Mozambique Visa RequirementsFor United States passport holders
American citizens can obtain a visa on arrival in Mozambique at Maputo International Airport and other major ports of entry. The visa on arrival costs $50 USD and allows a single or multiple-entry stay of up to 30 days. Mozambique is southern Africa's most under-visited gem, offering extraordinary Indian Ocean beaches, world-class diving in the Bazaruto and Quirimbas archipelagos, and a Portuguese colonial cultural legacy that distinguishes it from all neighboring countries.
United States passport holders can obtain a Visa on Arrival at Mozambique ports of entry.
American citizens can obtain a visa on arrival at Maputo Maputo International Airport (MPM) and at major land borders. Cost: $50 USD (bring exact amount). You receive a 30-day stamp, extendable at immigration offices. Ensure your US passport has at least 6 months validity. You may be asked for a return ticket, accommodation address, and evidence of sufficient funds. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if arriving from or transiting through a yellow fever risk country. Malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended for all of Mozambique.
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
6 months beyond date of entry
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Allowed
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Required Documents
Valid US Passport
Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date with at least 2 blank pages
Valid US passport (minimum 6 months validity)
Passport-size Photos
Two recent color photos (2x2 inches or 35x45mm). Bring extra copies as requirements may vary
Visa on arrival fee: $50 USD cash
Completed Arrival Card
Immigration arrival/departure card provided on flight or at port of entry
Proof of Accommodation
Hotel reservation, booking confirmation, or address where you will be staying
Return or Onward Flight Ticket
Confirmed flight booking showing departure from the country within visa validity
Visa Fee (Cash)
Payment for visa on arrival fee - bring exact amount in USD or local currency
Return or onward flight ticket Recommended
Accommodation address Recommended
Proof of Sufficient Funds Recommended
Cash, credit cards, or bank statements showing adequate funds for your stay
Travel Insurance Recommended
Recommended coverage for medical emergencies during your trip
Travel Essentials
Health & Safety
Safety Rating
Vaccinations
Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Malaria prophylaxis, Rabies
Tap Water
Bottled water recommended
Safety Tips
Mozambique has varied safety conditions. The northern Cabo Delgado province has an active insurgency - avoid this area. Maputo and southern beaches are generally safe with normal precautions. Petty crime exists in cities. Check current advisories as the situation in the north evolves. Most tourists visit the south safely.
Money & Costs
Currency
MT Mozambican Metical (MZN)
Daily Budget (USD)
Budget: $40 · Mid: $100 · Luxury: $300+
Tipping
Tipping is appreciated. 10% in restaurants. Tips for guides and lodge staff are customary.
Practical Info
Power
Type C, F, M, 220V 50Hz
Driving
Left side
Emergency
119 (Police), 198 (Fire), 117 (Ambulance)
Getting There
Main Airports
Beira (BEW) · Maputo (MPM) · Vilankulo (VNX)
Culture & Travel Tips
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Mozambique is during the dry season from May to November. June to August offers pleasant temperatures. The rainy season (December-April) brings cyclones and flooding in coastal areas. The beaches are beautiful year-round, but diving visibility is best May to October.
Cultural Notes
Mozambique blends African traditions with Portuguese colonial heritage. Music (especially marrabenta) and dance are vibrant. The country has a relaxed atmosphere influenced by its beach culture. Traditional crafts include makonde wood carving. The cuisine fuses African and Portuguese flavors with excellent seafood.
Insider Tips
Portuguese is the official language. The Mozambican Metical is the currency. South African Rand is accepted in southern areas. Mozambique has world-class beaches and diving. Infrastructure improves constantly but roads can be challenging. Seafood is excellent. The country is recovering from decades of civil war.
Current Travel Situation
United States to Mozambique: What You Need to Know
Mozambique gained independence from Portugal in 1975 and is the only southern African country with a Portuguese-speaking culture. Following a devastating civil war (1977-1992), Mozambique rebuilt its economy and tourism sector, and is now one of Africa's fastest-growing destinations for beach tourism. American visitors are relatively rare in Mozambique, making it a genuinely off-the-beaten-path choice in a continent increasingly overrun with tourist infrastructure. The Bazaruto Archipelago (a protected national park of five islands in the Indian Ocean off the central coast) has some of Africa's most pristine coral reefs and the only remaining population of dugongs on the East African coast.
How to Get There
No direct US-Mozambique flights exist. Connect to Maputo (MPM) via Johannesburg (LAM Mozambique Airlines or South African Airways, 1 hour from JNB), Nairobi (Kenya Airways), Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines), or Doha (Qatar Airways). The most common routing is via Johannesburg, making South Africa and Mozambique easy to combine. Total journey from New York to Maputo via Johannesburg is approximately 20-24 hours.
Money & Banking
Mozambique uses the Mozambican metical (MZN). Mozambique is affordable: budget $60-100 USD per day for mid-range travel. The Bazaruto Archipelago island resorts are premium ($200-600+/night all-inclusive). Maputo's restaurant scene (Portuguese-influenced seafood, prawns, and peri-peri chicken) is excellent and moderately priced. USD is widely accepted at tourist facilities; exchange at banks for the best metical rates. ATMs are available in Maputo and larger towns but not reliably in remote areas.
Practical Tips
Bazaruto Archipelago: five Indian Ocean islands (Bazaruto, Benguerra, Magaruque, Santa Carolina, Bangue) with extraordinary diving on pristine coral reefs, dugong encounters, and luxury lodge accommodation. Benguerra Island is considered one of the Indian Ocean's finest small island resorts. Quirimbas Archipelago (far north): pristine and remote, with the historic island city of Ilha de Mocambique (the Portuguese colonial capital, UNESCO). Tofo Beach (near Inhambane, 500 km from Maputo): world-renowned dive site for whale sharks, manta rays, and whale watching (June-October). Maputo: the Fortaleza (Portuguese colonial fort), the National Art Museum (extraordinary collection of Mozambican modern art), the Mercado Central fish market, and the Costa do Sol seafront seafood restaurants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do US citizens need a visa for Mozambique?
No advance visa is needed. Americans get a visa on arrival at Maputo airport ($50 USD cash, 30 days). Bring your US passport, USD cash for the fee, and a return ticket.
What is the best beach destination in Mozambique?
The Bazaruto Archipelago (offshore from Vilanculos) is Mozambique's premier beach destination -- pristine coral reefs, dugongs, and excellent diving. Tofo Beach (near Inhambane) is world-famous for whale shark and manta ray diving. For an authentic historical experience, the UNESCO island of Ilha de Mocambique in the north is extraordinary.
Can I combine Mozambique with South Africa?
Yes, it is very common. Fly into Johannesburg (JNB) and connect to Maputo (MPM, 1 hour) or to Vilanculos (VNX). South Africa and Mozambique form a natural combination for safari (Kruger, South Africa) and beach (Mozambique). Overland entry from South Africa is possible at the Komatipoort/Ressano Garcia border crossing.