Zimbabwe e-Passport 2026 — Complete Biometric Passport Guide

The Zimbabwe e-passport is the country's biometric electronic travel document, launched in December 2021. It is ICAO-compliant with a polycarbonate data page, embedded biometric chip, and QR code verification. This is the only passport now issued by Zimbabwe -- the old machine-readable passport ceased being accepted internationally on 31 December 2023.

e-Passport Quick Facts (2026)

$150 Ordinary Fee
+ $20 QR
$250 Emergency Fee
+ $20 QR
10 Years Adult Validity
5 Years Child Validity

Fees per SI 2024-001 (Citizenship Passport Fees Amendment Regulations). Full fee schedule.

What Is the Zimbabwe e-Passport?

The Zimbabwe e-passport (also called the biometric passport or electronic passport) is the new-generation travel document issued by the Government of Zimbabwe. It was launched on 15 December 2021 by the Department of the Registrar General.

Key Features:

  • Biometric chip -- embedded in the cover, storing fingerprints, iris scans, and facial recognition data
  • Polycarbonate data page -- laser-engraved personal details on a durable polycarbonate page (not laminated paper), making it extremely difficult to forge or alter
  • ICAO compliant -- meets International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Doc 9303 standards for machine-readable travel documents
  • QR code -- for electronic verification of passport authenticity
  • Cultural page designs -- unique pages featuring Zimbabwe's cultural heritage and tourist attractions (Great Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls, wildlife)
  • Security thread -- fully embedded in inner booklet pages
  • 32 or 48 pages -- standard 32-page or frequent traveller 48-page booklets

Production:

The e-passport is produced in partnership with Garsu Pasaulis, a Lithuanian passport and identity document company, under a build-own-operate-transfer (BOOT) contract. The production facility in Harare has a capacity of up to 30,000 passports per day.

Old Passport vs New e-Passport — Comparison

FeatureOld Machine-Readable PassportNew e-Passport (2021+)
Biometric chip No Yes (fingerprints, iris, facial)
Data pageLaminated paperPolycarbonate (laser-engraved)
QR code No Yes
ICAO compliantBasic MRZ onlyFull Doc 9303 compliance
Security featuresBasicAdvanced (security thread, hologram, laser engraving)
Page designsPlainCultural heritage artwork
International acceptance Ceased 31 Dec 2023 Accepted worldwide
Cost (ordinary)$100 (pre-2024)$150 + $20 QR surcharge
Important: Old non-biometric Zimbabwe passports ceased being accepted internationally on 31 December 2023. If you still hold an old-style passport, you must apply for the new e-passport before attempting international travel.

Where to Apply for the e-Passport

In Zimbabwe:

  • Registrar General's Office, Harare -- main processing centre
  • District offices across Zimbabwe (for application submission; biometric capture availability varies)

At Embassies Abroad (Biometric Capture Required):

You must apply in person at an embassy or consulate that has biometric capture equipment. As of 2026, at least 15 embassies have been identified for the e-passport rollout. Confirmed embassies with biometric capture include:

Embassy/ConsulateCountryStatus
Zimbabwe Consulate, JohannesburgSouth AfricaConfirmed June 2024
Zimbabwe Embassy, PretoriaSouth AfricaOperational
Zimbabwe Embassy, LondonUnited KingdomOperational
Zimbabwe Embassy, Washington DCUnited StatesContact to confirm
Zimbabwe Embassy, GaboroneBotswanaContact to confirm
Zimbabwe Embassy, LusakaZambiaContact to confirm
Zimbabwe Embassy, BerlinGermanyContact to confirm
Before you travel to an embassy: Phone or email to confirm they have biometric capture equipment. Not all embassies have received the equipment yet. If your nearest embassy does not have biometric capture, they may refer you to another location or advise on alternatives.

Source: Chronicle (Zimbabwe), "Zimbabwe's consulate in South Africa rolls out e-passports," June 2024.

Requirements & Documents Needed

Adults (16 years and over):

  1. Zimbabwe National ID card (green paper NID with attached photo and printed NID number) -- original + 2 photocopies. Driver's licence is NOT accepted.
  2. Long (unabridged) birth certificate -- original + 2 photocopies
  3. Current or expired passport -- original + copy of details page
  4. 2 passport photos -- 35mm x 45mm, white background, dark/navy blue/black top
  5. Citizenship certificate -- required if born outside Zimbabwe or either parent was born outside Zimbabwe (must be dated August 2001 or later)
  6. Marriage certificate or divorce order (if applicable)
  7. Police report or sworn affidavit (if passport lost or stolen)
  8. Letter of authorisation -- naming a person in Zimbabwe authorised to submit and collect the passport (required at some embassies)
  9. Application fee: $150 ordinary + $20 QR surcharge, or $250 emergency + $20 QR surcharge

Children (under 18):

  • Same documents as adults where applicable (birth certificate, photos)
  • Section 5 of the application form must be signed by the father, mother, or legal guardian
  • Legal guardians must provide documentary proof of guardianship
  • Clear copy of parent/guardian's National ID or valid passport
  • National ID not required for children under 16

Sources: Zimbabwe Embassy Lusaka (zimlusaka.gov.zw), Zimbabwe Embassy Gaborone (zimgaborone.gov.zw), Zimbabwe Embassy Berlin (zimembassyberlin.gov.zw).

Photo Specifications

Requirements:

  • Size: 35mm wide x 45mm high
  • Background: Plain white
  • Clothing: Dark/navy blue/black top or shirt
  • Head position: Face centred, looking directly at camera
  • Expression: Neutral, mouth closed
  • Eyes: Open, clearly visible
  • Glasses: Remove glasses for the photo
  • Head covering: Not permitted unless for religious reasons
  • Recency: Taken within the last 6 months
  • Quantity: 2 identical photos

Tips for Getting It Right:

  • Use a professional passport photo service -- they know the specifications
  • Tell the photographer it is for a Zimbabwe passport (35x45mm, white background)
  • Do NOT use selfies or home-printed photos
  • Some embassies capture a digital photo during biometric enrolment, but you should still bring printed photos as backup
Note: The photo specifications are the same as those used for most ICAO-compliant passports worldwide. If in doubt, standard "international passport photo" specifications will work.

Processing Times

LocationOrdinaryEmergency
Registrar General, Harare4 working weeks3 working days
Embassies abroad6-8 weeksVaries (contact embassy)

Embassy applications are forwarded to the production facility in Harare. The finished passport is returned to the embassy for collection. Embassies do not produce passports on-site.

Note: Some embassies (e.g., Lusaka) explicitly state they do not submit application forms or fees on behalf of applicants -- check with your specific embassy. Source: Registrar General (rg.gov.zw), embassy websites.

Detailed processing times guide.

e-Passport Fees (Gazetted 2026)

Fee TypeAmount (USD)Notes
Ordinary passport$150Gazetted government fee
Emergency passport$250Gazetted government fee
QR code surcharge$20Per application (mandatory for e-passport)

Total cost: Ordinary = $170 ($150 + $20 QR). Emergency = $270 ($250 + $20 QR).

Embassies may charge an additional administration/consular fee on top of the gazetted rate. For example, the Berlin embassy charges EUR 50 and the Lusaka embassy charges US$20 for the form. The total cost at an embassy will therefore be higher than the gazetted fee.

Source: SI 2024-001 (Citizenship Passport Fees Amendment Regulations, 2024), verified via Veritas Zimbabwe (veritaszim.net). Previous fees (pre-2024): ordinary $100, emergency $200. Full fee schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Old non-biometric Zimbabwe passports ceased being accepted internationally on 31 December 2023. You must apply for the new e-passport before attempting international travel. If you hold an old passport, treat it as expired and apply for the e-passport.

SI 2024-001 sets fees for "one passport" at $150 (ordinary) and $250 (emergency), without specifying separate child rates. Some embassies may apply a different rate in practice. Contact your embassy to confirm the fee for children under 16.

No. The e-passport requires in-person biometric capture (fingerprints and digital photograph). You must attend the embassy or Registrar General's office personally. Postal applications are not possible for biometric passports.

If your nearest embassy does not yet have biometric capture equipment, you have three options: (1) travel to a nearby embassy that does have equipment, (2) apply when visiting Zimbabwe at the Registrar General's office, or (3) wait for your embassy to receive equipment (the rollout is ongoing). Contact your embassy to check their current status.

The standard e-passport has 32 pages. A 48-page "frequent traveller" option may be available. Each page features unique cultural heritage designs showcasing Zimbabwe's landmarks and wildlife.

Yes. Zimbabwe passport application forms are valid for 6 months from the date of completion. If your application has not been processed within 6 months, you may need to complete new forms. This is particularly relevant for applications from abroad where processing can take longer.

Yes. The Zimbabwe e-passport is ICAO-compliant and accepted worldwide. It meets the same international standards as biometric passports from other countries. The biometric chip and polycarbonate data page provide enhanced security that is recognised by border agencies globally.

The $20 QR code surcharge is a mandatory fee for electronically readable passports, as specified in SI 2024-001. It covers the cost of the electronic verification QR code embedded in the e-passport. This is charged in addition to the passport fee ($150 ordinary or $250 emergency). Total ordinary cost is therefore $170.

Related Pages

e-Passport Costs

  • Ordinary$150
  • Emergency$250
  • QR surcharge$20
  • Total (ordinary)$170

Per SI 2024-001. Embassy admin fees additional.

Full Fee Schedule

Quick Links

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