Tanzania makes health declaration mandatory for all arrivals starting October 2026.
Beginning in October 2026, Tanzania will require all mainland arrivals to complete an online health declaration. Check the prerequisites, QR codes, and Zanzibar rules.
Tanzania now compels all travelers entering its mainland area to fill out an online health statement, broadening Ebola-related screening steps beyond passengers arriving from impacted countries.
On October 17, 2026, the Ministry of Health implemented the rule. It applies to all nationalities and countries of departure, including Indian tourists who travel directly to Dar es Salaam or Kilimanjaro International Airport.
Previously, the document was only necessary for travelers arriving in or passing through the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) or Uganda.
Why has Tanzania expanded health screening?
The action comes in response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as confirmed infections in neighboring Kenya. By October 18, Reuters had reported eight confirmed cases in Kenya, with one death.
Travelers entering mainland Tanzania may be subjected to temperature checks and symptom evaluations at airports, seaports, and land borders. Anyone suspected of having an infectious disease may have extra medical tests.
Authorities may also require high-risk travelers to undergo 21 days of medical surveillance. This does not imply that all visitors must quarantine for 21 days.
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How Can Indian Travelers Complete the Declaration?
The declaration requests passport information, arrival information, contact information, accommodation address, travel history, and health-related responses.
Applicants should have the following information ready:
Passport Number and Personal Information
Arrival date and entrance point.
Flight and seat numbers
Accommodation address and contact information
Countries visited within the preceding 21 days.
Answers to issues concerning symptoms and probable exposure
Each traveler, including children traveling with parents or guardians, must submit a separate declaration.
Following submission, the site generates a confirmation document that includes a QR code and a unique health code (UHC). Save it to your phone or take a screenshot to show during the arrival screening.
The directive permits you to submit it prior to departure or upon arrival. However, the portal encourages completing the form within 24 hours of arrival, thus doing so before boarding is the safer alternative.
Zanzibar Has Separate Health Entry Rules.
Visitors to Zanzibar should check the criteria separately. The island's October 9 alert was intended for passengers arriving from or transiting the DRC, Uganda, or Kenya.
Indian travelers who combine a mainland safari with a Zanzibar vacation should read the instructions for both places rather than assuming one declaration covers the entire trip.Tanzania's New Declaration is Separate from Travel Insurance.
The health statement comes after Tanzania's October 1, 2026, implementation of required travel insurance for covered international tourists. Adults pay a regular insurance charge of $44.
The declaration, insurance, and any visa or e-Visa are all independent procedures. Travelers should plan for each before leaving.
Tanzania's web information has not been fully updated to reflect the extended declaration rule, so verify the most recent official instructions before traveling.
Travunited Take:
We urge that Indian travelers complete the health declaration before leaving, save the QR code offline, and check Zanzibar's specific requirements. The additional preparation is minimal, but it can prevent unavoidable delays.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tanzania's Mandatory Health Declaration
1. Is a health declaration mandatory for all travellers arriving in Tanzania from October 2026?
Yes. Under Tanzania's October 17, 2026 travel advisory, all travellers entering mainland Tanzania must complete an online Traveller's Health Surveillance Form, regardless of nationality or country of departure.
2. When did Tanzania introduce the mandatory health declaration?
The expanded requirement took effect on October 17, 2026, as part of enhanced health screening measures following Ebola-related concerns in the region.
3. Do Indian citizens need to complete Tanzania's health declaration?
Yes. Indian travellers entering mainland Tanzania are covered by the requirement and must complete the health declaration.
4. What information is required for Tanzania's health declaration form?
The form requests passport details, personal information, arrival date, entry point, flight or transport details, accommodation information, recent travel history, and answers to health-related questions.
5. When should travellers submit the Tanzania health declaration?
The Ministry's advisory permits submission before departure or upon arrival. Completing the form before boarding is advisable to help avoid delays at the entry point.
6. Do travellers receive a QR code after completing the health declaration?
Yes. After submitting the form, travellers receive a confirmation containing a QR code or reference number. They should save it on their phone or keep an accessible screenshot for arrival screening.
7. Does every traveller need to complete a separate health declaration?
Yes. Each traveller, including children travelling with parents or guardians, must submit an individual declaration.
8. Will travellers undergo health screening upon arrival in Tanzania?
Yes. Travellers may undergo temperature checks and health assessments at airports, seaports, and land border crossings. Additional medical evaluation may be required if symptoms of an infectious disease are suspected.
9. Must all travellers quarantine for 21 days in Tanzania?
No. The 21-day monitoring measure applies to travellers identified as being at high risk of infection. It does not mean that every visitor must undergo a 21-day quarantine.
10. Are health declaration requirements different for Zanzibar?
Zanzibar has separate health entry instructions. Travellers visiting both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar should check the requirements applicable to each destination and follow the relevant official guidance.
11. Is Tanzania's health declaration the same as travel insurance?
No. The health declaration, mandatory travel insurance where applicable, and visa or e-Visa are separate requirements. Travellers should verify each requirement before departure.
12. What happens if a traveller does not complete the health declaration?
Travellers may experience delays during arrival screening or be asked to complete the form before proceeding. Completing it in advance and retaining the confirmation is the safer approach.
13. Why has Tanzania expanded its health screening requirements?
The expanded measures were introduced in response to Ebola-related concerns in the region, including developments in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighbouring countries.
