GOVERNMENT has scrapped off visa requirements for 53 countries across the globe after President Hakainde Hichilema’s recent call for the promotion of Zambia as an attractive destination for tourism, business, trade and investment.
Home Affairs and Internal Security Minister Jack Mwiimbu revealed that the waiver is in accordance with statutory instrument No. 78 of 2024 and will take effect on 1st January 2025.
Speaking at a press briefing yesterday, Mwiimbu stated that the development also speaks to the Eighth National Development Plan(8NDP) which identified tourism as a pillar for development in the country.
He said the latest waiver brings the total number of countries whose visa requirements have been removed to 167.
“The visa waiver will unlock economic opportunities through tourism, trade in goods and services as well as employment creation. Government is committed to opening doors to international travelers while ensuring national security,” said Mwiimbu.
Mwiimbu stated that he expects the number of international tourist arrivals per year to increase to three million by 2026 because of the just announced development.
Israel is part of the 53 countries allowed in the country, fulfilling President Hichilema’s directive which he made during the 2023 Israel/ Zambia business forum.
Meanwhile, the minister revealed that the Department of Immigration plans on introducing an advanced passenger information system to allow Immigration officers to work ahead of time so as to help prevent illegal travelers from entering the country.
“While government is committed to opening doors to international travellers, we are also mindful of the need to maintain national security. This is the reason why the department of immigration is focusing on implementing a mix of pre entry and post entry migration management measures,” he said.
Mwiimbu shared that Government has also set up four new internal immigration controls in Chongwe, Maamba, Kalumbila, and Chililabombwe likely aimed at improving border security, monitoring the movement of people, curbing illegal immigration and enhancing national security within these strategic areas.
The 53 countries include Albania, American Samoa, Andorra, Argentina, Aruba, Buhutan, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Bouvet Island, Brunei Darussalam and Cape Verde.
Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Comoros, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Faroe Islands, French Polynesia, French Southern Territories, Greenland, Guam and Guatemala are also on the list.
Others are Guyana, Honduras, Iceland, Laos, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Macedonia, Madagascar, Micronesia, Moldovan, Monaco, Morocco, Netherlands Antilles, New Caledonia, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, San Marino, Sandwich Islands, São Tomé and Principe, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Suriname, Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, Vatican City State Virgin Islands and Walis and Futuna Islands.
By Catherine Pule
Kalemba, December 19, 2024