A Zanzibar visa is required for nearly every nationality, and the good news is that almost everyone can now sort it online before they fly.
Zanzibar doesn’t have its own visa — you enter on a Tanzania visa, the same one that covers the mainland, and it’s valid whether you fly straight into Zanzibar or arrive via Dar es Salaam. That single fact resolves most of the confusion first-time visitors have about “Zanzibar visas,” but the details of cost, timing, and paperwork are still worth getting right before you fly.
Zanzibar visa: Do You Need a Visa?
Most nationalities do, including UK, US, Canadian, Australian, and EU citizens. A small number of countries are visa-exempt — South Africa is one — but the list changes, so check your status against the official source (below) rather than a blog post, including this one, before booking.
What It Costs
Tanzania’s e-visa and visa-on-arrival use the same fee structure:
- Single-entry/ordinary visa: $50, valid for a 90-day stay.
- Multiple-entry visa: $100, valid for 12 months, with each individual visit capped at 90 days.
US citizens are a specific exception worth knowing: they aren’t eligible for the single-entry/ordinary visa and are generally issued the multiple-entry visa instead — meaning $100 is the realistic number to budget, not $50. If you’re American and apply online, select the multiple-entry option deliberately; picking the wrong type on the form has been known to mean paying again at the airport.
Fees are paid in US dollars. If you’re getting your visa on arrival rather than online, bring bills dated 2013 or later — older or visibly worn notes are sometimes refused.
How to Apply
Apply online at Tanzania’s official e-visa portal, reached through visa.immigration.go.tz or eservices.immigration.go.tz. Scam sites that mimic the official portal exist and charge inflated fees, so confirm you’re on an official .go.tz government domain before entering any payment details.
E-visa approval typically takes 1–3 business days, but apply at least two weeks before departure to leave room for delays. If you’d rather skip the online form, visa-on-arrival is available at the airport and generally takes 15–30 minutes to process, depending on the queue — slower, but a reasonable backup if your trip is booked last-minute.
A small number of nationalities require a Referral Visa, applied for in advance and taking up to two months to process — if this applies to you, the official guidelines page will say so, and it’s not something to leave until the week before you fly.
Passport and Document Requirements
Your passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date in Tanzania, with at least one blank page (some guidance suggests two, if you’re visiting other countries on the same trip — when in doubt, more blank pages is the safer margin). Bring a printed or digital copy of your e-visa approval, your return or onward flight confirmation, and proof of accommodation, since immigration officers can ask for any of these on arrival.
Yellow Fever Vaccination
A yellow fever certificate is required only if you’re arriving from a country with yellow fever risk, or after a transit of 12 or more hours through one — Kenya is the most common trigger for travelers connecting through Nairobi. If you’re flying in directly from a non-endemic country, it isn’t legally required, though it’s generally recommended regardless. If it is required, you need the original International Certificate of Vaccination, not a photocopy or a photo on your phone.
Zanzibar-Specific Notes
There is no separate Zanzibar visa or Zanzibar-specific entry fee — your Tanzania visa covers it. The one thing worth double-checking if you’re on a multiple-entry visa and island-hopping: confirm it allows re-entry to the mainland after a Zanzibar visit, since some itineraries move between the island and Dar es Salaam more than once. Yellow fever rules are identical to the mainland’s.
FAQ
Do I need a separate visa for Zanzibar if I already have one for mainland Tanzania?
No — a Tanzania visa covers both. There’s no Zanzibar-specific visa or fee.
How much does a Tanzania e-visa cost?
$50 for the single-entry 90-day visa, or $100 for the multiple-entry 12-month visa. US citizens typically need the $100 multiple-entry version.
How long before my trip should I apply for a Tanzania e-visa?
At least two weeks before departure. Approval usually takes 1–3 business days, but delays happen.
Can I get a Tanzania visa on arrival instead of applying online?
Yes, at the airport, generally taking 15–30 minutes depending on the queue. It’s a reasonable backup for late bookings, but costs the same as the e-visa and carries more uncertainty.
Do I need a yellow fever vaccine to visit Zanzibar?
Only if you’re arriving from a yellow fever risk country or after a 12+ hour transit through one. Flying in directly from a non-endemic country, it isn’t legally required.