Most international visitors need a Tanzania visa to travel to Zanzibar, but citizens of visa-exempt countries can enter without one. Zanzibar is part of Tanzania, so there is no separate Zanzibar visa. The same Tanzania visa covers Zanzibar and mainland destinations such as the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Arusha and Dar es Salaam.
Eligible travellers can apply for a Tanzania eVisa before departure. Some nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival, while citizens of referral-visa countries must receive approval before travelling.
Visa rules depend on the passport you are travelling with—not your country of residence or the country from which you are flying.
Important: A Tanzania visa and Zanzibar’s compulsory inbound travel insurance are two different requirements. Many foreign visitors must arrange both before travelling.
Zanzibar Visa Requirements at a Glance
| Requirement | What travellers should know |
|---|---|
| Separate Zanzibar visa | Not required |
| Visa used for Zanzibar | Tanzania visa |
| Standard tourist visa | Usually USD 50 |
| US passport holders | Usually USD 100 for a multiple-entry visa |
| Typical permitted stay | Up to 90 days, subject to immigration approval |
| Tanzania eVisa | Available to eligible passport holders |
| Visa on arrival | Available to many, but not all, nationalities |
| Passport validity | At least six months from the intended date of entry |
| Blank passport page | At least one blank immigration page recommended |
| Return or onward ticket | May be requested |
| Zanzibar travel insurance | Compulsory for most foreign visitors entering Zanzibar |
Always check the latest requirements for your passport on the official Tanzania Immigration website before booking or travelling.
Is Zanzibar a Visa-Free Country?
Zanzibar is not a separate country and therefore does not operate an independent tourist visa system.
It is a semi-autonomous part of the United Republic of Tanzania. Whether you can visit Zanzibar visa-free depends on Tanzania’s entry agreement with the country that issued your passport.
Travellers fall into three broad groups:
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Visa-exempt travellers who can visit Tanzania and Zanzibar without obtaining a tourist visa.
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Visa-eligible travellers who can normally apply online or, where permitted, obtain a visa on arrival.
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Referral-visa travellers who must apply and receive approval before travelling.
Because nationality lists can change, travellers should confirm their position using the official Tanzania Immigration information rather than relying entirely on travel forums or old social-media posts.
Do You Need a Separate Visa for Tanzania and Zanzibar?
No. You do not need separate visas for mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.
A valid Tanzania visa can cover one itinerary that includes:
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Arusha and Zanzibar
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Serengeti and Zanzibar
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Ngorongoro and Zanzibar
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Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar
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Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar
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Selous or Nyerere National Park and Zanzibar
For example, if you arrive in Kilimanjaro, complete a northern Tanzania safari and then fly from Arusha to Zanzibar, you remain within Tanzania. You do not apply for another visa when travelling to the island.
You should still keep your passport, visa approval and Zanzibar insurance certificate accessible because they may be checked during your journey.
What Type of Visa Do You Need for Zanzibar?
Most holidaymakers who require a visa use an ordinary tourist visa for Tanzania.
This is intended for visitors travelling for purposes such as:
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Beach holidays
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Safaris
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Sightseeing
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Visiting friends or relatives
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Short leisure trips
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Cultural and historical tours
A tourist visa does not normally permit paid employment or long-term residence. Travellers visiting for business, volunteering, study, journalism or another specialist purpose should check whether a different visa or permit is required.
How to Apply for a Zanzibar Visa Online
There is no separate Zanzibar eVisa. You apply for a Tanzania eVisa through the official Tanzania Immigration portal.
The normal application process is:
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Open the official Tanzania eVisa website.
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Select the appropriate visa category.
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Complete the application using your passport details.
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Upload the requested passport image and supporting documents.
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Provide your intended arrival point and accommodation information.
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Pay the applicable visa fee.
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Submit the application.
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Save and print the approval notice when issued.
Use the official government portal rather than websites designed to resemble an immigration service. Third-party companies may charge additional processing or service fees.
Official application portal: Tanzania Immigration eVisa
What Documents Do You Need for a Zanzibar Visa?
The documents requested can vary by visa type and nationality, but tourists should normally prepare:
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A passport valid for at least six months
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A clear scan or photograph of the passport information page
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A recent passport-style photograph
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Confirmed or intended accommodation details
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Travel dates
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Return or onward flight details
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Proof of sufficient funds if requested
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A valid payment card for an online application
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Additional documents requested for referral or multiple-entry visas
The details entered on the application should match the passport exactly. Differences in names, passport numbers or dates can delay processing.
Can You Get a Visa on Arrival in Zanzibar?
Many eligible travellers can obtain a Tanzania visa on arrival at Zanzibar International Airport, but this option is not available to every nationality.
The process may involve:
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Completing an arrival or visa form
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Presenting your passport
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Showing return or onward travel details
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Providing accommodation information
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Paying the visa fee
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Passing through immigration checks
Queues can be longer when several international flights arrive close together. Applying for an eVisa in advance can make arrival more straightforward, although eVisa holders must still complete immigration formalities.
Travellers from countries subject to referral-visa procedures should not travel expecting to receive a visa at the airport.
Is It Better to Apply Online or Get a Visa on Arrival?
Where both options are available, we generally recommend applying online before travelling.
Advantages of a Tanzania eVisa
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You can complete the application before departure.
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You know whether the application has been approved.
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You avoid relying entirely on the visa-on-arrival process.
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You have time to correct problems before your holiday.
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It may reduce paperwork after landing.
Visa-on-arrival considerations
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Immigration queues may be long.
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Payment facilities can occasionally cause delays.
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Airlines may ask for proof that you qualify to enter Tanzania.
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It is unsuitable for referral-visa nationalities.
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Entry remains subject to the immigration officer’s decision.
An eVisa does not guarantee admission. Tanzania Immigration makes the final entry decision at the border.
How Much Is a Visa for Zanzibar?
The usual Tanzania tourist-visa fees are:
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Ordinary single-entry tourist visa: USD 50
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Multiple-entry visa for US citizens: USD 100
Other visa categories may have different charges. Fees can change, so confirm the amount on the official application portal when applying.
The visa cost is separate from:
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Zanzibar compulsory inbound travel insurance
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Hotel or tourism charges
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Airport transfers
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Vaccinations or health certificates
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Airline tickets
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Safari park fees
How Long Does a Zanzibar Visa Take?
Processing times vary according to nationality, application accuracy, travel season and whether additional approval is required.
Do not leave the application until the final days before departure. Applying several weeks ahead gives you time to respond if Tanzania Immigration asks for another document or correction.
Referral-visa applications may take considerably longer and should be submitted well in advance. Travellers in this category should not confirm non-refundable arrangements until the required approval has been received.
How Long Can You Stay in Zanzibar on a Tourist Visa?
An ordinary Tanzania tourist visa generally allows a visit of up to 90 days, subject to the conditions placed on the visa and the entry permission granted by immigration.
A visa’s validity period and the amount of time you are permitted to remain in Tanzania are not always the same thing. Check the dates and conditions on your approval and entry stamp.
If you want to remain longer, contact Tanzania Immigration before your permitted stay expires. Do not assume that an extension will automatically be granted.
Do UK Citizens Need a Visa for Zanzibar?
Yes. British citizens normally require a Tanzania tourist visa to visit Zanzibar.
Eligible British passport holders can generally apply for a Tanzania eVisa or use the visa-on-arrival facility where available. The standard tourist visa is usually USD 50.
The rule is based on the passport presented at immigration. A person living in the UK but travelling on another country’s passport must follow the rules for that nationality.
Do US Citizens Need a Visa for Zanzibar?
Yes. US citizens require a Tanzania visa for Zanzibar.
US passport holders are generally required to obtain a multiple-entry visa, usually costing USD 100. Travellers should confirm the current conditions and required supporting documents before applying.
Do South Africans Need a Visa for Zanzibar?
South African passport holders are generally able to visit Tanzania for short holidays without a tourist visa. However, entry conditions and permitted durations can change.
South African travellers must still meet the relevant passport, onward-travel and Zanzibar insurance requirements.
Do Ghanaians Need a Visa for Zanzibar?
Ghanaian passport holders are generally visa-exempt for short visits to Tanzania, which includes Zanzibar.
Travellers should still carry a valid passport, evidence of onward or return travel and any health documents required because of their travel route. Travellers arriving from Ghana may also need to consider Tanzania’s yellow-fever certificate rules.
Do Nigerians Need a Visa for Zanzibar?
Nigerian passport holders require permission to enter Tanzania and may be subject to additional or referral-visa procedures.
They should apply through Tanzania Immigration well before departure and wait for formal approval before travelling. Do not rely on obtaining a visa after landing unless Tanzania Immigration has explicitly confirmed eligibility.
Do Indian Passport Holders Need a Visa for Zanzibar?
Yes. Indian passport holders normally need a Tanzania visa to visit Zanzibar.
Eligible travellers can apply through the official Tanzania eVisa system. The documents and application route may depend on the type of Indian passport held and the purpose of travel.
Do Ugandans Need a Visa for Zanzibar?
Ugandan passport holders are generally visa-exempt for short visits to Tanzania, including Zanzibar.
A passport or other officially accepted travel document is still required. Visitors must also meet any applicable Zanzibar insurance and health-entry conditions.
Do Zimbabweans Need a Visa for Zanzibar?
Zimbabwean passport holders are generally visa-exempt for short visits to Tanzania and Zanzibar.
Travellers should check the permitted length and purpose of stay before departure and ensure that all other entry requirements are satisfied.
Do Moroccans Need a Visa for Zanzibar?
Moroccan passport holders should confirm their current status directly with Tanzania Immigration before travelling. If a visa is required, it must be a Tanzania visa rather than a separate Zanzibar visa.
Is Zanzibar Visa-Free for Nigerians?
Zanzibar does not have a separate visa-free arrangement independent of Tanzania. Nigerian passport holders must follow Tanzania’s national immigration requirements and should check whether referral approval is required before travel.
Do Children Need a Visa for Zanzibar?
Visa rules normally apply to each traveller, including children. A child who requires a visa must usually have an individual application linked to their own passport or accepted travel document.
Parents should not assume that a child is covered by an adult’s visa. Each child’s visa, passport and insurance requirements should be checked separately.
Zanzibar’s Mandatory Travel Insurance Is Not a Visa
Foreign visitors entering Zanzibar are generally required to purchase the island’s official inbound travel insurance, even when they already have private international travel insurance.
This insurance:
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Is separate from the Tanzania visa
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Is required for most non-resident foreign visitors
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Must be purchased through the authorised Zanzibar system
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Covers visits of up to 92 days
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Generates a certificate or QR code that should be carried when travelling
The published price has generally been USD 44 per adult, with reduced rates for children, but visitors should confirm the current price when applying.
Official insurance portal: Zanzibar Inbound Travel Insurance
A visitor who is visa-exempt may still need the mandatory insurance. Similarly, purchasing the insurance does not give someone permission to enter Tanzania without the required visa.
Do You Need a Yellow-Fever Certificate for Zanzibar?
A visa and a yellow-fever certificate are unrelated.
Whether you need proof of yellow-fever vaccination depends mainly on the countries you have recently visited or transited through—not simply your nationality.
A certificate may be required if you arrive from a country with a risk of yellow-fever transmission. Transit through such a country can also matter, particularly if you leave the airport or have a long connection.
Travellers arriving from countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Ghana or Nigeria should check the current health-entry rules before departure. Read our separate Zanzibar vaccination guide for full details.
Travelling from Kenya to Zanzibar
Kenya and Tanzania are separate countries. A visa or permission to enter Kenya does not automatically cover Tanzania or Zanzibar.
If your holiday includes both Kenya and Zanzibar:
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Check Kenya’s entry requirements separately.
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Check Tanzania’s visa rules for your passport.
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Purchase the mandatory Zanzibar insurance if applicable.
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Check whether your journey from Kenya creates a yellow-fever certificate requirement.
The East African Tourist Visa used for certain regional journeys does not cover Tanzania.
Flying from Mainland Tanzania to Zanzibar
If you have already entered Tanzania legally and then take a domestic flight or ferry to Zanzibar, you do not need another Tanzania visa.
However, Zanzibar has additional arrival checks and its own mandatory visitor-insurance requirement. Keep the following documents accessible:
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Passport
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Tanzania visa or entry stamp, where applicable
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Zanzibar insurance certificate or QR code
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Flight or ferry confirmation
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Accommodation details
Common Zanzibar Visa Mistakes to Avoid
Applying through an unofficial website
Some commercial websites use names and designs that look official. Check the web address carefully before entering passport or payment information.
Applying for a separate Zanzibar visa
There is no separate tourist visa for Zanzibar. The correct application is for a Tanzania visa.
Assuming everyone can get a visa on arrival
Referral-visa nationalities must normally receive approval before travelling.
Confusing insurance with a visa
The compulsory Zanzibar insurance does not replace a Tanzania visa, and a visa does not replace the insurance.
Checking requirements according to residence
Visa rules are normally determined by the passport used for travel, not where the traveller lives.
Applying too late
Incorrect information, missing documents and additional immigration checks can delay an application.
Forgetting health-entry requirements
A traveller may have the correct visa but still face difficulties if a required yellow-fever certificate is missing.
Zanzibar Visa FAQs
Do I need a visa to go to Zanzibar?
Most international visitors need a Tanzania visa, although passport holders from visa-exempt countries can visit without one. Check the rule for the passport you will use.
Can I go to Zanzibar without a visa?
Yes, if your nationality is exempt from Tanzania’s visa requirement. Otherwise, you must obtain the appropriate Tanzania visa.
Does Zanzibar require its own visa?
No. Zanzibar uses Tanzania’s national visa system.
Can I enter Zanzibar with a Tanzania visa?
Yes. A valid Tanzania visa covers travel to Zanzibar, subject to its conditions.
Can I visit Tanzania and Zanzibar on one visa?
Yes. Zanzibar and mainland Tanzania form one country for immigration purposes.
Can I get a visa at Zanzibar Airport?
Many eligible nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival, but not everyone qualifies. Referral-visa travellers need prior approval.
How much is a Zanzibar tourist visa?
The standard Tanzania tourist visa is generally USD 50. US passport holders usually require a USD 100 multiple-entry visa.
Is there an online visa for Zanzibar?
Yes, but it is officially called the Tanzania eVisa. There is no separate Zanzibar eVisa.
How early should I apply?
Apply several weeks before travel. Allow more time if your nationality requires referral approval or your itinerary is complex.
Do I need a visa if I am only staying in Zanzibar?
Yes, unless your passport is visa-exempt. Staying only on the island does not remove Tanzania’s immigration requirements.
Is the Zanzibar insurance included in the visa fee?
No. The compulsory Zanzibar inbound insurance is purchased separately.
Does my international travel insurance satisfy the Zanzibar requirement?
Generally, no. Foreign visitors are required to purchase the authorised Zanzibar inbound insurance even if they already hold another policy.
Final Advice Before Travelling
Visa and entry rules can change. Before paying for a visa or travelling, confirm:
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Whether your passport requires a Tanzania visa
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Whether you qualify for an eVisa or visa on arrival
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Whether referral approval is required
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That your passport has sufficient validity
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That you have purchased Zanzibar’s mandatory insurance
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Whether your route requires a yellow-fever certificate
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That you have return travel and accommodation information
For the most reliable information, use the official Tanzania Immigration eVisa portal and the official Zanzibar inbound-insurance portal.
