In a country with an exotic name Tanzania, there is an equally interesting island - Zanzibar. Despite the fact that it is part of the aforementioned Tanzania, the island has its own president and parliament, and it is known on the world stage as an autonomous state. Due to this status, it is not necessary for Russians to apply for a separate visa to the island.
Moreover, in order to visit a real African state, you do not need to collect a bunch of documents in advance and go to the embassy. Thanks to the soft visa regime, Russians can get a tourist visa right on the border of any city in Tanzania. But, of course, if there are non-tourist purposes, a person should contact the diplomatic mission located in Moscow directly.
Types of Visas to Zanzibar
For citizens of the Russian Federation, the government of both states made a pleasant bonus - they signed an agreement on simplified obtaining a tourist visa. Therefore, a traveler can obtain a visa to Zanzibar at the border upon arrival.
But which visas does Tanzania provide freely?
- Firstly, tourist - as mentioned earlier, its design takes place at the border.
- Secondly, business - it is opened by businessmen or private entrepreneurs. Business visa can be single and multiple entry.
- Thirdly, transit.
Tourist visa at Zanzibar airport
Consider in more detail each available visa to Zanzibar. Upon arrival at Zanzibar Airport, a stamp valid for ninety days is affixed to the Russian foreign passport. However, on the border, for unhindered obtaining a visa to Zanzibar for Russians, workers require compliance with certain entry rules. You must submit:
- A foreign passport, which must be valid for at least another six months after entering Tanzania.
- Return tickets to your home country or to a third country.
- A financial pillow for the entire period of rest, at the rate of five thousand Tanzanian shillings in knocks per person.
Among other things, to obtain a visa to Zanzibar you need to fill out a migration card, as well as undergo a questionnaire on the state of health. These forms can be obtained directly at the airport of arrival. Everything should be filled in Latin letters. A visa to Zanzibar costs fifty euros.
Tourist visa at the Embassy of Tanzania
Since the island is still part of the state of Tanzania, for any types of visas to Zanzibar that require additional efforts in obtaining them, you should contact the official representative of Tanzania in the Russian Federation, which is the Embassy.
In addition to obtaining a tourist entry document at the border, this can also be done at the diplomatic mission. Why is this needed? The answer is simple: many travelers plan to visit the country for a period of more than ninety days. And in order to apply for a visa to Tanzania (to Zanzibar) in this case, you must sign up for a personal interview, during which the applicant will transmit to the officer all the necessary documents:
- Foreign passport, valid for at least one hundred eighty days from the date of application.
- Two photographs 35 x 45 millimeters. The face should be captured on a blue background and occupy at least 70% of the total space.
- Filled in visa application forms. They can be downloaded on the official website of the diplomatic mission of Tanzania in Russia or taken in hard copy from an employee of the visa center. In total, two such questionnaires must be submitted in English.
- In addition, the officer has the right to require the applicant to present a vaccination certificate with a note of vaccination against yellow fever.
Most often (in the absence of questions from the Tanzanian representatives), a visa can be collected in two days. A visa for Russians to Tanzania (to Zanzibar) is issued with confirmation of the applicant's solvency.
Guest visit
Despite the fact that Zanzibar is a tourist destination, foreigners often draw up an entry document in the form of a guest permit. In this case, the applicant must provide a special invitation letter. Other documents remain unchanged. But if the Tanzanian side takes care of the financial situation of the applicant while he is staying in their territory, they should also add a sponsorship letter to the package of documents.
Traveling with children
Do I need a visa to Zanzibar for Russians who are under the age of fourteen? Yes, you need it just like an adult. To receive the document, it is necessary to provide similar papers indicated above, plus the birth certificate of the minor. If the child leaves with one of the parents or with an accompanying person, then the consent of the second parent must be provided, or in the latter case, both of them will leave with the certification of a notary.
Work Visa
Often foreigners travel to the country on working hours. Do I need a visa to Tanzania to Zanzibar in this case? Of course, and not at all tourist. A work visa has a significant difference from the usual one by its validity period, which is established according to the dates specified in the employment contract.
In addition to standard documents, for a work permit it is required to provide the officer of the Embassy of Tanzania with the following papers:
- Directly permit to engage in labor activities on the territory of the host country.
- Invitation letter drawn up by the employer.
- Contract of employment.
- Certificate confirming the current position.
- Certificate of personal savings (bank account).
Business visa
In addition to a work visa, Tanzania provides a business visa. It is made out by people who do not arrive for a permanent job under an employment contract. To receive it, the following documents should be transferred to the officer of the diplomatic mission in the Russian Federation:
- Copies of airline tickets.
- A painted route with detailed actions for the entire stay on the island of Zanzibar.
- Certificate with a yellow fever vaccination mark.
- A document from the bank, indicating the solvency of the citizen.
- Booking at the Zanzibar hotel for the entire stay.
- Business style letter from the host company.
Transit visa
If Zanzibar Airport is used only as a transfer hub, then there is no need to apply for a ninety-day visa. For transit border crossing, the applicant must provide the same package of documents as for the tourist. But in addition, you should also attach all the tickets on the further route and show a visa (if necessary) to a third country. Such a visa costs a little cheaper - 30 euros.
Entry Rules to Zanzibar
Each country has its own customs rules that guide the border services when refusing or approving the entry of a foreigner. So, it is forbidden to import local currency - Zanziban shilling - into Zanzibar, and all foreign currency brought in cash is subject to declaration.
Without paying customs duties, you can bring with you:
- Tobacco products in the form of cigarettes (up to two hundred pieces), or cigars (up to fifty pieces). An alternative is tobacco, its amount is limited to 250 grams.
- Alcoholic beverages not exceeding the volume of one liter.
- Perfume in a bottle containing no more than 250 grams.
If there is a technique with a foreigner, then it goes through the declaration procedure, since upon departure all previously imported goods are checked against the existing declaration. For the import of small arms, a person must first obtain a special permit from the Tanzan Ministry of the Interior.
Importation of animals is allowed only if there are valid certificates of vaccinations that have not expired. Rabies vaccination is especially important.
It is forbidden to import to Zanzibar:
- narcotic drugs;
- explosive and toxic substances;
- ivory products;
- diamonds in any form.
It is also worth knowing that gold jewelry can be exported, but unprocessed gold (in its pure form, so to speak) is not.