Tanzania removes extra visa restrictions for Nigerians

Tanzania has lifted extra visa restrictions for Nigerians, allowing citizens of the West African nation to apply for normal visas as other applicants.

"The Immigration Department informs the public that citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria have been officially removed from the Referred Visa Category, following published amendments in the Government Gazette number 246 of 2026," Tanzania's Immigration Services Department said in a statement dated September 25, but published on social media on Monday, September 28.

"With immediate effect, 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," Tanzania said, through Immigration Services Department's spokesperson Paul Mselle.

Previously, Nigerians were obligated to apply for visas before booking flights to Tanzania, and had to wait around two months for their visa applications to be processed. Following the amendments, Nigerians will no longer be subjected to lengthy visa applications processes before travelling to Tanzania.

Rigorous immigration clearance

Instead, they would apply for Tanzanian visas online or at designated points of entry, and the approximately two-month waiting period has been abolished. The online visa application typically takes 10 days to be processed.

Historically, Tanzania placed Nigeria under the referred visa category to maintain a rigorous immigration clearance and security screening process.

Under this category, applications require direct and specialised clearance from the Principal Immigration Officer or Director of Immigration Services.