Zanzibar beaches and Serengeti safaris are popular with UAE residents, and both are in Tanzania, so one visa covers both. Most people apply online for a Tanzanian e-visa. The catch is that several passports common in the UAE — Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan and Nigerian — need a referral visa, which must be cleared by Immigration headquarters and can take weeks. And every foreign visitor to Zanzibar must also buy US$44 Zanzibar travel insurance.
Checked on 21 October 2026 against Tanzanian embassy websites (tzembassy.go.tz). Sources at the end.
Tanzania at a glance
| How to apply | Online e-visa: eservices.immigration.go.tz |
| Ordinary (tourist) visa, single entry | US$50 for most passports; US$100 for US and Irish passports; US$200 for Pakistani passports |
| Multiple entry | US$100 (US$200 for Pakistani passports) |
| Stay | Up to 90 days |
| Referral visa needed | Includes Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Iran, Yemen and others |
| Zanzibar insurance | US$44 per person, mandatory since 1 October 2024 |
Ordinary visa or referral visa?
Your passport decides which one you need. Your UAE residence does not change it.
| Passport | Visa type | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| India, Philippines, Egypt, UK, EU and most others | Ordinary visa | Apply online; usually decided within days |
| Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nigeria and other listed countries | Referral visa | Needs special clearance from Immigration headquarters before issue; can take several weeks |
The full referral list published by Tanzanian embassies is: Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Chad, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Somaliland, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Yemen, and stateless people or refugees.
If you need a referral visa, do not book flights until the visa is issued. The Tanzanian Embassy in Cairo says referral approval can take up to six weeks.
Applying for the e-visa: step by step
- Go to the official Tanzanian Immigration eServices portal, eservices.immigration.go.tz. Avoid look-alike sites that charge extra.
- Choose the ordinary (tourist) visa, single or multiple entry.
- Upload your passport bio page, a photo, your return ticket and other requested documents.
- Pay the fee online by card.
- Track your application and download the grant notice. Print it and carry it.
- Going to Zanzibar? Buy the Zanzibar inbound travel insurance online (below).
Zanzibar’s mandatory US$44 insurance
Zanzibar is part of Tanzania, so your Tanzanian visa covers it. But since 1 October 2024, every foreign visitor to Zanzibar must also hold inbound travel insurance from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC):
- Cost: US$44 per person.
- Cover: stays of up to 92 days.
- Where to buy: online at visitzanzibar.go.tz.
- Who: all non-Tanzanian visitors, whether you fly straight to Zanzibar or arrive by ferry from Dar es Salaam.
Your own travel insurance from the UAE does not replace it.
Total cost example
| Traveller | Visa | Zanzibar insurance | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian passport, Zanzibar holiday | US$50 | US$44 | US$94 |
| Pakistani passport, Zanzibar holiday | US$200 (referral) | US$44 | US$244 |
| Indian passport, safari only (mainland) | US$50 | — | US$50 |
Mistakes to avoid
- Booking non-refundable flights before a referral visa is approved.
- Using unofficial visa websites.
- Forgetting the Zanzibar insurance.
- Not checking health entry rules. Ask your doctor about vaccinations, and check whether a yellow fever certificate is needed for your route.
Questions people ask
Do I need a separate visa for Zanzibar?
No. Zanzibar uses the Tanzanian visa. But you must buy the US$44 Zanzibar insurance.
How long does a Tanzania visa take for Pakistanis?
Pakistani passports need a referral visa, which must be approved by Immigration headquarters. Allow several weeks; one embassy states up to six weeks.
How much is the Tanzania visa for Indians?
US$50 for a single-entry ordinary visa, according to Tanzanian embassy fee tables.
Related guides
Sources
- Embassy of Tanzania, Tel Aviv — Types of visa and fees: il.tzembassy.go.tz
- Embassy of Tanzania, Cairo — Visa fees and referral processing: eg.tzembassy.go.tz
- Embassy of Tanzania, Tokyo — Mandatory inbound travel insurance to enter Zanzibar: jp.tzembassy.go.tz
- Tanzania Immigration eServices: eservices.immigration.go.tz
Written by Asad Waleed M, Dubai. Asad has lived in the UAE for nine years and researches visa rules from government sources. He is not an immigration lawyer or consultant, and Sifqa does not process applications. Read the editorial policy.
Last checked 21 October 2026. Found an error? Email ionicwaleed@gmail.com — it gets fixed and logged.