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Zanzibar eVisa

A practical guide for travelers searching for a Zanzibar eVisa. Zanzibar does not normally use a separate island-only eVisa. Visitors who need a visa use the Tanzania eVisa system, which covers the United Republic of Tanzania, including both Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar.

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Main rule

Is there a separate Zanzibar eVisa?

No separate Zanzibar-only eVisa is normally used. The official Tanzania eVisa system says applicants can apply online to visit the United Republic of Tanzania, including Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar. For travelers, this means the “Zanzibar eVisa” keyword normally refers to the Tanzania eVisa used for a trip that includes Zanzibar.

If your nationality requires a visa, apply through the Tanzania visa route that matches your purpose: tourism, business, transit, student, referral or another eligible category.

First-destination rule

How to apply if you visit both Mainland and Zanzibar

Official Tanzania eVisa guidelines say that if an applicant wants to visit both Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar, the applicant should select the first destination while filling the form. The traveler may then visit both places without needing a new visa.

If your flight lands first in Zanzibar, select Zanzibar. If you arrive first in Kilimanjaro, Dar es Salaam, Arusha area or another mainland point, select that first mainland destination.

Who needs it

Who should apply online before visiting Zanzibar?

Visa-required visitors

Tourists going to Zanzibar

Most visa-required tourists visiting Stone Town, Nungwi, Kendwa, Paje, Jambiani or other Zanzibar areas should prepare the Tanzania eVisa before travel.

Safari plus island

Mainland safari travelers

If you combine Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Kilimanjaro or Tarangire with Zanzibar, the same Tanzania eVisa can support both places when completed correctly.

Business or events

Conference visitors

Travelers attending meetings, conferences or events in Zanzibar should select the visa purpose that matches the activity, not automatically tourism.

Referral category

Prior-approval travelers

If your nationality or travel status falls under referral rules, apply at least two months before travel and wait for approval before departure.

Visa-free travelers

Nationals who do not need a visa

If your nationality is visa-free for Tanzania, you may not need the eVisa, but you still need to meet entry and Zanzibar insurance requirements.

Multi-country trips

Zanzibar plus Kenya or Rwanda

A Tanzania eVisa does not cover neighboring countries. Check each destination separately if your trip crosses borders.

Documents

Zanzibar eVisa document checklist

Documents and details for the Tanzania eVisa when visiting Zanzibar
Document or detail	Why it matters	Zanzibar tip
Passport	The passport should have at least six months validity and at least one unused visa page.	Use the same passport for visa, insurance and flights.
Passport photo	Needed for the online visa application.	Use a clear, recent digital passport-style photo.
Return or onward ticket	Visitors should be ready to show return or onward travel evidence.	Keep a copy if departing from Zanzibar or continuing by ferry/flight.
Zanzibar accommodation	Shows your first or main place of stay on the island.	Prepare hotel, resort, villa, guesthouse or host details.
Full itinerary	Explains whether the trip is Zanzibar-only or mainland-plus-island.	Include ferry, domestic flight, safari or multi-country legs if relevant.
Purpose documents	Supports the chosen category.	Tourists can show hotel/safari bookings; business visitors should show invitation or event evidence.
Zanzibar insurance proof	Separate mandatory inbound insurance proof for Zanzibar visitors.	Prepare it separately from the Tanzania eVisa.
Application ID details	Needed to continue or check the application.	Save Application ID, email, security question and answer immediately.

Step by step

How to apply for a Zanzibar eVisa through the Tanzania eVisa system

Confirm visa need

Check whether your nationality is visa-free, visa-required, referral-category, or directed to a particular visa type.

Choose the correct purpose

Tourism, business, transit, study, volunteering and referral travel use different visa logic and supporting evidence.

Select first destination

For Mainland plus Zanzibar trips, select the place you enter first. For Zanzibar-only trips, select Zanzibar.

Complete the online form

Enter passport, personal, accommodation, route and purpose details consistently with your documents.

Save Application ID

Keep Application ID, email, security question and answer for status checks or continuing an unfinished application.

Prepare arrival documents

Carry passport, Visa Grant Notice if issued, ticket, hotel details, insurance proof and itinerary.

Insurance reminder

Zanzibar eVisa and Zanzibar insurance are different

The Tanzania eVisa is an immigration application. Zanzibar travel insurance is a separate inbound requirement for Zanzibar visitors. Holding a valid eVisa does not automatically prove that the Zanzibar insurance requirement is complete.

Before entering Zanzibar, prepare the official insurance proof and keep it with the visa approval, passport and ticket.

Common confusion

Do not search for a fake Zanzibar-only eVisa portal

Because travelers often search “Zanzibar eVisa,” unofficial websites may present the process as if Zanzibar has its own separate visa. The safer understanding is that visitors use the Tanzania eVisa system for trips to the United Republic of Tanzania, including Zanzibar.

Use official guidance and avoid paying on websites that confuse visa support, insurance, and government fees without clear disclosure.

Comparison

Zanzibar eVisa compared with related travel requirements

Zanzibar eVisa, Tanzania eVisa and insurance comparison
Item	What it means	When it applies	Proof to carry
Zanzibar eVisa	Common search term for the Tanzania eVisa used for travel including Zanzibar.	Visa-required travelers visiting Zanzibar.	Tanzania Visa Grant Notice if approved.
Tanzania eVisa	Official online visa system for the United Republic of Tanzania.	Mainland Tanzania, Zanzibar, or both.	Application ID and Visa Grant Notice.
Zanzibar travel insurance	Mandatory inbound insurance requirement for Zanzibar visitors.	Travelers entering Zanzibar under the current insurance rule.	Insurance cover or QR proof.
Visa-free entry	Some nationals do not require a visa for Tanzania.	Only for nationalities listed as visa-free.	Passport and entry documents; insurance may still apply for Zanzibar.
Referral visa	Prior approval category for listed countries/statuses.	Referral nationals, stateless persons and refugee-status travelers.	Approval notice and referral supporting documents.
Arrival permission	Final entry decision by immigration officer.	All travelers at entry point.	Passport, ticket, accommodation, itinerary and supporting evidence.

Arrival authority

A Visa Grant Notice is not final entry authority

Official Tanzania eVisa terms make clear that the Visa Grant Notice is not the final authority to enter the United Republic of Tanzania. The immigration officer at the point of entry has final authority and may ask for supporting documents.

For Zanzibar, carry the approved visa if required, passport, ticket, accommodation, itinerary and Zanzibar insurance proof.

Status check

How to check Zanzibar eVisa status

Because the Zanzibar eVisa is handled through the Tanzania eVisa system, status checks use the Tanzania application status route. You normally need Application ID, email, security question and security answer.

Do not create duplicate applications if your application is still pending. First check status using the saved credentials.

Mistakes

Zanzibar eVisa mistakes to avoid

Thinking Zanzibar has a separate visa

Zanzibar travel uses Tanzania visa policy. Apply through the Tanzania eVisa route if your nationality needs a visa.

Ignoring first destination

Select the first arrival place correctly when the trip includes both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.

Forgetting insurance

Zanzibar inbound insurance is separate from the eVisa and should be prepared before island arrival.

Wrong travel purpose

Do not choose tourism if the main purpose is business, study, volunteer activity, work or transit.

Weak document uploads

Blurry passport scans, bad photos and inconsistent dates can delay or weaken the application.

Lost Application ID

Save the Application ID and security details immediately so you can check or continue the application.

Ready to apply for Zanzibar travel through the Tanzania eVisa system?

Prepare passport, photo, first destination, return ticket, Zanzibar accommodation, itinerary and insurance proof before travel.

Start Tanzania eVisa Application

FAQ

Zanzibar eVisa FAQs

Is there a separate Zanzibar eVisa?

No separate Zanzibar-only eVisa is normally used. Travelers use the Tanzania eVisa system, which covers travel to the United Republic of Tanzania, including Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar.

Can I visit both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar with one eVisa?

Yes. Official Tanzania eVisa guidance says travelers visiting both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar should select the first destination in the form and may visit both without needing a new visa.

What documents do I need for a Zanzibar eVisa?

Common documents include passport, passport photo, return or onward ticket, accommodation in Zanzibar or mainland Tanzania, itinerary and documents supporting the selected travel purpose.

Do I need Zanzibar travel insurance if I have an eVisa?

Yes. Zanzibar inbound travel insurance is separate from a Tanzania visa or eVisa and should be prepared if your trip includes Zanzibar.

How do I check Zanzibar eVisa status?

Use the Tanzania eVisa status system with your Application ID, email, security question and security answer.

Can I apply for Zanzibar only?

You can plan a Zanzibar-only trip, but the visa route is still through the Tanzania visa system if your nationality requires a visa. Select Zanzibar as the first destination if it is your first point of entry.