Home Arrow FAQs Arrow Can I use my national ID to travel to Tanzania?

Can I use my national ID to travel to Tanzania?

Whether you can use a national identity card to enter Tanzania depends on your nationality. In the vast majority of cases, international travelers are required to present a passport, though there are a few exemptions for citizens of some adjacent states according to regional agreements.

National ID Use for East African Community (EAC) Citizens

Tanzania is a member of the East African Community (EAC), which includes:

  • Kenya
  • Uganda
  • Rwanda
  • Burundi
  • South Sudan
  • Tanzania

Under East African Community agreements, EAC member states' nationals can travel to Tanzania with a valid national ID card and do not have to carry a passport when making short trips like tourism, business trips, or family visits.

The national ID must:

  • Be government-issued and valid.
  • Clearly display the holder’s photograph and personal details.
  • Be accepted by Tanzanian immigration authorities, particularly at land border crossings, and in some cases at airports, subject to airline policies.

This arrangement is intended to facilitate free movement and regional integration in East Africa.

Travelers From Non-EAC Countries

If you are not a citizen of an EAC member state, a national ID card from your home country is not accepted for entry into Tanzania, and you must travel with a valid passport. European, Asian, American, Middle Eastern, Australian, and other travelers will be required to have a valid passport.

Entry requirements for non-EAC travelers typically include:

  • A valid passport, typically required to have at least six months of remaining validity
  • A Tanzania visa (visa on arrival or eVisa, depending on nationality)
  • Supporting documents such as proof of accommodation and a return or onward travel ticket.

Airlines will deny boarding to passengers traveling to Tanzania unless you have a passport, in case you are not entitled to travel using a national ID.

Traveling to Zanzibar

Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous region of Tanzania, and generally follows the same immigration rules. Citizens of EAC member states may travel to Zanzibar using a national ID, while non-EAC travelers must use a passport. Other Zanzibar-specific details, such as mandatory inbound travel insurance, remain mandatory irrespective of a passport or national ID.

Important Limitations

Even for eligible EAC citizens, using a national ID:

  • Is generally permitted only for short stays
  • Not acceptable in the long term as a residence, occupation, or study.
  • It may not be accepted by airlines for international connecting flights outside East Africa.

Any traveler intending to make a complex itinerary or long stay will be advised to use a passport instead.

Conclusion

You can travel to Tanzania using a national ID only if you are a citizen of an East African Community member state. All other visitors will have to travel to Tanzania with a legitimate passport and a Tanzania proper visa.

When making a trip, it is always important to confirm the existing entry policies with the official immigration materials or your airline, since the border policies can vary. It will be reasonable to prepare the right traveling document beforehand, and it will facilitate a hassle-free entrance into Tanzania.

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