Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan. (Photo by AFP)
Nigerian travellers to Tanzania will no longer need special immigration clearance before applying for visas, following the removal of Nigeria from the country’s Referred Visa Category.
The Tanzania Immigration Services Department announced the development in a notice dated September 25, 2026, signed by its Chief Spokesperson, ACI Paul Mselle, and published on its X handle on Monday.
The department said the change followed amendments published in Government Gazette No. 246 of 2026 and took effect immediately.
“With immediate effect, Nigerian nationals traveling to the United Republic of Tanzania are no longer subject to referred visa restrictions and will follow standard visa application procedures through the official immigration online portal or designated entry points,” the notice stated.
Under Tanzania’s previous referral visa arrangement, nationals of countries in the category were required to obtain approval from the Office of the Commissioner General of Immigration before travelling.
They were also advised to submit their applications at least two months before their intended travel dates.
The updated arrangement means Nigerian nationals can now follow Tanzania’s standard visa procedures through the official online portal or designated entry points.
According to the Tanzania Immigration Services visa guidelines, there are two options for obtaining a visa: applying online through the official immigration website or obtaining a visa on arrival at an official entry point. The department recommends the online application route.
However, the removal of Nigeria from the Referred Visa Category does not make Nigerian travellers visa-free. Tanzania’s official visa information lists Nigeria among Commonwealth countries whose nationals are required to obtain visas, while the country’s current visa-free list does not include Nigeria.
The standard online visa application is generally processed within 10 days, according to the immigration guidelines, except for applications under the referral category. Applicants are advised to wait for their visa approval notification or Visa Grant Notice before beginning their journey.
The guidelines also state that applicants must have passports valid for at least six months with at least one unused visa page and that visitors must present a return ticket upon arrival in Tanzania.
For tourism, Nigerian nationals are required to apply for an Ordinary Visa. The stated fee for an Ordinary Visa is $50, with validity of up to 90 days.
The Tanzania Immigration Services Department advises visa applicants to use only its official online platform and warns that visa regulations and conditions may change.
