News / National
Zimbabwe relaxes visa conditions for 37 countries include China
04 Mar 2016 at 02:46hrs | Views
As part of efforts to boost the tourism sector, Government has relaxed the visa regime for 37 countries including China while it has removed visa requirements for all visitors from the Southern African Development Community.
Zimbabwe uses a migration management system with a three tier visa model classified into categories A, B and C. Category A refers to countries whose nationals are exempt from visa requirements while those in category B obtain visas at the port of entry on arrival. Category C nationals are required to apply for visas prior to travel.
According to one website, Immigration principal director Clemence Masango said with immediate effect China, along with 36 other countries, had been moved from Category C to B. The other countries include Equatorial Guinea, Iran, Algeria, Turkey and Cuba. All SADC countries have now been migrated to Category A.
Only Angola and Madagascar had remained outside category A.
Masango however said while China is now in Category B, there are still some conditions attached to the eligibility criteria for its nationals.
Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) chief executive officer Karikoga Kaseke said the process is a positive step in the right direction but more needs to be done as well.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe was ranked poorly under the 2016 Visa Restrictions Index, published by international firm Henley & Partners. The index, which provides insight into the development of visa policies over the last 11 years, ranked Germany first while Zimbabwe was ranked 78 along with three other countries (Benin, Cuba and Morocco) with visa-free access to 59 countries.
With a German passport, travelers can enter 177 out of 218 countries and territories without a visa.
Zimbabwe uses a migration management system with a three tier visa model classified into categories A, B and C. Category A refers to countries whose nationals are exempt from visa requirements while those in category B obtain visas at the port of entry on arrival. Category C nationals are required to apply for visas prior to travel.
According to one website, Immigration principal director Clemence Masango said with immediate effect China, along with 36 other countries, had been moved from Category C to B. The other countries include Equatorial Guinea, Iran, Algeria, Turkey and Cuba. All SADC countries have now been migrated to Category A.
Only Angola and Madagascar had remained outside category A.
Masango however said while China is now in Category B, there are still some conditions attached to the eligibility criteria for its nationals.
Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) chief executive officer Karikoga Kaseke said the process is a positive step in the right direction but more needs to be done as well.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe was ranked poorly under the 2016 Visa Restrictions Index, published by international firm Henley & Partners. The index, which provides insight into the development of visa policies over the last 11 years, ranked Germany first while Zimbabwe was ranked 78 along with three other countries (Benin, Cuba and Morocco) with visa-free access to 59 countries.
With a German passport, travelers can enter 177 out of 218 countries and territories without a visa.
Source - wires
