Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Tanzania has officially removed Nigerian nationals from its referred visa category, ending a requirement that subjected Nigerian travellers to additional immigration clearance before they could obtain a visa to enter the East African country. The decision, announced by Tanzania’s Immigration Services Department on September 25, 2026, follows amendments published in Government Gazette No. 246 of 2026, and takes immediate effect. The notice was signed by the department’s Chief Spokesperson, ACI Paul J. Mselle.
Under the previous arrangement, Nigerian citizens were classified under Tanzania’s referred visa system, which required them to apply for special clearance from the Commissioner General of Immigration before travelling. Applicants were advised not to book flights or make non-refundable hotel reservations until approval was granted, and the process could take longer than ordinary visa applications, with requests recommended to be submitted at least two months before the planned travel date. The referral system meant Nigerians could not access Tanzania’s ordinary visa or visa-on-arrival arrangements in the same way as nationals from countries not subject to the special category.
With Nigeria now removed from the list, Nigerian travellers will follow Tanzania’s standard visa application procedures through the official immigration online portal or at designated entry points. According to the Immigration Department’s public notice, “Nigerian nationals travelling 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 policy shift places Nigerian travellers on the same procedural footing as nationals from numerous other countries already processed through standard channels, and there is no transitional period, meaning the change applied immediately upon publication.
The removal is part of a broader review of Tanzania’s visa regime. With Nigeria out of the list, the countries that remain on Tanzania’s referred visa restrictions include Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Chad, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Pakistan, Palestine, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Somaliland, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Yemen. The same restrictions apply to stateless persons and persons with refugee status, who are advised to confirm visa approval before booking travel. Applicants in those categories are also required to submit requests at least two months in advance and may benefit from an official invitation letter from a local host or sponsor in Tanzania.
The change does not mean Nigerians can travel to Tanzania visa-free. Where a visa is required, travellers must still obtain one under the country’s standard procedures, including the online e-visa system or at designated points of entry where applicable. The key change is the removal of the additional referral and approval process, which previously added another layer to the visa application and could extend processing times. The Tanzania Immigration Services Department did not provide additional detail on what prompted the removal of Nigeria from the referred category, beyond citing the gazette amendments as the formal basis for the change.
The development marks a notable shift in travel arrangements between the two African nations and is expected to simplify the path for Nigerian citizens seeking to enter Tanzania for tourism, business and other purposes. It also comes as several other countries have recently imposed or adjusted visa requirements for Nigerian travellers. Singapore, for example, has published a list of countries whose nationals are required to hold a valid visa before travelling to the city-state, and Nigeria is among the African nations on that list. The easing of Tanzania’s visa regime stands in contrast to these tightening measures and could make Tanzania a more attractive destination for Nigerian travellers, particularly businesspeople and tourists.
For Nigerian travellers, the change removes a significant bureaucratic hurdle. Under the referral system, the requirement to obtain special clearance before travelling created uncertainty and could disrupt travel plans, as applicants were advised to wait for approval before booking flights or accommodation. The removal of that requirement means Nigerians can now apply for a visa through the standard online portal or at designated entry points without the additional approval stage. The change took effect immediately, and Nigerians already in the process of applying for Tanzanian visas at the time of the publication would be subject to the revised procedures without delay.
The decision has been welcomed by observers who see it as a positive step in African intra-continental travel. Tanzania has recently been working to position itself as a hub for tourism and trade in East Africa, and easing visa restrictions for Africa’s largest economy could boost business travel and tourism flows between the two countries. Air Tanzania has also announced that Nigerian travellers can now obtain a Tanzanian visa upon arrival, rather than completing the arduous visa process and securing approval before travelling, a development that aligns with the government’s broader efforts to attract visitors and investors.
For now, the change is in effect and Nigerian travellers can begin using the standard visa application procedures. The Immigration Services Department’s notice did not provide additional details on the rationale for the removal, but the formal basis is clear: Government Gazette No. 246 of 2026. As Nigeria and Tanzania continue to strengthen their bilateral relationship, the easing of visa restrictions is a practical step that will make it easier for Nigerians to travel to Tanzania for business, tourism and other purposes, and it signals a willingness on the part of Tanzanian authorities to open their doors to Africa’s most populous nation.
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