Mozambique travel guide

Overview

Travel tip

It's advisable to pay in the local currency, Metical, and to use taxis or buses for transportation.

Before you go

For tourism, Mozambique commonly allows short stays through a visa on arrival or an e-Visa, but the exact requirement depends on your nationality. Check your visa status and permitted stay before departure. Electronic travel authorizations such as ESTA, K-ETA, or ETA are different from systems that pre-submit arrival or customs information online, and Mozambique is not known for a widely used pre-arrival online registration scheme like those. A paper arrival card may be handed out at the airport, so prepare your passport, return ticket, and accommodation details, and check in advance whether you have anything to declare to customs.

Entry procedure

1. Check passport and visa

   At immigration, present your passport and, if required, your visa or approved visa-on-arrival authorization. The procedure can differ by nationality, so keep your documents ready for inspection.

2. Confirm visa-on-arrival or stay purpose

   You may be asked briefly about your tourism purpose, length of stay, and accommodation details. Be ready to show onward or return travel evidence if requested.

3. Customs declaration

   Declare any items that must be reported and check that you are not carrying restricted goods. I could not confirm a reliable public cash-declaration threshold, so keep large amounts of cash or valuables separate and follow instructions on site.

4. Exit the arrivals area

   After immigration and customs, leave the arrivals area. Some airports are straightforward, but document checks can take time, so allow extra time before onward transport.

Exit procedure

1. Prepare departure documents

   Have your passport and boarding pass ready for exit control. Double-check that you have not overstayed your permitted stay.

2. Pass exit immigration

   Exit control usually checks your passport and flight information. The process is often simpler than entry, but queues can occur during busy periods.

3. Customs check for outbound goods

   High-value items, goods over duty-free limits, or undeclared cash may be subject to customs review. Some export restrictions can apply, so keep receipts for souvenirs and locally purchased goods.

4. Check VAT refund procedures at the airport

   Before departure, confirm whether a VAT refund scheme applies and, if so, whether you must present receipts and purchases at an airport refund desk or designated point. Eligible items and procedures can change, so keep all purchase receipts.

Cities in Mozambique