Zimbabwe Emergency Travel Document (ETD) — 2026 Guide

An Emergency Travel Document (ETD), sometimes called an emergency passport or temporary travel document, is issued by Zimbabwe embassies and consulates to Zimbabwean citizens who need to travel urgently but do not have a valid passport.

The ETD is not a full passport. It is a temporary, single-journey document that allows you to travel to a specific destination (usually back to Zimbabwe or to the country where your new passport can be collected).

Key Characteristics:

• Valid for 30 days from the date of issue
• Allows a single journey (one-way travel)
• Costs $50 USD
• Issued within 1-2 working days
• Must be surrendered at the port of entry upon arrival at your destination

You may be eligible for a Zimbabwe ETD if you are a Zimbabwean citizen and:

• Your passport was lost or stolen while you were abroad
• Your passport has expired and you need to travel urgently
• Your passport is being processed (new application or renewal) and you have urgent travel needs
• You are stranded abroad without valid travel documents
• Your passport was damaged and is no longer accepted for travel
• Medical emergency requiring urgent international travel
• Family bereavement requiring urgent return to Zimbabwe

1. Report the loss (if applicable): If your passport was lost or stolen, first report it to the local police and obtain a police report. This is essential.
2. Contact the nearest Zimbabwe embassy or consulate: Explain your situation. They will advise whether an ETD is appropriate and what documents to bring.
3. Visit the embassy with:
   • Police report (if passport was lost/stolen)
   • Proof of Zimbabwean citizenship (national ID, old passport copy, birth certificate)
   • Proof of urgent travel (confirmed flight booking, medical letter, death notice)
   • 2 passport-sized photographs
   • $50 fee (cash or accepted payment method)
4. Complete the ETD application form at the embassy.
5. Collect your ETD: Usually ready within 1-2 working days. In genuine emergencies, some offices may issue it the same day.

The Zimbabwe Emergency Travel Document is generally accepted for:

• Return to Zimbabwe — always accepted at Zimbabwe ports of entry
• Transit through neighbouring countries (South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Mozambique) — generally accepted for transit
• SADC countries — most Southern African Development Community countries accept ETDs

If your ETD is not accepted for your intended destination, consider:

• Applying for an emergency 7-day passport instead ($318 for adults)
• Contacting the embassy of your destination country for guidance
• Routing your travel through a country that accepts ETDs