Tanzania

Passport validity requirements

To enter Tanzania, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive and at least one blank page.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or proof of right of abode. See Dual Citizenship.

Visa requirements

You must have a tourist or business visa to enter Tanzania.

If you are planning to work or volunteer, you will also need a work permit. Information on how to apply is available from the Tanzanian Prime Minister’s Office.

Your employer or volunteer organisation should help you arrange this before you travel.

If you overstay your visa or permit you can be arrested, detained and fined before being deported.

The Tanzanian Immigration Department has more information on visas.

Applying for a visa

Apply for an ‘e-visa’ before you travel. It is no longer possible to get a visa from the Tanzanian High Commission in London.

You can also get a tourist or business visa for a single entry on arrival at the main ports of entry to Tanzania, subject to meeting all immigration requirements. You may be asked to provide proof of your return journey. You will not be able to get a multiple entry visa on arrival.

Checks at border control

You must be ready to show your return or onward ticket at border control.

Ebola screening

On 18 May, the Tanzania Ministry of Health issued a Travel Advisory note announcing heightened health screening measures for travellers arriving into Tanzania from Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared this a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

On 27 August, WHO declared the Uganda Ebola outbreak over. Heightened health screening measures are no longer in place for travellers arriving into Tanzania from Uganda, but remain for those arriving from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Mpox screening 

You will need to pass through mpox screening, in the form of body temperature checks, at all points of entry into Tanzania.

Mandatory travel insurance

All visitors to mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, except residents, must have mandatory inbound travel insurance. You can buy insurance either online, or at ports of entry upon arrival in both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.

You only need to buy insurance for your first port of entry, either mainland Tanzania or Zanzibar. You may be refused entry if you do not have the required insurance.

If you arrive in Zanzibar first, you must:

• buy travel insurance from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC) for the duration of your stay, up to 92 days
• buy insurance through Visit Zanzibar as other travel insurance policies are not accepted

If you have questions that are not answered on the website, email ZIC at inbound@zic.co.tz.

If you arrive in mainland Tanzania first, you must:

• buy travel insurance from the National Insurance Corporation (NIC) for the duration of your stay, up to 92 days
• buy insurance through the National Insurance Corporation as other travel insurance policies are not accepted

If you have questions that are not answered on the website, email NIC at wecare.inbound@nicinsurance.co.tz.

You should also make sure you have travel insurance that covers your individual needs.

Vaccine requirements

To enter Tanzania, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk.

For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Tanzania guide.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Tanzania. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking wildlife products into and out of Tanzania

Do not bring animal skin accessories into Tanzania as you risk questioning or detention when leaving the country.

Border officials have arrested foreigners for trying to take wildlife items, including horns and seashells, out of the country. It’s illegal to do this without a certified export permit from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism. If you’re caught you could be detained or fined.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Tanzania. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking wildlife products into and out of Tanzania

Do not bring animal skin accessories into Tanzania as you risk questioning or detention when leaving the country.

Border officials have arrested foreigners for trying to take wildlife items, including horns and seashells, out of the country. It’s illegal to do this without a certified export permit from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism. If you’re caught you could be detained or fined.

Emergency services in Tanzania

Telephone: 112 (ambulance, fire, police)

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• finding English-speaking lawyers, funeral directors and translators and interpreters in Tanzania
• dealing with a death in Tanzania
• being arrested or imprisoned in Tanzania
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime
• what to do if you’re in hospital
• if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack

Contacting FCDO 

Help abroad  

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency. 

Help in the UK  

You can call  FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.  

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)  

Find out about call charges

Get travel advice updates  

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.  

Follow FCDO: 

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

Risk information for British companies

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Tanzania on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts of Tanzania

Tanzania

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to any area within 20km of the Tanzanian border with the Cabo Delgado province of Mozambique, due to attacks by groups linked with Islamic extremism.

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

Get travel advice updates

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. 

Follow FCDO:   

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

• Travel Aware on Instagram

Laws and cultural differences

You should respect local laws and customs. 

If you are arrested or detained for any reason, you can insist that the British High Commission is notified immediately.

Religion

There is a high proportion of Muslims in Tanzania, particularly in Zanzibar and Pemba. Respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions. Make sure your actions do not cause offence, especially during the holy month of Ramadan or if you intend to visit religious areas.

Personal ID

Always carry copies of your passport photo page and visa. Carry your work permit, if you have one. Immigration officials or police can request these documents at any time, so make sure you can get the originals quickly if you need them. If you’re a resident or longer term visitor, consider getting certified copies.

Ramadan

Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims. The dates vary by year and country. During this time, avoid eating or drinking in public, outside of hotels or restaurants. Get more advice when you arrive from your tour guide, hotel or business contacts.

Dress code

Dress modestly throughout Tanzania. Women wearing shorts or sleeveless tops away from tourist resorts in Zanzibar and Pemba, particularly in Stone Town, may cause offence to the local population.

Zanzibari authorities can fine you 700 US dollars or more if you’re wearing what they consider inappropriate clothing in public. For guides or tour operators, the fine can be at least 1,000 US dollars.

Environmental laws

Plastic bags are banned for environmental reasons. If you arrive by air you’ll be asked to hand over all plastic bags on arrival. The ban does not include ‘ziplock’ bags for airline security procedures.

Illegal drugs

Tanzania has strict laws on drug use. There may be severe penalties, including lengthy prison sentences which can be applied both for supplying and simple possession of any drugs, including when transiting through the airport.

Airports in Tanzania have technology and security for detecting illegal items, including cannabis. This can be used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers. 

Tanzanian prisons tend to be dirty and overcrowded.

Discrimination and harassment

Reports made to the British High Commission by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) British passport holders suggest that they are experiencing additional levels of harassment from immigration officials. If this happens, stay calm and ask that the British High Commission is immediately informed.

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Tanzania, including Zanzibar. Same-sex relationships are not tolerated in Tanzania’s conservative society. If you show affection in public, like holding hands or kissing in public places, you could be arrested or put in prison.

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.

Money

US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas. Travellers cheques are not widely accepted.

Most banks in major cities have ATMs that accept foreign debit cards and issue Tanzanian shillings. They sometimes break down or run out of money.

Widespread cash shortages were reported in the days of political unrest that followed the 29 October 2025 election.

To minimise the risk of card cloning, use ATMs located within the bank. If you try to exchange non-Bank of England pound notes, you may get a reduced exchange rate.