Tanzania has removed Nigerian nationals from its Referred Visa Category, ending a requirement for Nigerians to obtain special immigration clearance before travelling to the East African country.
The change means Nigerian travellers will no longer need prior referral approval from Tanzania’s Commissioner General of Immigration before applying for a visa.
The decision was announced in a public notice issued by Tanzania’s Immigration Services Department on September 25, 2026, following amendments published in Government Gazette No. 246 of 2026.
Under the new arrangement, Nigerians will follow Tanzania’s standard visa application process through the official immigration online portal or at designated entry points.
Previously, Nigerians were classified under Tanzania’s Referred Visa Category, which required applicants to obtain special clearance before a visa could be issued.
Applicants were required to submit their requests in advance and could face extended processing times. Travellers were also advised to wait for clearance before making firm travel arrangements.
The referral system meant Nigerians could not access Tanzania’s ordinary visa or visa-on-arrival arrangements in the same way as nationals not subject to the special category.
With Nigeria removed from the list, the additional clearance stage has now been eliminated.
Tanzanian Visa Still Required For Nigerians
The policy change does not make Tanzania visa-free for Nigerian travellers, Nigerians must still obtain a visa through Tanzania’s normal immigration procedures, including the online e-visa system or 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. The Referred Visa Category applies to nationals of selected countries who require special clearance before travelling to Tanzania.
