This article was updated on the 4th March 2026
This article is for holders of the following passports entering for a tourist or business visit. If you hold a different passport, please visit our Entering Mozambique article for more details
- Canada
- Federal Republic of Germany
- French Republic
- Italian Republic
- Japan
- Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Kingdom of Belgium
- Kingdom of Denmark
- Kingdom of the Netherlands
- Kingdom of Norway
- Kingdom of Spain
- Kingdom of Sweden
- People’s Republic of China
- Republic of Cote d’Ivoire
- Republic of Finland
- Republic of Ghana
- Republic of Indonesia
- Republic of Ireland
- Republic of Korea
- Republic of Senegal
- Republic of Singapore
- Russian Federation
- State of Israel
- Swiss Confederation
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- United States of America
The situation for the above countries is currently confused. This article will be updated as the picture becomes clearer.
Historically, these were known as "visa-free countries" The process of entering visa-free is quite simple and is outlined below.
These countries are sometimes now known as ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) countries. The process of entering with an ETA is outlined below.
The visa-free process is done at the border on arrival, while the ETA must be applied for in advance. Currently, there is a mix of views from foreign governments as to which process must be followed.
The UK Government states that visitors must pre-register (so the ETA process must be followed).
The US Government states that you do not need to pre-register for a hotel based visit (visa-free), but you do if you are staying with friends or family (ETA)
The Canadian Government states that you do not need to pre-authorise your visit (visa-free)
Should I travel with ETA or Visa Free?
As you can see from conflicting government advice (see above), this is an open question. I will run through the advantages and disadvantages of each system below.
This is by far the simplest option and cheapest option. In terms of cost and work needed, this is the best option. However, it means you are travelling without any proof that you are allowed entry into Mozambique. We have had recent reports of this being no problem, and other reports of this meaning airlines not letting passengers board their plane. As the guidance is confused, so is the airlines adherence to the guidance. We have first hand evidence of this being used to travel from the UK to Maputo, at the end of February 2026, flying with TAP, and there being no problem. TAP accepted the use of visa-free travel and no problems at the airport (in Maputo) of being allowed in the country using the visa-free system.
This is a more complex and more expensive option, but it does give more security. The system has had problems in the past, and it is unclear, as yet, whether these have been resolved. When using this system, you have pre-authorise travel. That means you can turn up to board your flight with a piece of paper that shows you will be allowed entry into Mozambique. We have not heard of any traveller having an issue boarding flights to Mozambique with this. If the system works as it should visas are issued quickly. This system is not new. It has been used in the past, and each time suspended due to problems. In the past, if the system threw up a problem, it became very hard to resolve, and there was no real mechanism to do so. We have had one such incident when our daughter visited (at this time, ETA was mandatory). We later found her application was rejected due to an inconsistency in her file. This was caused by the immigration officer not correctly processing her exit on a previous visit. Once a problem like this was thrown up, it was very hard to resolve. And if you try to travel on the visa-free scheme after having applied and failed on the ETA, this application will be on your file and will cause difficulties on arrival. But, if there are no problems, the system works well and issues the permit to travel quickly.
Conclusion
At the moment this is hanging in the balance. ETA can seem the more sensible approach for smoother entry with pre-authorised paperwork, but if this is rejected, you make travel very challenging. It also seems you are being forced to pay more, for a less good service.
How to Travel visa-free or with ETA
This is covered in seperate articles. Click on the link below to go to the relevant article
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