Visa Types

Visa Types & Categories to Apply for Eswatini (Swaziland)

You can realize a planned trip to Eswatini (Swaziland) by getting an Eswatini (Swaziland) visa. Foreign nationals can apply for Eswatini (Swaziland) short-term visas for temporary reasons (tourism, business trips, interns and volunteers, and other short-term purposes). If you want to stay in Eswatini (Swaziland) longer for any reason (such as education, work, etc.), you can apply for Eswatini (Swaziland) Temporary Residence Permit.

Eswatini (Swaziland) Short-term Visa

You can apply for Eswatini (Swaziland) Short-term visa for realizing your temporary travel to Eswatini (Swaziland). Reasons to apply for this type of visa can be tourism, business trips, transit, and many other non-permanent nuances. Short-term visas can be single-entry and multiple-entry. Single and Multiple Entry visas are valid for thirty (30) days from the date of issue. 

 

Required Documents for Eswatini (Swaziland) Visa

 

1. Two Application Forms 

  • Fully completed in English and signed and dated by the applicant himself (signed by both parents in case of minors, below the age of 18)

2. Passport

  • Validity minimum of three-six months beyond the date of your arrival from Eswatini (Swaziland).
  • Signed by bearer
  • Passport not older than 10 years (issued in the last 10 years)
  • At least one or two free “visa pages”
  • Undamaged pictures securely affixed with/to passport

3. Two Photos

  • NEW! Should not be older than 6 months.
  • A frontal view of the face-covering 70-80% (32-26mm) of the photo.
  • A uniform and white background.
  • Clear facial features and eyes – not covered by hair or glasses frame.
  • 2x2 size

4. ID Card Copy

5. Residence Permit/Visa Copy (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)

6. Photocopies

  • Copy of the main page of your passport
  • Copies of previous visas
  • Copy of visa for the final destination (if any)

7. Travel Itinerary 

  • Valid (existing) hotel/accommodation booking/reservation with the full address (name, street, city, zip code, contact information, booking ref.)
  • A confirmed or unconfirmed round-trip ticket or a letter from a travel agency

8. A Copy of a Yellow Fever Vaccine Certificate

  • A yellow fever certificate is required only if the applicant passes through the yellow fever zone before entering Eswatini.

9. Signed Statement and/or Documentation Confirming Purpose and Duration of Visit

10. Proof of Financial Resources in the form of:

  • Bank statements
  • Salary advice
  • Undertaking(s) by the host(s) in the Kingdom of Eswatini
  • Scholarships
  • Medical coverage
  • Or cash available, including credit cards or traveler's check (to cover the living expenses during the sojourn in the Kingdom of Eswatini).

11. Supporting Documents that Show Your Reason for a Trip

     For tourism:

  • Confirmation of the accommodation (hotel confirmation, apartment rental contract, etc.)

     For business/interns/volunteers:

  • Original invitation letter by the company/organization
  • Confirmation of the accommodation (hotel confirmation, apartment rental contract, etc.)   

     For transit:

  • All applicants applying for visas to indicate in their application that they are going to transit through the country and there should be a clear reason why the country was used as a transit area. Otherwise, those who will not indicate would be returned to the entry point they used when entering Eswatini.
    • An entry visa (if any) and an onward ticket to the intended country of destination

12. Applicants Traveling by Air Must Have:

  • Return or onward tickets or
  • Proof of adequate funds or
  • Lodge a cash deposit of the equivalent value of the ticket

13. For Minors:

  • Copy and English translation of either birth certificate/proof of adoption/custody decree if parents are divorced/death certificate of parent
  • Letter of consent from parent/s or legal guardian/s, if traveling unaccompanied

*Additional documents can be required by the embassy.

 

Processing Time for Eswatini (Swaziland) Visa

The average processing time for an Eswatini (Swaziland) Visa is 1-5 working days. It depends on your visa application country.

 

 

Eswatini (Swaziland) Visa Fee

Eswatini (Swaziland) Visa fee is E80.00 (about 6 USD)- E1300.00 (about 91 USD) (it can vary depending on your country and nationality). Additionally, you may also need to pay other Administrative fees such as the Visa Application center fee, courier service fee, etc., depending on the country and location of your documents' submission.

 

Type of Visa

Visa Duration

Visa Fee

Single entry Visa

up to 3 months

E80.00 (about 6 USD)

Multiple Entry Visa

up to 3 months

E300.00 (about 14 USD)

Multiple Entry Visa

up to 6 months

E700.00 (about 49 USD)

Multiple Entry Visa

up to 9 months

E1000.00 (about 70 USD)

Multiple Entry Visa

up to 12 months

E1300.00 (about 91 USD)

 

Where to Apply for Eswatini (Swaziland) Visa?

You will apply for an Eswatini (Swaziland) visa in Eswatini (Swaziland) visa application centers, embassies, or consulates, whichever accepts visa applications in your country of residence. If there is none of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate to your location.

Eswatini (Swaziland) Temporary Residence Permit

Even if your country is exempt from visa requirements for a short-term period, if you intend to stay longer in Eswatini (Swaziland), you may need to apply for a Temporary Residence Permit from your home country before coming to Eswatini (Swaziland).

If your visit is longer than thirty days and you have acquired a visa to enter the country or if you want to travel to Eswatini to study or work, you will need to apply for a Temporary Residence Permit instead of an entry visa (permit requirements are not the same for entry visas).

 

Required Documents for Eswatini (Swaziland) Temporary Residence Permit

 

1. Two Application Forms 

  • Fully completed in English and signed and dated by the applicant himself (signed by both parents in case of minors, below the age of 18)

2. Passport

  • Validity minimum of six months beyond the date of your arrival from Eswatini (Swaziland).
  • Signed by bearer
  • Passport not older than 10 years (issued in the last 10 years)
  • At least one or two free “visa pages”
  • Undamaged pictures securely affixed with/to passport

3. Two Photos

  • NEW! Should not be older than 6 months.
  • A frontal view of the face-covering 70-80% (32-26mm) of the photo.
  • A uniform and white background.
  • Clear facial features and eyes – not covered by hair or glasses frame.
  • 2x2 size

4. ID Card Copy

5. Residence Permit/Visa Copy (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)

6. Photocopies

  • Copy of the main page of your passport
  • Copies of previous visas

7. Travel Itinerary 

  • Ticket reservation
  • Valid (existing) hotel/accommodation booking/reservation with the full address (name, street, city, zip code, contact information, booking ref.)

8. A Copy of a Yellow Fever Vaccine Certificate (if applicable)

  • A yellow fever certificate is required only if the applicant passes through the yellow fever zone before entering Eswatini.

9. Proof of Financial Resources in the form of:

  • Bank statements
  • Salary advice
  • Undertaking(s) by the host(s) in the Kingdom of Eswatini
  • Scholarships
  • Medical coverage
  • Or cash available, including credit cards or traveler's check (to cover the living expenses during the sojourn in the Kingdom of Eswatini).

10. Supporting Documents that Show Your Reason for a Trip

     For a business person - part III:

  • Memorandum of Association
  • Covering Letter of Application
  • Original Police Clearance from Country of origin
  • Lease Agreement
  • Medical Certificate
  • Certificate of Incorporation Form J.& Form C     

     For employees’ part I:

  • Covering letter of application from employer
  • Proof of advert of the post (Full Page)
  • Original police clearance from the country of origin (Internationally Recognised)
  • Qualification certificates (Copies)
  • Medical certificate
  • Certificate of Incorporation form J. & form CSPECIAL PASS
  • Copy of recent appeal
  • Application letter

     For dependants:

  • Copy of residence status documents (Guardian)
  • Covering letter of application from Guardian
  • Copy of marriage certificate
  • Police clearance from the country of origin (above 18 years)
  • Medical certificate

     For students:

  • Letter from school/institution
  • Support letter from Ministry of Education
  • Police clearance from the country of origin (Above 18 years)
  • Medical certificate

     For visitors pass:

  • Letter of application from the host
  • Residence status document of the host (e.g. Temporary Residence Permit)
  • Medical Certificate

11. For Minors:

  • Copy and English translation of either birth certificate/proof of adoption/custody decree if parents are divorced/death certificate of parent
  • Letter of consent from parent/s or legal guardian/s, if traveling unaccompanied

NB: All copies should be certified

*Additional documents can be required by the embassy.

 

Processing Time for Eswatini (Swaziland) Temporary Residence Permit

The average processing time for an Eswatini (Swaziland) Temporary Residence Permit is 3-8 weeks. It depends on your visa application country.

 

Eswatini (Swaziland) Temporary Residence Permit Fee

Eswatini (Swaziland) Temporary Residence Permit fee is E300.00 (about 21 USD)- E2400.00 (about 167 USD) (it can vary depending on your country and nationality). Additionally, you may also need to pay other Administrative fees such as the Visa Application center fee, courier service fee, etc., depending on the country and location of your documents' submission.  

Type of Visa

Visa Duration

Visa Fee

Work Permit (Director/employee)

up to 3 months

E300.00 (about 21 USD)

Work Permit (Director/employee)

up to 6 months

E600.00 (about 42 USD)

Work Permit (Director/employee)

up to 9 months

E900.00 (about 63 USD)

Work Permit (Director/employee)

up to 12 months

E1200.00 (about 84 USD)

Work Permit (Director/employee)

up to 24 months

E2400.00 (about 167 USD)

Student Pass

1 day – 12 months

E900.00 (about 63 USD)

Student Pass 

Up to 24 months

E1800.00 (about 125 USD)

Dependants Pass 

Up to 12 months

E900.00 (about 63 USD)

Dependants Pass

Up to 24 months

E1800.00 (about 125 USD)

Visitors Pass  

 

Up to 3 months

E300.00 (about 21 USD)

 

Visitors Pass

Up to 6 months

E600.00 (about 42 USD)

 

Where to Apply for Eswatini (Swaziland) Visa?

You will apply for an Eswatini (Swaziland) visa in Eswatini (Swaziland) visa application centers, embassies, or consulates, whichever accepts visa applications in your country of residence. If there is none of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate to your location.

FAQ

I am from a country whose citizens do not need a visa to enter Eswatini (Swaziland). Can I experience any problems at the border, while entering Eswatini (Swaziland)?

You must meet certain requirements to enter Eswatini (Swaziland), even if you are not required a visa:

  • The purpose of your trip to Eswatini (Swaziland) must be plausible and comprehensible.
  • Your passport should be valid for at least 3-6 months beyond your stay in Eswatini (Swaziland).
  • You must be able to finance your own living and travel costs.
  • You must hold a confirmed return flight to prove that you are prepared to leave Eswatini (Swaziland) before the duration of the permitted stay ends.
  • You must not pose a threat to security or public order.

Will my fees be refunded if my visa is refused?

All fees are non-refundable and will not be refunded if your visa application is not successful.

Do I have to participate in the Embassy in person for applying for Eswatini (Swaziland) visa?

It depends on your country of residence or the embassy/consulate/Visa Administrative Center’s rules and obligations. In some countries, sending your documents via courier is enough to the embassy/consulate/Visa Administrative Center. 

Can the Embassy/Consulate request me to provide additional documents or information?

The embassy may request you to provide additional documents or information, according to your personal situation, even after you have submitted all the required documents mentioned on the official website of the Embassy/Consulate/Visa Application Center.

How am I supposed to get an Eswatini (Swazi) Visa?

Applications for entry visas to the Kingdom of Eswatini shall be addressed directly to the Ministry of Home Affairs Headquarters or, alternatively, to the missions and representative offices of the country.

Is there a difference between a Swazi visa and a permit?

It is important to understand that the Eswatini Kingdom only applies a visa to tourists, volunteers, interns, and business visitors.

Generally, an Eswatini visa is not appropriate for persons wishing to immigrate to Eswatini. Prospective immigrants almost certainly need to apply for a temporary and/or permanent residence permit.

Who should apply for the Swazi visa?

The Kingdom of Eswatini is required by certain tourists, business visitors, interns, and volunteers to enter and stay in Eswatini for a period not exceeding one month from the date of entry. Whether or not you need a visa to enter and stay in Eswatini as a tourist depends on which country you are from.

What is the local currency in Eswatini (Swaziland)?

The Lilangeni (plural: emalangeni, SZL) is the official currency of Eswatini (Swaziland). 100 USD equals approximately 1,452.77 Swaziland Lilangeni (SZL).