Zambia
ZMBZambia is a landlocked southern-central African nation whose economy is anchored by one of the world's largest copper reserves, with the Copperbelt province accounting for the bulk of export earnings. Successive peaceful elections since multiparty democracy was restored in 1991 — including the 2021 transfer of power to President Hakainde Hichilema — place Zambia among the continent's more stable democracies.
English is the official language and is widely used in business and government. Lusaka is a fast-growing capital with improving infrastructure and a growing middle class. The kwacha has historically been volatile, tracking copper prices and external debt cycles. Foreign investors are active in mining, agriculture, and renewable energy. Naturalisation requires ten years of lawful residence and dual citizenship is not recognised. There is no citizenship-by-investment programme.
- Naturalisation
- 10 years
- Tax system
- Residence Based
- Currency
- Zambian Kwacha (ZMW)
- Dual citizenship
- Not allowed
- Capital
- Lusaka
- Region
- africa
- Population
- 20,000,000
- Cost-of-living
- 30 /100
Passport Rank
#82
Visa-Free
61
destinations
Visa-free travel
A Zambia passport has visa-free access to 61 destinations. See the full Zambia passport breakdown →
Passports that enter Zambia without a prior visa (144)
Visa-free, visa on arrival, or on an eTA.
Community-sourced (passport-index, synced 2026-08-18) — verify with the embassy before travel.
Immigrating to Canada from Zambia
Current IRCC processing times for Zambia nationals, by application type.
| Visitor visa (outside Canada) | 253 days |
| Super visa | No processing time available |
| Study permit | 12 weeks |
| Work permit | No processing time available |
| Sponsor a dependent child | No processing time available |
| Adopted child (citizenship) | Not enough data |
| Government-assisted refugees | Not enough data |
| Privately sponsored refugees | sponsor: 27 months / refugee: Not enough data |
Your application may take longer than the times shown here. They’re not a maximum or a guarantee.
As of 2026-09-22 (IRCC). See all Canada processing times →
Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada — “Check processing times”. This is a copy of the version available at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html. Reproduced under the Government of Canada’s non-commercial reproduction terms; not endorsed by or affiliated with IRCC.
Sources & last verified
Government of Canada — non-commercial reproduction (canada.ca Terms and conditions)
Country Details
- Capital
- Lusaka
- Currency
- Zambian Kwacha (ZMW)
- Languages
- English, Bemba, Nyanja, Tonga, Lozi
- Population
- 20,000,000
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Dual Citizenship
- Not allowed
- Naturalisation
- 10 years
- Schengen / EU
- No
- Climate
- Tropical / Subtropical plateau
- English Proficiency Rank
- #55
- GDP per capita
- $1,318
- Life expectancy
- 66.53 yrs
- Population growth
- 2.77%/yr
GDP per capita, life expectancy, and population growth: World Bank (2025).
Indices
Cost of Living
30
Safety
48
Healthcare
30
Quality of Life
90
Tax Summary
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Territorial Taxation
- No — worldwide income taxed for residents
- Naturalisation
- 10 years of legal residency
- Dual Citizenship
- Not allowed
Cost of Living by City
← scroll the table →
| City | Rent 1BR centre | Rent outside | Groceries | Utilities | Transit pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lusaka | — | — | — | — | — |
| Kitwe | — | — | — | — | — |
| Ndola | — | — | — | — | — |
Monthly USD figures. Typical central 1-bedroom rent, grocery basket for one, household utilities, monthly transit pass.
Climate
Lusaka
Rainfall range: 1–225 mm/month · Daylight 10.5h (winter) to 13.5h (summer)
Visa Categories & Immigration Authority
Major Visa Categories
- KAZA UniVisa
- Tourist
- Business
- Employment Permit
- Investor
- Student
- Self-Employment Permit
- Residence Permit
- Authority
- Department of Immigration
- Official Portal
- www.zambiaimmigration.gov.zm
- Phone
- +260 211 253 036
- info@zambiaimmigration.gov.zm
Naturalisation Details
- Residence Years
- Language Test
- No
- Civic Test
- No
- Oath Required
- No
- Dual Allowed
- No
- Fee
- —
- Processing
- —
Safety
GPI Rank
#[object Object]
Global Peace Index ranking (lower is safer)
Regulators & official sources
Bodies that regulate immigration advice in Zambia, and the official sources indexed for it by Visa Atlas. Descriptions are verbatim; each links to its source.
Law Association of Zambia
LAZProfessional body for legal practitioners in Zambia. The Department of Immigration separately registers immigration consultants and accepts filings from individual applicants, practising lawyers, practising HR employees of the employing company and registered immigration consultants.
Related Guides
Related on The Citizenship Desk
Visa routes
Official visa and residence routes for Zambia, indexed from Visa Atlas. Each links to its government source. This is a licensed external index, distinct from our own curated visa guides.
Residence
Residence Permit
ResidenceZambia permanent-residence permit for applicants who meet a listed employment, investment, family, retirement, citizen-family or delayed-change basis.
Short-term / business
Business Visit Visa
Short-term / businessShort business visitor visa supported by company and host documents.
KAZA UNIVISA
Short-term / businessRegional tourist visa for eligible travellers visiting Zambia and Zimbabwe, with Botswana day trips through Kazungula.
Visitor Visa or eVisa
Short-term / businessGeneral visitor visa framework for travellers who need a Zambian visa before or on arrival.
Work (sponsored)
Employment Permit
Work (sponsored)Main long-term work permit for employment in Zambia exceeding 6 months.
Temporary Employment Permit
Work (sponsored)Shorter work/business permit for a business visitor remaining in Zambia beyond 30 days.
Family
Spouse Permit
FamilyFamily permit for the spouse of a Zambian citizen, established resident or Residence Permit holder.
Study
Study Permit
StudyStudy permit for full-time or part-time study at a Zambian educational institution.
Investor
Investor Permit
InvestorInvestor permit for foreigners establishing, investing in, or joining a business in Zambia.
Sources & last verified
Route index from Visa Atlas (CC BY 4.0), as of 2026-09-12. Each route links to its official government source.
Sources & last verified
- Last verified