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Last Updated:
November 5, 2007 16:32
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Still Valid: November 15, 2007 22:58 EST |
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1. RECENT UPDATES Sections 1 and 2 of this Travel Report have been updated. BACK TO TOP 2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS There is no Official Warning for this country. Zimbabwe
The ongoing political and economic crisis in Travellers should avoid low income districts in urban areas such as Visits to commercial farming areas should be avoided, particularly where issues persist over the ownership of land. Central and local authorities in some rural areas occasionally respond to outsiders with suspicion and hostility. Crime, exacerbated by a very difficult economic situation, remains a serious problem for foreign visitors and residents alike. It is a criminal offence in Nationwide strikes and public demonstrations on political or economic issues can occur, particularly in the downtown cores and low-income suburbs of major cities. Canadians in OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency in a foreign country, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad. BACK TO TOP 3. SAFETY AND SECURITY The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions. Street crime occurs. Car-jackings, muggings, house robberies, passport theft, pickpocketing, and purse snatchings are common. Ensure personal belongings and travel documents are secure, particularly in crowded places, and carry a photocopy of your passport. Travellers should note, however, that photocopies are not accepted by banks for monetary transactions. Visitors should be particularly cautious when leaving banks and automated banking machines (ABMs). Remain vigilant and avoid walking after dark in the larger cities, such as Harare and Bulawayo, as well as at tourist sites such as Victoria Falls, Pungwe Falls, Mterazi Falls, and the Honde Falls. Drive with doors locked and windows shut at all times. Park vehicles in a guarded parking lot overnight. Visitors near the border with Mozambique should not stray from the main tourist areas, since landmines and unexploded munitions still present a danger in this region. Motorists and pedestrians should give way to presidential motorcades when sirens of security forces announce their presence. Proceed only when security forces permit. Avoid travelling alone. It is advisable to travel with organised tour operators to well-established destinations. Travellers who are on safari, rafting, or other recreational outings should note that even with an organized tour group, safety standards may be poor. Tourists are often permitted to participate in activities that may pose risks to personal safety. Recently, there have been fraud attempts through e-mail originating from Zimbabwe. Please refer to section 12 of this report for further details. BACK TO TOP 4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the Zimbabwean authorities and was valid on October 15, 2007. However, entry and exit requirements are subject to change. It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties. Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements. All Canadians travelling to Zimbabwe require a valid canadian passport and a visa. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure from Zimbabwe. Tourists can apply for an extension at the nearest immigration office, but renewal is not automatic. Business visas cannot be extended from within Zimbabwe. Travellers on a Zimbabwe business visa will need to exit the country and re-enter as a visitor or apply for a new business visa/work permit and await for it's issuance outside the country. Single-entry visas can be obtained at the point of entry at a cost of US$75. Multiple-entry visas can be obtained only at Zimbabwean missions overseas. Tourist Visa: Required Business Visa: Required Student Visa: Required Under Zimbabwean law, foreign media organizations are now required to obtain prior accreditation for their journalists visiting or working in Zimbabwe. Canadians seeking registration as journalists in Zimbabwe should contact the Zimbabwean Ministry of Information and Publicity (country and area codes: 263-4/ tel.: 706891/2/3 and 703891/2/3/4) for further information on fees and other requirements. Journalists attempting to enter the country without proper advance accreditation may be denied admission or deported. Journalists working in Zimbabwe without accreditation risk arrest and prosecution. Travellers are required to carry evidence of a yellow fever vaccination if they are arriving in Zimbabwe from infected areas. A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (CCC) is not a travel document. Airlines are known to refuse boarding to dual national Canadian passengers returning to Canada, travelling on a passport that requires a visa to enter Canada, regardless of whether the passenger presents a valid CCC as proof of Canadian citizenship. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document for the purpose of international travel. It proves your admissibility to enter Canada. Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services. Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders. Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order. Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada. BACK TO TOP 5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address: Zimbabwe - HARARE, Embassy of Canada Address: 45 Baines Avenue, Harare Postal Address: P.O. Box 1430, Harare, Tel.: 263 (4) 252-181, 252-12, 252-183, 252-184, or 252-185 Fax: 263 (4) 252-186 or 252-187 E-Mail: harare-consular@international.gc.ca Internet: http://www.harare.gc.ca For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Harare and follow the instructions. You may also make a collect call to the Department in Ottawa at 613-996-8885. BACK TO TOP 6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons. Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request. The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare. Unapproved demonstrations are illegal in Zimbabwe and bystanders have been known to be taken into custody at such events. Canadians should avoid large crowds or gatherings, particularly political meetings or rallies. Photography of government offices, airports, military establishments, official residences, and embassies, in addition to other sensitive facilities, is prohibited unless permission is granted from the Ministry of Information. Special permits may be needed for other photography. Laws are strictly enforced and all restrictions should be observed. If in doubt, do not take a picture. It is a criminal offence in Zimbabwe to make derogatory or insulting comments about President Mugabe, a member of his government, or the Zimbabwean government itself. Any person making such comments is liable to arrest and prosecution. Canadians should avoid participating in political discussions in public places and engaging in political activity or demonstrations. Note that an open hand is the symbol of the main opposition political party, and that therefore a friendly wave could be misinterpreted as a provocative gesture. Avoid carrying copies of the main independent newspapers (the Financial Gazette, the Independent and the Standard) and books by banned authors. The use of a cellular telephone while driving is illegal. Homosexual behaviour is illegal. Possession and/or import of pornographic material is forbidden. BACK TO TOP 7. LOCAL TRAVEL AND CURRENCY Traffic drives on the left. Roads are generally in good condition but poorly lit. Poorly serviced vehicles and dangerous driving habits contribute to accidents. Pedestrians often walk on the pavement of roads rather than on the shoulder, even at night. Domestic and wild animals roam major roads and pose a risk. Avoid driving outside of towns after dark; cattle and broken-down vehicles on the road pose hazards. In the event of a flat tire, travellers should drive, if possible, to a service station or residential area before stopping to make repairs. Travellers who suspect that their vehicle is being followed should drive to the nearest police station. Do not leave personal belongings or travel documents unattended in vehicles. Police roadblocks are common and may cause significant traffic congestion. Visitors must obey police signals, stop at roadblocks, and produce identification if asked to do so by police. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended. Intercity bus and rail travel are dangerous and not recommended. Buses are overcrowded and inadequately maintained, and the drivers reckless. The rail system is underdeveloped and poorly maintained, resulting in numerous accidents. Canadians should carefully evaluate the implications for their security and safety before deciding to undertake travel with Air Zimbabwe as unidentified problems have recently grounded many flights, and fuel shortages often cause delays and cancellations. The currency is the Zimbabwean dollar (ZWD). On August 1, 2006, the Zimbabwean dollar was revalued and three zeroes were truncated to create a new currency. Only the new banknotes are legal tender. Remain cautious, as counterfeit notes have been found in circulation. The attested new notes have a watermark and a security strip. Most hotel charges for foreigners are based on a U.S.-dollar rate and must be paid with credit cards or internationally convertible currency (typically U.S. dollars or British pounds). Banks rarely accept traveler’s checks for conversion to local currency, and never exchange them for foreign devices. Travellers should not attempt to change currency at unregistered currency exchange offices or outlets. It is unlawful to exchange foreign currency for Zimbabwean dollars with anyone other than a legitimate currency dealer affiliated with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. Authorized currency dealers include the major banks, such as Standard Chartered and Barclays. Travellers leaving the country can take out up to USD $ 1,000 or the equivalent in other foreign currencies, or ZWD $100,000 in cash. Check with your bank for information on Automated Banking Machine ( BACK TO TOP 8. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE The rainy season extends from November to March. Travellers should keep informed of regional weather forecasts and plan accordingly. BACK TO TOP 9. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program Web site. The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date. Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage. The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada. BACK TO TOP 10. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION Medical care in Zimbabwe is limited, especially outside of Harare. Travellers should carry their own supply of prescription medications because emergency care and medicines may not be available. Water used for consumption should be boiled first or otherwise sterilized. As the level of HIV/AIDS infection in Zimbabwe is very high, you should be cautious about activities involving the transmission of bodily fluids. BACK TO TOP 11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Returning to Canada Traveller's Checklist Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes. See Canada's Health Portal. Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. Adoption: Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child from another country, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government. BACK TO TOP 12. ANNEX There have been fraud attempts through e-mail originating from Zimbabwe. Any unsolicited business proposal should be carefully scrutinized. Usually, the con man sends an e-mail, or letter, offering a substantial percentage of a large sum of money to be transferred into your account in return for your "discretion" or "confidentiality." These messages often claim that the soliciting party has personal ties to senior Zimbabwean officials. You, as the bank account owner, are promised a percentage of the huge sum, just for allowing the use of your account. You may be asked to provide blank, signed invoices, letterhead, and bank account information, or to send money for transfer taxes. Some businesses have found their accounts looted by the persons to whom they sent account information. Should you receive such an e-mail or letter, please contact one of the organizations listed below. CONTACT INFORMATION International Trade Canada Africa and Middle East Trade Division 125 Sussex Drive Ottawa, ON K1A 0G2 Tel.: 613-944-6579 Fax: 613-944-7437 Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe 332 Somerset Street West Ottawa, ON K2P 0J9 Tel.: 613-237-4388 Fax: 613-563-8269 Commercial Crime Branch Royal Canadian Mounted Police 1200 Vanier Parkway Ottawa, ON K1A 0R2 Tel.: 613-991-4331 Fax: 613-993-4299 PhoneBusters National Call Centre P.O. Box 686 North Bay, ON P1B 8J8 Tel.: 1 888 495-8501 or 705-495-8501 Fax: 1 888 654-9426 or 705-494-4755 Website: http://www.phonebusters.com/ BACK TO TOP |
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