Decree number 13/2022, of April 11 (hereinafter the "Decree"), was recently published, concerning the creation of the Visa for Humanitarian Assistance (hereinafter the "Humanitarian Visa"), granted to foreign citizens who travel to Mozambique at the invitation of (i) governmental authorities; (ii) international organizations; and (iii) non-governmental organizations, with the purpose of providing humanitarian work, on a non-profit basis, in the context of the State of Emergency or Public Calamity, and in others declared under the terms of the Constitution of the Republic and the Law.
1. Conditions for the Granting of a Humanitarian Visa
The Humanitarian Visa is granted by the Diplomatic and Consular Missions of the Republic of Mozambique, and for this purpose the foreign citizen must submit the following documents:
a) Invitation from government authorities, international organizations or non-governmental organizations, indicating the reason for the request, area of activity and the expected period of stay;
b) Passport with a minimum validity of 6 (six) months;
c) Criminal record certificate issued by the competent authority of the applicant's country of nationality or of last residence for at least 1 (one) year;
d) Certificate issued by the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Coordination Entity, in which it is stated that the citizen will only provide Humanitarian assistance services under the respective organization
This Humanitarian Visa can also be issued at the border point, upon entry into the national territory, with presentation of a document issued by the entity responsible for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction.
It is important to highlight that this Humanitarian Visa entitles its holder to the exclusive exercise of humanitarian assistance activities and does enable the fixation of residency in Mozambique, and excludes the application of the regime of hiring foreign citizens to work in non-governmental organizations.
2. Period of Stay
The holder of the Visa is granted a stay in the country for a period of 90 (ninety) days, valid for multiple entries. It can, exceptionally, be extended for another 90 (ninety) days, upon due and justified request.
3. Forms of Termination of the Visa
The Humanitarian Visa may terminate due to:
a) Expiry;
b) Performance of criminal or administrative offences in Mozambique; and
c) Termination of the grounds for granting the visa.
Once the justification for granting the Humanitarian Visa has expired, the holder must leave the country within a maximum period of 15 (fifteen) days.
4. Applicable Fees
The Decree does not specifically establish the fees applicable to the granting of the Visa, but it refers to a joint diploma of the Ministers of the Interior and of Economy and Finance.
5. Entry into Force
The Decree entered into force on the date of its publication.
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