Do I Need a Visa to Travel to Zanzibar? Visa and Mandatory Insurance Guide (2026)

Do You Need a Visa for Zanzibar? 

Why there is no separate Zanzibar visa

Zanzibar is a semi‑autonomous part of the United Republic of Tanzania. It runs some of its own affairs, including its own immigration desk at the airport and ferry port, but it follows the same visa rules as the mainland.

In practice, “do I need a visa for Zanzibar?” really means “do I need a Tanzania visa?” For most passport holders, the answer is yes. And if you’re pairing the beach with a safari or a Kilimanjaro climb, you only handle the paperwork once.

How much does the visa cost?

The price depends on your passport.

• US citizens: $100 for a multiple‑entry visa, valid for 12 months. Americans can’t choose the cheaper single‑entry option, even for a short holiday.
• Most other nationalities (UK, EU, Canada, Australia and others): $50 for a single‑entry tourist visa, valid for up to three months.
• A small number of nationalities are visa‑free or need pre‑approval, so check your own passport on the official portal.

The visa fee is non‑refundable, even if your application is refused. Double‑check your details before you pay.

E‑visa or visa on arrival?

Our advice is simple: apply for the e‑visa before you fly.

US citizens can usually pay for a visa on arrival at major airports such as Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro, but the rules around it aren’t always consistent, and you’ll need $100 in clean US dollar bills. Applying online first means you arrive with your approval in hand and skip the long queue after a long flight.

How to apply:

• Check that your passport is valid for at least six months from your arrival date.
• Go to the official portal: https://visa.immigration.go.tz
• Choose the tourist visa and enter your travel dates and first point of entry.
• Upload your passport page and a passport‑style photo.
• Pay by card and wait for your approval email.
• Print two copies and keep them in your hand luggage.

Apply at least two weeks before you travel, and earlier in peak season. Processing times can change, so check the portal when you apply.

Mandatory travel insurance: what you need before you land

This is separate from your visa, and you can be refused entry without it.

Zanzibar has required inbound travel insurance from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC) since October 1, 2024. From October 1, 2026, most foreign visitors entering mainland Tanzania also need inbound insurance, issued by the National Insurance Corporation (NIC). Each policy costs about US$44 per adult and $22 for children aged 3 to 17, and infants under 3 are exempt. It is valid for up to 92 days. Regular international travel insurance isn’t accepted in its place.

Good to know:

• If your trip covers both the mainland and Zanzibar, the rules are still being clarified. Check the official portal for your first point of entry before you buy.
• It doesn’t replace your own medical and trip insurance, so keep that as well.
• Buy only through the official portals, never a third‑party site: visitzanzibar.go.tz for Zanzibar, and the official NIC portal for the mainland. Keep a printed copy with your passport and visa.

Your Zanzibar entry checklist

• Passport valid for six months, with blank pages
• Printed Tanzania e‑visa approval
• Government inbound travel insurance certificate (NIC for the mainland, ZIC for Zanzibar)
• Return or onward ticket
• Name and address of your first hotel
• Yellow fever certificate, only if you are arriving from a country with yellow fever risk. See our guide: Do You Need Vaccinations for Tanzania?

Getting to Zanzibar after your safari or climb

Most international flights land on the mainland, in Dar es Salaam or at Kilimanjaro, and connect to Zanzibar on a short domestic flight. You can also take the ferry from Dar es Salaam, which takes around two hours. Either way, you’ll show your passport, visa and insurance at the Zanzibar immigration desk, even though you are still in Tanzania.

A tip from your own planning:
When we plan a safari and Zanzibar trip for guests, we check the entry rules again a week before they fly, because the insurance requirements have changed recently.

Mistakes that cause delays

• Using a third‑party site that charges service fees on top of the visa. Start from the official portal: https://visa.immigration.go.tz
• Skipping the mandatory insurance and being stopped at immigration.
• Booking non‑refundable flights before checking passport validity.
• Buying a single-entry visa on a US passport.

Let us help you plan Zanzibar

Entry rules are one of the biggest reasons people hesitate to book East Africa. When you travel with Jairos Adventure, we walk you through the e-visa and insurance steps so you arrive prepared.

Want one team to plan your safari, Kilimanjaro climb and Zanzibar stay? Email us at [email protected] with your dates and group size, and we'll send you a clear quote. Zanzibar hotels fill up early, so ask soon.

Ready to add some beach time to your trip?

• Get a quote for a safari, Kilimanjaro climb or Zanzibar package
• Pick your dates: Best Time to Visit Zanzibar and Actual Costs
• Explore the island: Zanzibar Travel Guide 2026
• Full US visa details: Tanzania Visa for US Citizens

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