How to Apply for a Zambia Visa in Charlotte

Charlotte is the 23rd-most populous city in the United States and is the most populous city in the state of North Carolina.  The Charlotte metropolitan area is a sixteen-county region that stretches into the state of South Carolina and includes the towns of Concord, Gastonia, Huntersville, Kannapolis, Indian Trail, Mooresville, Monroe, Salisbury, Matthews, Statesville, Rock Hill (SC), and Fort Mill (SC).  Known as the Queen City, this metropolis of 2.6 million people has been one of the country’s fastest-growing cities the past two decades.  Charlotte’s youthful population, low cost of living, and geographic location in America’s Sun Belt, have made it an attractive destination for business investment.  This investment has brought steady job growth to the region and is attracting more and more immigrants, including those from Africa.  While the population of Zambians in Charlotte is small, their numbers are still large enough for them to organize social events and celebrations.  Although Zambia is not on the radar as a travel destination for most residents of Charlotte, the state of North Carolina has several top-rated universities that send students and faculty to this southern African nation.  There are also churches and faith-based organizations throughout the state doing work in Zambia.

Zambia is a large country that is well over five times the size of North Carolina, but has a population of 18.3 million residents, making it one-third as dense as the Tar Heel State.  Although there are dozens of tribal languages spoken throughout Zambia, English is the official language due to the country’s former days as a British protectorate.  Lusaka is the nation’s capital and is also the commercial center of the country.  Most visitors to Zambia will arrive at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, located 16 miles from Lusaka’s business district.  Lusaka has plenty of quality restaurants and international hotel chains to make visitors feel comfortable.  Tourists from Charlotte come to Zambia to enjoy the country’s wildlife preserves and natural attractions such as Victoria Falls, which is the largest waterfall in the world.  On the opposite side of the country sits Lake Tanganyika, the world’s longest freshwater lake with over 350 species of fish.  North Luanga, South Luanga, Kafue, Mosi-oa-Tunya, and the Lower Zambezi National parks are some of the best natural attractions Zambia, if not all of Africa.  Zambia is also rich in natural resources and is an important destination for businesspeople operating in the mining sector.  Kitwe is Zambia’s second-largest city and serves as the hub of the copper industry.

Applying for a Zambia Visa from Charlotte

Visas for Zambia are issued by the Zambian government in the United States.  The government of Zambia is represented by their embassy located in Washington, D.C. along with their office in New York City, which is the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Zambia to the United Nations.  To apply for a Zambia visa from Charlotte, you will fill out the visa application and send your original passport and supporting documents to their embassy by US Mail, FedEx, or UPS.  Here is the address:

Embassy of Zambia
Attn: Visa Dept.
2200 R Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20008

It is important to review the requirements for visas on the Zambia embassy website and ensure your application and all supporting documents are accurate.  Here is the link to the embassy website with detailed information: Visa Application | Embassy of the Republic of Zambia in Washington, D.C. (zambiaembassy.org)

You should include a self-addressed USPS (US Postal Service Express Mail or Priority Mail), FedEx, or UPS prepaid envelope (please make note of the tracking number) so the embassy can return your passport and visa to your home or office. 

The government fee for the multiple-entry visa is $150, $80 for the double-entry visa and $50 for the single-entry visa.  The processing time is 5 business days plus transit time.  The embassy also provides same-day processing for an additional $50 or next-day processing for an additional $40.  We recommend applying for the visa at least 4 weeks before your departure.   

Other things to consider:

  • Visas for Zambia may also be issued upon arrival at any port of entry, however, visitors to the country are advised to obtain their visa from the embassy in Washington, D.C. (or online -- see below) before traveling.
  • It is also possible to apply for an electronic visa on the Zambian Immigration Department website using the following link: e-Services (zambiaimmigration.gov.zm)
  • U.S. citizens must have a valid visa and a passport that does not expire within six months of your date of entry into Zambia. Visitors must also have at least three blank visa pages remaining in their passport.
  • Your U.S. passport must be signed; the signature page of your passport is located opposite the data page that has your name and photo.
  • It is recommended to purchase travel insurance before any international trip in case of medical emergencies.  We advise getting the Geo Blue Voyager Single Trip Plan.

Emergency Assistance for Zambia Citizens in Charlotte  

If you are a citizen of Zambia living in the Charlotte area with an emergency or require urgent assistance, you can reach the embassy in Washington, D.C. by calling 202-234-4009 or 202-234-4111 or by email at consular@zambiaembassy.org.  If you need to apply for a Zambian passport, please review the instructions on the embassy website: Passport Application | Embassy of the Republic of Zambia in Washington, D.C. (zambiaembassy.org)

We Can Help if You Need Assistance

If you live in Charlotte or anywhere in the state of North Carolina and have difficulty applying for a Zambia visa, or require assistance with any part of this process, please give our office a call at 404-682-5445 or schedule an appointment with our company.  We are a private agency in Atlanta providing Zambia visa services for Americans and other U.S.-based residents.  Our number one goal is to ensure your application documents for a visa are submitted accurately to the Zambian government.  Our services eliminate delays and give you the peace of mind to focus on your travel plans. 

We provide the following Zambia visa and travel services for our customers:

  • Zambia Tourist Visa
  • Zambia Business Visa
  • Zambia Visitor Visa
  • Zambia Official Visa
  • Zambia Diplomatic Visa
  • Zambia Hotel Accommodations