Mozambique (MZ)

Portuguese-speaking East African country with 2,500 km of Indian Ocean coastline, extraordinary marine parks, growing LNG energy sector, and low cost of living for expats in Maputo.

Capital: Maputo

Region: Africa

Language: Portuguese

Currency: MZN (MT)

Cost of living: Very affordable (index 20)

Emergency: 119

Visa & Immigration

Entry and residence options for Mozambique.

Visa-Free Access

SADC member state citizens (South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, Malawi, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, Madagascar, DRC, Angola, Mauritius, Seychelles, Comoros) enter visa-free for 30–90 days. Many other nationalities — including the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, most EU countries, Japan, South Korea, and Brazil — can enter visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism and short visits. Citizens of approximately 60 countries can obtain an e-visa in advance via the official portal. Nationals of some countries require a visa from the Mozambican embassy before arrival — check the current list at the Mozambican embassy or DIRE.

All residence permits, work permits, and visa extensions are handled by DIRE (Direcção de Imigração) — offices in Maputo, Beira, Nampula, and provincial capitals. Book appointments well in advance; DIRE offices are consistently oversubscribed. All foreign documents submitted to DIRE must be translated into Portuguese by a certified translator and apostilled (or legalised at a Mozambican consulate) before submission. Overstaying any visa or permit in Mozambique results in fines, potential detention, and a ban on re-entry. The e-visa portal (evisa.gov.mz) is the recommended entry point for eligible nationalities — apply at least 7 days before travel.

Tourist Visa / Short-Stay Visa

Visto de Turismo / Visto de Curta Duração

USD 50–120 depending on nationality and processing type

Duration: 30 days, extendable once for a further 30 days at DIRE

Eligibility

Nationals of countries that are not visa-free or do not qualify for an e-visa. Also for stays intended to exceed the visa-free period.

Processing time

5–10 working days at Mozambican embassy/consulate. E-visa: 3–5 business days online.

Requirements

✓Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity beyond intended stay)
✓Completed visa application form
✓Recent passport photograph
✓Proof of hotel reservation or invitation letter
✓Return or onward flight ticket
✓Proof of sufficient funds (bank statement)
✓Yellow fever vaccination certificate (required for travellers arriving from yellow fever endemic countries)

💡 Apply at the Mozambican embassy in your home country or online via the e-visa portal (evisa.gov.mz). Extension possible once at DIRE Maputo (Avenida Ho Chi Minh) before expiry. Do not overstay — fines and deportation risk.

Business Visa

Visto de Negócios

USD 60–150

Duration: 30 days, single or multiple entry options (30–90 days)

Eligibility

Foreign nationals attending business meetings, conferences, or conducting commercial reconnaissance (no commercial activity permitted)

Processing time

5–10 working days

Requirements

✓Valid passport
✓Letter of invitation from a Mozambican company
✓Letter from employer confirming business purpose
✓Proof of accommodation
✓Proof of sufficient funds
✓Return flight ticket

💡 A business visa does not permit paid employment or commercial operations in Mozambique. For any commercial activity, a work permit is required.

Residence Permit (DIRE)

Autorização de Residência (DIRE — Direcção de Imigração)

MT 5,000–15,000 for initial permit; renewal fees apply

Duration: 1–2 years, renewable annually

Eligibility

Foreign nationals intending to reside in Mozambique for more than 30 days — employees, investors, retirees, family members of residents

Processing time

4–8 weeks

Requirements

✓Valid passport
✓Completed DIRE application form
✓Biometric photographs
✓Employment contract or proof of income (for employment-based)
✓Police clearance certificate from home country (apostilled, translated into Portuguese)
✓Medical certificate (issued by Mozambican government health authority)
✓Yellow fever vaccination certificate
✓Proof of accommodation in Mozambique
✓Employer or sponsor's registration documents

💡 Apply at DIRE offices in Maputo (Avenida Ho Chi Minh 1416), Beira, Nampula, or provincial capitals. DIRE is the immigration authority — all residence matters are managed here. Book appointments in advance; walk-in queues are very long.

Work Permit (Autorização de Exercício de Actividade)

Autorização de Exercício de Actividade / Visto de Trabalho

MT 5,000–15,000 (employer pays)

Duration: 1 year, renewable annually

Eligibility

Foreign nationals intending to perform paid employment in Mozambique. Employer must apply on behalf of the employee.

Processing time

4–8 weeks at MITESS

Requirements

✓Completed application by employer at MITESS (Ministry of Labour)
✓Employee's valid passport
✓Police clearance certificate (apostilled, translated)
✓Educational qualifications (authenticated)
✓Employment contract
✓Proof of employer's company registration and activity licence
✓Evidence that role cannot be filled by a Mozambican national (for standard quota positions)
✓Medical certificate

💡 The 5% foreign worker quota for large employers applies under Law 13/2023 (which replaced Law 23/2007, in force since February 2024) — no more than 5% of a large company's workforce can be foreign nationals. Senior management, specialist technical roles, and extractive sector positions may be exempt. Work permits are employer-specific — changing jobs requires a new permit application.

Investor / Investment Visa

Visto de Investidor / DUAT e Licença de Actividade

USD 500–2,000 (CPI registration) plus government fees

Duration: 2–5 years, renewable

Eligibility

Foreign nationals making a qualifying investment in Mozambique through CPI (Centre for Investment Promotion)

Processing time

8–16 weeks (CPI review and DIRE residence)

Requirements

✓Business plan and proof of investment
✓CPI registration and investment authorisation (IPICC or equivalent)
✓Company registration at CREL
✓Proof of minimum investment (amount varies by sector)
✓Passport and standard immigration documents

💡 CPI (Centro de Promoção de Investimentos) manages foreign investment approvals. Investment in certain sectors (extractive industries, agriculture, tourism) may qualify for special incentives and tax exemptions under the Investment Law.

Remote Worker / Digital Nomad Arrangement

Digital Nomad

No formal digital nomad visa exists (2026)

USD 0 (visa-free) or USD 50–120 (tourist visa)

Duration: 30 days extendable to 60 days maximum as a visitor

Eligibility

Remote workers from visa-free countries can enter for 30 days visa-free and extend. Others use a standard tourist visa. No specific legal framework for digital nomads exists in Mozambique as of 2026.

Processing time

On arrival (visa-free) or 3–5 days (e-visa)

Requirements

✓Proof of remote income (bank statements, employer letter)
✓Proof of accommodation
✓Return ticket
✓Sufficient funds

💡 Mozambique has not introduced a formal digital nomad or remote worker visa as of 2026. Remote workers intending to stay longer than 60 days must obtain a residence permit (DIRE), which requires a local sponsor or employer. Engaging a local immigration lawyer is strongly recommended for longer-term remote work arrangements.

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