For a foreign national taking a documented Zimbabwe job where the employer demonstrates recruitment, qualifications and an understudy arrangement.
Eligibility: 2Documents: 3Process & costs: 4Report facts: 8
Southern Africa · Immigration
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe sits in Southern Africa. Its immigration system runs 19 distinct routes — led by investment, long-term residence and family, each set out in official law. 18 of them cite an official government source, shown on the route with the date we last read it. Who actually qualifies depends on your full profile.
- Immigration routes
- 19across 9 route categories, each set out in official law
- Source-cited routes
- 18 of 19cite an official government source, with the date we last read it
- Largest category
- Investment4 of the 19 routes — see them under Investment below
- Region
- Southern Africa
- Capital
- Harare
- Population
- 16,950,795
- Official language
- Chibarwe, English · +13
- Currency
- ZWG
- Time zone
- UTC+02:00
Source-cited pathways
Immigration routes
All 19 routes, grouped by purpose — 18 of 19 cite an official government source directly. Any route below without one says so on the route.
Work
1 route
Investment
4 routes
For an investor who transfers at least USD 1,000,000 into Zimbabwe for an approved investment project.
Investment from USD 1,000,000
Eligibility: 2Process & costs: 4Report facts: 6
Official government source: zimimmigration.gov.zw · checked 2026-07-26
For a professional or technical investor who has invested at least USD 100,000 in capital equipment in a bona fide Zimbabwean joint venture and has three years of residence.
Investment from USD 100,000
Eligibility: 3Process & costs: 5Report facts: 6
Official government source: zimimmigration.gov.zw · checked 2026-07-26
For an investor with at least USD 300,000 invested and at least three years of Zimbabwe residence at current-permit expiry.
Investment from USD 300,000
Eligibility: 2Process & costs: 5Report facts: 5
Official government source: zimimmigration.gov.zw · checked 2026-07-26
For a foreign investor establishing or funding a documented business project in Zimbabwe.
Eligibility: 2Documents: 3Process & costs: 2Report facts: 10
Official government source: zimimmigration.gov.zw · checked 2026-07-26
Study
2 routes
Scholar's Permit
For a school-age foreign learner accepted by an approved school in Zimbabwe with local guardianship and accommodation.
Eligibility: 2Documents: 2Process & costs: 5Report facts: 3
For a foreign student accepted for full-time study at an approved Zimbabwe educational institution other than a school.
Eligibility: 2Documents: 2Process & costs: 5Report facts: 6
Family
3 routes
For a foreign child of a Zimbabwean citizen who proves the parent-child relationship to Immigration.
Official government source: zimimmigration.gov.zw · checked 2026-07-26
For the spouse or minor child of a resident, or a supported parent, grandparent or other dependant of a resident.
Process & costs: 2Report facts: 10
Official government source: zimimmigration.gov.zw · checked 2026-07-26
For the foreign spouse of a Zimbabwean citizen who is supported and accommodated by the local spouse.
Documents: 2Process & costs: 3Report facts: 9
Official government source: zimimmigration.gov.zw · checked 2026-07-26
Long-term residence
4 routes
For an existing qualifying residence-permit holder who has accumulated at least five years of Zimbabwe residence.
Eligibility: 1Process & costs: 2Report facts: 7
Official government source: zimimmigration.gov.zw · checked 2026-07-26
For a foreign spouse moving from the temporary spouse permit to permanent residence after the qualifying residence period.
Eligibility: 1Process & costs: 3Report facts: 7
For a Temporary Employment Permit holder with at least five continuous years of residence in Zimbabwe.
Eligibility: 1Process & costs: 3Report facts: 7
Official government source: zimimmigration.gov.zw · checked 2026-07-26
For a former Zimbabwe resident applying within seven years of permanent departure to resume residence, with eligible formerly resident spouse and minor children.
Eligibility: 1Process & costs: 2Report facts: 8
Official government source: zimimmigration.gov.zw · checked 2026-07-26
Short stays and visits
2 routes
For a qualifying tourist making multiple visits to Zimbabwe and Zambia under the joint KAZA arrangement.
Process & costs: 1Report facts: 7
Official government source: evisa.gov.zw · checked 2026-07-26
For a visa-required traveller making a temporary visit for tourism, family, business meetings or a conference without taking employment.
Process & costs: 3Report facts: 7
Humanitarian protection
1 route
For a person seeking protection in Zimbabwe because return to the country of origin is unsafe.
Process & costs: 1Report facts: 5
Source pending confirmation: unhcr.org · checked 2026-07-26
Transit
1 route
For a traveller passing through Zimbabwe to another destination where entry permission is required.
Process & costs: 1Report facts: 6
Special cases
1 route
For a person treated as prohibited who receives temporary authority to remain under specified reporting, residence and departure conditions.
Eligibility: 1Process & costs: 3Report facts: 5
Official government source: zimimmigration.gov.zw · checked 2026-07-26
Official sources
- Department of ImmigrationGovernment
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