Getting visa extensions in country

Hi there

I'm from the US and I went to Zambia back in 2006. When I was there, I was given a 30 day stamp and had to leave the country before then and re-enter to get another 30 day stamp. I'm heading back to Zambia again but I'd very much prefer to stay 60 days without having to take an all day bus ride to the border to get another stamp this time around. I already have my ticket for 60 days and I'll have that info with me when I arrive so I'm wondering if/where I can get a 30 day extension right when I arrive.

I will not be spending any time in Lusaka except for arrival and departure so I'd like to get it done right away as to avoid a loooong trip back to the capital to take care of it. Can it be done at the airport or do I need to find an immigration office somewhere?

Any help on this is appreciated.

Hi, the only info I have been able to find on the UK Zambian web site states that "the period of the visa will be determined by the official at the point of entry". Most other Zambian web sites are out of action (again) So its a case of asking on arrival, *if you dont ask, you wont get"! Visas obtained before travel are still subject to the decision by the immigration at the point of entry
Ivan

Edited by: mpembeivan

Thanks Ivan. This is also the only information I've been able to find as well. I'm always a little sketchy about trusting the fate of my travel plans to some bored/angry/sociopathic visa officer but I guess I'll have to take my chances on this one. Hopefully he accepts that I actually like the country and want to stay there for longer than 30 days. We'll see.

From my experience (currently living and working in Zambia), and people I've had interactions with, here is what normally happens:
30 day visa on arrival (no matter what you ask for, plead for, show itinerary for) is the standard/only option.
You then have to renew your visa at an immigration office, either in Lusaka, or other regional office/border post.

Note that you can only spend a maximum of 90 days in a 12 month period using a tourist visa.

Where are you going to be spending most of your time? I'll try to find out where the nearest immigration office is.

My experience is the same as #3- I successfully extended a 30 day visa by another 30 days last year at Mfuwe airport. I'm sure you can also do this in Lusaka and Livingstone so I'd speculate you can probably do it at any airport that has incoming international flights.

I'm heading from Lusaka right towards Mumbwa where I'll be spending my time staying near a game conservancy. That's why I was hoping I wouldn't have to take a bus out to Livingstone like I did last time. It's a loooooong trip when you're out in the bush.

I completely understand the desire to not spend hours on the road just to get a visa renewal! Is there a reason you're planning on going to Livingstone to do it, when you can get it done in Lusaka (which is a whole lot closer!)?

There is a "regional' immigration office on Cairo road where the people are really quite helpfull, and easy to deal with, and you don't have to go the the main Immigration headquarters. Its in a building called something like "Pension Authority House", next to the Zanaco headquarters. Let me know if you need more info, and I'll try to describe the location a bit better for you.

Well then, that sounds a lot better. Can I stop by there right when I fly into Lusaka and get my extension or do I have to do it 30 days into my trip? I went to Livingstone last time because I figured I might as well see Vic Falls and do some white water rafting.

If you have any more info about the place I can get it done, that would be great. I'll see if I can stop by there the same day I fly in.