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Mozambique visa update: requirements for non-SADC cruise passengers

Source: Tourism Update, 06/11/2017

Non-SADC cruise passengers visiting the Mozambique islands will need
to obtain a visa prior to arrival.
Non-SADC passengers onboard the MSC Sinfonia were previously granted
visas onboard when stopping in Mozambique, however the Mozambican
government informed the company on October 30 that this is no longer
the case and that non-SADC passengers would have to obtain a visa
prior to arrival.
Non-SADC passport holders can still obtain a visa upon arrival at
various specified border posts and ports in Mozambique; however MSC
Sinfonia does not stop at any of these. This has resulted in non-SADC
passengers being unable to disembark the ship in Mozambique if they
did not obtain a visa prior to departure.
MSC Sinfonia stops at Bazaruto Island (In the Bazaruto Archipelago off
the coast of Vilanculos), however there is no customs or immigration
facility there, says Rui Onteiro, CEO of the Confederation of Economic
Associations (CTA).

The approved ports of entry for tourist visas as per Government
Gazette remain the same. In Maputo, visas remain available upon
arrival at Maputo International Airport and the Port of Maputo.
Ingrid N Roding, Press Officer for MSC Cruises SA says:â€The Mozambique
visa change was requested by the Mozambican government.â€ She adds:â€We
are sadly just the messenger in this instance.â€
Onteiro said: â€œUnfortunately, the visas for cruise ships were not
included in the Government Gazette, and personally, I am not sure how
this was processed.â€
â€œThis now needs to be addressed so that specific visas for cruise ship
passengers can be issued. Unfortunately these cruise ships stop where
there are no borders so there is no staff in attendance and therefore,
private arrangements have to be made with immigration and customs at
times to be able to make this work. It needs to be legislated and I
believe, negotiated with the Department of Internal Affairs so that
there is procedure in place.â€
Onteiro said he will be meeting with immigration officials this week
to try and take the matter further.

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