Zambia e-Visa
 

Anyone use the Republic of Zambia e-Visa system? Does it speed up entry into Zambia? Any downside?

I haven't used it myself, but one possible downside is cost if you're also planning on visiting Zimbabwe where you can get the combined KAZA UniVisa for both countries for less.

Chris

Thanks. Actually, we won't be going to Victoria Falls (or any other country)

Not sure that it would speed up entry - at LUN there's one desk for citizens, one desk for residents, one desk for SADC, one desk for diplomats and one desk for everyone else, either with visa already or getting visa on arrival. And getting the visa there takes <30 seconds, if you've got a $50 bill ready, so don't see how having an e-visa would make that much quicker.

Do not apply for an e-visa more than 90 days in advance. I didn't realize it was only good for that duration, and applied 105 days or so before travel. I applied for a new e-visa within the proper window. I was able to get the UniVisa valid for both Zambia and Zimbabwe when I applied.

And they only accept crisp (not worn or torn) new-ish bills if you purchase the KAZA visa with cash. When we paid ours, they rejected a couple older $20 bills and asked if we had newer bills. Fortunately, we had a stack of new $5 bills. ;)

Thanks. Glad it's a super fast process!

Every week I went to the bank to withdraw $ hoping for 'big heads' and clean money. Sometimes lucky, sometimes not. I wasn't sure if it really mattered, but good to know my effort will be worth it

Definitely worth it/borderline essential across Africa... untorn, uncreased, must be 2009 series or later (and ideally 2013 or later). If you're changing money you generally get a slightly better rate with $50s (and sometimes with $20s) vs $10s and $5s, not based on the sum that you're changing but the denomination of the notes. One exception is Zimbabwe, where they're so desperate for actual cash that they'll accept any kind of dollar bills that you have....

Sorry to asks for some clearance, but you are saying they want US dollars for the Visa.

Yes, USD cash or *some* booths also have credit card machines. Cash will be surer and normally quicker, but if you only have credit card (think only Visa and MC, no Amex or Diners) then they will take that as well, possibly with a short delay (you might have to move desks to go to one with a card machine)

Thanks will get US bills