Visa to Tanzania and Zanzibar

Visa to Tanzania and Zanzibar: Requirements, Costs and theMandatory Insurance (2026)

Zanzibar is part of Tanzania, so one Tanzania visa covers both the mainland and the islands. Most tourists pay 50 USD for a single-entry eVisa, and US citizens pay 100 USD. Since October 2024, every visitor to Zanzibar must also buy a separate 44 USD insurance policy before arrival. This guide walks you through both, step by step. If you have questions? We're happy to help. Nothing spoils the start of a holiday like being pulled aside at the airport. When it comes to a visa to Tanzania and Zanzibar, many travellers arrive confused and worried. Do you need one visa or two? Is the new Zanzibar insurance real? What does it all cost? We hear these questions every week. The good news is that the process is simpler than it looks. Most visitors sort everything out from home in under an hour. At Fahamu Safaris, we help travellers plan trips across Tanzania every day, from safaris in the Serengeti to beach holidays on Zanzibar. We know exactly where people get stuck. This guide clears up the confusion in plain language. You'll learn who needs a visa, what it costs, how to apply online, and how the mandatory Zanzibar insurance works. By the end, your paperwork will be the easy part of your trip.

Do You Need a Separate Visa for Tanzania and Zanzibar?

No, you don't need a separate visa for Zanzibar. Zanzibar is part of the United Republic of Tanzania, so one Tanzania visa covers both the mainland and the islands. When you apply online, you simply pick your first destination. You can then visit both places on the same visa. Zanzibar confuses a lot of travellers. It has its own president, its own government, and its own airport. So people assume it needs its own visa. It doesn't. The official Tanzania Immigration guidelines make this clear. You choose your first stop on the form, and your visa lets you move between the mainland and Zanzibar with no extra paperwork. Not everyone needs a visa at all. Citizens of many African countries, including fellow East African Community members, can enter without a visa for up to 90 days. Most European, American, Asian, and Australian visitors do need one on arrival. The rule is the same whether you land in Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro or fly straight to the islands.

How Much Does a Tanzania Visa Cost, and What Types Are There?

A single-entry tourist visa for Tanzania costs 50 USD and is valid for up to 90 days. US passport holders are the one big exception. They must apply for a multiple-entry visa, which costs 100 USD and lasts 12 months, with a maximum of 90 days per stay. Most tourists only need the ordinary single-entry visa. The official visa fees page lists it at 50 USD. If an agent or website quotes you more than that for an ordinary visa, you're likely paying an unofficial mark-up. The rule for Americans is set in stone. US citizens cannot use the 50 USD visa and must take the 100 USD multiple-entry option, even for a simple beach holiday. There are a few other visa types too. A business visa suits meetings and conferences. A transit visa covers short stops of up to seven days. A small number of nationalities need a referral visa, which means immigration must approve the application in advance.

How Do You Apply for a Tanzania eVisa Online?

Apply on the official Tanzania Immigration portal at visa.immigration.go.tz. Start a new application, enter your passport and travel details, and upload a passport photo plus a copyof your passport page. Pay the fee by card. Once approved, you download your Visa Grant Notice and print it for arrival. The eVisa is the easiest way to enter. You do it from home, weeks before you fly. We always recommend it over a visa on arrival, which can mean long queues. Officially, applications are processed within ten days. In practice, the system can have some delays , sometimes approvals arriving only days before departure. So apply early. We suggest three to four weeks before your trip.

Things to have when Applying fo Tanzania Visa:

• A passport valid for at least six months
• A clear passport-style photo
• Your flight and accommodation details
• A debit or credit card for the fees

US citizens should note there's no visa on arrival for them. They must apply online first, so give yourself plenty of time.

Is the Zanzibar Travel Insurance Mandatory in 2026?

Yes. Since 1 October 2024, every visitor to Zanzibar must buy a mandatory insurance policy from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC). It costs 44 USD per adult and covers up to 92 days. You buy it online before you travel, and you show it at the airport. This is the part that catches people out, so let's be clear. This insurance is separate from your visa. It's also separate from any travel insurance you already have at home. The Zanzibar insurance cost is 44 USD per adult, children aged 3 to 17 pay 22 USD, and infants are free. You buy it only at the official https://inbound.visitzanzibar.go.tz/ website. Be careful, as some third-party sites charge double for the same policy. After you pay, you get a certificate with a QR code by email. Immigration officers scan it when you land. The rule is strictly enforced, and travellers without it can be turned away. So buy it before you go. What about mainland Tanzania? The government has proposed a similar 44 USD policy, but it's been delayed and, as of 2026, is not yet required for entry. For now, the insurance rule applies to Zanzibar only. If a Zanzibar beach holiday is on your list, remember to budget for it.

What the Zanzibar Insurance Covers, and Why You Still Need Your Own

The ZIC policy is useful, but it's basic. It covers emergency medical costs up to 50,000 USD, plus evacuation and repatriation. It also covers hospital stays and quarantine linked to an illness during your visit. Here's the catch. It only protects you in Zanzibar. It does nothing for the rest of your trip. Think about a typical holiday with us. You might fly in, go on safari, then relax on the coast. The ZIC policy won't help with a medical problem during your safari while you're on the mainland. It also won't cover climbing Kilimanjaro, which needs special cover for high altitude. It also skips the everyday risks. Cancelled flights, lost luggage, or a trip you have to cut short are not included. That's why we always advise a full private travel insurance policy on top ofthe Zanzibar one. The two work together, and you get real peace of mind.

Yellow Fever, Passports and Other Entry Rules

A few more checks round about your entry. Your passport should be valid for at least six months and have a blank page. You should also carry a return ticket and be ready to show you can fund your stay. Yellow fever causes a lot of worry, but it's simpler than it seems. Tanzania is a low-risk country for yellow fever. You only need a vaccination certificate if you arrive from, or transit for more than 12 hours through, a country where the disease is a risk. So if you fly directly from Europe or the United States, you don't need the yellow fever shot. If you connect through certain African or South American countries, you might. Here is the list of African countries at risk of Yellow Fever. When indoubt, check with your doctor before you fly. Malaria is a separate matter. It isn't an entry rule, but we always suggest speaking to a travel clinic about protection before your trip.

How to Avoid Delays and Problems at Immigration

A smooth arrival comes down to small habits. Get these right and you'll breeze through:

• Apply for your eVisa three to four weeks early
• Buy your Zanzibar insurance in advance to skip the airport queue
• Print both your Visa Grant Notice and your insurance certificate
• Check that your passport details match your visa exactly
• Carry some US dollars in cash for any small fees

The most common problems come from rushing. Late applications, blurry document uploads, and tiny spelling errors cause most of the stress at the counter. A little planning removes almost all of it. Our Tanzania packing list helps you get the rest of your bag righttoo. Booking with a local team also helps. We've guided countless travellers through thisprocess, and we're always happy to double-check your plan.

Conclusion

Your paperwork for Tanzania and Zanzibar comes down to three simple things. You need one visa for both places, which costs 50 USD for most tourists and 100 USD for US citizens.You need the 44 USD Zanzibar insurance if the islands are on your route. And you need a valid passport, plus a yellow fever certificate only if you're coming from a risk country. Sort these out early and the rest of your holiday falls into place. That's where the fun begins,from the Serengeti plains to the white sands of Zanzibar. We'd love to help you plan it all. Contact us to build your trip, and we'll make sure every detail is right. You can also explore the best time to visit Tanzania to pick your perfect dates.

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