Mozambique eVisa vs ETA: What’s the Difference?

What Is a Mozambique eVisa?

A Mozambique eVisa (Electronic Visa) is a full visa issued digitally by the Mozambican government. It authorizes you to enter and stay in Mozambique for a specific purpose – tourism, business, sports, or investment – under the terms and duration printed on your approval.

Unlike a traditional embassy visa, you apply entirely online through the official portal. Once approved, the eVisa is linked digitally to your passport. You receive a PDF that you should print and carry with your travel documents.

The eVisa replaced the older visa-on-arrival process for most nationalities after the new portal launched in February 2026. It is now the standard entry route for travelers who are not visa-exempt and do not qualify for the ETA.

Key facts about the Mozambique eVisa:

• It is an actual visa, not just a travel authorization
• Available for 30, 60, or 90 days (you choose when applying)
• Can be single or multiple entry depending on the visa category
• Standard processing takes about 5 business days
• Digitally linked to your passport after approval
• Non-refundable if rejected or if plans change

What Is a Mozambique ETA?

A Mozambique ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) is not a visa. It is a pre-travel online registration that certain visa-exempt travelers must complete before departing for Mozambique.

Think of it as a digital clearance – a way for Mozambican immigration to screen travelers from visa-exempt countries before they board their flight. The ETA was introduced in May 2025 under Decree No. 10/2023, briefly suspended due to technical problems with the old portal, and relaunched on the new VFS Global-powered platform in February 2026.

If your nationality falls in the ETA-eligible group (29 countries), you have two entry options: apply for the ETA online before departure (~$48 USD), or pay approximately $10 USD at the border on arrival. However, getting the ETA online is strongly recommended – some airlines now refuse boarding to passengers without one, even though Mozambique itself would technically admit you at the border.

Key facts about the Mozambique ETA:

• It is not a visa – it is a pre-travel authorization
• Available only to citizens of 29 visa-exempt countries
• Costs approximately $48 USD online (or ~$10 at the border)
• Valid for 30 days per entry
• Single-entry authorization
• Valid for approximately 60 days from the date it is issued
• Apply at least 48 hours before departure (earlier is safer)
• Approvals can come in minutes, but allow days as a buffer

eVisa vs ETA: Key Differences

The table below summarizes the main differences between Mozambique’s eVisa and ETA:

Which One Do You Need?

The entry document you need depends entirely on your passport nationality. Mozambique has four categories of travelers, and each follows a different path.

ETA-Eligible Countries (29 Countries)

If you hold a passport from one of these 29 countries, you qualify for the ETA pathway. You can either apply for the ETA online before departure or pay at the border on arrival:

Belgium, Canada, China, Cote d’Ivoire, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and United States.

Travelers from these countries are technically visa-exempt for short stays but must register online via the ETA. The legal basis is Decree No. 10/2023 of 31 March 2023, which created the ETA requirement for previously visa-exempt nations.

eVisa-Required Countries

If your country is not on the visa-exempt list and not on the ETA-eligible list, you need a full eVisa. This is the default category and includes most nationalities worldwide:

• Oceania: Australia, New Zealand
• Asia: India, most of Southeast Asia, most of the Middle East
• Americas: Brazil, most of Latin America
• Europe: Austria, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and most EU countries not listed above
• Africa: Most countries outside SADC

Apply through evisa.gov.mz at least 1-2 weeks before travel. Upload your documents, pay the fee, and wait for approval.

Visa-Free Countries (SADC and Selected African Nations)

Some travelers do not need either an eVisa or an ETA. Citizens of SADC member states and several other African nations can enter Mozambique without any pre-travel authorization:

Angola, Botswana, Cabo Verde, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, South Africa, Eswatini, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

These travelers simply arrive at the border with a valid passport and get stamped in – free of charge. Most get 30 days per entry; Botswana, Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania get 90 days.

Embassy-Only Countries

Six nationalities cannot use the online portal at all. They must apply in person at a Mozambican embassy or consulate:

Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Somalia.

Plan for weeks, not days, if you fall in this category.

Cost Comparison: eVisa vs ETA

Fees are a major practical difference between the two entry paths. Here is what you can expect to pay in 2026:

A few important notes on fees:

• eVisa fees are set in Mozambican Meticais (MZN) and float with the exchange rate. The USD amounts above are approximate.
• A VFS Global service fee is added on top of eVisa applications. Confirm the total on the portal before paying.
• All fees are non-refundable – whether your application is rejected or your travel plans change, you will not get your money back.
• If you already paid for an ETA online, you do not pay again at the border.

Processing Time: eVisa vs ETA

Processing speed differs significantly between the two options:

ETA processing time: The official portal recommends applying at least 48 hours before departure. In practice, approvals can arrive in as little as 5-10 minutes. However, the portal can be unstable, and some applications get flagged for corrections. Treat 48 hours as the legal minimum, not the ideal buffer. Apply at least a week before your trip.

eVisa processing time: Standard processing takes about 5 business days after you submit your application and complete payment. Some sources report 6-9 business days. If the portal requests additional documents, you get 5 calendar days to upload them before the application is automatically rejected.

Important timing note for ETA: The ETA is valid for approximately 60 days from the date it is issued – not from your travel date. If you apply months in advance, it can expire before you arrive or partway through your trip. The sweet spot is one to four weeks before your flight.

How to Apply

Both the eVisa and ETA are applied for through the same official portal at evisa.gov.mz. The process is straightforward but requires attention to detail.

For the ETA:

1. Go to evisa.gov.mz and select the ETA option
2. Enter your passport details exactly as shown in your passport
3. Upload any required documents
4. Pay the fee (~$48 USD)
5. Wait for approval (usually 1-2 days, sometimes faster)
6. Download and print the PDF approval
7. Carry the printed copy for airline check-in and immigration

For the eVisa:

1. Go to evisa.gov.mz and select the eVisa option
2. Choose your visa category (tourist, business, etc.) and duration (30/60/90 days)
3. Upload your passport photo, passport copy, proof of financial means, hotel reservation, and flight ticket
4. Specify your travel details (purpose, arrival date, transport mode, accommodation address)
5. Pay the fee (varies by duration)
6. Wait for processing (~5 business days)
7. Download and print the approved eVisa PDF

Common issues: File uploads can be finicky. Make sure each file meets the required format and size limits. If uploads fail, try switching browsers (Chrome, Firefox, or Edge). If the portal is unresponsive, wait and try again later rather than submitting a duplicate application.

Which Should You Choose?

For most travelers, the answer is determined by your nationality – you do not get to choose between eVisa and ETA. Your passport places you in one category or the other.

However, if you are from one of the 29 ETA-eligible countries, you do have a choice: ETA online (~$48) or pay at the border (~$10). Our recommendation is clear: get the ETA online.

Here is why:

• Airlines are increasingly strict. Some carriers now require proof of ETA before boarding, even though Mozambique would technically admit you without one at the border. Being denied boarding at your departure airport is far more expensive and disruptive than paying $48 in advance.
• Peace of mind. Arriving at a foreign immigration desk without pre-approval adds unnecessary stress. With the ETA approved in advance, you walk through with confidence.
• The cost difference is small. $48 vs $10 – the $38 difference buys you certainty and avoids potential airline hassle.
• The sweet spot for timing. Apply one to four weeks before your trip. Not too early (ETA expires in 60 days from issue) and not too late (48 hours is the minimum, not the recommendation).

For eVisa travelers, there is no choice to make – you must apply online before departure. Give yourself at least 1-2 weeks, and make sure all your uploaded documents are clear and complete to avoid delays.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, ETA or eVisa?

Neither is “better” – they serve different purposes. The ETA is a lighter, cheaper pre-authorization for visa-exempt travelers (29 countries). The eVisa is a full visa for everyone else. If you qualify for the ETA, it is faster and less expensive. If you need an eVisa, it offers longer stays (up to 90 days) and multiple-entry options.

Do I need an ETA for Mozambique?

It depends on your nationality. Citizens of 29 countries (including the US, UK, Canada, and most EU nations) need an ETA for short tourist or business visits. SADC nationals are visa-free and need neither. Most other nationalities need a full eVisa. Check your specific passport on evisa.gov.mz.

Are ETA and eVisa the same thing?

No. An eVisa is an actual visa issued by the Mozambican government. An ETA is a pre-travel authorization – it is not a visa. The ETA is lighter, cheaper, and faster, but it only applies to 29 visa-exempt countries and allows a 30-day stay. The eVisa applies to a broader range of nationalities and offers 30, 60, or 90-day stays.

Do US citizens need a visa for Mozambique?

US citizens do not need a traditional visa, but they do need an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization). Apply online at evisa.gov.mz for approximately $48 USD, or pay about $10 USD at the border. We recommend the online ETA to avoid airline boarding issues.

How much is the Mozambique ETA fee?

The online ETA costs approximately $48 USD. If you choose to pay at the border instead, the fee is about $10 USD. Fees are non-refundable in both cases.

How long does it take to get a Mozambique eVisa?

Standard eVisa processing takes about 5 business days after submission and payment. Some sources report up to 6-9 business days. If additional documents are requested, you have 5 calendar days to upload them. Apply at least 1-2 weeks before your trip to allow time for any issues.