At a glance
| Tourist visa | USD 50 · valid 90 days (US passports: USD 100 multiple-entry) |
|---|---|
| ZIC insurance | USD 44 adult · USD 22 child (3–17) · free under 3 |
| Buy ZIC | Before you fly, at visitzanzibar.go.tz — QR checked at the jetway |
| Passport | Valid 6+ months beyond arrival, ≥1 blank page |
| From a mainland safari | Tanzania visa covers Zanzibar; ZIC still required |
| Last verified | June 2026 — confirm current rules before booking |
✓ Last verified: 2026-06-24 · by Tim Hennig, Boutique Hotel Matlai
Getting into Zanzibar is genuinely straightforward, with one catch that trips people up. The visa is the easy part — most nationalities pay USD 50 and are waved through. The part most guides get wrong is the mandatory Zanzibar insurance, introduced in late 2024, which you want to buy before you fly rather than at the airport. Below is exactly what you need, what each piece costs, and what happens from the plane door to the taxi rank — the version we give our own guests at Boutique Hotel Matlai.
The visa: USD 50, valid 90 days
Most visitors enter on a standard Tanzania tourist visa, which also covers Zanzibar: USD 50 for a single entry, valid for stays up to 90 days. You can buy it two ways — online in advance through the official portal at visa.immigration.go.tz, or on arrival at Zanzibar’s Karume airport.
Apply online before you fly if you can. It is the same price, and it lets you skip the slower on-arrival queue with the approval already in hand. US passport holders are the exception: they must buy a multiple-entry visa at USD 100 rather than the USD 50 single-entry. One warning — use only the official government portal; copycat sites add a “service fee” for nothing.
The ZIC insurance — the part most people miss
Since 1 October 2024, every visitor to Zanzibar must also hold the island’s own mandatory inbound insurance, issued by the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC). It costs USD 44 per adult, USD 22 per child aged 3 to 17, and is free for children under 3, and it covers stays of up to 92 days.
Buy it before you fly, at the official portal visitzanzibar.go.tz. This matters more than it sounds: some airlines have the ZIC system built into their departure check-in and will refuse to board you without proof, and the QR code is checked in the jetway at Zanzibar before you even reach immigration. There are desks at the airport if you arrive without it — but that is a risk we would not take.
ZIC is not your travel insurance
One thing to be clear about: the ZIC payment is a government entry requirement, not a substitute for proper travel insurance. It covers some medical emergencies and disruptions inside Zanzibar, but it is not comprehensive cover for medical evacuation, cancellation, or your belongings.
You still want your own travel policy alongside it. Think of ZIC as an entry fee that happens to come with a policy number — useful and mandatory, but not the cover you would rely on if something serious happened.
Passport, and what to have ready at the airport
Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date, with at least one blank page for the stamp. Airlines check this at departure, so if you are cutting it close, renew before you book rather than risk being turned away at check-in.
When you land, have three things ready before you reach the terminal: your passport, your ZIC insurance QR code (on your phone or printed), and either your e-visa approval or USD 50 to pay on arrival. The ZIC code is the first thing checked, often in the jetway, so keep it to hand rather than buried in your email.
Arriving from a mainland safari
If you are flying to Zanzibar after a Tanzania safari, you do not need a new visa — the Tanzania visa from your mainland arrival already covers the island. But the ZIC insurance is still required, every time, regardless of where you have come from.
So buy the ZIC before you leave Arusha, the Serengeti, or wherever your safari ends — not in the rush of a domestic transfer. Once you land, getting from the airport to the coast is the easy part; our guide to getting around Zanzibar has the transfer times.
Before you fly: the short checklist
Four things, sorted the same week: apply for the visa (or budget USD 50 for arrival), check your passport has six months and a blank page, buy the ZIC insurance at visitzanzibar.go.tz, and save the QR code where you can find it. Do those and Zanzibar arrivals is a stamp and a smile.
These figures were last verified in June 2026; entry rules do change, so confirm the current visa fee and ZIC details on the official portals before you book. For the deeper, mainland-and-island version, see WildToSea’s Zanzibar entry-requirements guide.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit Zanzibar?
Most visitors need a Tanzania tourist visa, which covers Zanzibar — USD 50 for a single entry, valid 90 days. Buy it online in advance at visa.immigration.go.tz or on arrival at the airport; online is faster. US passport holders need a USD 100 multiple-entry visa.
What is the ZIC insurance, and is it mandatory?
Yes, it is mandatory. Since 1 October 2024 every visitor must hold Zanzibar’s inbound insurance (ZIC): USD 44 per adult, USD 22 per child aged 3–17, free under 3, for stays up to 92 days. Buy it before you fly at visitzanzibar.go.tz.
Does the ZIC insurance replace my own travel insurance?
No. ZIC is a government entry requirement that covers some emergencies inside Zanzibar, not comprehensive cover. You still need your own travel policy for medical evacuation, cancellation, and belongings.
Can I buy the ZIC at the airport instead of in advance?
You can — there are desks in arrivals — but buy it in advance. Some airlines check it at departure check-in and can refuse boarding without proof, and the QR is checked in the jetway on arrival. It is not a risk worth taking.
I am coming from a mainland safari — do I need a new visa?
No. Your existing Tanzania visa already covers Zanzibar. But the ZIC insurance is still required regardless, so buy it before you leave the mainland.
How long must my passport be valid?
At least six months beyond your arrival date, with at least one blank page. Airlines check this at departure, so renew before booking if you are close.