Nigerians can now enter Tanzania without 2 month visa clearance delay

Tanzania removed Nigerian passport holders from its referred-visa category Sept. 25, 2026, eliminating a mandatory advance clearance procedure that previously required travelers to apply months before departure.

End of the two-month referral clearance

Under the previous framework, Nigerian citizens were classified under Tanzania's Referred Visa Category. That designation required pre-clearance from the commissioner general of immigration in Dar es Salaam before any standard visa could be granted. Applicants had to submit paperwork at least two months before their intended travel date, avoid buying nonrefundable tickets before approval and bypass standard visa-on-arrival desks.

The Immigration Services Department abolished that requirement under amendments cited in Government Gazette No. 246 of 2026, making the change effective immediately. Nigerian nationals can now access standard visa processing channels through Tanzania's official online portal and at eligible entry points.

The policy shift doesn't grant visa-free entry. Nigeria remains on the statutory list of Commonwealth countries whose citizens must hold a valid entry visa to enter Tanzania, the department confirmed.

Entry fees and standard documentation rules

Nigerian travelers transitioning to standard tourist channels fall under standard fee tables established by the Immigration Services Department. An ordinary single-entry tourist visa costs $50 and allows stays of up to 90 days for holiday, leisure or family visits.

Standard application criteria require:

• A passport with at least six months of remaining validity;

• A recent passport-size photograph;

• A confirmed return or onward flight ticket; and

• Payment of the nonrefundable visa fee.

The Tanzania High Commission in Nigeria also lists a $100 multiple-entry visa for Nigerian citizens. That permit remains valid for one year and permits stays of up to 90 days per visit. Applicants must confirm specific entry fees on the official immigration portal before payment, because fee tables can vary based on entry point and nationality classifications. Understanding entry options for Tanzania helps travelers ensure they select the correct category before submitting funds.

Nomad stays and working restrictions

The removal of referral clearance speeds up travel logistics for short-term stays, but it doesn't establish a dedicated digital nomad visa or grant local employment rights. Remote workers, consultants and entrepreneurs entering on a standard tourist visa can't legally work for local entities or establish local business operations.

Those conducting commercial assignments, research or long-term remote work must secure specific business visas or temporary residence permits. Final admission authority remains strictly with border officers at the port of entry, who verify onward travel and accommodation details regardless of an approved electronic visa.

Website delays and unconfirmed border procedures

The policy change was signed by immigration spokesperson Paul Mselle in a notice dated Sept. 25, 2026 and made public Sept. 28, 2026. Several operational details remain unresolved during the initial rollout.

Tanzania's official electronic visa portal continued to display Nigeria on its referred list immediately following the announcement, reflecting an administrative lag between the policy declaration and portal updates. The full text of Government Gazette No. 246 of 2026 hasn't been made accessible in public document registries for independent verification. Claims that commercial carriers such as Air Tanzania have updated their boarding databases for universal visa-on-arrival processing also remain unconfirmed by airline notices.

Travelers with imminent departure dates should submit electronic visa filings early through official government domains, carry physical copies of return tickets and lodging receipts and avoid third-party visa intermediaries while systems synchronize across ports of entry.