Zanzibar Visa Requirements: Tanzania eVisa, Visa on Arrival & What to Check Before You Fly
NARU ZANZIBAR GUIDE
Last checked: 10 September 2026
Do you need a visa to visit Zanzibar?
For many travellers, yes.
But the first thing to understand is something surprisingly simple:
There is no separate tourist visa just for Zanzibar.
Zanzibar is part of the United Republic of Tanzania, and Tanzania's visa system covers both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.
So if your trip is:
Safari in Tanzania + Zanzibar
Dar es Salaam + Zanzibar
Kilimanjaro + Zanzibar
or simply:
Zanzibar only
you begin by checking the Tanzania visa requirements for your passport.
At Naru, we think the easiest way to understand Zanzibar entry requirements is to separate three different questions:
1. Do I need a Tanzania visa?
2. Do I need Zanzibar's mandatory inbound travel insurance?
3. Are there any health-entry requirements for my specific route?
These are separate checks.
Do not treat one as a replacement for another.
Zanzibar Visa Requirements: The Quick Answer
If you want the short version:
Do you need a separate visa for Zanzibar?
No.
A valid Tanzania visa covers travel to both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.
Does everyone need a visa?
No.
Some passport nationalities are visa-exempt.
Others require a visa.
Some nationalities require prior immigration approval.
Your passport nationality determines the starting point.
Can you apply online?
Yes.
Tanzania operates an official electronic visa system, and Tanzania Immigration recommends the online visa route.
Can you get a visa on arrival?
Visa on arrival remains available for eligible nationalities at official entry points.
However, it is not available in the same way for every passport, particularly travellers in the referral-visa category.
How long should your passport be valid?
Your passport should have at least six months' validity and at least one unused visa page when applying.
Do children need visas?
Where a visa is required, each passport holder needs a separate visa application, including children.
Does a Tanzania visa cover both safari and Zanzibar?
Yes.
If you are visiting both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, you use the same Tanzania visa.
Is Zanzibar travel insurance the same as the visa?
No.
Zanzibar's mandatory inbound insurance is a separate requirement.
Naru's First Visa Rule: Start With Your Passport, Not Where You Live
This is one of the most important sections for international travellers.
Visa requirements are primarily determined by your passport nationality.
Not simply:
Where you live.
Where you work.
Where you are flying from.
Or which residence visa you hold.
This distinction is particularly important for travellers living in the UAE.
Do UAE Residents Need a Visa for Zanzibar?
The correct answer is:
It depends on the passport you are travelling with.
Being a UAE resident does not automatically mean you follow the same Zanzibar visa rules as a UAE citizen.
For example, someone living in Dubai may hold:
A UAE passport.
A British passport.
An Indian passport.
A Nigerian passport.
A Pakistani passport.
A South African passport.
Or another nationality entirely.
Each traveller should check the Tanzania entry requirements using the passport they will actually present when travelling.
Naru's view
If you live in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or elsewhere in the UAE, do not search only:
“Zanzibar visa for UAE residents.”
Start with:
“Tanzania visa requirements for [your passport nationality].”
That gives you a much more accurate answer.
Do UAE Citizens Need a Visa for Zanzibar?
UAE passport holders should check the current Tanzania visa requirement before travelling.
At the time of this guide's latest review, UAE citizens could obtain a tourism visa through the Tanzania electronic visa system or, subject to meeting immigration requirements, through the visa-on-arrival route.
Because entry regulations can change, always confirm this again before departure.
Do British Citizens Need a Visa for Zanzibar?
Travellers using a full British citizen passport currently require a visa to enter Tanzania for tourism.
That Tanzania visa also covers Zanzibar.
Eligible British travellers may apply for the Tanzania eVisa before travelling or use visa on arrival where permitted.
For a smoother arrival, applying online in advance is worth considering.
Do US Citizens Need a Visa for Zanzibar?
Yes.
There is an important difference for United States passport holders.
US citizens travelling for tourism are required under the current Tanzania visa framework to apply for the Multiple Entry Visa, even when they are only planning one trip.
The current standard fee for this category is US$100.
This is different from the ordinary tourist visa used by many other visa-required nationalities.
What About Indian, Nigerian or Other Passport Holders?
This is exactly why Naru does not publish one universal statement saying:
“Everyone gets a $50 visa on arrival.”
Visa requirements differ by nationality.
Some travellers:
Do not require a visa
Can apply online
May be eligible for visa on arrival
Require prior approval
Have nationality-specific visa categories or fees
Check your exact passport against the current Tanzania Immigration rules.
Is There a Separate Zanzibar Visa?
No.
This is one of the most common Zanzibar travel questions.
You do not need to purchase one Tanzania visa and then another tourist visa when you reach Zanzibar.
The Tanzania immigration system covers both:
Tanzania Mainland
and
Zanzibar.
If your trip includes both, the online application asks you to identify your first destination.
You can then travel between Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar without applying for a second Tanzania tourist visa simply because you changed between the two.
Safari + Zanzibar: Do You Need Two Visas?
No.
If your itinerary is:
Serengeti.
Ngorongoro.
Tarangire.
Then Zanzibar.
You do not normally obtain one visa for the safari and another for the beach.
It is one Tanzania immigration system.
This makes a safari-and-Zanzibar combination relatively straightforward from a visa-planning perspective.
The additional Zanzibar-specific requirement you need to remember is the island's mandatory inbound travel insurance, which is separate from the Tanzania visa.
Should You Get a Tanzania eVisa or Visa on Arrival?
For eligible travellers, both routes may be available.
But at Naru, we generally prefer travellers to have as much of the arrival process organised as possible.
Tanzania Immigration also recommends using its online visa application platform.
Tanzania eVisa
Applying online means your application is submitted before the journey.
You complete the application, upload the required information and documents, pay the relevant visa fee and wait for the application to be processed.
Once approved, keep your Visa Grant Notice accessible when travelling.
Visa on arrival
Eligible travellers may also be able to obtain a visa at an official entry point.
But remember:
Visa on arrival eligibility is passport-dependent.
Do not simply assume it applies to you because somebody else received one.
Naru's view
If you are eligible and have enough time before travelling, we would generally prefer resolving the visa before the flight rather than adding another administrative step after landing.
But always follow the current Tanzania Immigration guidance for your passport.
Use the Official Tanzania Visa System
This deserves its own section.
Searching for:
“Zanzibar visa”
or:
“Tanzania eVisa”
can produce websites that look official but are private visa-processing services.
Some may charge additional service fees.
Others may simply act as intermediaries.
For Naru travellers, our advice is straightforward:
Use the official Tanzania Immigration visa system unless you deliberately choose to use a third-party service.
Before entering passport details or making payment, check that you are using the genuine Tanzania Immigration platform.
What Documents Do You Need for a Tanzania Tourist Visa?
Exact supporting requirements depend on the visa category and traveller.
For the standard tourism application, prepare the essentials before starting.
These commonly include:
Your passport biographical page
A suitable passport photograph
Return or onward travel details
Relevant application information
Payment for the correct visa category
Your passport should have:
At least six months' validity
and
At least one unused visa page.
Do not leave checking your passport until the week before departure.
Do You Need a Return Ticket to Enter Zanzibar?
Travellers should be prepared to show evidence of return or onward travel when entering Tanzania.
This is another reason to keep your flight confirmations easily accessible.
Do not rely exclusively on airport Wi-Fi.
Save important travel documents offline before departure.
How Much Is a Zanzibar Visa?
There is technically no separate “Zanzibar visa fee”.
You are paying for the relevant Tanzania visa category.
For many travellers requiring the standard Ordinary Tourist Visa, the current fee is US$50.
US passport holders travelling for tourism currently use the Multiple Entry Visa category, which carries a US$100 fee.
Other passport nationalities or visa categories can have different rules and costs.
Always confirm the fee shown by the official Tanzania Immigration system for your specific application.
How Long Is the Tanzania Tourist Visa Valid?
The standard Ordinary Visa for tourism is generally valid for a stay of up to 90 days.
US tourism applicants use the Multiple Entry Visa category, which follows different validity rules.
Most Naru holiday itineraries are obviously much shorter than this.
But do not confuse:
Visa validity
with
how long you personally intend to stay.
Always follow the conditions printed on your issued permission.
What Is a Referral Visa?
This is one of the most important visa topics that many general Zanzibar guides barely explain.
Certain passport nationalities fall under Tanzania's Referral Visa category.
These travellers require additional immigration approval.
If your nationality is in this category, the process is not the same as an ordinary last-minute tourist application.
Current Tanzania Immigration guidance advises referral-category applicants to:
Apply online
Wait for approval before beginning the journey
Apply at least two months before the intended travel date
Avoid making non-essential travel commitments before approval
The official referral-country list can change.
That is why we do not recommend copying a list from an old travel blog.
Check the current Tanzania Immigration list when you plan the trip.
Can Referral-Visa Travellers Get a Visa on Arrival?
Do not plan around visa on arrival if your passport falls into the referral category.
Referral-category travellers require prior approval unless immigration has specifically granted the necessary permission.
This is a situation where early planning matters enormously.
How Early Should You Apply for a Zanzibar Visa?
There is no reason to make immigration the final task on your holiday checklist.
Apply with enough time for:
Processing
Any request for additional information
Corrections or immigration guidance if required
Referral approval if applicable
If your nationality falls into the referral category, current Tanzania Immigration guidance recommends applying at least two months before travel.
For ordinary applications, avoid leaving everything until immediately before the flight.
What Happens After You Submit the Tanzania eVisa?
After submitting an online application, keep your application details.
The Tanzania visa system allows applicants to track the status of their application.
If approved, you should be able to access the relevant Visa Grant Notice.
Keep a copy:
On your phone.
Offline.
And, if you prefer, printed with your travel documents.
Do not rely on searching through hundreds of emails while standing at immigration.
Can You Change a Tanzania eVisa Application After Submission?
Be careful before clicking submit.
Current Tanzania Immigration guidance states that once a visa application has been submitted, changes cannot simply be made to the application.
If there is a mismatch or your travel circumstances change in a way that affects the issued visa, contact the relevant immigration authority for guidance.
Naru's rule
Check twice. Submit once.
Pay particular attention to:
Passport number
Name
Nationality
Travel dates
First destination
Email address
A small typo can create a large amount of unnecessary stress.
Do Children Need Their Own Zanzibar Visa?
Where a Tanzania visa is required, each passport holder should have their own visa application.
That includes minors.
Do not assume that adding a child somewhere within a parent's application removes the need for their own application.
Families should check requirements for every traveller individually.
Travelling With a Child and Only One Parent
Families travelling with minors should also check whether additional consent documentation is relevant to their circumstances.
This is particularly important where:
A child travels alone
Only one parent is travelling
A legal guardian is accompanying the child
Surnames differ
The exact documentation may depend on the circumstances and departure country.
Check well before travel rather than at airport check-in.
Do Babies Need a Visa for Zanzibar?
If a baby holds their own passport and that passport nationality requires a Tanzania visa, the child should be treated as an individual traveller for the visa process.
Age does not automatically make the passport visa-exempt.
Do You Need a New Visa When Flying From Mainland Tanzania to Zanzibar?
If you entered Tanzania correctly and hold the appropriate valid visa or entry permission, you do not apply for another Tanzania tourist visa simply because you fly from the mainland to Zanzibar.
You may still encounter document checks during travel.
Keep your passport and travel documents accessible.
Do You Need a New Visa if Zanzibar Comes Before Safari?
No.
This is another common misunderstanding.
You can structure the trip:
Zanzibar → safari
or:
Safari → Zanzibar.
If the same valid Tanzania visa covers your journey, the order does not create a separate Zanzibar tourist visa.
When completing the online application, provide the correct first destination.
Do You Need Zanzibar Travel Insurance as Well as a Visa?
Yes, where the mandatory insurance requirement applies to you.
This is probably the biggest post-2024 source of confusion.
The Tanzania visa and Zanzibar inbound insurance are two different things.
Think of them separately:
Tanzania visa
Permission to travel to and seek entry into Tanzania where your nationality requires a visa.
Zanzibar inbound insurance
A Zanzibar-specific visitor insurance requirement for entry to the islands.
Having one does not automatically replace the other.
Having your own international travel-insurance policy also does not necessarily satisfy Zanzibar's specific mandatory inbound policy requirement.
We cover this separately because insurance rules, pricing and coverage deserve their own guide.
Read: Zanzibar Travel Insurance Guide
Do You Need Zanzibar Insurance if You Are Coming From Mainland Tanzania?
Do not assume that entering Tanzania on the mainland means the Zanzibar insurance requirement disappears.
Zanzibar has its own mandatory inbound visitor-insurance system.
If your itinerary includes Zanzibar, check the current insurance requirement specifically for the Zanzibar portion of the journey.
Is Yellow Fever Part of the Zanzibar Visa?
No.
Visa requirements and health-entry requirements are different things.
Yellow fever requirements can depend on factors such as where you are travelling from and your transit route.
Do not ask:
“Does my visa include yellow fever?”
Instead ask:
“What health-entry requirements apply to my exact travel route?”
Check current official health guidance before flying.
Do You Need a Visa for Zanzibar From Dubai?
This is another question where the wording causes confusion.
Flying from Dubai does not determine whether you need a visa.
Your passport does.
Two passengers can board the same Dubai–Zanzibar flight and have completely different visa requirements.
One may be a UAE citizen.
Another may be a British citizen living in Dubai.
Another may hold an Indian passport.
Another may hold a passport from a referral-visa country.
Their UAE departure point is the same.
Their immigration requirements may not be.
Naru's rule for Dubai travellers
Passport first. Residence second. Flight route third.
Read our Dubai to Zanzibar Guide if you are planning a short island escape from the UAE.
Do British Residents Follow British Visa Rules?
Not necessarily.
Again, residence is not nationality.
Someone living in Britain on a foreign passport should check the requirements for the passport they actually hold.
The same principle applies to:
UAE residents.
European residents.
US residents.
Canadian residents.
And travellers living almost anywhere else.
What If You Have Two Passports?
Use the passport you genuinely intend to travel on and make sure your visa and flight documentation correspond correctly.
Do not submit an application using one passport and then arrive expecting to enter on another without understanding the consequences.
Dual-national travellers should check the applicable immigration rules carefully.
Does Having a Visa Guarantee Entry to Tanzania?
No.
A visa authorises you to travel and present yourself for entry.
The final entry decision is made by immigration authorities at the border.
You still need to meet the relevant entry conditions.
That is why Naru encourages travellers to have:
Correct passport
Correct visa where required
Return or onward ticket
Zanzibar insurance where required
Accommodation information
Relevant health documents where applicable
Everything should match the trip you are actually taking.
Naru's Zanzibar Entry Checklist
Before leaving for the airport, check these separately.
Passport
Is it valid for at least six months?
Is there at least one unused visa page?
Tanzania Visa
Does your passport require one?
Do you have the correct category?
Has your online application been approved where required?
Zanzibar Insurance
Have you completed the mandatory Zanzibar visitor-insurance requirement where applicable?
Return or Onward Ticket
Can you access it easily?
Accommodation
Do you have your hotel details available?
Health Requirements
Have you checked requirements for your particular origin and transit route?
Children
Does every child have the correct passport, visa and any additional travel documentation required?
Offline Copies
Can you access everything even if the airport internet does not work?
If all seven are answered properly, arrival becomes much simpler.
The Naru Visa Decision Map
If you are confused, use this order.
Step 1: Which passport are you travelling on?
Everything begins here.
Step 2: Is that passport visa-exempt?
If yes, follow the entry conditions that apply to visa-exempt visitors.
If no, continue.
Step 3: Is your nationality eligible for the normal eVisa or visa-on-arrival route?
If yes, choose the appropriate method and visa category.
Step 4: Are you a US passport holder?
For tourism, check the required Multiple Entry Visa category rather than assuming the standard Ordinary Visa applies.
Step 5: Are you in the referral category?
If yes, stop thinking about last-minute visa on arrival.
Follow the prior-approval process and apply early.
Step 6: Are you visiting Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar?
One appropriate Tanzania visa covers both.
Select the correct first destination when applying.
Step 7: Have you arranged Zanzibar insurance separately?
Do not confuse it with the visa.
That is the entire process in a much clearer order.
Common Zanzibar Visa Mistakes
Searching for a “Zanzibar eVisa” and using the first website you find
Use Tanzania's official immigration system.
Assuming UAE residence determines your visa requirement
Your passport nationality is the starting point.
Buying a Tanzania visa and forgetting Zanzibar insurance
They are separate.
Assuming everyone can get visa on arrival
They cannot.
Leaving a referral visa until the last minute
These applications need much earlier planning.
Assuming children are included automatically
Each passport holder may require their own application.
Applying for the wrong visa category
Check the category before paying.
Using one passport for the application and another for travel
Keep the documentation consistent.
Forgetting passport validity
Six months should be checked before booking becomes urgent.
Forgetting a blank visa page
Your passport needs usable space as well as validity.
Assuming a visa guarantees entry
You still need to satisfy immigration requirements at the point of entry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa for Zanzibar?
It depends on your passport nationality.
Some nationalities are visa-exempt, while others require a Tanzania visa.
Is there a separate visa for Zanzibar?
No.
The Tanzania visa system covers both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.
Does a Tanzania eVisa work for Zanzibar?
Yes.
The Tanzania electronic visa system covers travel to the United Republic of Tanzania, including Zanzibar.
Can I get a visa on arrival in Zanzibar?
Eligible nationalities may obtain a visa on arrival at official entry points.
Not every passport is eligible, and referral-category travellers require prior approval.
Is it better to get a Tanzania eVisa or visa on arrival?
For eligible travellers, both may be possible.
Tanzania Immigration recommends the online visa platform, and arranging it before travel can make the arrival process simpler.
How much is a visa for Zanzibar?
For many travellers requiring the standard Ordinary Tourism Visa, the current fee is US$50.
US passport holders travelling for tourism currently require the Multiple Entry Visa, which costs US$100.
Always check the current fee for your nationality and visa category.
Do Americans need a visa for Zanzibar?
Yes.
US passport holders travelling for tourism currently use Tanzania's Multiple Entry Visa category.
Do British citizens need a visa for Zanzibar?
Yes, British citizen passport holders currently require a Tanzania visa for tourism.
Do UAE residents need a visa for Zanzibar?
It depends on their passport nationality.
UAE residency alone does not determine the visa requirement.
Do UAE citizens need a visa for Zanzibar?
UAE passport holders should check the current Tanzania rules. At the time of this guide's latest review, tourism visa options included the electronic visa system and visa on arrival for eligible UAE nationals.
Do children need a Zanzibar visa?
Where their nationality requires a visa, children need their own Tanzania visa application.
Does my Tanzania visa cover safari and Zanzibar?
Yes.
A valid Tanzania visa can cover both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.
Do I need another visa when flying from Zanzibar to Tanzania mainland?
Not simply because you are moving between Zanzibar and Mainland Tanzania.
Both are within the United Republic of Tanzania.
How long does my passport need to be valid for Zanzibar?
Current Tanzania Immigration guidance requires at least six months' passport validity and at least one unused visa page.
Do I need a return ticket?
Travellers should be prepared to provide proof of return or onward travel.
Do I need Zanzibar travel insurance too?
Yes, if the mandatory Zanzibar inbound-insurance requirement applies to you.
It is separate from the Tanzania visa.
Can I use my normal international travel insurance instead?
Do not assume so.
Zanzibar's mandatory inbound policy is a separate entry requirement.
Read our dedicated Zanzibar Travel Insurance Guide for the current rules.
Is yellow fever included in the visa requirements?
Yellow fever is a health-entry issue rather than a visa category.
Requirements depend on your travel route and current health rules.
Can I apply for the visa through Naru?
Visa approval is an immigration matter.
Naru can help travellers understand what documents and planning steps need attention, but the traveller remains responsible for meeting the official Tanzania and Zanzibar entry requirements.
How Naru Approaches Zanzibar Entry Requirements
We do not want visa information buried somewhere at the bottom of your itinerary.
Before arrival, we want travellers to understand the difference between:
Passport requirements.
Tanzania visa requirements.
Zanzibar insurance.
Health requirements.
And the documentation needed for children where relevant.
The important thing is not memorising immigration rules from a travel article.
It is knowing which official rule applies to your passport and your particular journey.
That is why this guide is dated.
Visa requirements can change.
When your travel date approaches, check the current official Tanzania Immigration requirements again.
Then go back to planning the enjoyable part:
Where you are staying.
Whether that is Pwani Mchangani, Matemwe or another coast that suits you.
Which experiences you want.
How much time you want at the resort.
And how you want the trip to feel.
Read next: Zanzibar Travel Insurance Guide
Explore: First Time in Zanzibar Guide
Explore: The Naru Zanzibar Travel Guide
Start Planning Your Zanzibar Trip
Once your entry requirements are understood, the rest of the trip should feel much more enjoyable.
Explore Naru's Zanzibar travel packages to compare different travel styles, stays and island experiences, then shape the trip around your dates and budget.
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