Mozambique

Passport validity requirements

To enter Mozambique, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Make sure you get your passport stamped with the correct dates before leaving the immigration desk.

You need at least 2 blank pages for entry stamps.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

Travellers under 18

If you’re entering Mozambique with a child under the age of 18, you will need to present an unabridged birth certificate listing both parents. Where the child is travelling with one parent, or without either parent, a notarised parental consent affidavit (not older than three months) is required.

Visa requirements

British passport holders must get an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling to Mozambique for tourism or business visits of up to 30 days.

You can apply for an ETA through the official Mozambique eVisa portal at least 5 working days before you travel. You must pay online when you apply. You cannot pay on arrival at the border.

The fee is approximately 47 US dollars, including a 37 US dollars  visa fee and a 650 Mozambican Metical processing fee. Processing can take at least 5 working days. You should apply well in advance of your travel date.

When you arrive in Mozambique, you may be asked to show:

• proof of accommodation
• a return or onward ticket
• proof that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay

You should carry a printed copy of your approved ETA and payment confirmation, as immigration officials may ask to see them when you enter or leave Mozambique.

Entering Mozambique by land crossing

Not all lands borders are open 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Check the opening times directly online. Land border crossings into neighbouring countries can be restricted, blocked or closed at short notice.

It can take a long time to clear border formalities at the Lebombo-Ressano Garcia land crossing from South Africa, especially during holiday periods. There can be delays if you are travelling on public transport. Allow time to get to your destination before nightfall.

There have been armed robberies close to the Lebombo border in Nelspruit. These often take place in the queue for the border, mainly after dark. When you stop at junctions or in queues, stay alert and ensure you have space to turn and drive off.

Travel to or from South Africa  

If you’re planning to enter South Africa before or after you visit Mozambique, or if you’re planning to travel through South Africa, check the travel advice for South Africa.

Vaccine requirements

To enter Mozambique, you must have a certificates to prove you’ve had:  

• a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk
• a polio vaccine in certain circumstances

For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Mozambique guide.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Mozambique. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking money into Mozambique

Declare 10,000 Mozambican meticais or more in cash. Declare foreign cash or travellers cheques if the value is 5,000 US dollars or more.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Mozambique. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking money into Mozambique

Declare 10,000 Mozambican meticais or more in cash. Declare foreign cash or travellers cheques if the value is 5,000 US dollars or more.

Emergency services in Mozambique

Call 112 (ambulance, fire, police)

If the call does not connect, use the country-based numbers or contact your nearest police station or medical facility.

Ambulance: 848888 or 823388

Fire: 198

Police: 112

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• finding English-speaking lawyers, funeral directors and translators and interpreters in Mozambique
• dealing with a death in Mozambique
• being arrested or imprisoned in Mozambique
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime
• what to do if you’re in hospital
• if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack

Contacting FCDO

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.

You can also contact FCDO online.

Help abroad in an emergency

If you’re in Mozambique and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the British High Commission in Maputo.

FCDO in London

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)

Find out about call charges

Risk information for British companies

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Mozambique on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.

Areas where FCDO advises against travel

Cabo Delgado Province

FCDO advises against all travel to Cabo Delgado Province, except for Palma town and the area around Pemba and Afungi.

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Palma town and the area around Pemba and Afungi.

Nampula Province

FCDO advises against all travel to the districts of Memba and Eráti in Nampula Province.

Niassa Province

FCDO advises against all travel to the districts of Mecula and Marrupa in Niassa Province.

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel. 

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

Follow FCDO travel on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.

Laws and cultural differences

Personal ID

As a foreigner, you must always have your passport with you. Police patrols and checkpoints are common, and they will not accept copies or photos.

Do not hand over your passport to anyone other than an official. Ask to see their ID if in doubt.

Alcohol laws and bans

It is illegal to drink alcohol on public beaches.

Illegal drugs and prison sentences

If you are convicted of drug use, possession or trafficking, you can expect to get a long prison sentence and a fine.

Landmines

All known minefields in Mozambique have been cleared. In the central and southern provinces of Sofala, Tete, Manica, Gaza, Inhambane and Maputo, mines may still exist in remote areas away from main routes. Get advice from district authorities if you plan to travel in these areas.

Using cameras in secure areas

It is illegal to photograph government offices, airports, military establishments, residences and police or officials without special permission. If in doubt, do not take pictures.

LGBT+ travellers

There are no laws against same-sex sexual activity. Attitudes in Maputo tend to be more liberal than in more remote rural areas of the country. Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.

Money

Make sure you can access money in a variety of ways. Travellers’ cheques are not commonly accepted, Mastercard is not always accepted across the country. US dollars and South African rand are the main exchange currencies.

Credit cards, are increasingly accepted in the larger cities. You should tell your bank before using your card in Mozambique.