Planning a trip to Zanzibar? Before you pack your bags and set off for this tropical paradise, it’s crucial to know the essential travel requirements to ensure a smooth journey.
Here’s a quick guide to help you prepare.
Visa Requirements
Visa-Application:
The application of visa can be done online through the official Tanzania Immigration website. Here https://visa.immigration.go.tz/
We highly recommend you book your visa online before arriving at Zanzibar Airport to avoid a long queue.
Payment for visa is $50 and for US citizens is $100
You need to make sure that your passport is valid for at least six months after the end of your vacation.
Visa-Free Access:
There are countries whose citizens do not require a visa to enter Zanzibar (Tanzania). These countries are:
Antigua & Barbuda, Anguilla, Ashmore & Certie Island, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Belize, Brunei, British Virgin Island, British Indian Ocean Territory, Botswana, Cyprus, Cayman Island, Channel Island, Cocoas Island, Cook Island, Christmas Island, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Dominica, Falkland, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guernsey, Guyana, Heard Island, Hong Kong, Isle of man, Jamaica, Jersey, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Montserrat, Malaysia, Madagascar, Malta, Mauritius, Macao, Mozambique, Nauru, Naue, Island, Norfolk Island, Namibia, Papua new Guinea, Rwanda, Romania, Ross Dependency, Samoa, Seychelles, Singapore, Swaziland, Solomon Island, South African Republic, South Sudan, St. Kitts Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vicent, St. Helana, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos, Tokelan, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Referral Visa:
Countries which their Nationals require Referral Visa:
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Chad, Eritrea, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Conakry, Iran, Iraq, Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan), Lebanon, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Somalia, Sierra Leone, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Yemen.
Health and Vaccinations
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required if coming from a country with a risk of yellow fever. Here is a list of countries with high risk of yellow fever infections:
Covid-19: On the 1st of February 2023, the Government of Zanzibar announced that mandatory PCR Tests and Covid Vaccinations are no longer required for arrivals. But it’s okay to have a vaccination certificate in case of emergence.
Travel Insurance
You will need to apply your Zanzibar Mandatory Travel Insurance online here https://visitzanzibar.go.tz/. The cost of insurance is $44 USD for adults, Children 17-3 years for 22 USD and below 3 are free. This insurance is required upon arrival at Zanzibar Airport.
Currency
The Tanzanian Shilling (TZS) is the local currency. While all tourism places accept US dollars, it’s best to carry local currency. If you need more resources on currencies, you can check from our guide here!
