Tanzania has taken Nigerian nationals off its referred visa category, removing the requirement for special clearance before they can obtain a visa.
The Tanzania Immigration Services Department announced the change in a notice dated September 25 and shared it on its official X account on Monday.
Paul Mselle, chief spokesperson of the Tanzania Immigration Services Department, said the decision followed amendments published in Government Gazette No. 246 of 2026.
“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,” the statement reads.
A referred visa applies to nationals of certain countries who require special approval from Tanzania’s Commissioner General of Immigration or the Commissioner of Immigration (Zanzibar) before a visa can be issued.
Applicants under the category are generally advised to obtain approval before making travel arrangements, including booking flights or accommodation.
Prior to the latest decision, Nigeria was among the countries whose citizens were required to obtain referred visa clearance.
Other countries currently included in Tanzania’s referred visa category are Afghanistan, Abkhazia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Chad, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Equatorial Guinea, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Palestine, Senegal, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Somaliland, Sierra Leone, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
The category also applies to stateless persons and people with refugee status.
The latest change means Nigerians travelling to Tanzania will now use the country’s standard visa application procedure without the additional referral clearance.