days (renewable once in-country)
Maximum total stay: 90 days in total over the validity period
Minimum eTA lead time: 48 hours before departure
Minimum e-Visa lead time: 5 working days before departure
In-country extension: 30 additional days at SENAMI (Maputo, Vilankulo, etc.)

Travellers with minor children

Mozambique is strict about the protection of minors. If the child is not travelling with both parents, border authorities may require a parental consent letter signed and certified by the absent parent(s), as well as a full copy of the birth certificate (translated if possible). Prepare these documents in advance to avoid any hold-up at the border.

Staying longer: how to extend your stay

Both the initial eTA and the e-Visa are valid for a stay of 30 days. If you wish to stay longer, it is possible to apply for an extension directly in-country, without having to leave and re-enter.

This extension of 30 additional days is obtained from the Mozambican immigration services, known as SENAMI (Serviço Nacional de Migração). Offices are present in the country's main cities, notably Maputo (the capital), Vilankulo (gateway to the Bazaruto Archipelago) and Beira. It is recommended to carry out this process a few days before your initial authorisation expires to avoid finding yourself in an irregular situation.

The total length of stay, including the initial authorisation and any extension, must not exceed 90 days for travellers on a standard eTA or e-Visa.

Everything to prepare for a smooth trip to Mozambique

Beyond the entry formalities, a few additional preparations will allow you to make the most of your stay in Mozambique — a destination still little visited by mass tourism, where advance planning makes a real difference.

Mozambique borders the Indian Ocean along more than 2,500 km of coastline. The Bazaruto Archipelago, a marine national park, is home to exceptional marine biodiversity. The wild beaches of Tofo are world-renowned for encounters with whale sharks and manta rays. Inland, Gorongosa National Park is one of the most spectacular examples of the regeneration of an African ecosystem. Mozambique Island, the former colonial capital listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, blends Swahili and Portuguese influences in a timeless atmosphere.

High-risk areas: Cabo Delgado and neighbouring provinces

Northern Mozambique has been the scene of terrorist attacks since 2017. The Islamic State in Mozambique (IS-Mozambique) is active in Cabo Delgado province as well as in neighbouring districts of Niassa and Nampula provinces. These areas concentrate risks of attacks and kidnappings targeting locals, tourists, humanitarian workers and journalists alike. Several foreign ministries, including the United Kingdom and France, formally advise against all travel to these areas. If your itinerary includes the north of the country, check the latest travel advisories from your government before departing.

Pre-departure checklist

Entry formality submitted and approvedeTA or e-Visa printed and saved as a PDF on your phone.
Passport valid for more than 6 monthsCheck the expiry date and make sure you have at least one blank page available.
Recommended vaccinations checkedConsult your doctor or an international vaccination centre for current recommendations.
Antimalarial prophylaxisMalaria is present in most regions of Mozambique. Appropriate medication-based prophylaxis is strongly recommended.
Travel and repatriation insuranceMedical cover with repatriation is essential for a stay in southern Africa.
Documents for minors (if applicable)Parental consent letter + birth certificate if the child is not travelling with both parents.
Currency exchange to Mozambican metical (MZN)Euros and US dollars are accepted in tourist areas, but the metical remains the local currency.
Confirmed bookings for key stagesAccommodation in isolated tourist areas (Bazaruto Archipelago, Tofo) can be fully booked several weeks in advance.

Key takeaways

Mozambique is a destination accessible online from your sofa: eTA or e-Visa can be applied for in a few clicks, without visiting a consulate. The key is to correctly identify the formality that applies to you (visa exemption → eTA; other nationalities → e-Visa), to prepare a complete application from the outset, and to submit your request early enough — at least 48 hours before the flight for the eTA, 5 working days for the e-Visa. Once in-country, an extension of stay is possible at SENAMI in the main cities, providing welcome flexibility in this country of many faces.

Mozambique

2 options for Mozambique

eTA

e-Visa