Tanzania is also struggling with the coronavirus (COVID-19). As a result, the country has taken measures regarding foreign travellers. Travelling to Tanzania is currently on the red list of countries, meaning it is advised to not travel there unless absolutely necessary. Obtaining a Tanzania visa still possible, but first read this article about the entry requirements for tourists, such as applying for a Tanzania visa online.

Coronavirus in Tanzania: The numbers

The outbreak of Covid-19 in Tanzania has been seemingly very mild compared to other countries on the continent. The latest figures show that only 601 people have been infected with the coronavirus, 21 of whom have died. However, it cannot be said with certainty whether these figures are an accurate portrayal of the situation in Tanzania. The Tanzanian government has been very reluctant to publish coronavirus figures. Since the beginning of the outbreak, the Tanzanian government has only twice made public the number of infections and deaths in the country: once in May 2020, and most recently in July 2021. Human rights organisations therefore suspect that many of the problems the country is facing as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak are being kept secret by the government. Recently, President John Magufuli died. The government says it was due to heart problems, but many people in Tanzania suspect that coronavirus was the cause of death.

Travel to Tanzania: travel restrictions

Foreign travellers are allowed to travel to Tanzania. However, they must observe the following rules:

• Travellers must have a negative PCR test taken up to 72 hours before arrival. This is not necessary for travellers under age 5.
• Travellers from certain countries, including the US and UK, must take a COVID-19 antigen test on arrival. They must pay the costs themselves (25 USD per traveller)
• Travellers must undergo a medical screening on arrival.
• A Tanzania visa is required, except for travellers from countries that have been granted visa-free travel to Tanzania.

Flight crew members are not required to undergo coronavirus tests on arrival. They must, however, undergo a medical screening. All travellers must complete a Travellerʼs Surveillance Form online prior to departure. Due to the outbreak of the delta variant of the coronavirus, travellers travelling from affected countries are currently not being admitted.

Quarantine is not necessary

Quarantine is only necessary for travellers who test positive or who were in a country where new mutations of the coronavirus have been identified before departure. Therefore, travellers who have been in India within the last 14 days (also for a transfer) and who are allowed to travel to Tanzania must undergo quarantine in a government appointed hotel. The costs for this must be paid for by the traveller. The vast majority of travellers who have not been in India do not have to undergo quarantine. They do, however, have to comply with the coronavirus rules, even if they are fully vaccinated.

Visa mandatory in Tanzania

Travellers of UK or Irish nationality are required to apply for a Tanzania visa before departure. You cannot enter Tanzania without a valid visa. For tourist trips where the stay in Tanzania does not exceed 90 days, the visa application can be done online. The Tanzania e-visa is an electronic document that became available in 2018 to simplify the visa application process. Since the application process is entirely online, there is no need to take your passport to a consulate or embassy.

To apply for the e-visa, the passport must be valid for at least 6 months upon arrival. A ticket for the return journey or transit must already be booked, and you must include the address of at least one place where you will be staying overnight in Tanzania.

Return to the UK

Upon returning to the UK from a country that is currently on the government’s “red list”, travellers must complete the following 3 steps:

• A negative test certificate showing the test was taken within 48 hours upon arrival in the UK. A negative result of an antigen test may not be older than 24 hours upon arrival in the UK.
• Book a quarantine hotel package, staying for 10 full days upon arrival in the UK, and taking additional coronavirus tests on or before day 2 and on or after day 8 of quarantining.
• Complete a passenger locator form.

Please note: this news article about the visa for Tanzania is more than one year old. It might contain outdated information and advice, and no rights can therefore be derived from this article. Are you going on a trip soon and do you wish to do know what rules currently apply? Read all about the up-to-date information about the visa for Tanzania.