Visa for Tanzania / Zanzibar
Zanzibar is part of Tanzania, so you need a Tanzanian visa.
A visa is mandatory and can be obtained upon arrival or applied for electronically in advance at https://visa.immigration.go.tz/start.
It is also possible to download the visa documents from the official website and fill them out in advance. This saves time on site.
It is strongly recommended to apply for the visa online in advance via the aforementioned official government website to avoid being refused entry at the border. Processing usually takes about 10 days (it is unclear whether the visa is only issued after the mandatory ZIC insurance has also been purchased).
- Cost: Usually USD 50 (for EU citizens).
- Passport: This must be valid for at least six months upon entry.
- If there are no criminal records, the tourist visa should be granted.
If you want to apply for the visa locally on the airport in Zanzibar. Officially the following documents are required:
- Passport: Must be valid for at least six months upon entry and have at least one blank page for the passport stamp. (A temporary passport is accepted; a national identity card is not sufficient.)
- Passport photo: A recent, color passport photo in digital format (JPEG/JPG, white or light background, no glasses).
- Passport scan: The main page with your biographical information and photo (also as a JPEG or PDF).
- Return or onward flight ticket: Proof of your planned departure from Tanzania.
- Proof of accommodation: A booking confirmation from your hotel or confirmation from your safari operator.
- The dollar notes used for payment must be relatively young (2013 and younger).
My own experience was unfortunately mixed, as I only received the online visa the day before departure after repeatedly calling the consulate. This may have been related to the fact that I had not purchased the mandatory health insurance at the same time. Initially, I didn’t want to take out the insurance without having a visa.
On my next trip to Zanzibar, I had my visa issued upon arrival at the airport (I had applied for, paid for, and received the ZIC online beforehand). A photocopy of my passport wasn’t required. A passport photo wasn’t requested; a photo was taken. I didn’t have to show my return ticket, and I simply listed the first hotel I stayed at on my trip as my accommodation.
All in all, I don’t understand why the official rules are the way they are.