The Tanzanian government has lifted visa restrictions imposed on Nigerians, allowing Nigerians to apply for visas without a referral from an individual or company in Tanzania.

Tanzania’s Immigration Services Department spokesperson Paul Mselle confirmed the decision in a statement. 

“The Immigration Department informs the public that citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria have been officially removed from the Referred Visa Category, following published amendments in the Government Gazette number 246 of 2026,” the statement said. 

Before the removal, Nigerians applying for Tanzanian visas were required to submit an invitation letter from entities based in the East African country as part of their application. 

However, they can now apply for visas using the standard procedures. 

“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 immigration added. 

Meanwhile, Adeniran Timothy, the director-general of the International Forum for Peace & Diplomacy (IFPD), welcomed the announcement in a statement on social media. 

He said Nigeria and Tanzania had $10 billion in economic potential to unlock, and called on the Nigerian government to reciprocate the removal. 

“At the @ifpd_official Council of Emissaries in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, one of our key discussions with the East African Community was the cross-border trade and investment opportunities between Nigeria and Tanzania, with the potential to unlock over $10 billion annually,” Mr Timothy said. “Having previously served as Special Envoy on Trade & Investment to the East Africa Community (EAC), I am delighted that we can now welcome the removal of Nigerian nationals from Tanzania’s Referred Visa Category. Nigeria needs to reciprocate this diplomatic approach. Nigeria-Tanzania bilateral relations have so much to contribute to Africa’s development.”