Can Indian citizens get a Visa on Arrival in Tanzania?

Yes. Indian passport holders are legally eligible for a Visa on Arrival (VoA) at major international airports (Julius Nyerere Airport in Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro Airport, and Abeid Amani Karume Airport in Zanzibar) for a fee of $50 USD in cash or card. However, applying for the e-Visa in advance is strongly recommended to avoid airport queues.

Do I need a separate visa for Zanzibar if I have a Tanzania visa?

No. Zanzibar is part of the United Republic of Tanzania. A single Tanzania tourist visa or e-Visa covers both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. However, arriving in Zanzibar requires passing through autonomous immigration desks and complying with the mandatory Zanzibar inbound insurance rule.

What is the mandatory Zanzibar Inbound Travel Insurance (ZIC)?

All foreign travelers entering Zanzibar are legally required to purchase the official Zanzibar Inbound Travel Insurance from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC) costing $44 USD per person. General international travel insurance policies are NOT accepted in place of this mandatory local policy.

How much is the Tanzania visa fee for Indians?

The government consular fee for an Ordinary Tourist Visa (Single Entry, up to 90 days) is $50 USD, whether applied through the official e-Visa portal or obtained on arrival.

Is a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate required for Tanzania?

A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is mandatory if you are arriving from or transiting for more than 12 hours through a country with risk of Yellow Fever transmission (such as Kenya, Ethiopia, or Uganda). If flying direct or transiting through non-endemic hubs like Dubai or Doha under 12 hours, it is not strictly mandatory, though carrying it is prudent.

What currency should I carry to Tanzania and Zanzibar?

Carry US Dollars. Crucially, banknotes must be clean, uncreased, and issued after 2013 (older notes will be rejected by hotels, park gates, and currency exchange shops). Tanzanian Shillings (TZS) can be withdrawn from ATMs in Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and Stone Town for local spending.

How long can an Indian tourist stay in Tanzania on an e-Visa?

The Ordinary Tourist Visa permits a single entry with a maximum stay of up to 90 days from the date of arrival.

Can I extend my tourist visa inside Tanzania?

Yes. Tourist visas can be extended for up to an additional 90 days at the Immigration Department headquarters in Dar es Salaam or the regional immigration office in Arusha or Zanzibar.

Official e-Visa Portal Visa on Arrival ($50 USD) East Africa & Zanzibar

Tanzania & Zanzibar Visa for Indians 2026: e-Visa, VoA & Travel Guide

The definitive consular manual for Indian passport holders traveling to Tanzania and Zanzibar. Master the official e-Visa portal, airport Visa on Arrival protocols, the mandatory Zanzibar Inbound Insurance (ZIC), Yellow Fever rules, and safari logistics.

⚡ Tanzania & Zanzibar Consular Quick Facts (2026)

Visa Options e-Visa & VoA Both available for Indian tourists

Processing Time 7–10 Working Days Instant counter queues for VoA

Stay Duration Up to 90 Days Single entry tourist visa

Consular Fee $50 USD ~₹4,200 INR (same for e-Visa & VoA)

Zanzibar Insurance Mandatory ($44 USD) Official ZIC inbound policy

Passport Minimum 6 Months From intended arrival date

01 Tanzania & Zanzibar: Consular Landscape for Indian Citizens

The United Republic of Tanzania represents the quintessential African dream: the great wildebeest migration across the golden plains of the Serengeti, the prehistoric volcanic caldera of Ngorongoro, the snow-capped summit of Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa's highest peak at 5,895 meters), and the turquoise coral lagoons and fragrant spice markets of the semi-autonomous Zanzibar archipelago. For Indian travelers, adventurers, and honeymooners, entering Tanzania is highly accessible.

The Tanzanian Immigration Department offers two recognized pathways: an advance electronic visa (e-Visa) submitted online via visa.immigration.go.tz, or an in-person Visa on Arrival (VoA) issued at designated international border entry points. Both frameworks cost an identical statutory fee of $50 USD and grant an initial stay of up to 90 days.

💡 Mainland Tanzania vs. Zanzibar: Do You Need Two Visas?

No. You only need one single Tanzanian tourist visa. A valid Tanzania e-Visa or Visa on Arrival is recognized across both Mainland Tanzania (Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Kilimanjaro) and the semi-autonomous island of Zanzibar. However, travel between the mainland and Zanzibar involves crossing an internal border control point where passports and luggage are screened, and Zanzibar enforces its own specialized inbound health and insurance mandates.

02 The Official Tanzania e-Visa Portal (visa.immigration.go.tz)

Applying online ahead of departure guarantees smooth passage through immigration and avoids lengthy queues at airport terminals. The official filing process follows these sequential stages:

Access the Official Portal & Start New Application

Visit visa.immigration.go.tz. Provide a functioning email address, security question, and passport number to generate your unique Application ID. Beware of third-party scam portals charging upwards of $120 USD; the genuine government portal charges exactly $50 USD.

Specify Visa Category: Ordinary Visa (Single Entry)

Select "Ordinary Visa" for leisure tourism, holiday, safari expeditions, or visiting friends and relatives. Do not select Multiple Entry unless you hold special commercial justification.

Furnish Travel Particulars & Port of Entry

Indicate your entry point: Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR), Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), or Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ). Provide your planned entry and departure dates, accommodation details, and local host or tour operator name.

Upload Digital Credentials

Upload a clean scanned copy of your Indian passport biodata page (PDF or JPEG format) and a recent passport-sized photograph against a light background. Attach confirmed return air tickets.

Pay Consular Fee of $50 USD

Complete payment securely using an internationally enabled Visa or Mastercard. Processing takes roughly 7 to 10 working days.

Download & Print Visa Grant Notice

Once approved, log into the portal to download your official "Visa Grant Notice". Print a physical color copy to present at airline check-in and Tanzanian passport control.

03 The Mandatory Zanzibar Inbound Travel Insurance (ZIC)

A critical statutory regulation governs all foreign visitors setting foot on the island of Zanzibar (Unguja) or Pemba:

⚠️ Mandatory Zanzibar Insurance Surcharge ($44 USD)

Under official Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar mandates, every foreign visitor entering Zanzibar must hold the official Inbound Travel Insurance policy issued exclusively by the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC). This rule applies regardless of whether you hold private comprehensive worldwide travel insurance from India (such as Tata AIG, HDFC ERGO, or ICICI Lombard).

How to Secure the Zanzibar Policy:

Official Booking Portal: Purchase online before departure at visitzanzibar.go.tz.
Cost: Exactly $44 USD per adult (valid for up to 92 days). Children under 2 years are covered free under parent policies.
Verification: Upon completion, a digital insurance certificate with a scannable QR code is generated. Present this QR code at Zanzibar airport (ZNZ) or the ferry terminal in Stone Town. Failing to present this policy will require you to purchase it on the spot before passing border control.

04 Health Protocols: Yellow Fever Certification & Safari Rules

Understanding health regulations is paramount when planning East African safaris:

Health Requirement	Enforcement Conditions	Consular Advice for Indians
Yellow Fever Certificate	Mandatory if transiting >12 hours in endemic countries (Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda)	Essential if taking connecting flights via Addis Ababa or Nairobi with long layovers
Direct Flights (e.g. via Dubai/Doha)	Exempt if layover is in a non-endemic transit hub (UAE, Qatar, Oman)	Health officers at DAR and JRO rarely request certificates for direct Gulf connections
Malaria Prophylaxis	Recommended nationwide, particularly in coastal and national park zones	Consult a physician in India for oral prophylaxis (Atovaquone/Proguanil or Doxycycline)
Safari Park Permits	Mandatory TANAPA electronic smart cards for national park entry	Arranged directly by your licensed Tanzanian tour operator in Arusha

Narrow coral-stone street lined with historic merchant houses in Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania — Photo: Kgbo / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

05 Essential Border Precautions: US Currency & Plastic Bag Ban

Tanzania enforces two strict domestic laws that catch unaware international tourists by surprise:

The Post-2013 US Dollar Rule

Because of international anti-counterfeiting measures, Tanzanian banks, safari lodges, national park gates, and exchange bureaus strictly reject any US Dollar banknote printed prior to 2013. Furthermore, notes with ink stamps, pen markings, or tears will be refused. Ensure all cash USD obtained in India is in pristine condition, series 2013 or newer.

The Comprehensive Plastic Bag Ban

Tanzania enforces a total legal prohibition on the importation, manufacture, sale, and use of single-use plastic carrier bags. Do not pack clothes or shoes in plastic polythene bags or duty-free shopping bags. Luggage is scanned at airports, and plastic bags are confiscated on the spot. Clear Ziploc bags used specifically for carry-on toiletries are tolerated as long as they leave the country with you.

06 Frequently Asked Questions (Tanzania Visa for Indians)

Can Indian citizens obtain a Visa on Arrival in Tanzania?

Yes. Indian passport holders can obtain a Visa on Arrival at all major international airports (Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar) for a fee of $50 USD payable by card or cash. However, applying for an e-Visa in advance is strongly recommended to skip queues.

How much does the Tanzania visa cost?

The government consular fee for an Ordinary Tourist Visa (Single Entry) is $50 USD (~₹4,200 INR), whether applied via the official e-Visa portal or upon arrival.

Is the Zanzibar Inbound Travel Insurance mandatory?

Yes, completely mandatory for all foreign tourists arriving in Zanzibar, costing $44 USD per adult via visitzanzibar.go.tz. Private travel insurance from India does not exempt you from this policy.

How long does the Tanzania e-Visa take to process?

Standard processing takes between 7 to 10 business days. We suggest submitting your e-Visa application 2 to 3 weeks before your planned flight.

Do I need a Yellow Fever vaccination for Tanzania?

Only if you are arriving from or transiting for more than 12 hours through a Yellow Fever endemic country (e.g. Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda). Direct flights via Dubai, Doha, or Muscat do not require a Yellow Fever card.

How do I travel between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar?

You can take a 20-minute domestic flight (Auric Air, Coastal Aviation, Precision Air) or take the Azam Marine high-speed passenger catamaran ferry (approx. 1 hour 45 minutes, ~$35 USD economy class).

Can I use credit cards in Tanzania and Zanzibar?

Credit cards are accepted at major safari lodges, international hotels, and dive centers (often with a 3% to 5% surcharge). For tips, local restaurants, markets, and taxis, carry US Dollars or withdraw Tanzanian Shillings (TZS) from local bank ATMs.

What is the punishment for overstaying a visa in Tanzania?

Overstaying a visa in Tanzania incurs heavy fines, typically starting at $600 USD or immediate detention and court summons. If you need to extend your stay, apply at the Immigration Office in Dar es Salaam or Arusha before your 90 days lapse.

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