Eswatini Visa Guide 2026: Requirements, Types, and eVisa Updates

(ESWATINI) Eswatini lets citizens of more than 90 countries and territories enter visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism or business, but longer stays and non-exempt passports still require paperwork and planning. If you’re coming to see the Ezulwini Valley, take a job, start a business, or study, the right route depends on your nationality and how long you’ll stay.

The rules in early 2026 are friendly for short visits, yet strict on overstays and document checks at the border. Eswatini’s Ministry of Home Affairs manages visas, extensions, and longer-term permits, and officers expect travelers to arrive prepared with proof of onward travel and funds.

Choose one of three paths before you commit

Pick the path that matches your plan before you buy tickets or sign a contract.

1. Short visit, visa-free (up to 30 days): Tourism or business for eligible nationalities, including the United States 🇺🇸, the United Kingdom, European Union countries, Japan, and many Commonwealth passports.
2. Short visit with a visa: Travelers not on the exemption list need a visa before travel, or in limited cases may obtain one on arrival with a local host’s undertaking.
3. Longer stay (work, study, business, family): Expect a permit process and more documents, especially police clearances and medical certificates.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, Eswatini’s rollout of online filings has made first-time applications easier for many travelers, but it hasn’t replaced the full permit system for long stays.

Entry basics that apply to everyone

Even if you are visa-free, immigration officers still check core entry conditions.

• Passport validity: Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your intended stay.
• Blank pages: Carry at least two blank pages, especially if you transit South Africa, where border staff often refuse travel documents with limited space.
• Trip proof: Bring a return or onward ticket, accommodation details, and proof you can support yourself (for example, bank statements).
• Health checks: Officers may ask for a yellow fever certificate if you are arriving from an endemic area.

These checks are routine at King Mswati III International Airport and at land borders. Keep paper copies and a phone backup.

Visa-free entry: what to expect at the border

For eligible travelers the process usually follows this simple timeline:

• Day of travel: Arrive with your passport, proof of onward travel, and where you’ll stay.
• At the counter: An officer reviews your documents and stamps your entry for up to 30 days.
• During your stay: Track your last day — Eswatini enforces overstay penalties.

If your plans change, treat the 30-day stamp as a hard deadline. Don’t assume an officer will “fix it later” at departure.

When you need a visa or an extension

If you need a visa, or you want to stay beyond your initial permission, you will work with forms used by Eswatini immigration.

A four-step filing sequence

1. Get the right form. Eswatini uses Form 10 for visitors and short-term matters, and Form 3 for work, business, and study cases. The Eswatini government portal hosts official information and downloads at the Government of Eswatini website.
2. Build a document pack. Expect a passport copy, two passport photos, a cover letter from a host/employer/school, and proof of funds and accommodation.
3. Add “heavy” documents early. Long-stay cases commonly require a police clearance from your country of origin and a medical certificate.
4. Submit and pay. File through the nearest Eswatini mission, through the eVisa portal when available, or by submitting to the Ministry of Home Affairs in Mbabane for permits.

All copies must be certified, so plan time for notaries and official stamps.

Fees you should budget for

Short-stay and entry visa fees are listed in Eswatini Lilangeni (E).

Pay where you file, either at an embassy or, when allowed, on arrival.

Using the eVisa portal (newer option)

Eswatini introduced an eVisa portal in August 2025. The online system follows a familiar pattern: create an account, verify your email, upload documents, and pay the fee.

• Photo rules often trip up applicants. The portal requires a square-format passport photo that meets international standards, so prepare a compliant digital file before you start.
• Estimated processing time for many short-term cases is 5 to 15 business days. Don’t book non‑refundable flights inside that window unless you can absorb the cost.

Permits for work, study, business, and family

If you’re moving for more than a short trip to the Ezulwini Valley, Eswatini treats you as a resident applicant, even if you plan to leave later.

Work permits and employer sponsorship

• Employees need an employer sponsor.
• Package requirements: proof the job was advertised, your qualifications, a police clearance, and a medical certificate.
• Expect extra scrutiny because the employer must show why a local hire was not available.

Business permits and investor paperwork

• Business applicants submit company documents such as a Memorandum of Association, Certificate of Incorporation, and a lease agreement, plus police clearance.
• Plan for document ordering and certified copies, since registries and banks may be slow.

Study permits and minors

• Students need an acceptance letter from the institution and support from the Ministry of Education.
• Applicants over 18 require a police clearance and a medical certificate.
• Minors traveling alone should carry notarized parental consent.

Dependents and special passes

• Family members usually apply with marriage certificates, birth certificates, and guardian documents when relevant.
• Keep records consistent across passports, school files, and employer documents.

Timeframes and planning calendar

Use a realistic calendar and add buffer time for records.

• Short-term eVisa or visa cases: 5–15 business days (estimate).
• Permits: 4–8 weeks is typical; police clearances often drive delays.
• When to start: File 4–6 weeks early for long-term stays, and allow more time if you need documents from multiple countries.

Arrival, extensions, and the overstay trap

• Extensions up to another 30 days (total 60 days) are possible through the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• Beyond 60 days, apply for a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP), which can be issued for up to one year and renewed.

Important: Overstaying brings sharp consequences — the guide cites E500+ fines per day, possible deportation or bans, and strict tracking of overstays. File for an extension before your legal day expires.

Regional transit through South Africa

• Many visitors reach Eswatini through South Africa. The guide recommends securing the Eswatini visa through the Eswatini High Commission in South Africa when regional protocols apply.
• Also check blank pages: South African entry and transit rules are often enforced without flexibility.

Practical checklist before you travel

• Confirm whether you are visa-free for 30 days or require a visa.
• Check your passport is valid three months past your stay and has two blank pages.
• Prepare proof of funds, accommodation, and onward travel.
• Start police and medical documents early for any permit.
• Keep printed copies and a secure digital backup.

For long-term residents, TRPs averaged 1,200 approvals yearly before 2026, with growth in tech and agriculture roles. The guide also notes the United States 🇺🇸 Embassy in Ezulwini has seen more consular processing for third‑country nationals living in Eswatini, so schedule appointments early when U.S. paperwork overlaps. Timing matters if your passport is near expiry.