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Zimbabwe's online visa system now fully operational
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Zimbabwe's Online Border Management System (OBMS) is now fully operational, ushering in a new era of digitised immigration services that allow travellers to apply for visas and complete border formalities online. This milestone marks a significant leap in the country's travel and tourism modernisation agenda.
Launched in January by the Department of Immigration, the OBMS is designed to streamline immigration processes and reduce congestion at ports of entry. It facilitates online visa applications and enables faster clearance through newly-installed electronic gates (e-gates), allowing travellers to move through immigration in mere seconds.
Travellers who have already used the system are praising the innovation for its efficiency and ease of use. One enthusiastic visitor shared their experience: "In the blink of an eye, I am cleared—this is fantastic. The new system is super quick. Travelling is now enjoyable because we spend more time exploring, not waiting. This is a groundbreaking initiative that should be replicated globally. As travellers, we do not want to waste time queuing. The process is fast and reliable—we are loving it."
Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister, Honourable Kazembe Kazembe, confirmed the system's national rollout and its operational readiness at major points of entry.
"I'm glad to inform the citizenry that through this OBMS we have deployed, people can now fill in their arrival forms from the comfort of their homes even before booking their flights," said Kazembe. "With online applications now enabled, our website is live and fully functional. You can even complete the process mid-air if you have Wi-Fi access."
Kazembe also highlighted the dramatic improvement in processing time.
"Last time we checked, it took about 40 seconds to clear one person. I asked the service provider to reduce that time and now, I am proud to say clearance through the e-gate takes just 22 seconds. That means three people can be processed per minute—something not possible with manual systems."
The OBMS has been rolled out at Zimbabwe's busiest ports of entry, including Beitbridge border post, Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport, and Victoria Falls International Airport.
The system's implementation underscores the government's commitment to leveraging digital tools to modernise travel infrastructure and boost tourism. With global travellers increasingly seeking convenience and speed, the OBMS positions Zimbabwe as a more attractive and competitive destination on the international tourism map.
Launched in January by the Department of Immigration, the OBMS is designed to streamline immigration processes and reduce congestion at ports of entry. It facilitates online visa applications and enables faster clearance through newly-installed electronic gates (e-gates), allowing travellers to move through immigration in mere seconds.
Travellers who have already used the system are praising the innovation for its efficiency and ease of use. One enthusiastic visitor shared their experience: "In the blink of an eye, I am cleared—this is fantastic. The new system is super quick. Travelling is now enjoyable because we spend more time exploring, not waiting. This is a groundbreaking initiative that should be replicated globally. As travellers, we do not want to waste time queuing. The process is fast and reliable—we are loving it."
Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister, Honourable Kazembe Kazembe, confirmed the system's national rollout and its operational readiness at major points of entry.
"I'm glad to inform the citizenry that through this OBMS we have deployed, people can now fill in their arrival forms from the comfort of their homes even before booking their flights," said Kazembe. "With online applications now enabled, our website is live and fully functional. You can even complete the process mid-air if you have Wi-Fi access."
Kazembe also highlighted the dramatic improvement in processing time.
"Last time we checked, it took about 40 seconds to clear one person. I asked the service provider to reduce that time and now, I am proud to say clearance through the e-gate takes just 22 seconds. That means three people can be processed per minute—something not possible with manual systems."
The OBMS has been rolled out at Zimbabwe's busiest ports of entry, including Beitbridge border post, Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport, and Victoria Falls International Airport.
The system's implementation underscores the government's commitment to leveraging digital tools to modernise travel infrastructure and boost tourism. With global travellers increasingly seeking convenience and speed, the OBMS positions Zimbabwe as a more attractive and competitive destination on the international tourism map.
Source - ZBC
