Those entering Mozambique under either the visa-free scheme, ETA (the 29 countries listed here) or using a visa, are required to register with immigration within 5 days of arrival in the country if you are staying with friends and family.

This process varies depending on the location where you are staying and most of the detail here focuses on Maputo, but other areas are covered briefly too.

This process is not easy and is not followed by many visitors, although it is technically a requirement. If you expect to be a frequent visitor or will want to extend your stay via an immigration office, or have other future contact with immigration, such as to apply for a residency permit, it is strongly advised you do this. If you are simply visiting as a tourist once for under 30 days, the risk of not following this process is low.

Note that if you do not register and you come into contact with enforcement, then the fine is MZN1000 per day. That could increase to MZN3000 per day if immigration also decides you entered incorrectly.

The registration process

The registration process is to obtain a "Boletim de Alojamento" which translates roughly to Accommodation Document.

Within 5 days of arrival in the country, you will need to follow the steps below. Note that 5 days is counted, including the day you arrive and the day you obtain the document. It also counts consecutive, not working days. So if you arrive, for instance, on a Thursday and Friday is a public holiday, you must still obtain the document by the following Monday to be within the deadline and avoid a fine.

The documents required

You must collect the following documents, all on paper. Documents on a phone or laptop wll not be accepted.

• Photocopy of the traveller’s passport bio page
• Photocopy of the receipt for the traveller's entry fee to the country 
• Photocopy of the entry approval – this is an A4 sheet, printed on arrival by immigration or in advance from the eVisa system, that includes your personal details, basis for entry, photo, etc.
• Photocopy of the page in the traveller's passport showing the entry stamp for their arrival. 
• Proof of address for the individual with whom the traveller is staying. A bank statement is not usually accepted. This is ideally a water or electricity bill. In rented homes, those are usually in the homeowner’s name and so don’t work. In that event, you must take a photocopy of their rental agreement. It should not matter if the rental agreement is old, so long as it remains valid. If that is not an option, your host could obtain a bairro certificate (notice from the neighbourhood chief to confirm their address), but this is time consuming (1-2 days) and not always simple.
• The original Letter of Invitation from the host (technically, this is not a requirement, but the authorities are inconsistent and may request it, so it is worth bringing just in case).
• TWO COPIES of a letter to request issuance of the Boletim de Alojamento. This is VERY important. You can use the template for this request letter here – the authorities in Maputo are very particular about the exact layout and format of this letter, so using the template is advisable.
• Taking the traveller’s passport is also advised – this can be useful for instance, where the photocopy of the stamp is not very clear, and the officials want to see the original. This should not be necessary but may be a helpful precaution in case of additional queries.

The process in Maputo City

Take the pack of documents above, to the Senami office in Maputo city. This is on Av Ho Chi Min and is opposite the usual immigration office where you might go to obtain a residency certificate. It is marked in the correct place on Google Maps and if you follow the one-way direction of traffic, it is on the right-hand side of the street. Do not enter the building that refers to public services, use the entrance to the left, go up a few steps and then take the door on the right into a reception area. This area has a desk at each end – use the desk at the right-hand end and present your documents there.

• The officers will inspect your documents and if everything is in order, they will retain the document pack (remember only to give copies).
• They will return one copy of your letter requesting issuance of the Boletim de Alojamento with their official stamp on it. Make sure you keep this stamped letter for future evidence in case the officers later fail to update the process on the immigration system.
• Anybody can do this process – it does not need to be the traveller or the host, so long as they have all the correct documents. It is recommended to send someone with a good spoken Portuguese.
• If any document is missing or you need more photocopies, there are at least two stationery shops within 100m which will photocopy documents and even edit letters for you for a very cheap price (about MZN5 per item).

The process elsewhere

If you are in a city you must go to the the local immigration office (if they have one). 

If you are in a more rural area or a small town, or there is no local immigration office, go to the local police station. Most local police stations will simply stamp your letter, and most reports suggest this is a less particular and easier process then visiting an immigration office. Make sure you get your letter, requesting the Boletim de Alojamento, stamped. 

Some regions issue a specific certificate in place of, or as well as, stamping the request letter. Processes are especially strict in Cabo Delgado, but tourists are unlikely to visit Cabo Delgado (see visotr safety article), and business visitors will be supported in this process.

For cities outside Maputo with immigration offices, the process should follow that for Maputo but may (hopefully) be less demanding.