Zanzibar Is Tanzania
The most important thing to understand about Zanzibar's entry requirements is that Zanzibar is not a separate country. It is a semi-autonomous archipelago within the United Republic of Tanzania, and the same Tanzania visa covers entry to Zanzibar, the mainland, and the Pemba island group. You will pass through Tanzanian immigration on arrival at Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) in exactly the same way as you would arriving at Julius Nyerere International in Dar es Salaam or Kilimanjaro International near Arusha.
Travellers who enter Tanzania on the mainland first and then fly or take the ferry to Zanzibar typically pass through a brief domestic border check between Tanzania and Zanzibar — a vestige of Zanzibar's semi-autonomous status — but this does not require any additional visa. Carry your passport regardless.
The Tanzania e-Visa
Tanzania operates an online e-visa system at evisa.immigration.go.tz. The e-visa is issued as a single-entry tourist visa valid for 90 days from the date of entry, with a stay of up to 90 days. The application requires a scan of your passport bio page, a passport-size photo, your travel itinerary or hotel booking, and a credit or debit card for payment.
Processing time is typically 3–10 business days, though many applicants receive approval within 48 hours. Apply at least two weeks before travel to give yourself buffer time. Once approved, you receive a PDF approval letter by email; print this or store it on your phone and present it at immigration on arrival.
Cost: USD $50 for most nationalities. US citizens pay USD $100 for a mandatory multiple-entry visa. Citizens of some East African Community member states are exempt from visa requirements. A small number of additional nationalities also qualify for exemptions or visa on arrival — check the official immigration website for the current list.
Visa on Arrival
Visa on arrival has historically been available at Tanzania's major international airports for nationalities not exempt from visa requirements. However, the Tanzanian government has actively encouraged online applications, and the e-visa is the safer and more reliable route. If you arrive without an e-visa and expect to get one on arrival, you may face long queues, limited payment options, and the possibility of encountering policy changes that have not yet been widely publicised. The official position is to apply online in advance. Verify current visa-on-arrival availability through the Tanzanian Immigration Department or your country's foreign affairs ministry before travel.
Passport Validity
Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended date of departure from Tanzania. This is a standard requirement and immigration officers enforce it. If your passport expires within six months of your return date, renew it before travelling — you are very likely to be denied boarding by the airline even before you reach the immigration counter.
You will also need at least two blank visa pages in your passport for entry and exit stamps.
Mandatory Zanzibar Travel Insurance
Since 2021, the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism has required all visitors arriving in Zanzibar to hold Zanzibar travel insurance. This is distinct from Tanzania mainland requirements and applies specifically to Zanzibar entry. The insurance can be purchased online before departure at the official Zanzibar travel insurance portal, or sometimes at the airport on arrival. The policy covers medical emergencies and evacuation during your stay. Costs are modest — typically $44 for a month of coverage — and failure to hold a valid policy can result in being asked to purchase one on the spot at the airport. This requirement applies whether you enter Zanzibar directly on an international flight or arrive via the mainland.
Keep your insurance certificate easily accessible as it is checked separately from your visa on arrival at ZNZ.
Yellow Fever Certificate
Tanzania requires proof of yellow fever vaccination if you are arriving from a country considered at risk for yellow fever transmission. The list of risk countries is maintained by the World Health Organization and includes most of sub-Saharan Africa, parts of Central and South America, and some other regions. If you are travelling directly from Europe, North America, or Southeast Asia, you will generally not be asked for a yellow fever certificate at Zanzibar. However, if your itinerary includes any yellow fever risk country in transit — even a brief stopover — carry your International Certificate of Vaccination (the yellow card) to avoid complications. Airlines may also check this on departure from risk countries.
Summary Checklist
Before flying to Zanzibar, confirm you have:
- A valid Tanzania e-visa or confirmed visa on arrival eligibility
- Passport valid for 6+ months beyond your departure date
- At least two blank passport pages
- Zanzibar travel insurance certificate
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate if arriving from an endemic country
Entry requirements change. Always verify current rules via the Tanzania Immigration Department (immigration.go.tz) and your own country's foreign travel advice service before departure.
