If you are flying to mainland Tanzania, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has published new information about mandatory inbound travel insurance for those arriving into mainland Tanzania. The FCDO updated its Tanzania travel advice on 1 October 2026. The same rules do not automatically apply to Zanzibar, and the FCDO update points to the Tanzanian authorities for the detail.
Key facts
- The FCDO has published new information about mandatory inbound travel insurance for arrivals into mainland Tanzania, in advice updated on 1 October 2026.
- Passport validity: Tanzania's embassy in Washington says visitors need a passport valid for not less than six months.
- Visa: most foreign visitors need a visa. Fees listed by the embassy include US $50 for an ordinary visa, US $100 for US and Irish nationals, and US $30 for a transit visa.
- Polio: the CDC lists Tanzania among destinations with circulating poliovirus and recommends a polio booster for some adults.
- Yellow fever: requirements depend on your itinerary. Ask a travel clinic.
Who the insurance rule affects
The FCDO says the new information about mandatory inbound travel insurance applies to those arriving into mainland Tanzania. That means if your flight lands in Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, Mwanza or another mainland airport, you should check the official page and expect to show proof of inbound travel insurance if the rule is in force. If you are only transiting through mainland Tanzania to Zanzibar, or arriving directly into Zanzibar, the FCDO update does not say the same rule applies. Check with your airline and the Tanzanian immigration authorities before you fly.
The rule is separate from the travel insurance you may already have. The FCDO advises all travellers to get appropriate travel insurance that covers their itinerary, planned activities and emergency expenses. Even before this new requirement, that was standard advice.
What to do step by step
- Check your passport. Tanzania's embassy in Washington says foreigners should hold a passport or travel document valid for not less than six months. If yours expires sooner, renew it before booking.
- Confirm whether you need a visa. All foreigners need a valid visa unless their country has a visa abolition agreement with Tanzania, according to the embassy. Check the Tanzanian immigration website for the current list.
- Apply for the right visa type. A single-entry ordinary or tourist visa is issued for stays not exceeding three months. A transit visa is for passing through to another destination and is valid for a maximum of 14 days, non-extendable.
- Check the inbound travel insurance requirement. The FCDO has published new information about mandatory inbound travel insurance for mainland Tanzania arrivals. Check the official page and arrange cover if required. Keep a digital and printed copy of the policy with your travel documents.
- Check polio vaccination. The CDC lists Tanzania among destinations where poliovirus has been detected in the past 13 months. Adults who completed the routine polio series may receive a single lifetime booster before travel.
- Ask about yellow fever and other vaccines. Speak to a doctor, pharmacist or travel clinic weeks before departure about what is recommended for your itinerary.
- Keep copies. Carry printed and digital copies of your passport, visa, insurance policy and vaccination records.
Costs and timing
Visa fees listed by Tanzania's embassy in Washington include:
| Visa type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Ordinary visa (most nationalities) | US $50 |
| Visa for US citizens | US $100 |
| Visa for Irish nationals | US $100 |
| Visa for Pakistani nationals | US $200 |
| Transit visa | US $30 |
| Multiple visa (standard) | US $100 |
| Rush visa processing | US $20 |
A single-entry visa is valid for a stay not exceeding three months. A transit visa is valid for a maximum of 14 days and cannot be extended. The embassy also notes that some nationalities need special clearance before a visa is issued, and advises applicants in that category not to book flights or make reservations before the visa is granted.
Allow time for the visa, the insurance and any vaccinations. The CDC recommends being up to date on polio vaccination before any international travel.
Exceptions and special cases
- Visa-free nationals. The Tanzanian embassy publishes a list of countries whose nationals do not require a visa for Tanzania. Check that list before applying.
- Referral visa countries. Nationals of certain countries need special clearance from the Commissioner General of Immigration or the Commissioner of Immigration (Zanzibar) before a visa is issued. The embassy advises against booking flights before the visa is granted.
- Minors. Visa applications for minors under 18 travelling alone or with only one parent or legal guardian should include a notarised letter signed by both parents or legal guardians approving the travel.
- Zanzibar. The FCDO update refers specifically to mainland Tanzania. Rules for Zanzibar may differ; confirm with the Zanzibar immigration authorities.
- Residence permits and passes. Holders of a residence permit or pass may have different requirements. Check with Tanzanian immigration.
Possession of a visa does not guarantee entry. Tanzania's embassy states that an immigration officer at the port of entry may refuse entry if the traveller cannot fulfil immigration requirements or if their presence would be contrary to national interests or security. Carry all documents and be ready to show them.
What is not yet confirmed
The FCDO update of 1 October 2026 includes new information about mandatory inbound travel insurance for arrivals into mainland Tanzania, but it does not set out the full detail: the minimum cover, the approved insurers, the exact proof required at the border, or whether the rule applies to Zanzibar. Those details are not yet confirmed in the sources available. Check the Tanzanian immigration website and your airline before you fly, and do not rely on social media or unverified reports.
Do I need inbound travel insurance to enter mainland Tanzania?
The FCDO has published new information about mandatory inbound travel insurance for those arriving into mainland Tanzania. Check the official page and arrange cover if required. Carry proof.
Does the insurance rule apply to Zanzibar?
The FCDO update refers specifically to mainland Tanzania. It does not say the rule applies to Zanzibar. Check with the Zanzibar immigration authorities or your airline before you travel.
How long must my passport be valid?
Tanzania's embassy in Washington says foreigners should hold a passport or travel document valid for not less than six months. Renew before booking if yours expires sooner.
Do I need a visa?
Most foreign visitors need a visa unless their country has a visa abolition agreement with Tanzania. Fees listed by the embassy include US $50 for an ordinary visa and US $100 for US and Irish nationals. Check the Tanzanian immigration website for the current list.
Do I need a yellow fever or polio vaccination?
The CDC lists Tanzania among destinations with circulating poliovirus and recommends a polio booster for some adults who completed the routine series. Yellow fever requirements depend on your itinerary. Ask a doctor, pharmacist or travel clinic weeks before you travel.
This guide is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Rules can change. Always confirm with the Tanzanian immigration authorities, your airline and a travel health professional before you fly.
Sources
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office — Foreign travel advice: Tanzania (checked October 2, 2026)
- Embassy of Tanzania in Washington D.C., USA — VISA Information (checked October 2, 2026)
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — Global Polio - Level 2 - Practice Enhanced Precautions (checked October 2, 2026)
About the author
Bookskies Editorial TeamBookskies uses AI for drafts and translations. This organizational byline does not identify a named expert or certify a human review. Check the guide’s sources and documented review status before relying on time-sensitive claims.
