What You Need to Know: To enter Zanzibar you need a passport valid for at least six months with blank pages, a Tanzanian visa (US$50 for most nationalities, US$100 for US citizens), which covers both Zanzibar and the mainland, and the government's inbound travel insurance, US$44 per adult. From October 1, 2026, mainland Tanzania requires the same insurance; one policy is enough for a trip to both, bought for your first point of entry. Rules change, so check the official sites before you travel.
Zanzibar Entry Checklist
Have these ready before you fly:
| Requirement | What you need | Who |
|---|---|---|
| Passport | Valid at least six months after arrival, with blank pages | Everyone |
| Visa | Tanzanian eVisa: US$50, or US$100 for US citizens | Most nationalities |
| Inbound travel insurance | Government policy, US$44 per adult | Foreign visitors |
| Yellow fever certificate | Proof of vaccination | Travelers arriving from, or transiting through, a country with yellow fever risk |
| Return or onward ticket | Proof you will leave | Often asked for at immigration |
Do You Need a Visa for Zanzibar?
Yes, most visitors do. Zanzibar is part of the United Republic of Tanzania, so the Tanzanian visa covers it and there is no separate Zanzibar visa. The ordinary tourist visa costs US$50 for most nationalities; US citizens receive a multiple-entry visa costing US$100. Apply for the eVisa on the official Tanzania Immigration website well before you travel; visas on arrival exist at the main airports, but applying in advance avoids queues and uncertainty. Our team can help with the application for a US$45 service fee on top of the government fee.
Zanzibar's Mandatory Inbound Travel Insurance
Since October 2024, Zanzibar has required every foreign visitor to buy a government inbound travel insurance policy from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC). It costs US$44 per adult, with reduced rates for children, and covers medical emergencies, evacuation and repatriation during your stay. It is required even if you already have your own travel insurance, so keep your own policy too: it covers things the government policy does not, such as cancellations.
What Changed on October 1, 2026 for Mainland Tanzania
From October 1, 2026, mainland Tanzania introduced the same rule, with the policy sold by the National Insurance Corporation (NIC), also at US$44 per visitor. You only need one policy for a trip that includes both, bought according to where you first enter the country:
- Arriving first on the mainland, at Kilimanjaro or Dar es Salaam, for a safari or a climb: buy the NIC policy; it covers your onward stay on Zanzibar
- Arriving first on Zanzibar: buy the ZIC policy
Citizens of East African Community and SADC countries are treated differently by the two insurers, and sources disagree on the details, so check the official portal for your nationality. We help our guests buy the right policy, or you can buy it yourself online before you travel.
Passport Rules for Zanzibar
Your passport should be valid for at least six months after the day you arrive and have blank pages for the visa and entry stamps. Keep it with you while you travel around Tanzania: passports can be checked when you arrive on Zanzibar, including on flights and ferries from the mainland, and hotels ask to see it at check-in.
Health Requirements: Yellow Fever and Vaccinations
Tanzania asks for a yellow fever vaccination certificate from travelers arriving from, or who have transited for more than 12 hours through, a country with a risk of yellow fever, which includes Kenya. If you fly in directly from the US or Europe, it is usually not required. Talk to a travel clinic about routine vaccinations and malaria prevention: Zanzibar has a low malaria risk compared with the mainland, but not zero, and mosquito repellent is wise everywhere.
Arriving on Zanzibar from the Mainland
Many guests reach Zanzibar after a safari or a Kilimanjaro climb. The flight from Arusha or Dar es Salaam is short, and the fast ferry from Dar es Salaam takes about two hours. You don't need a second visa, and if you bought the NIC insurance on the mainland you don't need a second policy, but keep both documents and your passport with you, because they may be checked on arrival in Stone Town.
Customs and Local Rules to Know
A few rules catch visitors out:
- Plastic bags: plastic carrier bags are banned in Tanzania, including Zanzibar; pack in other bags and use reusable ones
- Drones need a permit; don't fly one without it
- Dress: Zanzibar is mostly Muslim, so cover shoulders and knees in Stone Town and villages; swimwear is fine at beach hotels
- Ramadan: eat and drink discreetly in public during the day; hotels serve as usual
- Money: US dollars are widely accepted for tours and hotels, and Tanzanian shillings are best for small purchases
How We Help with Visas and Insurance
When you book a holiday with us, we can help with the eVisa application (a US$45 service fee plus the government fee) and with buying the inbound insurance. See also our Zanzibar holiday cost guide for the other costs to budget for.
Common Questions About Zanzibar Entry Requirements
Short answers to the questions our guests ask us most often:
Do I need a separate visa for Zanzibar?
No. Zanzibar is part of Tanzania, and the Tanzanian visa covers both the mainland and Zanzibar.
How much is the Zanzibar travel insurance?
US$44 per adult, with reduced rates for children. It is mandatory for foreign visitors and is bought from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation, or the National Insurance Corporation if you first enter on the mainland.
Do I need two insurance policies for a safari and Zanzibar?
No. From October 1, 2026, one policy is enough, bought for your first point of entry: the NIC policy if you arrive on the mainland, the ZIC policy if you arrive on Zanzibar.
Do US citizens need a visa for Zanzibar?
Yes. US citizens get a multiple-entry Tanzanian visa costing US$100, which covers Zanzibar; apply for the eVisa before you travel.
Do I need a yellow fever vaccination for Zanzibar?
Only if you arrive from, or transit for more than 12 hours through, a country with yellow fever risk, such as Kenya. Direct arrivals from the US or Europe usually don't.
Bottom Line: What Do You Need to Enter Zanzibar?
A passport valid for six months, a Tanzanian eVisa, the US$44 inbound insurance (one policy for the whole of Tanzania) and, if you come via a yellow fever country, a vaccination certificate. Check the official sites shortly before you travel, and ask us to help with the paperwork when you book one of our Zanzibar holidays.