Is it safe to travel to Tanzania right now?

This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Tanzania’s current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Tanzania set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Tanzania High Commission in the UK.

Passport validity requirements

To enter Tanzania, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive and at least one blank page.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or proof of right of abode. See Dual Citizenship.

Visa requirements

You must have a tourist or business visa to enter Tanzania.

If you are planning to work or volunteer, you will also need a work permit. Information on how to apply is available from the Tanzanian Prime Minister’s Office.

Your employer or volunteer organisation should help you arrange this before you travel.

If you overstay your visa or permit you can be arrested, detained and fined before being deported.

The Tanzanian Immigration Department has more information on visas.

Applying for a visa

Apply for an ‘e-visa’ before you travel. It is no longer possible to get a visa from the Tanzanian High Commission in London.

You can also get a tourist or business visa for a single entry on arrival at the main ports of entry to Tanzania, subject to meeting all immigration requirements. You may be asked to provide proof of your return journey. You will not be able to get a multiple entry visa on arrival.

Checks at border control

You must be ready to show your return or onward ticket at border control.

Ebola screening

On 18 May, the Tanzania Ministry of Health issued a Travel Advisory note announcing heightened health screening measures for travellers arriving into Tanzania from Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared this a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

On 27 August, WHO declared the Uganda Ebola outbreak over. Heightened health screening measures are no longer in place for travellers arriving into Tanzania from Uganda, but remain for those arriving from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Mpox screening

You will need to pass through mpox screening, in the form of body temperature checks, at all points of entry into Tanzania.

Mandatory travel insurance

All visitors to mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, except residents, must have mandatory Tanzanian Government-provided inbound travel insurance, even if they already have a personal policy in place. You can buy insurance either online, or at ports of entry upon arrival in both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. This insurance is valid for the duration of your stay (up to 92 days).

You only need to buy insurance for your first port of entry, either mainland Tanzania or Zanzibar. You may be refused entry if you do not have the required insurance.

For travellers who purchase insurance after 1 October:

If you intend to arrive in Zanzibar first, you must buy travel insurance from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC) upon arrival. This can also be purchased online beforehand via visit Zanzibar. If you have questions that are not answered on the website, email ZIC at inbound@zic.co.tz.

If you arrive in mainland Tanzania first, you must buy travel insurance from the National Insurance Corporation (NIC) upon arrival. This can also be purchased online beforehand via National Insurance Corporation. If you have questions that are not answered on the website, email NIC at wecare.inbound@nicinsurance.co.tz.

For travellers who purchased insurance from ZIC before 1 October:

Travellers who purchased travel insurance from ZIC before 1 October may use it where the mainland is their first port of entry, and do not need to purchase travel insurance from NIC.

You should also make sure you have travel insurance that covers your individual needs.

Vaccine requirements

To enter Tanzania, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk.

For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Tanzania guide.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Tanzania. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking wildlife products into and out of Tanzania

Do not bring animal skin accessories into Tanzania as you risk questioning or detention when leaving the country.

Border officials have arrested foreigners for trying to take wildlife items, including horns and seashells, out of the country. It’s illegal to do this without a certified export permit from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism. If you’re caught you could be detained or fined.

Health screening measures

Due to outbreaks of Ebola disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, all travellers arriving from or transiting through these countries are subject to health screening measures at points of entry. These include the completion of a health declaration form and temperature checks.

If you are identified by local authorities as a person suspected of having symptoms of Ebola disease, you may be subject to additional health measures. These may include quarantine and restrictions on travel until you are cleared by local health authorities.

Declaration health form – Tanzanian Ministry of Health

Some countries have imposed measures in response to the Ebola disease outbreak. These can include restrictions on entry and health screening measures for travellers having recently visited an affected country. If you are suspected of having symptoms, you may be subject to isolation, quarantine and/or travel restrictions. Contact the authorities of the country you are travelling to for more details.

The authorities of a country or territory decide who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from local authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada.

Passport

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you're travelling with.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country's entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave Tanzania.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

You should also be aware that current systems used by some countries and travel companies may not recognize the “X” gender identifier. You may still be asked to provide your sex/gender information as either male or female when travelling.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics
• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports and other travel documents

Visas

Tourist visa: required
Business visa: required
Student visa: required
Work/volunteer visa: required

You can obtain a 3-month tourist or business single entry visa on arrival at main ports of entry.

Canadians planning to stay in Tanzania for more than 90 days or requiring a multiple entry visa must apply for an eVisa before traveling to Tanzania.

Verify that you abide by the terms and expiry date indicated on your visa. You could receive a substantial fine if you overstay the period allowed by your visa or residence permit.

Useful links

• Visa information - Ministry of Home Affairs of Tanzania
• Get an e-visa – Tanzania’s official application service

Other entry requirements

You must be able to show proof of return or onward ticket. You could be refused entry if you fail to show it upon request.

Mandatory travel insurance

All foreigners, except permanent residents, entering Tanzania or Zanzibar are required to purchase mandatory travel insurance directly from designated national insurers.

You can buy insurance either online or at a port of entry upon arrival, from:

• National Insurance Company (NIC), if your point of entry is mainland Tanzania
• Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC), if your point of entry is Zanzibar

Useful links

• Information on mandatory travel insurance – Government of Tanzania
• Information on mandatory travel insurance – Government of Zanzibar

Working and volunteering in Tanzania

You cannot perform any type of work, including volunteer work, on a tourist visa. When planning to travel to Tanzania to do volunteer work, contact the High Commission for the United Republic of Tanzania for information on specific requirements.

Work permits must be verified by Tanzanian immigration officials within 30 days of issuance. You can get this done at any Tanzanian Immigration office or online the Immigration Department’s online verification system.

Useful links

• Residence permits information – Government of Tanzania
• Foreign diplomatic missions and consulates in Canada

Children and travel

Learn about travelling with children.

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).