Tanzania entry requirements updated, effective immediately.
In October 2026, Tanzania introduced two new rules for international visitors: mandatory inbound travel insurance and an online health form for every traveller. Here’s what you need to sort before you fly, with links straight to the official sites so you can tick each one off with confidence.
At a glance
Every traveller to Tanzania needs:
- A passport valid for at least six months from arrival, with at least two blank pages (per country)
- A Tanzania tourist visa
- Tanzania’s inbound travel insurance, bought from NIC or ZIC depending on where you land first
- A completed Traveller’s Health Surveillance Form, one per person, including children
- A yellow fever certificate, only if you’re arriving from or transiting through a yellow fever risk country
1. Passport and visa
Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date you arrive in Tanzania and have at least two blank pages for every country you are entering.
Most visitors, including Australians and US and UK citizens, need a tourist visa. You can get one on arrival at major entry points such as Kilimanjaro International Airport, but we recommend applying online before you travel. It’s one less thing to think about when you land.
We prefer to use the official government e-Visa site. Third-party sites often charge extra fees.
Apply for your Tanzania e-Visa →
2. Mandatory inbound travel insurance
Since 1 October 2026, foreign visitors entering mainland Tanzania must hold government inbound travel insurance. Zanzibar has required its own version since 2024. You buy your policy based on where you first enter Tanzania, and you only need one policy even if your trip includes both.
| Where you land first | Who to buy from |
|---|---|
| Mainland Tanzania (e.g. Kilimanjaro, Dar es Salaam, or by road from Kenya) | National Insurance Corporation (NIC) |
| Zanzibar | Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC) |
Entering mainland Tanzania first: buy NIC insurance →
Entering Zanzibar first: buy ZIC insurance →
You can find more about ZIC’s cover on the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation website.
What it costs and covers
- USD 44 per adult, USD 22 for children aged 3 to 17, and free for children under 3
- Valid for up to 92 days, with multiple entries
- Covers emergency medical care, medical evacuation, repatriation and some baggage loss
Save your insurance certificate on your phone or print a copy, as you may be asked for it on arrival at the immigration desk.
This policy is a basic safety net, not a replacement for your own travel insurance. You still need comprehensive cover for things like trip cancellation, delays and personal belongings.
3. Traveller’s Health Surveillance Form
From 17 October 2026, every traveller entering Tanzania must complete an online health form, regardless of their nationality or departure country. Tanzania’s Ministry of Health introduced the requirement in Travel Advisory No. 18, in response to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It takes effect immediately.
- Complete it before you depart to avoid delays on arrival
- Every traveller needs their own form, including children
- Have your passport, flight details and recent travel history ready, and answer every question truthfully
- Keep your confirmation QR code or reference number on your phone or printed, as Port Health officials will ask to see it
- It applies at every point of entry, including land borders, so guests combining Kenya and Tanzania by road need it too
What to expect on arrival
- Health screening, including temperature checks, at all airports, land borders and ports
- Information on symptoms to watch for during your safari
- Travellers identified as high risk may be enrolled in a 21-day follow-up by daily automated messages, and must keep responding even after leaving Tanzania
- Standard hygiene measures throughout, such as hand sanitising and avoiding unnecessary physical contact
If you feel unwell during your stay, contact the nearest health facility or call Tanzania’s toll-free health line on 199.
4. Yellow fever certificate
You only need a yellow fever certificate if you’re arriving from, or transiting through, a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission (Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Ethiopia, DRC). Check with your travel doctor if you’re unsure.
We’re here to help
Entry rules can change at short notice, so we keep a close eye on them for you. If you’re travelling with us, your pre-departure information will include everything you need, and your journey designer is always happy to answer questions.
We also recommend checking the latest official advice before you go on the Australian Government Smartraveller site.