Zimbabwe Passport Renewal and Applications from the UK: Complete Guide

Renewing or applying for a Zimbabwean passport from the UK is a process that involves both the Zimbabwe Embassy in London and a representative based in Zimbabwe. It requires careful preparation, correct documentation, and patience — processing times can stretch to several weeks depending on the service chosen. ## The Zimbabwe Embassy in London All passport applications and renewals for Zimbabweans in the UK are handled at Zimbabwe House, 429 Strand, London, WC2R 0JR (Covent Garden area). The embassy is open Monday to Thursday, 9:00am to 3:00pm. You can contact them by phone on +44 20 7836 7755 or by email at zimlondon@zimfa.gov.zw. An in-person visit to the embassy is mandatory — the process cannot be completed entirely by post or online. ## Key Fees (as of 2024–2026) There are two separate sets of fees to be aware of: **Embassy consular/administration fee (paid in London):** - £65 administration fee payable to the embassy for all passport applications - Temporary Travel Document (TTD): £115 **Passport processing fee (paid in Zimbabwe in US dollars cash):** - Ordinary e-Passport: US$150 + US$20 QR surcharge (approximately 6–8 weeks processing) - Emergency 48-hour service: US$270 - Emergency 7-day service: US$250 + US$20 QR surcharge Note that the embassy does not accept cash, personal cheques, or credit/debit cards for the London fee. Payment must be by cashier's cheque or money order made payable to "Embassy of Zimbabwe." The Zimbabwe-side processing fee is paid in US dollar cash by your representative in Zimbabwe. Always confirm current fees directly with the embassy before attending, as these are subject to change. ## Documents Required Before your embassy visit, gather the following originals and photocopies: - Long-form Zimbabwe birth certificate (original and copy) - Zimbabwe National ID card (original and copy) — note that if you do not have a Zimbabwean ID or have lost it, you will need to travel to Zimbabwe to obtain one, as these are only issued in Zimbabwe - Current or expired Zimbabwe passport (to be surrendered) - Photocopy of the biodata page of your existing passport - Two colour passport photos (3.5cm x 4.5cm, white background) — UK passport photo dimensions are different, so specify you need Zimbabwean passport photos when ordering - Proof of UK residence if you are a permanent resident (e.g. visa sticker page) - Marriage certificate or divorce decree if applicable (for name changes) - Police report if your passport was lost or stolen - Citizenship certificate if citizenship was obtained by descent, registration, or naturalisation Passport application form P1 must be obtained from the embassy in person — downloaded forms are not accepted due to fraud prevention measures. ## The Two-Stage Process The Zimbabwe passport renewal from the UK works in two stages: **Stage 1 — Embassy visit in London:** Attend the embassy in person. You will receive the P1 and P34 application forms, have them stamped, sign two authorisation letters (one permitting your representative to submit the application, one permitting collection), and pay the £65 administration fee. Passport photos can be taken nearby — IDphotoshop.co.uk at Suite 115, St Vincent House, 30 Orange Street, London WC2H 7HH is a short walk away and can provide correctly sized Zimbabwean passport photos. **Stage 2 — Processing in Zimbabwe:** Following your embassy visit, you must send your original documents, stamped forms, photos, affidavits, and authorisation letters to a trusted representative in Zimbabwe. They will submit the application at the passport office in Zimbabwe, pay the processing fee in US dollar cash on your behalf, and later collect and courier the new passport back to you. Documents can be couriered via FedEx or DHL. Mailboxes Etc at 43 Bedford Street, London WC2E 9HA (a one-minute walk from the embassy) offers this service at approximately £65. Always courier to a physical street address, never a P.O. Box. Keep your tracking details. Your representative will also need to courier the completed passport back to you from Zimbabwe, which incurs an additional cost. ## Affidavits You will need two affidavits — one authorising your representative to submit the application and one authorising collection. The embassy can provide these, but it is advisable to print your own copies in advance in case supplies run out and to save time on the day. ## Processing Times Ordinary processing: up to 21 working days (approximately 6–8 weeks) in Zimbabwe. The 48-hour and 7-day expedited services are available at higher cost — confirm availability with the embassy before applying. ## Practical Tips - Take photocopies of every document, receipt, and stamped form before sending anything to Zimbabwe - Do not wear heavy makeup for your passport photos — you may be asked to remove it at the embassy - Allow considerable time on the day of your embassy visit; queues can be long - Coordinate carefully with your Zimbabwe representative before starting the process, as the entire application depends on their availability and ability to pay in US dollar cash - Contact the embassy by phone before attending to confirm current fees, appointment requirements, and any changes to procedures