Nigerian travellers no longer require "referred visa" for Tanzania

As of September 25, 2026, travellers from Nigeria no longer fall under the “Referred Visa” category for entry into the United Republic of Tanzania. They can now apply for a regular visa online or at designated entry points, without the need for a host’s letter or prior approval from the Chief Immigration Commissioner in Dar es Salaam.

What the September 25, 2026 public notice says

The Tanzania Immigration Services Department (a branch of the Ministry of Home Affairs) issued a public notice signed by its Chief Immigration Spokesperson, ACI Paul J. Mselle. It confirms that Nigerian citizens have been officially removed from the “Referred Visa” category following amendments published in the Government Gazette No. 246 of 2026.

The change takes effect immediately: Nigerian passport holders travelling to Tanzania must now apply through the standard visa process, either via the official online portal or at designated entry points.

The notice applies to the entire United Republic, covering both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.

What the prior "Referred Visa" regime required

Under the previous "Referred Visa" system, travellers from certain nationalities—including Nigeria—faced additional steps. Their applications had to be reviewed by the Chief Immigration Commissioner in Dar es Salaam or the Immigration Commissioner in Zanzibar.

The service’s website provides details on these procedures for the remaining countries on the list. Applicants had to submit an invitation letter from the host (institution, business, individual) stating the purpose and duration of the visit. They also had to include supporting host documentation, such as a certificate of registration, tax ID, or business license—or, if the host was a private individual, a copy of their Tanzanian passport and residence permit, or national ID card.

Processing times were significantly longer as well: travellers from referred-visa countries were advised to apply at least two months before departure, and were recommended not to book flights or accommodations until visas were approved. Moreover, they were restricted to arrivals at specific entry points, and could not obtain a visa on arrival.

They had to rely solely on the online application portal.

How the standard visa process works now for Nigerian travellers

Nigerian nationals are still subject to mandatory visas; the country is not listed as visa-exempt on the immigration website.

According to the Tanzania Immigration Services Department’s tourist visa page, a standard tourist visa costs 50 USD €44.76, non-refundable. Currently valid for a single entry, this visa allows stays of up to three months in the United Republic of Tanzania (mainland and Zanzibar).

Two application options are available:

• Online processing, which the authorities recommend for faster border clearance;

• Visa on arrival at designated entry points, which was previously closed to Nigerians under the Referred Visa system.

For online applications, travellers must use the 12-digit reference number generated by the application form, which is required for payment via debit or Mastercard, or through a GePG payment link. Processing time for the new standard visa is up to ten days—compared to the two-month wait previously advised.

The approved visa is then downloaded from the application-tracking portal.

The immigration department reminds travellers to apply for visas only through its official site, immigration.go.tz.

Which nationalities still require a "referred visa"?

Removing Nigeria from the list leaves twenty-three nationalities under the “Referred Visa” regime, including:

In Africa: Burkina Faso, Eritrea, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Chad, Sierra Leone and Somalia;

In the Middle East: Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Yemen;

In Asia: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

Stateless persons and refugees holding a refugee travel document are also subject to the referred visa process, regardless of their nationality of origin. Authorities advise both travellers and host structures to regularly check the official list, as it may change without notice.

Mandatory travel insurance stays the same for mainland Tanzania arrivals

It is important to note that the changes only affect the visa application process. All other entry formalities remain unchanged for Nigerian travellers.

Nigeria is not a member of the East African Community (EAC) or the Southern African Development Community (SADC), so Nigerians visiting mainland Tanzania must still comply with the mandatory travel insurance policy—set to cost 44 USD per person—effective from October 1, 2026. Only residents of the EAC or SADC are exempt from this requirement.