Zimbabwe’s Online Border System Enhances Travel Efficiency

Zimbabwe’s Online Border Management System (OBMS) is now fully operational, streamlining visa applications and immigration clearance through a digital platform.

Launched in January by the Department of Immigration, the system modernises border processes by allowing travellers to apply for visas online and pass through electronic gates (e-gates) with minimal delays.

The OBMS is currently active at major ports of entry, including Beitbridge, Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport, and Victoria Falls International Airport. Authorities report significantly reduced clearance times, with processing at e-gates now averaging just 22 seconds per traveller.

The system is part of Zimbabwe’s broader strategy to modernise travel infrastructure, enhance operational efficiency, and attract more international tourists. By digitising arrival and clearance processes, OBMS positions Zimbabwe as a more accessible and visitor-friendly destination.