According to government data that Lusa had access to this Monday, Mozambique has issued almost 30,000 cross-border visas since the implementation in May of a decision to facilitate and exempt tourists from low-risk countries.
In its Q4 2023 budget performance report, the government recalls that “a platform was created to request online visas and tourist and business visa exemptions for a list of low-risk countries” for a total of 29 states, which “resulted in the issuance of 28,963 visas requested by visitors” until December.
“This measure has made Mozambique more competitive and facilitated access to the country for potential investors,” the document also says.
The Mozambican government has already stated in its third-quarter budget performance report that the decision to ease and exempt tourists from low-risk countries from visa requirements increased the number of visits to the country by 34% in the first 90 days after the implementation of the measure.
Mozambique introduced the electronic visa (e-Visa) in December 2022, followed by a visa exemption for citizens of 29 countries on 1 May, and also considered a measure to provide longer-term investment visas to foreign nationals with investments in Mozambique, simplifying the requirements for the award . .
The government estimates the “average spend” per visitor at $110 and the average visit time at four days, so each visitor represents $440 in “new funds” to the economy.
“The increase in the number of visitors to the country as a result of this measure represents growth for the sector and a multiplier effect for the Mozambican economy,” the third quarter budget performance report added.
The Mozambican government announced in August that more than 13,000 foreign nationals had entered Mozambique under the visa-free regime for some countries introduced in May, the vast majority of whom were tourists, including from Portugal.
According to data provided by the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Eldevina Materula, of these exceptions with visas issued at the border, “more than 10,000 people” entered Mozambique “for the purpose of tourism, and the remaining three thousand for the purpose of business.”
“This is a clear sign that the measures taken by the government are having an impact on the development of our sector. Thanks to these measures, we clearly have a new structure of tourists, among whom the Americans, British, Portuguese, Chinese and Germans stand out. five main entry points into Mozambique,” a government official said in August.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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