Living in Eswatini
Information for British citizens moving to or living in Eswatini, including guidance on residency, healthcare and driving.
Visas and residency
Eswatini entry visa applications are managed by the Ministry of Home Affairs Headquarters in Mbabane, or at the country’s diplomatic missions and representative offices. Contact the Eswatini High Commission in London.
UK passport holders do not need a visa to enter Eswatini.
If you are planning to move to Eswatini to live, you will need to apply for a temporary or permanent residence permit. You should apply for this at the Ministry of Home Affairs headquarters in Mbabane in person.
Passports and travel
You can apply for your first passport or renew your British passport from Eswatini.
Check the Eswatini travel advice for passport validity requirements.
Healthcare in Eswatini
Eswatini has private and publicly-provided health care. Government and mission (provided by the church) healthcare providers are often oversubscribed. Many local and foreign nationals use private sector facilities.
Some local and foreign nationals have medical-aid packages as part of their employment terms and conditions, which cover the costs of using private-sector facilities.
A list of medical facilities in Eswatini is on this website.
Some local and foreign nationals travel to Mbombela (formerly Nelspruit) or Johannesburg, South Africa, for specialist medical diagnosis and treatment. Your medical provider will be able to give advice on where you need to be treated.
Medical aid and insurance
Widely-used medical aid schemes include SwaziMed and Medical Services Organisation. Medical insurance is provided by Eswatini Royal Insurance Corporation and Lidwala Health. Other medical providers are available. You should do your research, and speak to your employer, to find out what provider is appropriate for you.
Information about services at government and mission healthcare facilities is on the Eswatini government website.
Medicine
If you are on a prescription for any medication you should ensure you have a supply of it, or are able to obtain it when in Eswatini. Certain medicines may not be available in Eswatini (including major brands readily available in the UK), and you may be prohibited from taking them into the country. You should consult your GP before travelling to Eswatini to find out about any alternative medication.
Read guidance if you need to travel abroad with medicines.
Working in Eswatini
If you are planning to move to Eswatini to work, you will need to apply in person for a work permit at the Eswatini Ministry of Home Affairs. Work permits are only issued for the position specified in your employment letter. The work permit becomes invalid when you receive a promotion or employment is terminated.
Find out what documents you need to apply for a temporal residence permit on the Eswatini government website.
If you are moving to Eswatini with family members (‘dependants’), they will also need to apply for a temporal residence permit.
Studying in Eswatini
If you or a dependant is planning to study in Eswatini, you must meet all visa requirements. You should apply at the Eswatini Ministry of Home Affairs.
Students will need to provide:
- Complete application form (Form 10)
- Two passport-sized photos
- Letter from school/institution
- Support letter from Ministry of Education
- Police clearance from country of origin (above 18 years)
- Medical certificate
- Copy of your passport
All copies of documents must be certified.
Contact the relevant school or institution in Eswatini to check what fees you have to pay.
Tax
The UK has a double-taxation agreement with Swaziland so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. Ask the relevant tax authority your questions about double taxation relief.
You should get professional advice on paying tax in Eswatini. Find an English-speaking lawyer in Eswatini.
Read guidance on:
- tax if you leave the UK to live abroad
- tax on your UK income if you live abroad
- tax if you get a pension and live abroad
- paying National Insurance while abroad to protect your State Pension and entitlement to other benefits and allowances
Benefits
Check which UK benefits you can claim while abroad and how to claim them.
Many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit cannot be paid if you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.
Pensions
If you retire in Eswatini, you can claim your UK State Pension or new UK State Pension.
For more information, contact the International Pension Centre.
Money and banking
Eswatini has 5 major banks where you can open an account:
- First National Bank Swaziland
- Nedbank Swaziland
- Standard Bank Swaziland
- Swazi Bank
- Swaziland Building Society
Each bank may have different conditions to open an account. We recommend that you contact the bank of your choice to find out their requirement and fees.
You will usually need to provide:
- Valid passport
- Proof of residence
- Residence/work permits
Accommodation and buying property
See guidance on buying a property abroad.
Foreign nationals are not permitted to purchase property in Eswatini. You can find out more information by researching online (Inside Biz) or speaking to a local lawyer.
You can rent accommodation from any local real estate agents or from the owner.
Driving in Eswatini
Read general guidance on driving abroad.
If you’re asked for a letter authenticating, certifying or validating your UK driver’s licence, you should contact your UK issuing office, for example, the DVLA.
For guidance on for travelling by road, see Eswatini travel advice.
If you’re planning to take your vehicle with you, see guidance on taking vehicles out of the UK.
You can use your country’s driving licence in the Kingdom of Eswatini. You can also use an International Driving Permit, in addition to your national driver’s licence.
Check out the International Drivers Association website for more information on driving in Eswatini and how to apply for an International Driving Permit.
Disabled drivers
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Eswatini, you must return it to the original UK-issuing authority.
Births, deaths, marriage and civil partnership
Births
The requirements for registering a birth are on the Eswatini government website. Births in Eswatini must be registered within 60 days at Ministry of Home Affairs. There may be different requirements if a birth is registered after 60 days.
An Eswatini birth certificate will be accepted in the UK, for example, when you apply for a passport or register with a school or doctor.
See further guidance on registering a birth abroad.
Deaths
Deaths in Eswatini must be registered within 60 days at the Eswatini Ministry of Home Affairs headquarters.
Check what documents you need to register a death on the Eswatini government website.
Read detailed guidance on what to do if a British person dies in Eswatini.
Marriage
Your marriage or civil partnership will be recognised in the UK if:
- you followed the correct process in the country where you got married and
- it would be allowed under UK law
Marriage registrations must be made at the Eswatini Ministry of Home Affairs headquarters.
No marriage can be registered once one partner or both are dead.
Where one party is divorced or widowed, the marriage officer must ensure that a copy of a divorce decree or administration of estate certificate is attached.
Check what documents you need to register your marriage on the Eswatini government website.
Marriage and civil partnership
You should get legal advice before making any plans.
The UK does not issue certificates of no impediment (CNI) for marriages in Commonwealth countries. You’ll need to explain this if you’re asked to provide a CNI or a similar document to prove you’re allowed to marry.
You must get permission to marry in Eswatini from the Ministry of Home Affairs. To check what documents you need to apply for marriage, read the Ministry of Home Affairs website.
Pets
Many people keep pets in Eswatini. You should ensure your pets are vaccinated regularly (once a year).
For import and exportation of pets, a permit/certificate must be obtained from Eswatini Department of Veterinary and the UK Veterinary Office.
You can get further guidance on the regulations from the Department of Veterinary and Livestock Services in the Ministry of Agriculture.
Ministry of Agriculture Headquarters
The Director of Veterinary and Livestock Services
P.O. Box 162
Mbabane
Tel: 2404 2731/9 or 2404 6362
Director of Veterinary Services Dr Xolani Dlamini
Mobile: (+268) 7606 2602