Visa & Residency

Mozambique offers several pathways to legal residency for expats, from employer-sponsored work permits to investment-based residence permits. The key document is the DIRE (Documento de Identificação e Residência para Estrangeiros) — the foreign residence card that serves as your legal identity in the country. Since February 2026, a new eVisa and eTA portal has streamlined entry requirements for most nationalities.

Most visitors need a visa to enter Mozambique, though the process has been simplified with the 2026 eVisa portal (evisa.gov.mz). Tourist visas are valid for 30 days and can be extended once. Some passport holders from SADC countries and a few others have visa-free or eTA access. Always check the latest requirements before travel, as rules change frequently.

Working legally in Mozambique requires employer sponsorship. The sponsoring company must first secure authorization from the Labour Department, confirming they are within their expatriate worker quota. Once approved, the employee applies for a Work Visa at a Mozambican embassy or consulate abroad. The initial work visa is valid for 30 days after entry, during which you must apply for your DIRE.

The DIRE is Mozambique's foreign residence card and your most important document as an expat. It proves your legal right to reside in the country and is required for banking, property rental, vehicle registration, and most official transactions. Temporary DIRE permits are issued initially and are renewable; after 10 consecutive years of temporary residence, you become eligible for permanent residence.

Mozambique offers a dedicated residence permit for foreign investors who commit a minimum of $500,000 to an approved investment project. This pathway bypasses the employer-sponsored work permit process and grants a 5-year renewable residence permit. The investment must be in sectors that contribute to Mozambique's economic development, such as agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, or energy.