A simpler route, with requirements still in place
Nigerian nationals have been removed from Tanzania’s Referred Visa Category. The Immigration Services Department announced the change with immediate effect in its public notice dated 25 September 2026. Travellers covered by the change can follow the standard visa application procedures through the official immigration online portal or designated entry points. The practical distinction is important: removal from the referral category changes the visa procedure applicable to Nigerian nationality. It does not announce visa-free travel, promise that every application will succeed, or remove the need to meet entry requirements.
For a Nigerian traveller planning a holiday, the useful next step is to prepare the appropriate visa application and travel documents. Do not read the announcement as permission to travel with only a passport, or as a reason to ignore conditions attached to a visa already issued. Equally, a notice about nationality-based referral procedures should not be treated as an answer to every individual case. A traveller using a different kind of travel document, or someone uncertain about their immigration status, should seek guidance before making assumptions.
What “referral” means
Referral procedures involve additional approval by the relevant immigration authority before a visa can be issued. Nigeria’s removal means Nigerian nationality is no longer, by itself, the reason to use that category. This is different from a visa exemption, which concerns whether a visa is needed at all. It is also different from an entry decision, which is made when a traveller presents for immigration clearance.
Think of three separate questions: Which application procedure applies to me? Which visa fits my actual purpose? Can I meet the conditions for entry? Answering the first does not automatically answer the other two. This distinction helps travellers prepare without expecting more from the change than it provides.
Choose the right purpose
An Ordinary Visa is the usual category for a Nigerian visitor coming for tourism. Do not assume that a tourism application also covers employment or a professional assignment. Explain what you genuinely plan to do and check the category and supporting documents before applying. If your visit combines different activities, ask for guidance rather than selecting whichever category seems easiest.
For example, a holiday itinerary and an assignment to perform work are different travel purposes. Describing both as “a short visit” leaves out information that matters. Clear, accurate details make it easier for the application to be assessed on its real circumstances.
Prepare and apply online
Start at www.immigration.go.tz and follow the official eVisa service, or use Tanzania eVisa portal. Read the current guidance and terms before filling in the form.
- Check that your passport has at least six months’ validity and an unused visa page before submitting your application.
- Prepare a clear photograph, the passport information page, a return ticket and any other documents required for your category.
- Enter your details carefully, upload the documents, complete the required payment and submit the application.
- Keep your application identification details so you can check its progress through the portal.
The online service covers travel to both Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar. Applications are reviewed, and applicants may be asked to attend an interview at a Tanzanian mission. Submission and payment are steps in the process; neither is an approval.
Review before you submit
Check your name, passport details, purpose and travel dates against your documents. Submitted online applications cannot simply be edited afterwards. If a detail is wrong or your plans change, seek immigration guidance instead of assuming the record has changed with them.
Monitor the portal as well as your email. If you applied online, wait for approval before travelling. A Visa Grant Notice does not guarantee admission: the immigration officer at the entry point considers whether the entry conditions are met. Read your issued documents carefully and comply with their conditions.
Need help?
For uncertainty about the correct category or your individual circumstances, contact info@immigration.go.tz. Explain your question clearly and use an official channel for any requested personal documents. Avoid posting passport details or application identifiers in public comments.
The key message is straightforward: the referral change makes the standard application route available to Nigerian nationals, while careful preparation, the correct visa purpose and immigration clearance still matter.
