March 1, 2004

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Mozambique, a developing country in southern Africa, has steadily rebuilt its economy and civic institutions since ending a 16-year civil war in 1992. The country stabilized following Mozambique 's first multi-party elections in October 1994 and will be electing a new president in 2004. Despite high economic growth rates in recent years, Mozambique remains among the world's poorest countries. Facilities for tourism in Maputo, the capital city, are steadily improving but remain limited in other areas, as most of the goods and services taken for granted in other countries are not yet available.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Visas are required for entry into Mozambique. It is recommended that travelers have visas prior to traveling. Travelers arriving from a country without a Mozambican embassy or consulate can get visas at the airport or land border entry points for USD 20 or 475,000 Meticais. Those arriving from a country with a Mozambican embassy or consulate can obtain visas at the airports or land border entry points for USD 25. Mozambican authorities impose a fine of one million Meticais (app. USD 42) per day for each day that travelers overstay the period of validity of their visas. Travelers should obtain the latest information and details from the Embassy of Mozambique, 1990 M Street, N. W., Suite 570, Washington, D. C. 20036, telephone (202) 293-7146. Overseas inquiries should be made at the nearest Mozambican embassy or consulate.

In an effort to prevent international child abduction, many governments have initiated procedures at entry/exit points. These often include requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission for the child's travel from the parent(s) or legal guardian not present. Having such documentation on hand, even if not required, may facilitate entry/departure.

Safety and Security: Overland travel after dark is extremely dangerous due to poor road conditions, lack of emergency services, and the increased potential for vehicle hijacking. Visitors should be particularly vigilant when driving near the Mozambique-South Africa border. Official Americans serving in Mozambique are prohibited from overland travel outside Maputo city limits after dark and are encouraged to travel in convoys of two or more vehicles when outside of the city during daylight hours. Police checkpoints are common and police officers frequently harass foreigners. Due to residual landmines, overland travelers are advised to remain on well-traveled roads or seek local information before going off-road outside of Maputo and other provincial capitals.

CRIME: The biggest threat facing U.S. citizens visiting Mozambique is violent crime. Street crimes, including muggings, purse snatching, and pick-pocketing, are common, both in Maputo and secondary cities. While violent crimes against foreigners remain relatively infrequent, Americans have been victims of rape, sexual assault, and armed robbery in the past year. Visitors must be vigilant when out in public areas and should not display jewelry or other expensive items. Isolated areasshould be avoided because joggers and pedestrians frequently have been mugged, even during daylight hours. Visitors are advised not to walk at night, even in well-known tourist areas.

Despite efforts to increase police presence in areas frequented by foreigners, the police are poorly paid, poorly equipped and lack the professionalism that U.S. citizens are accustomed to in the United States. Mozambican law requires that all persons carry an identity document, such as a passport, when out in public and produce it if requested by police. A notarized copy of the biographic page and the Mozambican visa are acceptable. There are certain areas in the city of Maputo where pedestrian traffic is prohibited (e.g., in front of the presidential offices located north of the Hotel Polana on the sea side of Avenida Julius Nyerere). Demonstrations are infrequent but should be avoided.

The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to local police and to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. The pamphlets, A Safe Trip Abroad and Tips for Travelers to Sub-Saharan Africa, provide useful information on personal security while traveling abroad and on travel in the region in general. Both are available by mail from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, via the Internet at http://www.gpoaccess.gov, or via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov.

MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical facilities are rudimentary, and medicines are not always consistently available. Maputo 's Sommerschield Clinic can provide general and basic emergency services and accepts major credit cards. Doctors and hospitals outside Maputo generally expect immediate cash payment for health services.

MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. U.S. medical insurance plans seldom cover health costs incurred outside the United States unless supplemental coverage is purchased. Further, U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. However, many travel agents and private companies offer insurance plans that will cover health care expenses incurred overseas including emergency services such as medical evacuations.

When making a decision regarding health insurance, Americans should consider that many foreign doctors and hospitals require payment in cash prior to providing service and that a medical evacuation to the U.S. may cost well in excess of USD 50,000. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas often face extreme difficulties. When consulting with your insurer prior to your trip, ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas healthcare provider or whether you will be reimbursed later for expenses you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death.

Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure, Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad, available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page.

OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION: Further information on anti-retroviral therapy against HIV/AIDS, malaria prophylaxis, vaccinations and other health precautions may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's international travelers hotline at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (877-394-8747); fax: 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or via the CDC's Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the World Health Organization's website at http://www.who.int/en.

TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions, which differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Mozambique is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance:

Reconstruction of most roads damaged during the flooding of 2000 has been successful, and travel on the roads north of Maputo is once again possible. Additionally, a new toll road has improved travel between Maputo and South Africa. However, banditry along major highways continues to threaten the safety of road travelers. Periodically, the U.S. Embassy has restricted embassy personnel from traveling on certain roads or has imposed certain restrictions on road travel. Embassy personnel are prohibited from traveling outside cities after dark because of the increased risk of banditry, poor road conditions in some areas, the poor maintenance of many vehicles in the country (e.g. no headlights or rear lights), as well as the threat imposed by livestock that graze on roadsides. Travel outside Maputo often requires a four-wheel drive vehicle, which creates an additional security risk since these vehicles are high-theft items. Public transportation is extremely limited. Travelers contemplating overland travel may wish to contact the U.S. Embassy for the most current information on road travel safety.

For additional general information about road safety, including links to foreign government sites, see the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at road_safety.html. For specific information concerning Mozambique 's driving permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, contact the Mozambican embassy in Washington, DC. For international driving permits, contact AAA or the American Automobile Touring Alliance.

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service by local carriers at present, or economic authority to operate such service, between the U.S. and Mozambique, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed Mozambique 's civil aviation authority for compliance with international aviation safety standards.

For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the U.S. at 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA internet home page at http://www.intl.faa.gov. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of air services. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact DOD at (618) 229- 4801.

CURRENCY INFORMATION: Currency can be converted only at locations authorized by the Mozambican government. It is against the law to destroy Mozambican currency; offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. Outside of the major hotels, credit cards are not widely accepted in Mozambique. Many merchants prefer to be paid in U.S. dollars or South African rand.

CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Mozambique 's laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Mozambique are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines.

CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For information on international adoption of children and international parental child abduction, please refer to our internet site at children's_issues.html or telephone (202) 736-7000.

REGISTRATION/EMBASSY LOCATION: Americans living in or visiting Mozambique are encouraged to register at the consular section of the U.S. Embassy in Mozambique and obtain updated information on travel and security within Mozambique. The U.S. Embassy is located in Maputo at 193 Avenida Kenneth Kaunda, telephone (258-1) 49-27-97. The after-hours telephone number for use in emergencies is (258-1) 49-07-23. The consular section's fax number is (258-1) 48-04-48. The Consular Section's e-mail address is consularmaputo@state.gov.

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This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated February 27, 2003, to update the paragraphs on Country Description, Entry Requirements, Crime, and Medical Facilities.

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