PassportSouth Africa

Tanzania: do South Africans need a visa?

South Africans don't need a visa for Tanzania. You can stay up to 90 days per visit, and you can apply to extend.

Visa-free. South Africa is on the 'List of Countries which do not require Visa' published by Tanzanian diplomatic missions (tzembassy.go.tz).1

Tanzania is one of 59 visa-free destinations for South Africans. See the full list or visa-free countries in Africa.

Mainland Tanzania now has compulsory visitor insuranceFrom 1 October 2026, foreign visitors to mainland Tanzania must buy a US$44 policy from the National Insurance Corporation at inbound.nicinsurance.co.tz. The insurer says residents of SADC countries are exempt, which appears to cover South Africans who live in South Africa. Zanzibar runs a separate US$44 scheme with no SADC exemption. Source: inbound.nicinsurance.co.tz, it.tzembassy.go.tz

Before you travel

Purpose of visit

Tourism and visits. Business activity and work require the appropriate pass or permit; Tanzania's business visa is a separate category.2

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Passport validity

At least 6 months' validity and at least one blank page.2

Confirmed on an official government source

How to apply

No visa needed for SA passports. Official e-visa portal, for nationalities that need one: visa.immigration.go.tz. Immigration warns: 'Apply ONLY through www.immigration.go.tz and NOT through any other online links.' Tanzania is NOT part of the East Africa Tourist Visa (Kenya-Rwanda-Uganda).2

Confirmed on an official government source

Where South Africans apply

Not published by official sources

Travel insurance

TWO separate state-run mandatory inbound travel insurance schemes, USD 44 per adult, valid 92 days. (1) Zanzibar (Unguja and Pemba), in force since 1 Oct 2024: bought from Zanzibar Insurance Corporation at inbound.visitzanzibar.go.tz / visitzanzibar.go.tz. Applies to all non-resident visitors, with no SADC exemption found. Children 3-17 USD 22; under 3 free. (2) Mainland Tanzania, from 1 Oct 2026 (Government Notice No. 256 of 2026): bought from National Insurance Corporation at inbound.nicinsurance.co.tz. The NIC FAQ says the cover 'excludes all foreigners who are residents of the East African Community (EAC) Partner States or Southern African Development Community (SADC) Partner States', so South Africans living in SA appear exempt on the mainland. Only one policy is needed per trip, for whichever region you enter first. A traveller exempt from NIC who goes on to Zanzibar should expect to need the ZIC policy. Your own travel insurance does not replace either scheme.3456

Confirmed on an official government source

Return or onward ticket

Visitors must show a return ticket on arrival.2

Confirmed on an official government source

Proof of funds

Not published by official sources

Accommodation or invitation

Not published by official sources

Vaccinations, including yellow fever on return to South Africa

Tanzania: yellow fever certificate required if arriving from a transmission-risk country, including after transit of more than 12 hours at a risk-country airport such as Nairobi or Addis Ababa. South Africa's rule: Tanzania is classed by WHO as low potential for exposure and is NOT on SA's list, so no certificate is needed to return to SA from Tanzania.79

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Arrival forms

Zanzibar insurance certificate (or NIC certificate when entering via the mainland, if not exempt) is checked on arrival. No other pre-arrival form published.36

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Extending your stay and overstaying

Not published by official sources

Transit

Visa-free status covers transit. A transit visa (USD 30, up to 7 days) exists for nationalities that need visas.2

Confirmed on an official government source

Travelling with children

Not published by Tanzania. Child insurance pricing: ZIC USD 22 (3-17), NIC 50% (3-17), under-2/3 free.56

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

What changed

1 October 2026Mainland Tanzania mandatory inbound travel insurance (NIC, USD 44, 92 days) took effect under Government Notice No. 256 of 2026; public notice dated 4 Sep 2026. NIC FAQ excludes foreigners resident in EAC/SADC partner states.
1 October 2024Zanzibar mandatory inbound travel insurance (ZIC, USD 44, 92 days) introduced for all non-resident visitors to Unguja and Pemba.

Sources

Official

The destination's own government

  1. 1Tanzania High Commission (Kuala Lumpur), Ministry of Foreign Affairs network my.tzembassy.go.tz
  2. 2Tanzania Immigration Services Department (e-visa guidelines) visa.immigration.go.tz
  3. 3Embassy of Tanzania, Rome (public notice) it.tzembassy.go.tz
  4. 4National Insurance Corporation of Tanzania (state insurer, official portal) inbound.nicinsurance.co.tz

Other government

Official advice from other governments

  1. 7UK FCDO gov.uk
  2. 9DIRCO (South African High Commission, Canberra) dirco.gov.za

Reference

Used to find official sources, never the final word

  1. 8Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org

News and guides

Leads we check, never the answer

  1. 5Altezza Travel (operator) altezzatravel.com
  2. 6HelloSafe hellosafe.com

Last researched 5 October 2026. Rules change; confirm with the embassy before you book. Spotted something out of date? Report a change.