On 29 June 2026 the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) published a full refresh of its country dossier for Zambia, covering security, health, entry formalities and consular assistance. While Zambia remains politically stable, the FDFA highlights a recent rise in opportunistic crime in Lusaka and Copperbelt urban centres and recommends heightened vigilance around ATMs and after dark. The update also flags sporadic outbreaks of cholera during the rainy season and advises travellers to check vaccination records at least six weeks before departure. From an immigration standpoint, Switzerland notes that Lusaka’s e-visa portal—re-launched in April—has shortened processing times to 72 hours but cautions that travellers entering overland via Tanzania or Botswana still need to obtain a visa sticker on arrival and may face delays if connectivity problems hamper on-line verification.
![Swiss FDFA Issues Comprehensive Travel Advisory Update for Zambia]()
For added convenience, Swiss citizens and residents can use VisaHQ’s Switzerland portal (https://www.visahq.com/switzerland/) to lodge Zambia e-visa requests, arrange passport pick-up for sticker issuance when required and receive real-time status alerts—helping travellers stay compliant with the FDFA’s latest guidance.
Business visitors planning site work in the mining sector must secure a “Temporary Employment Permit” in advance; holding only a conference visa can result in fines or deportation. For Swiss corporates with operations in southern Africa, the refreshed advisory is timely. The Kwacha’s 11 percent depreciation since January has reduced on-the-ground costs but increased cash-handling risks. The FDFA therefore recommends that companies transfer funds electronically rather than carrying large amounts of USD or EUR. Importantly, the FDFA reminds dual Swiss–Zambian nationals that exiting Zambia on a Swiss passport without the corresponding entry stamp can trigger a 4,500 Kwacha penalty. Mobility managers should cross-check that employees with dual status carry both passports and that travel-tracking systems record the document used.
For added convenience, Swiss citizens and residents can use VisaHQ’s Switzerland portal (https://www.visahq.com/switzerland/) to lodge Zambia e-visa requests, arrange passport pick-up for sticker issuance when required and receive real-time status alerts—helping travellers stay compliant with the FDFA’s latest guidance.
Business visitors planning site work in the mining sector must secure a “Temporary Employment Permit” in advance; holding only a conference visa can result in fines or deportation. For Swiss corporates with operations in southern Africa, the refreshed advisory is timely. The Kwacha’s 11 percent depreciation since January has reduced on-the-ground costs but increased cash-handling risks. The FDFA therefore recommends that companies transfer funds electronically rather than carrying large amounts of USD or EUR. Importantly, the FDFA reminds dual Swiss–Zambian nationals that exiting Zambia on a Swiss passport without the corresponding entry stamp can trigger a 4,500 Kwacha penalty. Mobility managers should cross-check that employees with dual status carry both passports and that travel-tracking systems record the document used.
