A Mozambique visa yellow fever certificate is mandatory only if arriving from or transiting through a yellow fever risk country. US citizens flying directly from the United States do not need this yellow fever certificate. The certificate is valid for life since July 11, 2016 and must be obtained 10 days before departure. If your itinerary includes a layover of more than 12 hours in an endemic country, you must provide proof of YF vaccination for transit. Travelers who fail to present a valid certificate at the Mozambique border may face vaccination on entry at approximately U.S. $50.
Is a Yellow Fever Certificate Required for Your Mozambique Visa? (2026 Decision Guide)
A Mozambique visa yellow fever certificate is required for entry only if arriving from or transiting through a yellow fever risk country for over 12 hours. Travelers aged ≥1 year falling under this rule must carry the certificate at visa application and at border entry in 2026, regardless of whether they apply for an e-Visa or traditional visa.
US Citizens: Direct Flight Exemption Explained
Per CDC guidance, the vaccine is not required for direct travel from the United States to Mozambique. US citizens flying directly from the US to Mozambique do not need a yellow fever certificate. A layover over 12 hours in a risk country triggers the full Mozambique visa yellow fever certificate requirement, including the physical WHO yellow card at the port of entry. For example, flying JFK to Maputo via São Paulo (GRU) with a 14-hour layover requires the certificate; connecting through London Heathrow (LHR) does not, as the UK is not a YF risk country.
Yellow Fever Risk Countries and Transit Rules for Mozambique (2026)
The countries with risk of YF transmission list maintained by WHO and CDC includes over 40 nations across Africa and South America. Airport transit without exiting is exempt only if the layover is under 12 hours; transit stops >12 hours count as exposure. Travelers from these countries must carry proof of YF vaccination for transit. A Mozambique visa yellow fever certificate must be presented to border officials who validate it against the endemic country list. Mozambique itself carries no yellow fever risk; the requirement is triggered solely by arrival from or transit through risk countries. The CDC’s current travel health notice for Mozambique is Level 1 (Practice Usual Precautions). Travelers report that border officials in Maputo request the physical yellow card even when a digital copy is presented.
How to Submit Yellow Fever Certificate with Mozambique e-Visa
A Mozambique visa yellow fever certificate must be uploaded as a scanned copy (PDF, max 2MB) during the e-Visa application if your itinerary includes travel from an endemic country. Border officials will verify the physical document upon arrival at the port of entry.
Traditional Visa vs. e-Visa: Health Document Differences
The e-Visa portal accepts a digital scan of the International Certificate of Vaccination (ICV) form, while a traditional embassy visa requires the physical yellow card submitted with the application package. Both pathways require presenting the physical Mozambique visa yellow fever certificate at the port of entry. For a detailed comparison of these two application routes, see our guide on Mozambique eVisa vs Embassy Visa.
Yellow Fever Certificate Validity and the 10-Day Rule (2026)
The Mozambique visa yellow fever certificate becomes valid on the 10th day after vaccination and is valid for life since July 11, 2016. Per WHO International Health Regulations Annex 6 (amended 2016), the certificate is valid for the duration of the vaccinated person’s life. No booster is required, and no country may demand one. The shot must be administered at least 10 days before departure at a WHO-approved vaccination center.
Yellow Fever Vaccination in the US for Mozambique Travel
Yellow fever vaccination is available at CDC-authorized travel clinics across the US, with costs typically ranging from $150 to $350+ per person. Standard health insurance typically does not cover travel vaccines. The vaccine is administered only at CDC-authorized yellow fever vaccination centers, searchable via the CDC vaccination clinic finder. Passport Health USA offers Mozambique travel vaccination services at 1-888-499-7277. The Mozambique visa yellow fever certificate requires scheduling the appointment at least 4-6 weeks before travel to satisfy the 10-day validity window.
Vaccination Cost and Scheduling for Mozambique
In the US, yellow fever vaccination costs $150-$350+, covering the vaccine dose, consultation, and International Certificate of Vaccination (ICV) issuance. Pre-travel consultations should be scheduled at least 4-6 weeks before travel. The Mozambique visa yellow fever certificate must be obtained from a CDC-authorized center, not a standard pharmacy.
Mozambique Border Entry: Certificate Check and Health Screening
Upon arrival in Maputo, Mozambique’s capital city, travelers proceed through a defined sequence: immigration passport control, health desk verification of the Mozambique visa yellow fever certificate, and baggage claim. The yellow fever certificate is checked at a dedicated health desk between passport control and baggage claim. For a full walkthrough of what to expect, see our Mozambique port of entry process guide. Travelers unable to present a valid certificate face on-entry vaccination at approximately U.S. $50, payable in U.S. dollars, per U.S. Embassy Maputo guidance (data published 2023). Travelers from Rwanda, Somalia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Tanzania, and Polynesia face additional screening by State officials.
Other Health Requirements Beyond the Yellow Fever Certificate
A Mozambique visa yellow fever certificate is the only mandatory vaccination document for Mozambique entry when applicable. Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, and Rabies vaccines are recommended but not mandatory. Travelers’ diarrhea risk is high throughout the country, including deluxe accommodations. Schistosomiasis is present in fresh water. Dengue is present in Mozambique; dengue vaccination is eligible for individuals aged 4+ who have had dengue infection. Mpox vaccination is recommended for travelers anticipating specific activities during the clade I outbreak. The cyclone season runs from November to April. The primary language of Mozambique is Portuguese. For a broader overview of safety and health precautions, consult our Mozambique travel advisory for US tourists.
Malaria Prevention in Mozambique
Beyond the Mozambique visa yellow fever certificate, malaria prevention is critical for all travelers. CDC recommends prescription antimalarials (atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine, or tafenoquine) due to chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum malaria (CDC data, April 2025). Malaria transmission occurs year-round across all of Mozambique, including beach areas like the Bazaruto and Quirimbas Archipelagos.
Yellow Fever Exemption Certificate: Medical Waivers
Travelers with documented medical contraindications (e.g., severe allergies) can obtain a yellow fever exemption certificate from a WHO-approved vaccination center, which must be presented at the Mozambique border. Without a valid Mozambique visa yellow fever certificate or recognized waiver, travelers arriving from risk countries may face on-arrival vaccination at their own expense.
Vaccination for Pregnant Women and Infants
Pregnant women and infants under 12 months are medically exempt from yellow fever vaccination. Infants under 9 months may receive a formal waiver certificate from a WHO-approved vaccination center documenting the contraindication. The Mozambique visa yellow fever certificate or a recognized waiver is required for travelers aged ≥1 year from risk countries.
This guide was last reviewed in 2026. This is an informational travel portal, not a government source. Requirements are based on guidance from the WHO, CDC, and U.S. Embassy Maputo.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mozambique Visa Yellow Fever Certificate
Do I need a yellow fever certificate if flying directly from the US to Mozambique?
No, direct flights from the US are exempt. Transit through a risk country for over 12 hours triggers the requirement.
How long is the yellow fever certificate valid for Mozambique travel in 2026?
The certificate is valid for life since July 11, 2016, per WHO IHR Annex 6. No booster is required.
Can I get vaccinated at the Mozambique airport if I don’t have a certificate?
Yes, on-entry vaccination is available at approximately U.S. $50, payable in U.S. dollars.
Is the yellow fever certificate required for the Mozambique e-Visa application?
The e-Visa portal requires a PDF upload (max 2MB) of the ICV form if your itinerary includes travel from or transit through endemic countries.
How do I get a yellow fever exemption certificate for Mozambique?
Travelers with documented medical contraindications can obtain an exemption certificate from a WHO-approved vaccination center.
What is the cost of the yellow fever vaccine in the United States?
The vaccination costs between $150 and $350+ per person, covering vaccine, consultation, and ICV issuance. Most insurance plans do not cover travel vaccines.
Which transit routes trigger the yellow fever certificate requirement for US citizens?
Any transit through a yellow fever risk country for over 12 hours triggers the requirement. JFK to Maputo via São Paulo requires a certificate; connecting through London does not.
Are there other mandatory vaccinations for a Mozambique visa besides yellow fever?
No, yellow fever is the only mandatory vaccination when applicable. Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, and Rabies are recommended.
Can I show a digital or electronic yellow fever certificate at the Mozambique border?
Mozambique border officials prefer the physical ICV form. Travelers report that digital copies are often not accepted.
Does a yellow fever certificate have to be submitted with the visa application or only shown at the border?
The e-Visa requires a PDF upload if applicable; the traditional visa requires the physical document. Both are checked at the port of entry.