Just experienced a new little "trick" in Zim. My wife and I just returned from a 15 day hunt. Upon trying to depart, the immigration officials in Zim said my wife overstayed her visa. I could find no where on the visa where the term was stated. The expiration date was blank on both visas. After a brief standoff, including some assistance from our charter pilot, a $100 fee was assessed and we were cleared. They contended it was a 14 day visa even though we specifically and accurately listed our depature date as 16 days post arrival.

I recommend every ensure either the visa or your receipt indicate the duration of the visa.

My prior year visa are blank with respect to the expiration dates as well.

Which airport? I'm wondering if this is a localized scam. I also wonder what would have happened if a receipt had been asked for. I'm gonna guess that part of the strategy was to deliberately target the wife.

This was in Harare and we both had receipts indicating $30 was paid. The problem is the lack of an expiration date. We could not get an answer if the fee was different for a 14 day visa vs. a 30 day visa. In the end we decided to avoid additional issues and just pay the "fine".

gee - i wonder where the 100 went

Or.........Look the official straight in the eye and with a big smile wish him good luck, because I am getting on that plane and "she is all yours"!

quote:

Originally posted by STGS:
I recommend every ensure either the visa or your receipt indicate the duration of the visa.

FYI: Zim Visas are valid for 6 months and are effective from date of issue...

Mouse93. I beg to differ. I'm not sure, but I think you mean the (entire) length of time permitted in Zim on a tourist/visitor visa.

Folowing is my experiences.

The Zim Immigration officer will, upon arrival, ask you how long your stay in Zim is. I've been advised by Zim contacts to answer 30 days (even if I'm only there for 7), which has been my standard reply on every entry into Zim. You must make sure that the number of days are written into your visa (in your passport) and take note that the "zero" is added onto 30 days. Three weeks has been known to become three days. I've just had a look at my passport. The printed "expiry date" is left empty on all my visas, instead it is handwritten on top of the stamp "Zimbabwe Immigration". The receipt is not a valid visa, only a receipt that you paid for it. STGS - a visa costs the same, no matter if for two weeks or a month. What you have experienced is apparently a reasonably well known scam. We're all tired when we get to this point in our travels and just want to get on with things. It's a very easy thing to overlook, the dates in the visa. Hope this helps someone bound for beautiful Zimbabwe.

quote:

Originally posted by JCS271:
Or.........Look the official straight in the eye and with a big smile wish him good luck, because I am getting on that plane and "she is all yours"!

I did that once in Bahrain: a security guy was not going to allow me to get my two young boys the airline counter because I was not a flying passenger. I looked him in the eye and told him that that was fine but then he had to take them to the counter if they did not get on the plane then, alhamdulillah, he would have to take care of them....

Guess which father got to sort out his kids at the counter?!