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Zimbabwe eVisa for Minors: Children Travel Requirements 2026



👶 Quick Summary — Zimbabwe eVisa for Children (2026)
Every child travelling to Zimbabwe — including infants — requires their own individual passport and eVisa. As of 2025, full visa fees apply to all minors regardless of age (the previous child discount has been removed). Required documents include the child's passport, an unabridged birth certificate, and — depending on who the child travels with — a notarised parental consent letter or a guardian's affidavit. Apply at .

1. Key Rule Change 2025: Full Visa Fees for All Minors

Before 2025, Zimbabwe offered reduced visa fees for children under a certain age. That policy was abolished. Effective 2025, all travellers — including newborns and infants — pay the full standard eVisa fee based on their nationality. There are no child discounts, no age exemptions, and no fee waivers.

⚠️ 2025 Fee Change — No More Child Discount:
Zimbabwe's Department of Immigration confirmed the removal of reduced rates for minors. Every person on the travel itinerary, including children under 2, requires a paid eVisa. Budget accordingly when planning family travel to Zimbabwe.

Current eVisa Fees for Children (2026)

The fees below apply to children of the listed nationalities — identical to adult fees:

NationalitySingle EntryDouble EntryMultiple Entry
🇺🇸 USA · 🇦🇺 Australia · Most EUUSD $30USD $45USD $55
🇬🇧 UK · 🇮🇪 IrelandUSD $55USD $70USD $90
🇨🇦 CanadaUSD $75N/AN/A
🇨🇳 China · Category C nationalsUSD $60USD $90—

See full Zimbabwe eVisa fee schedule →

2. Does Every Child Need Their Own Passport?

Yes — unconditionally. Zimbabwe does not permit children to travel on a parent's or guardian's passport. Every minor, regardless of age, must hold their own valid individual passport. The passport must:

  • Be valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended departure date from Zimbabwe
  • Have at least 2 consecutive blank pages for entry and exit stamps
  • Be undamaged, legible, and machine-readable
⚠️ Children's passports expire faster: Most countries issue passports to children under 16 with a 5-year validity (instead of 10 years for adults). Always check your child's passport expiry date well before booking travel. A passport expiring within 6 months of your Zimbabwe departure date will cause the eVisa to be rejected.

Applying for the Child's eVisa

The parent or legal guardian submits the eVisa application on behalf of the child at . Each child requires a separate application. You cannot combine multiple children in one application. During the application you will need:

  • The child's full legal name (as it appears in the passport)
  • Passport number, country of issue, and expiry date
  • Date of birth
  • A digital photo of the child (same specs as adult: white background, 35×45 mm, JPEG, max 2 MB)
  • Scanned bio page of the child's passport

3. Unabridged Birth Certificate — Required for All Minors

An unabridged birth certificate — one that lists both parents' full names — is required for all travellers under 18 when visiting Zimbabwe. This requirement applies regardless of whether the child is travelling with both parents, one parent, a guardian, or alone.

What Is an Unabridged Birth Certificate?

An unabridged birth certificate is the long-form version of a birth certificate that includes:

  • Child's full name, date of birth, and place of birth
  • Both parents' full names (or one parent if the other is legally unknown/deceased)
  • Both parents' ID or passport numbers (where applicable)
  • Official government seal and signature
❌ Abbreviated (short-form) birth certificates are NOT accepted. Many countries issue both versions. The short-form certificate — which typically only lists the child's name and date of birth — is not sufficient. You must obtain the long-form unabridged version before travel.

Translated Certificates

If the original birth certificate is not in English, you must provide a certified English translation. The translation must be done by a sworn/certified translator — Google Translate or informal translations are not accepted at the border.

4. Travelling With Both Parents — What Documents Are Needed?

When a child travels to Zimbabwe with both biological parents, the documentation requirements are simpler:

  • Child's own valid passport
  • Child's approved eVisa (Letter of Authority)
  • Unabridged birth certificate listing both parents
  • Both parents' passports (for verification at immigration)

No additional consent letters are required when both parents are present and their names match those on the birth certificate.

5. Travelling With One Parent — Notarised Consent Letter Required

If a child travels with only one parent (biological or adoptive), Zimbabwe requires a notarised parental consent letter from the absent parent. This is one of the most common documentation issues that causes family travellers to be turned away at the border.

What the Consent Letter Must Include

1. Full name and date of birth of the child
2. Full name and passport/ID number of the absent parent
3. Full name and passport/ID number of the travelling parent
4. Destination country (Zimbabwe) and travel dates
5. Purpose of travel (tourism, family visit, safari, etc.)
6. Contact details of the absent parent (phone, email, address)
7. Statement granting permission for the child to travel
8. Signature of the absent parent
9. Notarisation stamp and signature of a licensed notary public
📝 Sample consent letter text:

"I, [Absent Parent Full Name], holder of [nationality] passport/ID number [number], hereby grant permission for my minor child [Child Full Name], date of birth [DOB], to travel to Zimbabwe from [arrival date] to [departure date] in the company of their [mother/father], [Travelling Parent Full Name], holder of passport number [number]. I can be contacted at [phone/email] if required. This consent is given freely and without coercion.

Signed: ________________________
[Absent Parent Name] | Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]
Notarised by: [Notary Name, Seal, Registration Number]"

Absent Parent Deceased or Rights Terminated

If the absent parent is deceased or their parental rights have been legally terminated, you must carry:

  • Death certificate of the deceased parent (with certified English translation if applicable), or
  • A court order confirming sole custody or termination of parental rights

6. Child Travelling Without Parents — Guardian's Affidavit

When a child travels to Zimbabwe without either parent — for example, with a grandparent, relative, school group leader, or travel companion — the requirements are the most stringent.

Required Documents for Unaccompanied Children or Children With Non-Parent Adults

  • Child's own valid passport and approved eVisa
  • Unabridged birth certificate
  • Notarised consent letters from BOTH parents (or surviving parent + death certificate of the other)
  • Letter from the accompanying adult (guardian, teacher, relative) confirming their identity and relationship to the child, including their ID/passport details
  • Contact details of parents/guardians who can be reached during the trip
  • Details of the person receiving the child in Zimbabwe (name, address, phone number)
⚠️ School groups and sports teams: Group travel leaders must carry notarised consent from each child's parents. A group travel permission letter issued by the school is recommended but does not replace individual parental consent. Zimbabwe border officials check each minor's documents individually.

Truly Unaccompanied Minors (Under 18, No Adult Guardian)

Zimbabwe does not have a formal unaccompanied minor programme like some airlines, but children under 18 travelling completely alone must carry all documents listed above. It is strongly recommended to:

  • Notify the airline of the child's unaccompanied status
  • Have the receiving adult in Zimbabwe at the airport with their own ID
  • Carry emergency contact information in an accessible location (not just in luggage)

7. Photo Requirements for Children's eVisa

The digital photo submitted with a child's eVisa must meet the same technical specifications as an adult photo. This can be challenging for infants and toddlers — but it is required.

SpecificationRequirement
BackgroundPlain white only
Face coverage70–80% of the frame
EyesOpen and clearly visible
Head coveringsOnly if religious — full face must be visible
RecencyTaken within the last 6 months
Format / SizeJPEG, max 2 MB, min 400×514 px
💡 Tips for infant photos:
  • Lay the baby on a white sheet or blanket on a flat surface and photograph from directly above
  • Make sure no part of the white background shows hands or other body parts
  • Wait until the baby's eyes are open and looking toward the camera
  • Use a passport photo compliance app to verify before uploading

8. Complete Checklist — Zimbabwe eVisa for Minors

Use this checklist before applying and before departure:

✓ Child's own passport — valid 6+ months, 2+ blank pages
✓ Scanned passport bio page of the child
✓ Digital photo of the child — white background, JPEG, max 2 MB
✓ Unabridged birth certificate (both parents named) — with English translation if needed
✓ Full eVisa fee paid — no discount for minors (2025 rule change)
⚠ Notarised consent from absent parent — required if travelling with only one parent
⚠ Notarised consent from BOTH parents — required if travelling without either parent
⚠ Guardian's letter — if non-parent adult accompanies the child
⚠ Death certificate or custody order — if one parent is deceased or rights terminated
✓ Printed Letter of Authority — the approved eVisa PDF for the child
✓ Proof of accommodation and return/onward travel

Frequently Asked Questions — eVisa for Minors

Do children under 2 years old need to pay for a Zimbabwe eVisa?
Yes. Since the 2025 fee policy change, all travellers including infants pay the full standard eVisa fee. There is no age-based discount or exemption. A family of two adults and a 6-month-old baby pays three full eVisa fees.
Can my child travel on my passport to Zimbabwe?
No. Zimbabwe requires every traveller to hold their own individual passport. Children entered on a parent's passport — a practice that some countries historically allowed — are not accepted. Even newborns must have their own passport before applying for a Zimbabwe eVisa.
Do I need a notarised consent letter if I'm travelling with both my children and my spouse?
No. When both biological parents are present and travelling together with their children, no consent letter is required. You will still need each child's unabridged birth certificate, as the names of both parents must match those on the passports of the accompanying adults.
What if the absent parent refuses to sign the consent letter?
If the absent parent refuses consent, you will need a court order permitting travel without the other parent's consent. Contact a family law attorney in your country to obtain the appropriate legal documentation. Zimbabwe immigration officers will not accept an unsigned letter or a verbal claim that the other parent consented.
Does the consent letter need to be notarised, or is a signature enough?
It must be notarised — signed and stamped by a licensed notary public. A plain signature without notarisation is not accepted. The notarisation confirms the identity of the person signing and the authenticity of the document. In some countries, a Commissioner of Oaths can perform the same function — check the specific requirement for your country.
My child has a different surname than me. Is that a problem?
Different surnames do not automatically cause problems, but you should be prepared for questions at immigration. Carry the unabridged birth certificate clearly showing the parent-child relationship. A notarised statement explaining the name difference (e.g., use of a married or maiden name) can also help prevent unnecessary delays.
How far in advance should I apply for my child's eVisa?
Apply at least 14–21 days before departure. Standard processing takes 7–9 working days. Give yourself extra buffer time because if documents are rejected or the system flags an issue with the child's application, you will need time to resubmit. Start the process as early as possible.
Are the document requirements the same at all Zimbabwe border crossings?
The official requirements are the same across all ports of entry — Harare International Airport, Victoria Falls Airport, Beitbridge (South Africa), and other land borders. However, in practice, enforcement rigour can vary slightly between crossings. Always carry all required documents regardless of which border you cross. Victoria Falls Airport tends to have stricter document checks due to high international tourist volumes.
📝 Ready to apply for your child's eVisa? Visit our step-by-step application guide for full instructions, or check current fees before starting at evisa.gov.zw.

🧭 Related Pages

👶 Minors: Key Rules

  • Own passport — no travel on parent's doc
  • Full fees — no child discount (2025+)
  • Birth certificate — unabridged, both parents
  • Consent letter — notarised, if one parent
  • Both parents' consent — if no parent travels
  • 6 months validity — passport must be current

🔗 Official Resources

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