Determine the Visa You Need

There are two types of tourist visas for U.S. citizens hoping to enter Mozambique: a single-entry visa and a multiple-entry visa. The single-entry visa allows visitors to enter Mozambique once and then leave. A multiple-entry visa permits visitors to enter and leave the country as many times as they wish as long as the visa is active.

The application process for each visa is similar, but the fees might vary. The exact cost of a Mozambique tourist visa fluctuates depending on where you purchase it and how quickly you need it processed, but the cost is generally about $50.

Once you've obtained your visa, it's valid for up to three months and must be used within 60 days from its date of issuance. Once you've used your visa to enter Mozambique, you can stay in the country for up to 30 days in a single visit, meaning multiple-entry visa holders could pay more than one 30-day visit to Mozambique as long as their visa is valid, but single-entry visa holders are permitted only one 30-day visit. For either type of visa, you can apply via the Embassy of Mozambique in Washington, D.C.

If you want to apply for a multiple-entry visa, keep in mind that you might have to present a flight itinerary showing a second entry into Mozambique, so make sure to plan ahead of time. Multiple-entry visas aren't always available for tourists; call the Embassy of Mozambique at 202-293-7146 between the hours of 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. EST for more information on whether multiple-entry visas are available at the time of your application.

Gather Your Documents

U.S. citizens hoping to apply for a tourist visa to Mozambique can start the process online with the Mozambique visa application form. Fill out the application form online, then download, print and sign it. In addition to the application form, you must provide the following documents:

• Original, signed U.S. passport, valid for at least six months beyond your proposed departure date from Mozambique. Your passport must have three blank pages for your visa.

• Two passport-style photos, taken within the last six months

• Trip itinerary, including flight reservations

• Copy of your hotel reservations

• Personal invitation from friends or family in Mozambique, if you plan to visit them

If you do in fact plan to visit friends or family in Mozambique, the application process gets a bit more complicated. The following documents are required in addition to your application materials:

• Copy of your host's ID

• Copy of your host's Mozambique visa, if applicable

• Details of your visit: dates, purpose, places you'll see, places of accommodation

• Details of the person inviting you: name, address, phone number, relationship to you

• Your own personal information: name, gender, date of birth, passport details

Submit Your Application

You have a few options for submitting a tourist visa application. The first is to contact the Mozambique embassy or consulate in the United States:

• Embassy: 1525 New Hampshire Ave. in Washington, D.C.

• Consulate: 420 East 50th St. in New York, New York

Call the embassy at 202-293-7146 for current details on how to submit the application. Check the consular hours of the embassy or consulate before visiting or calling, as the consular hours are limited. Another option is to apply through a third-party visa facilitator, such as VisaHQ, which might charge additional fees.

A third option is to try to obtain a visa upon arrival at Mozambique, because it's usually possible to get a single-entry visa at points of entry into the country, including airports. However, it's not guaranteed, so to play it safe, make sure to get a tourist visa to Mozambique ahead of your travels. If you enter the country without a visa or stay past the visa's expiration date, you'll incur fines for each day you stay in Mozambique illegally.